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$200 digital scales.... are they worth the time and money?

I had an A & D EJ120 scale that I think I paid around 200 for. I've been very happy with it and was a nice upgrade from the $50 scales I was using before
 
Save your money for an FX120, buy one of these in the mean time.

This is sound advice.
 
Save your money for an FX120, buy one of these in the mean time.

I have one of these for a spare. I bought it after I read Boyd's post. Still new but I think I'll use it for a little loading.
 
I have one of these for a spare. I bought it after I read Boyd's post. Still new but I think I'll use it for a little loading.
Its all I've used for the past several years. I bought one before that thread was posted. Really getting into diminishing returns for me thinking of spending 60x the money for marginally better performance that wouldn't likely show up on target. I have killed one, using another and have 1 more for back up.

Its SD is tighter than my target weight window anyway, so does a perfectly fine job and gives me low ES and SD on target.
 
The one from Creedmoor Sports is suppose to be a good scale, not a FX 120 but the next step under it. The new Ingenuity Thrower will work with it also. Its 399.00 I believe.
 
I would like to get a different scale and as the title says, are the digital scales on the $200 range worth it? Or for that price should I stay with a good beam scale? I'm not opposed to a good beam scale, but a digital would be nice.

Currently I'm using a Hornady beam scale and it's a little finicky. What scales would you recommend? Just looking for something that's reliable and consistent.
A good beam scale would be nice, not a digital one, unless you want a digital one for weighing bullets and cases.

Danny
 
I have the Creedmoor. My RCBS 10/10 had a spread a little over a 1/10gr variance. My Hornady and Lyman digitals were worse than the RCBS. A cheaper Hornady and Frankford Arsenal were even worse than those two.

I like the Creedmoor, got it when they ran a sale.
 
Keep an eye on ebay or Facebook marketplace... a bunch of us have picked up brand new in the box A&D Fx300iN scales for cheap . The 300iN is the exact same scale as the 120i except it can weigh 300gr instead of only 120gr and can be locked for commercial certification.

Found out the cannabis industry bought tons of these and lots of spares and have been selling them for nothinh because of a change in regulatory weighing requirements...

I personally grabbed one off ebay for $200 brand new in the box never used and they were going for as low as $75-$100 on marketplace..

Keep an eye out, I know lots of people that picked these up.

I now run 2 A&D's side by side with IP setups, AT's and electronics....


 
Keep an eye on ebay or Facebook marketplace... a bunch of us have picked up brand new in the box A&D Fx300iN scales for cheap . The 300iN is the exact same scale as the 120i except it can weigh 300gr instead of only 120gr and can be locked for commercial certification.

Found out the cannabis industry bought tons of these and lots of spares and have been selling them for nothinh because of a change in regulatory weighing requirements...

I personally grabbed one off ebay for $200 brand new in the box never used and they were going for as low as $75-$100 on marketplace..

Keep an eye out, I know lots of people that picked these up.

I now run 2 A&D's side by side with IP setups, AT's and electronics....


Thanks for the heads up. I'll see what I can find.
 
I forget the technical terms for the different types of scales, but I think they're all the same until you get to the A&D FX type lab scale. 20 dollars or 200, they have the same type of mechanism.
The FX uses a force restore which is very precise and not sensitive to temps. The cheap ones use strain gauge which is not as accurate and sensitive to temperature.

David
 
@Lead Slanger

Way to many variables that even a tenth of a grain of powder will ever effect in a rifle cartridge. Some people tend to over think things. This leads to spending alot of money worthlessly for the majority of people. But it makes them feel better when they brag about what they spent i guess.

I have my old RCBS 1010 beamer, and 2 hornady digital scales. Both hornady scales are within a tenth easily to my RCBS 1010 scale. I bought the latest hornady M2 Bench scale on sale at Basspro for $160 and it works fantastic.

Keep it simple and affordable, then you can buy more powder.

YMMV
 
I used one of these for my match ammo.

I have various RCBS, Redding, and Lee scales here. I know it will get a laugh but I keep going back to the cheap cheesy Lee. It is more sensitive than any other and it is accurate. It is also adjustable down to 1/20 gr.
I will be using the Lee for match ammo this year.
 
FWIW, the little GemPro 20 linked here is extremely accurate. I use it to weigh lube for bullet making where every .1 gr. means a lot. I also use it to verify charge weights on my manual measures and ChargeMaster Link.

Good shootin' :) -Al
 
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I don't trust any of them
The only way you can be sure just how accurate your $20 - $4000 scale is to have a "check weight".
I file down bullets to get them to read my desired charge throw. Say 30 grains. Keep checking your scale every 10 or 20 charges.
My Balance Beam drifted too much.
I have a $30 portable scale that I take to range. Use the same check weight there as I used on my A&D at home.
If a scale doesn't repeat - sell it.
 
I use what is most user friendly at the range for loading 6PPC and 30BR.

At this time, it’s a RCBS ChargeMaster Lite.
Do you have a backup plan in case the charge master takes a dump at the range or during a match? I have a CM Link that works fine but I'd like to have something in case it craps out. I'm having difficulty staying within the +/- 1/10 grain with a Harrell's or Saeco measure and N133. Pre weighed glass vials could be an option.
 
@Lead Slanger

Way to many variables that even a tenth of a grain of powder will ever effect in a rifle cartridge. Some people tend to over think things. This leads to spending alot of money worthlessly for the majority of people. But it makes them feel better when they brag about what they spent i guess.

I have my old RCBS 1010 beamer, and 2 hornady digital scales. Both hornady scales are within a tenth easily to my RCBS 1010 scale. I bought the latest hornady M2 Bench scale on sale at Basspro for $160 and it works fantastic.

Keep it simple and affordable, then you can buy more powder.

YMMV
I'm not necessarily looking for absolute accuracy with a scale, just repeatability. I can't see them being so far out of whack, accuracy wise, that it's going to make that much difference. Consistent, repeatability is key. Even if it's .2 off, as long as it's consistently .2 off, it's all good. The load will be worked up anyway. I'm just looking for a scale/press combo that'll give me consistency and a low ES. (I'm picking up a new MEC Marksman as well. Haha)

All that to say, you're probably right. :)
 
Do you have a backup plan in case the charge master takes a dump at the range or during a match? I have a CM Link that works fine but I'd like to have something in case it craps out. I'm having difficulty staying within the +/- 1/10 grain with a Harrell's or Saeco measure and N133. Pre weighed glass vials could be an option.
Yes. My 25 year old Bruno Powder Thrower that is set for 35.7 grains of N-130.
If It’s a Group Match, I take my old Hensler Powder Thrower as a backup for my 6PPC.
 
I'm not necessarily looking for absolute accuracy with a scale, just repeatability. I can't see them being so far out of whack, accuracy wise, that it's going to make that much difference. Consistent, repeatability is key. Even if it's .2 off, as long as it's consistently .2 off, it's all good. The load will be worked up anyway. I'm just looking for a scale/press combo that'll give me consistency and a low ES. (I'm picking up a new MEC Marksman as well. Haha)

All that to say, you're probably right. :)
You`re on the right track.... "consistency" is king.
 

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