NOOB with a digi scale.. opinions

[mac86951]

I think electronic scales are a great convenience, though I think a new reloader can be quickly hassled to unsafe territory by troubleshooting electronic scale vs beam. I'd recommend a beam scale, if nothing more than to use as a double check of your electronic scale during use.

As an EE: line filters; stable temperature etc all are exponentially more critical on the lower cost scales if you want accuracy and are loading small charges. Non-linear accuracies are typically the worst at the lower and upper ranges of devices.

If you're loading 50bmg; still be worried about accuracy, but I don't see anyone fighting over a 0.1gr charge difference on that cartridge.

As a new reloader, there are some great tips above for electronic scales and my next question is what are you loading for, and what are your loading goals?

I would not accept a reloading scale with a 10% swing as safety;. At least 1% minimum for safety, and more accurate = more accuracy on target.

-Mac

 

[Shawn R.]

I think electronic scales are a great convenience, though I think a new reloader can be quickly hassled to unsafe territory by troubleshooting electronic scale vs beam. I'd recommend a beam scale, if nothing more than to use as a double check of your electronic scale during use.

As an EE: line filters; stable temperature etc all are exponentially more critical on the lower cost scales if you want accuracy and are loading small charges. Non-linear accuracies are typically the worst at the lower and upper ranges of devices.

If you're loading 50bmg; still be worried about accuracy, but I don't see anyone fighting over a 0.1gr charge difference on that cartridge.

As a new reloader, there are some great tips above for electronic scales and my next question is what are you loading for, and what are your loading goals?

I would not accept a reloading scale with a 10% swing as safety;. At least 1% minimum for safety, and more accurate = more accuracy on target.

-Mac

Thank you! As I said earlier, I will be loading for 308 using CFE223 (or Varget if I can ever find some), Sierra Game king 165 HPBT, and WLR primers... havent decided on brass yet.. I have about 100 once fired from my TC Compass all headstamp sorted and separated by still from what i purchased, as well as about 100 once fired LC range brass ive collected prepped including removing the primer crimps. Being my TC Compass is more a hunting rifle that sees a lot more range shooting than in the field... im not looking for match accuracy yet, but to start the hobby just "good enough" to be better than store bought and learn from there.
Eventually, I will also be loading .223, 300 BLK, 300 Savage, 300 Win Mag, 30 Carbine, 40 s&w, 380 and 9... but I want to focus on the 308 first.
If I CAN FIND Varget locally... I would likely save the CFE223 for .223 and just stick to that. No real reason why other than just because, unless anyone recommends different.

 

[mac86951]

Thank you! As I said earlier, I will be loading for 308 using CFE223 (or Varget if I can ever find some), Sierra Game king 165 HPBT, and WLR primers... havent decided on brass yet.. I have about 100 once fired from my TC Compass all headstamp sorted and separated by still from what i purchased, as well as about 100 once fired LC range brass ive collected prepped including removing the primer crimps. Being my TC Compass is more a hunting rifle that sees a lot more range shooting than in the field... im not looking for match accuracy yet, but to start the hobby just "good enough" to be better than store bought and learn from there.
Eventually, I will also be loading .223, 300 BLK, 300 Savage, 300 Win Mag, 30 Carbine, 40 s&w, 380 and 9... but I want to focus on the 308 first.
If I CAN FIND Varget locally... I would likely save the CFE223 for .223 and just stick to that. No real reason why other than just because, unless anyone recommends different.

I'll recommend different. A powder measure dispenses cfe-223 very consistent. Varget; yes you'll need your scales. Three kernels of varget is about 0.1gr, and while a good powder, does not meter well.

-Mac

 

[clunker]

An alternative to cheap digital scales is to find a high quality used one on ebay. Research labs end up surplussing very expensive scales all the time, and you can pick up a $2,000+ Mettler-Toledo for $50 to $300. I was lucky enough to find one that was being sold for parts, and it happened to be the same model that was broken in my lab. My plan was to combine the two and make one solid unit. Turns out that the parts unit works great. It just needed to be cleaned up. It was $35, shipped, and it's accurate down to a half kernel of H4350. As others have said, repeatability is more important than accuracy.

 

[Rsadams]

On a budget , keep your cheap digital scale for a backup or spot checks and try and find a beam scale... You will be better off and more reliable.. don't skimp on a scale when it comes to reloading it's a very important part... The beam will be better because until you get to at least the $200 mark pretty much all digital scales are about the same... The most important part of using the scale is to make sure it's working correctly... I don't load max charges so in rifle so +/- a 1/10 of a grain isn't going to be horrible...

If it wasn't for this covid crap finding a used beam scale would be pretty easy... Just keep your eyes open and you will find a good one cheap enough.... The classifieds here , eBay etc... Reloading can be done on a budget but it still needs to be done SAFELY and correctly..

 

[Shawn R.]

Well folks,
Just wanted to follow up... got a friends husband to let me borrow his expensive check weight set... tried the windex trick and IT WORKS! This cheap digital scale after a good wipe down and recalibration its dead on. Tried a dozen different weight combos and every one was on the money. Looks like my issue was static build up. Im chalking this one up to pure learning lesson and another use for Windex in my house lol. Thank you everyone for the replies!

 

[Shawn R.]

I'll recommend different. A powder measure dispenses cfe-223 very consistent. Varget; yes you'll need your scales. Three kernels of varget is about 0.1gr, and while a good powder, does not meter

-Mac

Understand you there... my thought is throw close and trickle with Varget; like everything else. My big reason for the thought is the quick pressure change and temp sensitivity...CFE223 was a splurge buy and I didnt factor that in when I picked it up off the shelf. My 308 will see more temp variance than the 223 and the reliability factors in with that. My 308 will see 100+ summers and 0 to teens winters that the 223 likely wont for a while. The 223 is also more just fun for the whole family to shoot, so being cleaner burning and a fair weather gun, figure it would be better used there. I may try both in the 308; but I like the idea of having a temp stable powder as a primary powder to work up.

 

[JFrank]

IMR 4064 should shoot very well in that 308 under 165 BTSP

 

[Bc'z]

2 powders I'm working with in vargets burn speed.
IMR4166 good stuff, except metering.
SWP precision rifle, I've read some good reviews on this, but have yet to load it.
$21.95 a # at powder valley.
Sometimes looking at the burn speed charts
and finding a powder that's a little more obscure can be a good option.

 

[BoydAllen]

Understand you there... my thought is throw close and trickle with Varget; like everything else. My big reason for the thought is the quick pressure change and temp sensitivity...CFE223 was a splurge buy and I didnt factor that in when I picked it up off the shelf. My 308 will see more temp variance than the 223 and the reliability factors in with that. My 308 will see 100+ summers and 0 to teens winters that the 223 likely wont for a while. The 223 is also more just fun for the whole family to shoot, so being cleaner burning and a fair weather gun, figure it would be better used there. I may try both in the 308; but I like the idea of having a temp stable powder as a primary powder to work up.

Let us know how your scale works for trickling up.

 

[Shawn R.]

Let us know how your scale works for trickling up.

Will do, once I get the time and everything settles down around here... been bounced between level 1-2 evacuation during all of these fires in Oregon over the last week not to mention the hectic times of COVID working at the hospital.

 

[Bc'z]

Will do, once I get the time and everything settles down around here... been bounced between level 1-2 evacuation during all of these fires in Oregon over the last week not to mention the hectic times of COVID working at the hospital.

Oregon??

 

[Shawn R.]

Oregon??

Yep. And yes, before someone chimes in, im aware there are fires all over... but Ive had 4 locally this week that put me personally at risk of losing everything and 2 not too far away that are within 5 miles of my brothers and their families. So those are the ones I am focusing on.
2020, its like running a marathon with diarrhea... every step you take just gets a little shittier.

 

[Bc'z]

Yep.

Where? If you dont mind.
Grants Pass here

 

[Shawn R.]

Where? If you dont mind.
Grants Pass here

Medford and my Brothers are in CJ... nice to see a local on here!

 

[Bc'z]

Medford and my Brothers are in CJ... nice to see a local on here!

Damn were neighbors!!
Glad your here, and getting the bugs worked out on your scale.
If you got any questions don't hesitate to ask.
I know White City the range is shut down due to fire restrictions/danger. Josephine county sportsmen's association is still operating.
Weekdays are best if you can swing it.