GEM PRO-250 elt scales

[carl1575]

Any of you guys have any experencs with a GEM PRO-250. The revues look great,what about the real world.I have used a 10-10 , lyman, rcbs ,beam scales 40 years then my 10-10 with a Pact elt. last 12 or 15 years. THen I read about the GEM PRO_250 made me feel like I have using a titter-totter all these years. I dont feel like I shoot well enough to know to see much difference in my hand loads,inch to inch/half off a bench 8 to 10 inches off hand 10 shots at 100 yr. 4 to 6 inches stdnding off cross sticks 5 shots. I think I am kidding my self to think I can improve groups with powder charges right to the tenth,what do you think carl f

 

[jlow]

I wrote up on my experience with this balance in this thread:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3780849.0

 

[Josh11]

I use one and love it. It was crazy at first because I hat it on my metal surfaced bench but I put in a cutting board an level it out and now working great. Produces great rounds. Gota love the 30 year warrenty.

 

[Josh11]

Also get a good trickler. It will save you a lot of aggravation.

 

[300 RUM]

I have one and tear every measurement, works wonderful for precision loading, it will get you the exact same charge every time. You will need to learn it quarks how ever, but best out there.

Oh and once you turn it on, leave it on

 

[BoydAllen]

I have used a number of electronic scales, including the one that you are inquiring about. It is refreshing to read a post from someone who doesn't claim to shoot quarter inch groups....all day long. Considering where you are, IMO you should have that 10-10 tuned up by Scott Parker (Search this site for his contact info.) and skip the electronic scales for a long time, perhaps forever. I started out with a factory .308 the cheapest Tasco 4X scope, and a Lee Loader. Now I do most of my shooting with a Custom actioned, full house 6PPC, with all the bells and whistles. You have bigger fish to fry than worrying about the deficiencies of your scale. IMO after you have a decent powder charge, there is more to be gained by working with seating depth than worrying over a tenth of a grain of powder. Has your rifle's action been bedded? What is the weight of your trigger? When you are shooting off of the bench, using your steadiest rest, are your cross hairs perfectly still on the target?

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I agree, you don't need that kind of scale precision for the shooting you are describing. If you were shooting 600 or 1000 yards reasonably well, perhaps you could see some gains, but I would save the money for use in getting some more practice until you can hold 1/2" off the bench at 100 yards before even considering going for perfect reloads.

By the same token, I think you would be better served in your reloading by learning how to tune your load properly. If you can do that, then the need for a precision balance at short range is rather moot in my opinion. I've made a habit of firing 3 different loads into less than 1/2" at 100 yards just to make the point that a reasonably well tuned load is forgiving.

Keep practicing!

 

[jlow]

There are many reasons to buy a good scale. Certainly for shooting good groups at long distances, but the fact is it is part of the whole experience of reloading. It’s funny how a single component when it does not work well can tarnish our overall experience but it in the end most of us are a bunch of “Type A” looking for that experience of making that “perfect round”.

Having had my GemPro 250 scale now for more than 2 years, I can tell you that you will not be disappointed – it is a good investment. Definitely keep away from that junk that ANY of the reloading company sells.

 

[300 RUM]

Keep in mind, All loads have some kind of built in tolerance to error, but if you not reading the balance correctly or you digital is flying around your accuracy diminishes.

 

[BoydAllen]

A little follow up on my post: By suggesting that you have your 10-10 tuned, I was not suggesting that you give up any load consistency. Fellows that have had this done report that their scales are very sensitive, and repeatable, an the cost is around $60 plus shipping. I tuned my own scale, by trial and error, and it does a good job now. Before that it was unsatisfactory, even after being returned for service to the manufacturer. If I need to weight charges at the range, I have what I call a wind box, that has the trickler inside with the scale, but with its handle sticking out of a fitted hole in the end of the box. With this, I can use my scale outdoors with no problem.

 

[wmdron]

I didn't have much luck with the gempro 250, but to be fair I am not 100% sure it was the scales fault as the packaging job done by the vendor was not so good IMO. The thread jlow posted above pretty much details my experience. I sent the gempro(s) back and bought a used Ohaus 1010 off of ebay and then followed the advice given on this forum on how to make a balance beam scale more accurate, an avenue you might consider. I have been happy with the tuning results. Eventually I would like to give an electronic scale another go, but right now I'm a little gun shy.

 

[jlow]

Sorry to hear of your problem. Did you buy the GemPro 250 from Old Will Knott Scales? They were a joy to work with for me. Would be interested in hearing more about your problem with the scale.

 

[carl1575]

Boyd I am a step ahead of you on scot parker he has 2 of my scales as we speak. I used to fret over 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups and I have rifles-scopes that will do that or better , but I cant. As our old friend "Harry" said, amans gotta know his limitation. I came from muzzel loading, cap guns then flinters, 90 out of 100 shots off hand. Thats where my heart is hunting and shooting off hand. that said, I dont need aGEM PRO but I want one jlow said Old will knots scales. How do I get a hold of him and what should I pay. carl f

 

[CoverDog]

carl1575....here you go.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/

 

[BoydAllen]

Carl,
Oh yes you can. It is all about equipment and tune. If I sat you down behind my 6PPC on a day when the wind was cooperating, you would shoot a quarter inch group or better. Equipment and tune are huge.

 

[Leaddog]

Using an electronic scale? Load your pan from the zero state. Allow your scale to rezero with an empty pan before adding the charge. If you are constantly zeroing with the tare button, you really don't know where you are. Just saying.

After I went with a GD503, most of my problems with electronic scales went away. Strain gauge scales can be frustrating with drift.

 

[jlow]

carl1575....here you go.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/

Thanks! Here is a more specific link:

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-gempro-250.html

Price is $159.90.

 

[alf]

I got mine here....pain free....

http://www.digitalscalesaz.com/MyWeigh-Gem-Pro-250-Digital-Scale

 

[thumper4fun]

I have both a Gem Pro 250 and a Scott Parker worked Redding #2 beam scale. Both are excellent scales and both serve me well.

My Gem Pro stays powered on all the time and I keep it on a leveled piece of scrap marble counter top. I have taken it to the range and used it on battery power to develop loads for a new barrel or rifle and was pleased with the performance. However, one negative I have seen is that the Gem Pro eats batteries much quicker than I anticipated. If you plan to use it at the range I recommend keeping some spare 9v batteries in your range box.

Overall for the price and functionality the Gem Pro 250 is a great value in my opinion, plus it has an excellent warranty.

 

[CoverDog]

However, one negative I have seen is that the Gem Pro eats batteries much quicker than I anticipated. If you plan to use it at the range I recommend keeping some spare 9v batteries in your range box.

My Gem Pro 250 runs on 4 AAA batteries, not a 9v.