Best Reloading Scales Compared

[JEFFPPC]

Iv'e known folks that waxed their cars once a week and swore they got better gas mileage.

Lol.

 

[drpro]

After waxing the car, I warn my wife that it will go faster and to watch out for exceeding the speed limit!!

 

[Bob3700]

I can resolve one kernel with a good B scale but I know I can’t shoot the difference of one kernel of any powder in my best gun.

@praticaltactical
That’s a hell of scale you got there .

The Sartorious weights powder to .oo1 gr. level. Is that necessary? The math says that it is not. A single kernel of Varget is .02 gr. That said, when my loaded ammo has the absolute least amount of variation possible, it gives me confidence in my equipment. If you think it matters, it does.

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.

I have noticed that several folks with V3 and V4 scale/ tricklers usually mention how fast they are.
To me, speed is not a priority, only fidelity. The more consistent and accurate my charges are, the better. When u observe ur groups at 600 or 1000yds are N they are holding elevation, that is my goal. Es and sd at the target being single digits is the mark of consistent ammunition. My scale contributes to that goal.
one thing that has not been mentioned is the volume of the case u are shooting. A 6 mm BR or 223 will be more sensitive to powder charge variations than say a 308. So the smaller the cartridge, the more sensitive it is to small variations in any component wt.
and at 1000 yds, everything matters.

 

[SKWERLZ]

The Sartorious weights powder to .oo1 gr. level. Is that necessary? The math says that it is not. A single kernel of Varget is .02 gr. That said, when my loaded ammo has the absolute least amount of variation possible, it gives me confidence in my equipment. If you think it matters, it does.

I have noticed that several folks with V3 and V4 scale/ tricklers usually mention how fast they are.
To me, speed is not a priority, only fidelity. The more consistent and accurate my charges are, the better. When u observe ur groups at 600 or 1000yds are N they are holding elevation, that is my goal. Es and sd at the target being single digits is the mark of consistent ammunition. My scale contributes to that goal.
one thing that has not been mentioned is the volume of the case u are shooting. A 6 mm BR or 223 will be more sensitive to powder charge variations than say a 308. So the smaller the cartridge, the more sensitive it is to small variations in any component wt.
and at 1000 yds, everything matters.

To me speed is a high priority and the ability to be fast and precise enough for my needs makes the $$ I spent on it seem quite worthwhile.
Me shooting my 6 BRA at 1525 yards,

 

[Bob3700]

Do the analytical balance require a wind proof environment or line conditioners ? Any special considerations ?
I’ve no experience with those upper end units so I thought to ask.

My Sartorious came with a five sided shielded weighing platform. I do not use a line conditioner and have no issues with drift. It is not used outside, only in a controlled environment. The shielding , for me, is basically preventing any draft created by the furnace/AC from affecting the readings. When weighing to the third decimal, even a slight draft will affect the balance.

 

[ALK]

If you're weighing to the third decimal, then to keep weight accurate, you're splitting kernels. To much work and money for me.

 

[Rocketvapor]

A milligram is likely as accurate as you need.
A repeatable milligram in results, not a milligram in scale resolution.

Zero can be almost a count off from load to load and you won't see it.
Any reading can be off almost a count and you won't see it.
Many digital scales are calibrated at full scale and unless you use accurate check weights near your target you also have additional calibration and linearity errors you won't see. Using the same check weights day after day after year might help with consistency.
Having +/- one count of Noise in your readings, which you can only see with an evaluation of your scale, environment, and weighing practice with check weights.
With a milligram being 0.0154 grains (almost a kernel of VARGET) any errors might show up on long range targets.

For small cartridges and ball powder a true milligram is still likely good enough.
To get that milligram you might need another digit to absorb those small errors.
What is the resolution of a scale like the AND FX120? A milligram?
In Grain mode, about a kernel of VARGET?
Obviously Good Enough.

I worked down a couple US nickels for a member here and sent them gratis for use with his beam scale.
One was 5.000 grams, the other HALF a milligram LIGHT. IF he can tell the difference, it will be a good test of scale sensitivity. I expect a good beam scale to find the heavy one 6 out of 10 times.
A milligram digital to find the heavy one 5 (or less) times out of 10.
NOTE: I did not compensate for the 8.9g/cc density of the material of the nickle.

 

[Bob3700]

If you're weighing to the third decimal, then to keep weight accurate, you're splitting kernels. To much work and money for me.

I don’t split kernels, just rethrow a charge. Varget has third decimal variations in the weight of a single kernel, so u just dump the one out of ur range and throw n trickle another one.
u do need to keep ur powder in a sealed container/ hopper to prevent moisture absorbs ion. That will cause variations in per kernel weight.
It takes a bit more time, but being retired, I have the time to craft my ammo for a match.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Iv'e known folks that waxed their cars once a week and swore they got better gas mileage.

This may have merit.

Do Airplanes Fly Faster After Waxing Them? - airplaneacademy.com

A couple weekends ago I was preparing for a long cross country trip from Texas to Idaho to do some back country instruction in the mountains. Part of my checklist leading up to the trip was to clean the airplane really well so that I could do a thorough pre-flight inspection before that long of […]

airplaneacademy.com

Also everyone knows that your car rides smoother after you wash it.

 

[Bob3700]

I don’t recognize you by your handle but what 1000 yard range do you shoot at ?

Have shot at Camp Perry, Lodi Wisc. , Oak Ridge Tn. , Ft. Benning, Rivoli. Il.

Shoot mostly 600 as I don’t travel as much as I used to. Looking to shoot Attebury In. , just have not gotten there yet.