Equivalent Scale to Gempro 250

[Rocketvapor]

I agree. A milligram on a 20 gram/300grain full scale should be easy.
Getting a milligram on a 100 or 200 gram scale requires much better components.
Doable but it will cost you.
For powder charges, sensitivity to small changes, like a kernel of powder is as much of a concern as scale accuracy. I think many folks are misled when calibration happens at a much higher weight such as 50 or 100 grams. That's where you have to rely on the linearity of the scale for small values. Even some of the more expensive scales have a 'linearity' specs of a few counts. Go into the advertised specs of some more expensive scales and calculate all error components at a charge load of 2 or 3 grams.

Another thing folks seldom check out is the ability to CALIBRATE at less than full scale.
The little scale you like can be calibrated (cal mode, press Mode or Tare to change cal weight) at 2 grams, 5 grams, 9 grams , or the full scale of 20grams. Using a couple check weights you can find a range that compensates for linearity error where you plan on using it.
For example, cal @ 5g, it's seems to be linear to within a count from 1g to 5g. Still drifts a count or so though. For $20 it's a bargain. Easily sensitive enough to SEE one kernel of Varget.

While I like the dual range A&D EJ54-D2 (22g and 54g) it does cost a lot more.
(not as much as some scales though)
You can also pick the cal value. I use 10 gram cal on the 22 gram range.

Another cheapy, not for powder charges, but useful for heavier bullets and brass is shown in the attached pic. 500 grams, 0.01 gram resolution, good to maybe 0.02 gram if you pick a good full scale value to calibrate at.
Check your scale to see if you can PICK the calibration value. Might be able to 'dial out' some error where you want to use it.

 

[JFrank]

This short video illustrates how quickly the fx120 resolves and displays weight.

I am going to a digital scale, but I am a sucker for a quality beam scale. I just bought a clean Ohaus 505 scale. What I am curious about is
1. how accurate a 50grain lyman check weight is?
2. how accurate is a vintage 5 gram Ohaus check weight? They came in a little plastic case, mine has 9 weights and sections for very small test weights. I think they were sold to colleges. "Sto-A-Weigh"

Id be fairly confident in Lyman or Ohaus check weights.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

This short video illustrates how quickly the fx120 resolves and displays weight.

Id be fairly confident in Lyman or Ohaus check weights.

For those that don’t have this scale that was Grams measure, Grains will show as GN.

 

[JFrank]

For those that don’t have this scale that was Grams measure, Grains will show as GN.

You are correct, the .00 GN mode resolves value just as quickly but in even numbers, I don’t recall seeing odd numbers in grain mode.

Added; The Creedmoor scale will show odd numbers in grain mode but has a touch of drift, also a tic slower.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

You are correct, the .00 GN mode resolves value just as quickly but in even numbers, I don’t recall seeing odd numbers in grain mode.

Well that’s Cool, I learn something new every day.

 

[JFrank]

Well that’s Cool, I learn something new every day.

While sorting primers I always use the gram .000 mode, there’s less drift and odd numbers are quite useful .

 

[Rocketvapor]

"1. how accurate a 50grain lyman check weight ?
2. how accurate is a vintage 5 gram Ohaus check weight?"
Are these brass check weights?

Do a search on Lyman grain check weights.
Older sets of Lyman check weight weren't all that accurate.
Newer sets are better
https://www.lymanproducts.com/scale-weight-check-sets

Here is a nice looking Ohaus 5 gram weight, ASTM Class 6, non-magnetic Stainless Steel, accurate to 2 counts on a milligram scale. Look up weight classes.

https://www.grainger.com/product/5R...3a6427a4972a1d0a913842c97b40a433&gclsrc=3p.ds

ALMOST GOOD ENOUGH - -
TO DO A YOUTUBE REVIEW OF A Milligram SCALE.

Would a milligram or two of check weight error matter down range?
What is nice is that replacing a damaged or lost weight years from now will end up close to the same value/error. (SAMENESS IS IMPORTANT)
Error in a ASTM Class 4 or better would be better.

Sorting primers who would do that?

Tare empty block, flip 100 primers from one block, get average, then sort.
(scale counts in 0.005 grains in grain mode, or 0.0002 grams in gram mode)

 

[Tesoro]

This short video illustrates how quickly the fx120 resolves and displays weight.

Id be fairly confident in Lyman or Ohaus check weights.

It really dosent make any diff how precise your check weights are, within reason. You are not buying diamonds! You tare or zero your check weight for your powder charge for a reference. All all that really matters is repeatability from that point on when developing a load.

 

[JFrank]

"1. how accurate a 50grain lyman check weight ?
2. how accurate is a vintage 5 gram Ohaus check weight?"
Are these brass check weights?

Do a search on Lyman grain check weights.
Older sets of Lyman check weight weren't all that accurate.
Newer sets are better
https://www.lymanproducts.com/scale-weight-check-sets

Here is a nice looking Ohaus 5 gram weight, ASTM Class 6, non-magnetic Stainless Steel, accurate to 2 counts on a milligram scale. Look up weight classes.

https://www.grainger.com/product/5R...3a6427a4972a1d0a913842c97b40a433&gclsrc=3p.ds

ALMOST GOOD ENOUGH - -
TO DO A YOUTUBE REVIEW OF A Milligram SCALE.

Would a milligram or two of check weight error matter down range?
What is nice is that replacing a damaged or lost weight years from now will end up close to the same value/error. (SAMENESS IS IMPORTANT)
Error in a ASTM Class 4 or better would be better.

Sorting primers who would do that?
View attachment 1499179
Tare empty block, flip 100 primers from one block, get average, then sort.
(scale counts in 0.005 grains in grain mode, or 0.0002 grams in gram mode)

How do you go about sorting those primers and to what degree ? Have you seen any difference on paper?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

It really dosent make any diff how precise your check weights are, within reason. You are not buying diamonds! You tare or zero your check weight for your powder charge for a reference. All all that really matters is repeatability from that point on when developing a load.

Exactly.
Quality scales are important for the loaders time and peace of mind of the results of the powder charge in the case. Fluctuating strain gauge scales will eventually drive the hand loader insane, figuratively speaking.

 

[Rocketvapor]

@JFrank
I haven't tried the outliers yet.
Wife and I shoot 600. Loading for a trigger time session and a monthly match keeps me busy.
Keep them separated.

The how? I take an empty tray. Tare it. Take a full tray and flip 100 into the it. That gives me a tray average.
Then just one at a time sorting near average, a little high, a little low, and the rally high and low.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Accurate check weights matter when troubleshooting/evaluating scales.
How do you know if your power line conditioner is working properly?
Your granite slab heavy enough?
Static driving you insane?
Your scale hasn't drifted off calibration?
For reloading, SAMENESS matters.
I have a set of SS gram weights OVER 20 years old that compare favorably to New weights. They got sameness (stability) and accuracy.
I just love it when folks prove their scales with kernels of Varget.
Look close, one kernel of Varget.

Really good weights are only needed when making Youtube videos

 

[JFrank]

@JFrank
I haven't tried the outliers yet.
Wife and I shoot 600. Loading for a trigger time session and a monthly match keeps me busy.
Keep them separated.

The how? I take an empty tray. Tare it. Take a full tray and flip 100 into the it. That gives me a tray average.
Then just one at a time sorting near average, a little high, a little low, and the rally high and low.
View attachment 1499209

So, four groups sorted in grain mode. Have you seen any separation on your 600 yard targets using sorted primers ?
I use to have a chart listing the weights of primers by manufactures in grams, (CCI if I recall correctly) can’t find it now days. Oh well..

 

[Rocketvapor]

@JFrank
I don't shoot well enough to tell the difference
When I load a batch for a match, I just try and keep everything the same, just in case it matters.
Load 100 or so for me, 100 or so for the wife, for some practice and the match. I still get some 9's.

 

[Rocketvapor]

A few months back I loaded up some for the wife with CCI450, CCI41, and Win41. All sorted primers and same load as best I could do.
The groups with the sorted Win 41 were slightly better that trip.
We don't have enough Win41 left to load a batch
I can't tell the difference in the CCI450, or the CCI 41, which I have plenty of.
Also have a gazillion WSR (old brass colored) but they don't seem to survive the loads we use. Sort of hot for a 22N. I think the Ginex, brass colored P3 has the same pressure limit as the old WSR.

Kind of hard to evaluate the finer details of reloading when you are getting better (and still have room to go) with more trigger time. Wife is closer to making Master than I am. Someone that routinely shoots cleans would be better to comment on primer sorting. I do it because I can and it MIGHT make a difference.

 

[JFrank]

I have not been able to consistently place my finger on a discernible difference at 500 although I still sort and similar, I can’t shoot well enough to hit my truck at a thousand some days.

 

[Rocketvapor]

What I CAN SEE is powder charges to maybe 0.2 grain. So, I try and load to much less than this. Go back to post #32 of this thread for 'calculator' drops for charge.

I think we have determined that the FX120 is at least equivalent to the old GemPro 250
(the original question of this thread)
Most users seem to get kernel of Varget accuracy IF you put it on a granite block, get rid of fluorescent lighting, all drafts, stable temperature control, use a power conditioner and static safeguards.
Check out all the FX120 threads on this and other forums.
That will get you a rock solid 1 milligram.
What would that $20 scale do with all those precautions?
LOL

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

In addition to several other scales, I have one of these, which is an amazing value. Several people have bought them based on my recommendation and they are all of the same opinion. It is available on Amazon.

this just came in the mail today. from your recommendation! excellent. weighed some SMKs. 130 gr were mostly .02-.04 close. wow on both smks and scale itself. used ohaus 5 gram for test. best thing since sliced bread. 110% approval.