powder scale

[fastarget]

Ok, just started to precisely load for rifle the interest in F class. Previously, it was pistol reloading and I used a gempro 250 to check the drops from time to time. This scale for rifle is slow, temp dependent, wanders a bit etc.

I looked at an entris64-1 and FX-120i, both seem to be quality scales. I have searched and googled.

When I tried to buy the FX from cambridge this morning, it was in the cart with "Clearance product" on the side.

Is this model being phased out. Any regrets or issues with the FX, or would one go for the Sartorius?

 

[Cody Richardson]

Im currently switching to the Sartorius, ordering it Friday actually. I don't think you can be disappointed with it. The Entris model replaced the GD-503 that so many people have, it now reads to .002 grains.

 

[fastarget]

Switching from the FX-120?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Do you need that type precision for f class?

 

[fastarget]

Personally i would be happy to .02gr, the main thing is to buy a balance with long term reliability and longevity.

 

[Cody Richardson]

Switching from the FX-120?

No I am switching from a Hornady auto charge.

 

[tbeasley]

I use a A&D scale with a cheapo Lee powder dump in conjuction with a dandy trickler. I can load every 8-10 seconds and it's on the mark, no guessing and the chrono reads ES in the single digits.

 

[fastarget]

Switching from the FX-120?

No I am switching from a Hornady auto charge.

big switch, should make a world of difference. Still would like to know about the FX-120I, 473 shipped today by the way, but apparently goes up tomorrow!!!

 

[rox]

Any regrets or issues with the FX, or would one go for the Sartorius?

I have 2 of the A&D Fx-120i and a 0.1mg (0.002 grain) scale. I prefer the A&Ds for charge weighing. They are very fast to settle and inevitably more stable than a 0.1mg balance, and I don't think the extra decimal place brings anything to the party. The A&D are very robust and cope well with less than perfect environmental conditions. Mine have worked exceptionally well for the 3 or 4 years I've had them.

..

 

[waldo1979]

Spend once, cry once. Go for the Satorius.

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

Personally i would be happy to .02gr, the main thing is to buy a balance with long term reliability and longevity.

And this is a good decision. I see people wanting to get into the nearest .002 of a grain, Why? This is WAY too much overkill, given that a single kernel of rifle powder weighs between .02 to .03 grains. If you are going to measure to the nearest .002 grains, you would have to start sorting between difference size granules or even cutting the granules in half to get the readings you want, a VERY long process.

I currently run the A&D FX-120i and have never been happier. I am so glad I did not get anymore because it would have been pointless for me. I start the charge with a Chargemaster 1500, then trickler up with the new Omega Powder Trickler. My velocities are consistent with single digit ES and SD. In fact, during load testing, I got a reading on the Magnetospeed of 3 fps of ES and a SD of 1 fps. That felt pretty good.

 

[fastarget]

Thank you for the reply NZ,
Ok, the plan is the same, chargemaster, put on a reliable scale and trickle, one kernel is fine, and that can be done quickly.

My soon to be 11 year old, will shoot F class next year so she helps reload, she attempted it with the GP250, but the thing was slow and moved around with time, it drove her crazy, not only do I want her to keep shooting but also help dad out to make more ammo

I went with the FX from Cambridge yesterday, 473 shipped, everywhere else I looked was in the 643-673 range. prices are going up shortly.

 

[saunaking]

Good choice...I have been using the FX-120i for about 3 years now. As mentioned above, going to the third decimal place is pointless unless you want to start sorting grains or cutting kernels of powder. My Omega trickler sits right next to it and allows me to add the kernels to make every load to .02 (what an average kernel of Varget weighs).

Make sure it is level and away from air movement like a fan. In the summer I have to turn off my dehumidifier that is about 15 feet away from the loading bench to ensure air movement isn't effecting the reading. That is a great price on the scale, and sounds close to what I paid 3 years ago.

 

[fastarget]

Thank you Gents for your opinions and guidance, gives confidence in the investment.

 

[Brown274]

Thanks for all willing to share info, I just place my order with Cambridge ;D

 

[fastarget]

nice, hope the price was still the same........

 

[Sheldon N]

Was that $473 Canadian or $473 USD?

They list it as $610 canadian on their website right now, but that works out to about $457 at current exchange rates (plus shipping).

 

[fastarget]

473 usd shipped

 

[Sheldon N]

Ah, perfect. I think that's been the same price they've had going for a while. Great value for a really nice scale.

 

[Scott Harris]

Personally i would be happy to .02gr, the main thing is to buy a balance with long term reliability and longevity.

And this is a good decision. I see people wanting to get into the nearest .002 of a grain, Why? This is WAY too much overkill, given that a single kernel of rifle powder weighs between .02 to .03 grains....

It's not overkill. All machines and processes have variance or error. A good rule of thumb is to get a measuring device that goes an order or magnitude lower than the resolution you are striving for. If you want to confidently weigh to .02 grains, then get a measuring device capable of resolving .002 grain increments.

A scale that reads out to .02grains is not necessarily accurate to .02 grains....its a good bet that its not.