Scales

[Kevin1990]

Been wondering a few things about measuring powder lately, as it would relate to short range bench rest and f class.

I started out reloading with a beam scale it got knocked off the table and broke. Then I went to a RCBS chargemaster lite. Which is alright.

I'd like to upgrade to maybe a FX 120i.

Questions:
Has anyone used a chargemaster or a scale equivalent to that, and then stepped up to something nicer?

Did you notice a difference in accuracy or consistency as it relates to SD?

What's your preferred scale for reloading? Let's say you were doing between 50 and 100 rounds per reloading session.

Any and all recommendations are welcome.

Thanks fellas.


Edit: I'm going to sound mental, but I don't trust the chargemaster. It drifts constantly, and I've taken a load off and put it back on and not gotten the same measurement. And it throws some charges super fast and some super slow and ends up at the same measurement. Something is going on with it.

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

I received a Lyman electric scale/ dispenser for Xmas. I found it's great for granular powder but use rcbs for ball powder. I've never shot benchrest in competition just service rifle.
Hope someone has the answer you're looking for.

 

[nettle]

I have been using beam scales for over 50 years and prefer them. When reloading for accuracy It's not my beam scale I blame if my accuracy isn't what I am expecting. After 50 + years I have proven that.

 

[Kevin1990]

I have been using beam scales for over 50 years and prefer them. When reloading for accuracy It's not my beam scale I blame if my accuracy isn't what I am expecting. After 50 + years I have proven that.

That's an awesome idea to elevate the beam scale! I had a web camera hooked up to my lap top and pointed at the beam so the picture was huge. That helped, but I like your idea.

 

[Rocketvapor]

How many rounds per year do you load?
Lets just say 1000, how much per round does a high end scale and auto trickler cost per round over lets say 3 years (before you have to upgrade)?
Shoot 10000 to 20000 per year? Maybe.

 

[Kevin1990]

How many rounds per year do you load?
Lets just say 1000, how much per round does a high end scale and auto trickler cost per round over lets say 3 years (before you have to upgrade)?
Shoot 10000 to 20000 per year? Maybe.

Probably around 2,000 on a good year. I see the math, but I'm not sure I would look at it that way. I also wouldn't get an auto trickler. If the current setup isn't appealing to me and there's something better, I'd rather have that. But again I see your point. Looking at it that way makes me sad. haha.

 

[quest450]

Probably around 2,000 on a good year. I see the math, but I'm not sure I would look at it that way. I also wouldn't get an auto trickler. If the current setup isn't appealing to me and there's something better, I'd rather have that. But again I see your point. Looking at it that way makes me sad. haha.

First Look at the Ingenuity Precision Powder System

This is still a beta version but I walk through the app and how to use it on all three scales. Enjoy Edit: Here's the placeholder on his website https://ingenuityprecision.com/product/ingenuity-powder-system/

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[SeabeeKen]

I've had the Lyman 6th gen and have a RCBS Lite. The Lyman was notorious for the seals around the tube leaking so got rid of it. The RCBS has never had an issue as long as I warmed it up well beforehand. I also have RCBS 10-10, M1000, and a Lee safety scale. I have gone back to beam scales after 50 yrs of reloading. I enjoy it as much as I did when I was 16. I've also found this cheesy cheap Lee scale is super sensitive and accurate. It can be set down to 1/20 gr with the vernier scale. It doesnt have a leveling foot but then I keep my bench level.

 

[JMayo]

By nice and re sellable ... You'll get some back that way.
I have a sartorius which was the one all wished for. Now it'll sell for half. That is better than a total loss . Beam scales aren't anything i want.

 

[Phys86]

Look into an ohaus scout spx123. Prices look way cheaper than an fx 120i. Same resolution, but repeatability is 0.002g for the ohaus vs 0.001g for the fx, but this only amounts to a difference of 0.015 grains. The ohaus stabilizes in 1 second, but it responds to the kernel extremely quickly. I am generally able to get a charge on the pan using a Lee scoop and hand "trickling" within 0.04gr super fast.

I really can't imagine hand weighing each charge being more accurate/fast with another scale that is in the same price range. It can also operate off batteries if needed.

 

[nakneker]

I had a couple charge master lites. They did ok, I had them on battery power in a room with no air flow, no windows or HVAC system. I always let them warm up at least an hour before use and I calibrated them before each use and every 50 rounds during a session. My SD and ES numbers were ok. My kids gave a Christmas gift card which I turned into two charge master supremes, SD and ES are better, it’s a smoother quieter machine. I still let them warm up and calibrate them every 50. I use two because one is too slow.

I was looking at a Prometheus but couldn’t justify the expense. Personally I think the V4 or Supertrickler is the way to go. The other way I think that would get you to the kernel charges is using a powder measure or CM and then trickling up to your desired charge on a quality scale.

 

[itchyTF]

Anyone have any experience with Creedmoor’s TRX-925 scale? I understand it’s strain guage type. I already have an FX-120i so I’m not looking. Just curious.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://ceproducts.shop/products/fx-120i-reloading-scale-122g-x-0-001g?variant=41172916742
I was satisfied buying mine here. There currently out of stock because they sell that good for a reason.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I wish someone could answer the OP's original question.

 

[jpretle]

Beam scales are the way to go.
Had 2 of the 'new fangled' electronics, and they went down the road.
RCBS 10-10 and/or its twin Lyman.
I currently have 1 of each and keeping both..

 

[Dimner]

Been wondering a few things about measuring powder lately, as it would relate to short range bench rest and f class.

I started out reloading with a beam scale it got knocked off the table and broke. Then I went to a RCBS chargemaster lite. Which is alright.

I'd like to upgrade to maybe a FX 120i.

Questions:
Has anyone used a chargemaster or a scale equivalent to that, and then stepped up to something nicer?

Did you notice a difference in accuracy or consistency as it relates to SD?

What's your preferred scale for reloading? Let's say you were doing between 50 and 100 rounds per reloading session.

Any and all recommendations are welcome.

Thanks fellas.


Edit: I'm going to sound mental, but I don't trust the chargemaster. It drifts constantly, and I've taken a load off and put it back on and not gotten the same measurement. And it throws some charges super fast and some super slow and ends up at the same measurement. Something is going on with it.

I know you didn't mention the creedmoor scale specifically, but I think the same applies if you go-to the fx120i

When I went from a rcbs 10-10 to the creedmoor scale, my groups, SD and ES got significantly better. Especially with ball powder. But also my confidence as a whole in my reloading got better

Now I'd like to think it's only the scale, but part of me thinks it's also a little bit due to me being more consistent and possibly just having a more locked in reloading procedures after the scale. One isn't going to pay 350-700 bucks on a high end scale and be sloppy while reloading.

Either way, I think the scales like creedmoor and higher end really are worth it. With an 8lb jug of H4895VargetH4350 at $450 approaching $500, a high end scale is actually kind of more palatable nowadays.

 

[Dimner]

Anyone have any experience with Creedmoor’s TRX-925 scale? I understand it’s strain guage type. I already have an FX-120i so I’m not looking. Just curious.

I love mine. The good part with my experience is that it works perfectly for me. I have never used the fx120i. On the contrary, people who have used the higher end scales say the creedmoor resolves weighs slower that the high end scales.

Well it works fast enough for me. It's always resolved by the time I'm ready to trickle the rest of the load. I also love the lab quality check weights it uses on startup. Boosts my confidence.

F class John has a few good videos on it and I think, in one of them, he shows the creedmoor next to a fx120i and one other scale.

 

[Kevin1990]

I know you didn't mention the creedmoor scale specifically, but I think the same applies if you go-to the fx120i

When I went from a rcbs 10-10 to the creedmoor scale, my groups, SD and ES got significantly better. Especially with ball powder. But also my confidence as a whole in my reloading got better

Now I'd like to think it's only the scale, but part of me thinks it's also a little bit due to me being more consistent and possibly just having a more locked in reloading procedures after the scale. One isn't going to pay 350-700 bucks on a high end scale and be sloppy while reloading.

Either way, I think the scales like creedmoor and higher end really are worth it. With an 8lb jug of H4895VargetH4350 at $450 approaching $500, a high end scale is actually kind of more palatable nowadays.

Thanks for the recommendation brother! I'm going to have to start looking into that scale. compared to the FX 120i it's half the price.

 

[varget204]

The FX 120 I & v 4 Trickler are pricy,but well worth it,Super accurate down to 1 kernal,way faster than weighing by hand & trickling. Resulting in Lower SD's,Lower ES.1 word Awesome + a 5 Year warranty

 

[qec]

I have the A&D EJ-123 scale. Quite a bit cheaper than the FX 120i. I've been very happy with it. I almost never have drift problems. I use a trickler setup on a home built stand that sits just above the scale. I volume drop a couple tenths shy and then trickle to top it off. For the 100 - 200 rounds a month I shoot it works great.