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Best Reloading Scales Compared

Here's an opportunity to compare a review of the performance of an analytical balance compared to a milligram balance.

You should take note of the kernel weight shown on the Ultimate Reloader video is showing that kernels weigh 0.04 grains each (around 7 minutes into the video) when they actually weigh about 0.02 grains each.

If you don’t know how much a kernel of powder actually weighs, you would never notice the error.

Here’s a video from Practical Tactical

.
Here’s the video from Ultimate Reloader

Jump to 7 minutes in.

 
i'll say it up front
IMHO, he is NOT the ultimate reloader.
THE vids sorta prove it

You're absolutely right.

to a kindergartner, a first grader seems like a rocket scientist. Everybody has to start somewhere. Having said that, I agree that the A&D Fx120i is the most cost effective scale for most precision shooters.

I use the Sartorious Entris 64S and it is accurate to 0.002 (an extra digit than the A&D) but it cost twice as much as the A&D and for most people they don't need any additional precision unless you're measuring very fine grain powder of 0.001 like ball powder or IMR8208xbr.

So for most people (those who are on a budget) the A&D is the right scale. If money is not tight, then the sky is the limit, don't stop at a Sartorious, go all the way to a Prometheus.

Joe
 
You're absolutely right.

to a kindergartner, a first grader seems like a rocket scientist. Everybody has to start somewhere. Having said that, I agree that the A&D Fx120i is the most cost effective scale for most precision shooters.

I use the Sartorious Entris 64S and it is accurate to 0.002 (an extra digit than the A&D) but it cost twice as much as the A&D and for most people they don't need any additional precision unless you're measuring very fine grain powder of 0.001 like ball powder or IMR8208xbr.

So for most people (those who are on a budget) the A&D is the right scale. If money is not tight, then the sky is the limit, don't stop at a Sartorious, go all the way to a Prometheus.

Joe
joe joe joe
he did not say MOST COST EFFECTIVE SCALE, nor did he say BEST ON A BUDGET,he said BEST.
not most practical, not most used by precision shooters.
best....
i stand by my reply...HE IS NOT THE ULTIMATE
i have the a and D FX120i
 
Of course i didnt watch the video but was wondering if he actually tested a prometheus? I see folks talk a lot about the best scales but they forget that one
 
I'm guessing the image below from Prometheus' website may likely be the biggest reason you don't always hear the Prometheus listed in threads discussing high-end balances for weighing charges. The cost to own one is significant, and many simply lease the system rather than purchase it outright. I would also classify the Prometheus as more than merely a balance. It could perhaps be better described as a powder delivery system. In terms of its function, it would roughly compare to having an accurate balance + trickler, although that also may not be the best comparison as you're also paying for the automation, speed, and ease of use with the Prometheus.

There seems to have been a number of powder weight/delivery system post in recent days. I would generally suggest to anyone seeking the best possible precision to purchase the best powder weight system they can reasonably afford. At the high end of that range, an analytical balance such as the Sartorius Entris 64 represents about the very best you'll ever need. In fact, it's probably overkill for many reloaders. The current version of the Entris 64 might set one back somewhere in the neighborhood of $1800, so it's obviously not for everyone. The key point here is that someone with extra cash dripping from their fingers can actually buy a much more expensive analytical balance than the Entris. However, accuracy to one more decimal place is pretty much meaningless when something like the Entris is already more than capable of weighing powder to +/- half a kernel (one corporal). Charge weight variance that low would be associated with velocity variance in the neighborhood of 1 fps. Most commonly available chronographs are not even capable of accurately measuring velocity changes that small. Further, using a balance with that level of accuracy/precision for weighing powder would be maddening, because the last decimal place or two would constantly be bouncing all over the place without special equipment such as a vibration-dampening table.

I would also suggest to anyone in the market for a new balance to sit down and determine for themselves to what accuracy/precision they want to weigh charges. A good place to start is by using a typical, or even hypothetical ES for a series of charge weights to make a rough estimate of the predicted effect on velocity. As an example, let's say you have a typical charge weight series of 45.0 gr +/- 0.1 gr. In other words, all the charge weights range from 44.9 to 45.1 gr. Let's further say that the average velocity for this load is 2800 fps. In this rough approximation, 2800 fps/45.0 gr = approximately 62 fps per grain of powder, or ~6.2 fps per 0.1 gr. Thus it is possible to make a rough estimate of 2800 +/- 6 fps for the actual charge weights ranging from 44.9 to 45.1 gr; i.e. from 2794 to 2806 fps, or a predicted ES of about 12 fps. Note that this is merely a crude way to make an estimate of how powder weight accuracy/precision might translate to velocity variance. It is a relatively simple way to get a rough idea of what effect powder weight variance has on velocity, and more importantly, as an aid in making a realistic decision as to what powder weight accuracy/precision you might require for your intended purposes.

Once you have decided on the accuracy/precision to which you wish to weigh powder, then you can start looking at balances that will satisfy your requirements. You can then determine prices from different vendors, and decide what unit your budget will actually support, then get feedback at shooting forums such as A.S. about that particular model. A little bit of critical thinking and effort up front will help you get the right balance that fits your budget and does the job you need it to do.
 

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Here's an opportunity to compare a review of the performance of an analytical balance compared to a milligram balance.

You should take note of the kernel weight shown on the Ultimate Reloader video is showing that kernels weigh 0.04 grains each (around 7 minutes into the video) when they actually weigh about 0.02 grains each.

If you don’t know how much a kernel of powder actually weighs, you would never notice the error.

Here’s a video from Practical Tactical
I'm lost.

In your video (at 6:20) you are measuring IMR 4895 and it shows it weighs about .02 grains each:

1643057581141.png

In the Ultimate Reloader video (at 6:20) he's measuring IMR 4530 and it shows it weighs about .04 grains each:

1643057562731.png

Friend just weighed one kernel of IMR 4350 and it weighs about .04:
1643058294423.png

not sure why you are saying UltimateReloder video is in error showing IMR 4350 weighing .04....
 
I'm lost.

In your video (at 6:20) you are measuring IMR 4895 and it shows it weighs about .02 grains each:

View attachment 1310956

In the Ultimate Reloader video (at 6:20) he's measuring IMR 4530 and it shows it weighs about .04 grains each:

View attachment 1310955

Friend just weighed one kernel of IMR 4350 and it weighs about .04:
View attachment 1310963

not sure why you are saying UltimateReloder video is in error showing IMR 4350 weighing .04....
Good catch newbie... I thought he was using the same powder, but as memory serves 4350 is not that heavy and I will look into it. I just don't happen to have any here at the moment, but I'll get some and confirm.
 
RCBS 505, batteries never go dead, it never drifts and no waiting for it to stop hunting for a place to stop. ;)
Picked up an electronic digital scale, watched it drift back and forth for about 20 minutes before I put it back in the box and sold it to someone that had more time to waste watching it drift. :p
 
Good catch newbie... I thought he was using the same powder, but as memory serves 4350 is not that heavy and I will look into it. I just don't happen to have any here at the moment, but I'll get some and confirm.
Hi ,I have a A&D 100HR A analytical balance that is accurate to .002 grains and indeed a kernel of imr 4350 weighed between. 038 and .042 grains I weighed several kernels
 
Here's an opportunity to compare a review of the performance of an analytical balance compared to a milligram balance.

You should take note of the kernel weight shown on the Ultimate Reloader video is showing that kernels weigh 0.04 grains each (around 7 minutes into the video) when they actually weigh about 0.02 grains each.

If you don’t know how much a kernel of powder actually weighs, you would never notice the error.

Here’s a video from Practical Tactical

.
Here’s the video from Ultimate Reloader

Jump to 7 minutes in.

Here's an opportunity to compare a review of the performance of an analytical balance compared to a milligram balance.

You should take note of the kernel weight shown on the Ultimate Reloader video is showing that kernels weigh 0.04 grains each (around 7 minutes into the video) when they actually weigh about 0.02 grains each.

If you don’t know how much a kernel of powder actually weighs, you would never notice the error.

Here’s a video from Practical Tactical

.
Here’s the video from Ultimate Reloader

Jump to 7 minutes in.

Hi ,I have a A&D 100HR A and is accurate to. 002 grains and I weighed several kernels of imr 4350 and indeed they weighed between. 038 gr and .042 gr so the FX 120i is correct
 
Checked some IMR 4350.
kernels-of-IMR-4350.jpg

100 kernels of IMR 4350 = 4.1867 grains, average of .04187 grains/kernel (No half kernels)
100-kernels.jpg


1 kernel of VARGET = 0.0215 GRAINS

Varget.jpg

Resolution = 0.000154 grains
 
Last edited:
Hi ,I have a A&D 100HR A analytical balance that is accurate to .002 grains and indeed a kernel of imr 4350 weighed between. 038 and .042 grains I weighed several kernels
That’s more consistent than most powders. I’ve found a single kernel can weight less than half as much as a large kernel of the same stick powder. (Scale is an Entris 64)

David
 
You're absolutely right.

to a kindergartner, a first grader seems like a rocket scientist. Everybody has to start somewhere. Having said that, I agree that the A&D Fx120i is the most cost effective scale for most precision shooters.

I use the Sartorious Entris 64S and it is accurate to 0.002 (an extra digit than the A&D) but it cost twice as much as the A&D and for most people they don't need any additional precision unless you're measuring very fine grain powder of 0.001 like ball powder or IMR8208xbr.

So for most people (those who are on a budget) the A&D is the right scale. If money is not tight, then the sky is the limit, don't stop at a Sartorious, go all the way to a Prometheus.

Joe
Joe,
A Prometheus is no more accurate than ur Sartorious. It just combines a well designed powder trickler with an accurate balance beam scale.
My team mate has one ( Prometheus) and we have put it side by side with my Sartorious 503 and there is no difference in charges weighed. There is a big difference in price!
 
For me the FX120i is more than adequate, repeatably and reliably resolving to the grain the powders that I’m not throwing in a powder measure.
With a V3 it’s fast even for 100 grain charges.
 

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