How Much Precision in a Scale is Required for Precise Weight-Sorting?

[South Pender]

I realize that the answer to this question may well depend on the components on which we are weight-sorting--more precision for primers, for example, than for cases.

A popular scale with handloaders is the A&D FX-120i. It is advertised as measuring in .001-gram (or .015-grain) increments. Is more precision needed? If so, for what components being weighed?

 

[6bra1k]

the adfx120i is .02 grain with .03 tolerance.
very acceptable for most reloading sorting.
i use as much precision as i have on hand for all sorting in competition ammo

 

[RegionRat]

Even small cases can be sorted with a decent inexpensive 0.1 gr reloading scale, you don't need anything high performance for brass sorting since the sort bins are typically more than five to ten times that big.

 

[Fuj]

I have a small Peregrine .02 scale for sorting. I like it because
it has a small foot print and low to the bench. Everything is a
short reach.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Wait !
No one uses a beam scale for sorting?

 

[JFrank]

Wait !
No one uses a beam scale for sorting?

Probably Not,
I use a Bald Eagle electric set on grams not grains. It doesn’t drift on grams for what ever reason.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Interesting about the drift. Grams is the 'Native' unit, uses less software
I use grams for the resolution on my A&D EJ-54DT

 

[1066]

Wait !
No one uses a beam scale for sorting?

I'm a committed beam scaler, but even I admit to using a digital to sort brass and bullets. Just a cheap basic .1gn does the job for me. I don't weight sort primers - life's too short.

 

[CNC-Dude]

I used a cheap Hornady scale for a long time, but never understood why I had occasional flyers until I bought an A&D scale. Just for comparison, I weighed 10 consecutive charges on the Hornady and then weighed the same charge on the A&D. Even though all 10 weighed exactly the same to the .1 grain reading on the Hornady scale there was a spread of 1.6g on the A&D, so that answered where the flyers came from. So having a much finer unit of measure helps tremendously.

 

[GetReal]

My powder measure has accuracy to 0.1 gr. I've found it'll get me to 0.25 - 0.35"groups at 100 yd.

 

[6bra1k]

Even small cases can be sorted with a decent inexpensive 0.1 gr reloading scale, you don't need anything high performance for brass sorting since the sort bins are typically more than five to ten times that big.

not a decent sort..just a sorta sort

 

[6bra1k]

My powder measure has accuracy to 0.1 gr. I've found it'll get me to 0.25 - 0.35"groups at 100 yd.

well hell you should be shootin benchrest

 

[GetReal]

well hell you should be shootin benchrest

Not my game. (except for rimfire BR) I kinda been scared off by all the internet experts who mock my 0.30" groups with their one hole, 0.19" groups. Figger I'd just embarass myself. Working toward F-class tho.

 

[6bra1k]

Not my game. (except for rimfire BR) I kinda been scared off by all the internet experts who mock my 0.30" groups with their one hole, 0.19" groups. Figger I'd just embarass myself. Working toward F-class tho.

an actual match levels the playing field. you both shoot in the same conditions at the same location on the same day....no excuses

 

[jackieschmidt]

I am a competitive Benchrest Shooter, both Group and Score, and I don’t know any of my fellow competitors who “mock” anybody.
That’s not to say that quite often new shooters get a very good lesson in reality under Match Conditions.
And @6bra1k is right. Everybody has to shoot in what ever is out there.

We we were at New Braunfels shooting the Texas State Light Varmint and Sporter this week end, and trust me, in that wind, those “.190 one hole groups” were few and far between.

 

[johnfred1965]

As a competitive BR shooter you may not be mocked, but trust me when I say, as a non competitive, non BR shooter, the mockery is there...perhaps too subtle to pick up sometimes. Perhaps even in this thread.

 

[6bra1k]

As a competitive BR shooter you may not be mocked, but trust me when I say, as a non competitive, non BR shooter, the mockery is there...perhaps too subtle to pick up sometimes. Perhaps even in this thread.

sorry you think someones feelings were hurt.
its not mockery, it is simply come out and see the real world.
i

 

[DHuffman]

Not my game. (except for rimfire BR) I kinda been scared off by all the internet experts who mock my 0.30" groups with their one hole, 0.19" groups. Figger I'd just embarass myself. Working toward F-class tho.

I've found competing in 600 & 1000 yard benchrest to be very humbling and very fulfilling at the same time.
Many people, very good shooters have helped me along the way and I've made some true friends I'd never have met otherwise.

I don't feel I've ever been mocked pursuing this sport. As mentioned match conditions are the great equalizer. Shooting groups at home on a chosen condition is one thing, shooting them at a match on a given condition can be quite another.

 

[GetReal]

In my real world shooting and competitions, I cannot compete with folks 0.19" groups @ 100 yd internet posts. I'm more in the 0.30 - 0.45" grouo size range. Guess I need to learn how to internet shoot.

 

[6bra1k]

In my real world shooting and competitions, I cannot compete with folks 0.19" groups @ 100 yd internet posts. I'm more in the 0.30 - 0.45" grouo size range. Guess I need to learn how to internet shoot.

you need to get real.
read results at br matches
read national championship results
go shoot a match so you can see REAL LIFE.
just because YOU CANNOT, does not mean others cannot.
0.19 aint small in the benchrest world...zeros are small, little 1's are small.
but all that goes away on match day if the conditions suck.
i have a .27 at 200 yards, not really small, but on that day, in those conditions, out of a 100 targets shot it was the smallest...and a 30 br at........... thats a .135 moa