Powder scale recommendation

[muleman69]

My old RCBS digital is giving me fits, like to replace it?

 

[Termite I]

I bought the A&D FX-120i , auto throw / auto trickle with all of the Area 419 goodies and now wonder why I waited so long to get it. It's a little pricey but worth every penny. The one thing I'd change if I was to do it again is not get the Area 419 powder throw with the glass hopper. It's pretty heavy and sits on top of the wind shield which just sits on top of the scale. I think the 3D printed mount would have been adequate for my needs. I do wish they would use a better powder throw.

 

[rardoin]

The 419 glass hopper is heavy and was a concern for me when I first purchased one. However, since using it for about 600rds I have not encountered any issues from the extra weight and I certainly do appreciate the extra capacity compared to the standard Lee hopper.

 

[Termite I]

The extra capacity is nice it's just that things that can break easily and I don't get along well .
I sold my RCBS Chargemaster after I bought the A&D FX-120i. It is so much faster measuring a charge.

 

[rardoin]

I do have to be a bit careful pulling it off of the flimsy Lee thrower body...I feel like it is going to break every time. Sure wish I had a servo-motor drive for my Harrel's. One can only dream....

 

[Termite I]

When I was researching what and where to buy I came across a Post with the guy that makes them. They were talking about what modifications would need to be done to use other powder measures. I don't remember the Forum, it may have been here, or the date of the Post. Having never used or seen the setup in use ( other than videos on the internet ) i didn't realize the draft shield just sits on top of the scale, I thought it was screwed on or had some way to connect to the scale. Of course having the draft shield securely mounted would make it difficult to clean up a powder spillage. A Harrel's would be sweet sitting on top and I would have paid the extra money to get one setup with it if it was an option. The glass hopper I received has a flat bottom on the inside, it's not a funnel shape like other powder measures I have, just seems a little strange to me.

 

[PracticalTactical]

The Op didn't specify what kind of shooting you do, so the best answer depends on that.

If you only shoot inside 300 yards, then just about any scale under $100 should do it. Lots of very affordable options on ebay that will do just fine.

If you like to shoot long range, then cost can scale up rapidly depending on your expectations.

I've been involved in F-Class for about 20 years and have migrated from Sartorius to a Vibra HT 4 decimal place model which is beneficial if you want to try to hold the 1/2 MOA bull out to 1000 yards.

I know of no scale that is better than a Vibra.

Here's a link
http://www.vibracanada.com/products/analytical/ht_htr/index.html

I also use an Omega powder trickler to get within 1 kernel.

I would strongly recommend that you avoid the RCBS Chargemaster (or similar) because for the added cost of automation you are simply better off to by a set of Lyman powder scoops and a better scale. The automation seems convenient at first glance but it will never weigh the charges as accurately as a dedicated scale for the same price.

And herein lies the problem with a cheap scale, you just cant trust it for consistency and without a better scale you cannot validate it's accuracy.

 

[Cory porter]

I just got the bald eagle scale from grizzly and really like it. I throw my charge on a Harrell’s and trickle up.

I will say the only thing I don’t like is that the pan or whatever you have the powder placed in will need to be bumped or manipulated once getting close because it doesn’t seem to recognize small powder adjustments without. Over all for the price and accuracy I couldn’t be happier.

 

[mike06]

I have a new FX 120i on the way got it for $450 plus $25 shipping from here https://ceproducts.shop/ discount code CAMBRIDGE took off $295 I should have also ordered the check weight for another $15 but found one on Amazon for about $8

 

[Depart123]

You probably don't want to hear this, but I have a vintage Ohaus 5-0-5 that consistently has an ES of .09 grains and an SD of .03 grains.

It will cost you about $700+ or more to do better.

 

[JFrank]

Gary
I use these vvv
1- Scott Parker beam
2- Bald Eagle digital

J

 

[10xsllc]

I bought the A&D FX-120i , auto throw / auto trickle with all of the Area 419 goodies and now wonder why I waited so long to get it. It's a little pricey but worth every penny. The one thing I'd change if I was to do it again is not get the Area 419 powder throw with the glass hopper. It's pretty heavy and sits on top of the wind shield which just sits on top of the scale. I think the 3D printed mount would have been adequate for my needs. I do wish they would use a better powder throw.

I have the same and agree

 

[Mr.Knowit all]

My Lyman has been great. 1000's of loads and still going strong

 

[muleman69]

The Op didn't specify what kind of shooting you do, so the best answer depends on that.

If you only shoot inside 300 yards, then just about any scale under $100 should do it. Lots of very affordable options on ebay that will do just fine.

If you like to shoot long range, then cost can scale up rapidly depending on your expectations.

I've been involved in F-Class for about 20 years and have migrated from Sartorius to a Vibra HT 4 decimal place model which is beneficial if you want to try to hold the 1/2 MOA bull out to 1000 yards.

I know of no scale that is better than a Vibra.

Here's a link
http://www.vibracanada.com/products/analytical/ht_htr/index.html

I also use an Omega powder trickler to get within 1 kernel.

I would strongly recommend that you avoid the RCBS Chargemaster (or similar) because for the added cost of automation you are simply better off to by a set of Lyman powder scoops and a better scale. The automation seems convenient at first glance but it will never weigh the charges as accurately as a dedicated scale for the same price.

And herein lies the problem with a cheap scale, you just cant trust it for consistency and without a better scale you cannot validate it's accuracy.

I shoot from 100 to 700 mostly ,shoot out to a mile in the winter season

 

[Hermantk]

I bought the A&D FX-120i , auto throw / auto trickle with all of the Area 419 goodies and now wonder why I waited so long to get it. It's a little pricey but worth every penny. The one thing I'd change if I was to do it again is not get the Area 419 powder throw with the glass hopper. It's pretty heavy and sits on top of the wind shield which just sits on top of the scale. I think the 3D printed mount would have been adequate for my needs. I do wish they would use a better powder throw.

I love my A&D FX120i but i am faster with my fingers than the trickler is. Dump a load, put it on the scale and drop a few kernels to bring it up or down to target.