PACT scale and dispenser accuracy

[GunAddict]

I have a PACT digital scale and dispenser combo that I bought secondhand. I used it a load some test loads a few years ago but have only started using again recently. In working up some .223 loads, I have noticed that the charges are off +- .1 grains on a regular basis. I also was weight sorting some brass,Which I realize might be a waste of time at my skill level, and noticed that if I reweighed the same piece of brass, I sometimes got a spread of .3 or .4 grains.

I don't know the published accuracy of the scales. I plan to talk to PACT to see what they say. Just wanted to see if anyone else had experience with them.

 

[Kyle Schultz]

I have a set of older (10+ years) models. Sorry to say but I feel they're basically junk. I use them now to throw initial charges that I transfer over to a better scale and use an Omega to trickle up.

I find the throws from the Pact vary by as much as 0.4 gr from setpoint.

My scale is starting to act up. Not worth fixing. Since I trickle up in a separate operation, I'm thinking of scraping both Pact units and using something simple like a RCBS Uniflow powder thrower for the initial charge.

Good luck.

 

[Dave Berg]

At one time when they were supplying the RCBS version both the dispenser and scale were pretty good for the day. I have one that must be at least 15 years old that I use for very small cartridges (19 Calhoon and 17 Hornet) because it's easier and quicker than re-programming the Chargemaster. Somewhere along the way things went bad and their product and support just turned to crap. A buddy sent his in for repair and it's been six months and still waiting.

The +/- 0.1 grain is what you should expect for dispensing. Mine is very sensitive to things like fluorescent lights, TV's etc. and it doesn't like to be turned off. I leave it plugged in and on all the time. It's very easy for a little dirt to get in where the stem goes into the case which will really screw things up. Those teeny spiders that are very hard to even see like to get in there and spin a web that will ruin your day until you find it.

I use mine but I sure wouldn't but another one.

 

[LHSmith]

I had an older one also. 15+ years old, bought new. I used it for SR BR and never had issues with it. It was as reliable and accurate as the RCBS Chargemaster that replaced it. The CM is much more user friendly, especially when it comes to emptying the reservoir which is the only reason I shelved the PACT. Gave it to a shooting buddy and he has no problems with it either and we both spot check the charges on a tuned beam scale.

 

[Switchbarrel]

I have one too. It's pretty good, +\- .1 most of the time. Occasionally you'll get the .2 out one way or the other. I usually set mine to throw .1 shy of my desired charge & then check/trickle up on the A&D FX scale.

-Rick

 

[Steve Ladino]

One would assume that a + or - of one tenth of a grain should show on target. I wonder if any comparative test ( on target ) at distances up to 300 yds. has been done to verify that the extra cost and care of producing precise powder weight makes a difference. I have often heard and read that the uniform operation of a powder thrower does just as well as a precision electronic scale when it comes to on target results.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I have a PACT digital scale and dispenser combo that I bought secondhand. I used it a load some test loads a few years ago but have only started using again recently. In working up some .223 loads, I have noticed that the charges are off +- .1 grains on a regular basis. I also was weight sorting some brass,Which I realize might be a waste of time at my skill level, and noticed that if I reweighed the same piece of brass, I sometimes got a spread of .3 or .4 grains.

I don't know the published accuracy of the scales. I plan to talk to PACT to see what they say. Just wanted to see if anyone else had experience with them.

I've used PACT dispensers for years without any issues for Service Rifle, Prone & F-Class competition. The most important things to remember are....

Keep them ON, use them in a controlled environment (no temp or humidity swings) with a dedicated electrical source, no florescent lights or cell phone, no fans.

If you are throwing a short charge and then trickling on another scale I suggest you calibrate and recalibrate with the same check weight (s) so both scales will or should have the same base line.

 

[GunAddict]

The most important things to remember are....

Keep them ON,...

What is the importance of leaving them on? I am starting to see this more when talking about digital scales.This is contrary to what I have been doing. Since I haven't set up a reloading space since moving about a year ago, I have been unboxing the scales, using them, and boxing them back up. I just saw that the Gempro 250 scales recommend to pug in 24 hrs before using.

 

[Steve Ladino]

My Chargemaster is definitely more stable (less drift)

 

[Taildrag15X]

What is the importance of leaving them on? I am starting to see this more when talking about digital scales.This is contrary to what I have been doing. Since I haven't set up a reloading space since moving about a year ago, I have been unboxing the scales, using them, and boxing them back up. I just saw that the Gempro 250 scales recommend to pug in 24 hrs before using.

It (scale at least) must get to that happy internal temp., everything electronic builds heat, until it is stable it will cause drifting.

 

[micmac]

Its interesting that people put trust in 40-100$ scales used in dispenser combos ,some of which are actualy molded in one piece housing so that some of vibration has to end up at the scale end one way or another , they might be showing lots of digits but if you go look for a scale that is capable to repeatably and accurately weigh down to sub 0.1grain you are looking at much more expensive scales,plus lets not forget that load cells need up to 3 seconds to stabilise (unless magnetic force restoration cells are used , not the case in sub 600$ scales )so measuring while trickling is closer to fortune telling than actually measuring unless quality scales are used.

 

[Dan Boone]

I guess I'm an old geezer, but I have owned a PACT as well as an RCBS unit, and neither proved trustworthy. And I refuse to go without my lights and HVAC when reloading. If they won't work with the heat and air running they aren't welcome in my reloading room. My balance scales work just fine, and I can load all the ammunition I need in fairly short order.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

I guess I'm an old geezer, but I have owned a PACT as well as an RCBS unit, and neither proved trustworthy. And I refuse to go without my lights and HVAC when reloading. If they won't work with the heat and air running they aren't welcome in my reloading room. My balance scales work just fine, and I can load all the ammunition I need in fairly short order.

No reloading room is complete without AC, a dorm fridge, and a flat screen TV.

 

[Dan Boone]

No reloading room is complete without AC, a dorm fridge, and a flat screen TV.

LOL .... No TV in there because I have a hard enough time paying attention as it is. But I am going to be comfortable.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

LOL .... No TV in there because I have a hard enough time paying attention as it is. But I am going to be comfortable.

There is so much dumb stuff to do... like resizing 2,000 cases, that if I can't watch the news in the background, I go crazy.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

I have 3 scales and dispensers. I have a new RCBS CM. Plus an old RCBS made by PACT and a newer gray scale made by pact. The only difference I can see is speed. The Chargemaster is noticeably faster.
The old green scale made by PACT for RCBS recently stated giving me problems. I called PACT and was told they no longer repair this scale. It's now a green paper weight.
I let all three warm up at least 30 minutes before I calibrate and use them. On the old pact scales , they have a low weight cal method I use. It's in the instruction book.

 

[GunAddict]

Thanks for all the help. Since I have not been giving the scales an adequate warm up period, I plan doing some testing against my RCBS beam scales. If I still don't trust them, I,ll just go back to the beam. I got the PACT hoping to make things easier. I didn't realize that I was making them more complicated. Kind of the like everything all reloading to me. The deeper I get, the more I realize that I know nothing.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

When I use any of my scales , I always weigh a bullet near the charge weight I'm loading. I do this at the beginning and end of the session.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

Thanks for all the help. Since I have not been giving the scales an adequate warm up period, I plan doing some testing against my RCBS beam scales. If I still don't trust them, I,ll just go back to the beam. I got the PACT hoping to make things easier. I didn't realize that I was making them more complicated. Kind of the like everything all reloading to me. The deeper I get, the more I realize that I know nothing.

See post above

 

[LHSmith]

When I use any of my scales , I always weigh a bullet near the charge weight I'm loading. I do this at the beginning and end of the session.

Same here. To expand on that practice I use the same bullet(S) depending on what charge is to be thrown, These bullets have been weighed on 3 different scales (one a calibrated balance beam scale) and repeats the same weight to the tenth of a grain. I don't care if the actual weight differs from a National Bureau of Standards "certified" scale , as long as the scale gives the same exact reading, I am GTG.