Precision Scales for Powder, Cases, and Bullets

[midnightsunfun]

I have decided that sorting my bullets has a definite positive effect on my rifle's accuracy. I have a couple of digital scales, and an RCBS mechanical scale that has the magnetic damping. None of them seem to remain stable in their results over a long session of sorting, even with frequent zeroing and calibrating. It is just about to bug me, since I wasted a couple of really boring hours sorting this afternoon.

I have decided to buy a better digital scale, and I am looking at Ohaus YJ103 at the moment. I have moved solidly into the OCD arena of loading over the last few months, and it is getting expensive. I would like to avoid buying anything for the bench that isn't going to work well.

If you all have experience with precision scales that you would share, I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Jim

 

[Joe4Sho]

I too started out reloading with a cheaper digital scale (Hornady GS 1500) which, needless to say, didn't last me too long once I too caught the OCD bug and started getting into long range shooting and shooting for group size rather than just simply proving to myself I could make my own ammo lol. So I bought an RCBS 5-0-5 balance beam scale simply because mechanical scales tend to be intrinsically more repeatable and accurate than most digital scales. Kinda hard to beat simple physics. I did however, about 3 years ago, decide to give digital scales another shot and bought a GemPro 250 after reading a review on it http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/gempro-250-digital-scale-review/ and I absolutely love it! I haven't had a single problem with it in the 3 years I've owned it and I think for the money ( currently $144 at http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/) it would be tough to beat it. The stats on it are very similar to the YJ103, the only big difference I see just quickly scanning over the stats is that the GemPro has over twice the capacity. Either of those two scales IMO would be well worth the money, I know mine has been

 

[Patch700]

I've no experience with the Ohaus however I have used the gem pro.

Currently I switched to an A&D fx-120i , great scale and would buy it again for the money paid.

The breeze cover even has a small hole in the top to allow a small funnel to sit in should you chose to place your trickle on top. The 4 panels that make up the breeze cover can be systematically removed to allow the placing of the charge pan from any direction without removal of the cover.

The base utilizes a 3 legged system that has a fixed rear leg in a central position while the two front legs are threaded for adjustability ... the scale has a built in bubble level as well.
Ease of operation is very straight forward and comes with an excellent set of detailed instructions should you chose to use the scale for other purposes besides your hand loading etc.

Overall feel is that of substance and very good quality.

In grain format it weighs +-.02

 

[Jet]

I'll echo what Patch700 said above. Great scale for the price.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[ronemus]

+1 for the FX-120i. It's the next thing to a laboratory-grade balance at a fraction of the price.

 

[zipollini]

I use a Sartorius Entris 64-1S balance and an Omega II trickler just like in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr1Wso6P9ZI

 

[tbeasley]

A&D fx-120i all the way!! Use a trickler like a redding manual tricker or the Dandy electric (2-AA batteries) and ur set. I like the Dandy tricker, just remove one air shield and slide it in over pan.

It works great. Cambridge Enviromental is great to get it from too. The currency exchange was in our favor. So I went for it and glad I did.

 

[ridgeway]

A&D fx-120i all the way!! Use a trickler like a redding manual tricker or the Dandy electric (2-AA batteries) and ur set. I like the Dandy tricker, just remove one air shield and slide it in over pan.

It works great. Cambridge Enviromental is great to get it from too. The currency exchange was in our favor. So I went for it and glad I did.

I drilled a hole in the side panel for the Omega and made a duct tape hinge for the front panel so i can close the shield when I trickle up. I meant to make a hinge out of something more eye appealing, but the duct tape works well, lol.

 

[Twoboxer]

Another vote for the A&D FX120-I - the IMO the least expensive scale that is consistent and will work without frustrating you.

For an Omega - and to protect from drafts, I put the scale, trickler, and some LED lights inside a cheap 15" Storage Cube. The only photo I have with me now shows the storage cube on the lower shelf, left: