Time for scale upgrade

[Retired shooter]

A little more now that I'm thinking about it. A scale is a scale when you're talking about ELR, which means pretty big charges. Accuracy and precision really aren't an issue. What is an issue is ease of use and speed. If you're looking at scales as a way to upgrade precision, I think you'll be disappointed in the return on your money.

I am wanting to start doing some water weight ( volume checking) to use with the Quick load program, as well as working up powder charge verification. Accuracy would be for the safety isue, meaning pressure.

Thank you.

 

[Retired shooter]

No need for splitting the fly crap out of the pepper when dealing with all the other problems in E L R .

 

[RegionRat]

I won't give an opinion on which cheap scale, but I will point out that many beginners who I tried to help were surprised that stuff they bought on the internet didn't work because the models they selected did not have the response for trickling.

That means the model they picked showed 0.1 grains well enough, but did not cooperate when they wanted to trickle to that charge. So, if you are okay with placing a sample on the scale and then just reading it, you would be okay, but if you wanted to finely adjust it to the last 0.1 grains, you might get frustrated.

So, of the scales shown on the markets, be sure the one you select is known for being good for our purposes.

By the way, I keep hearing ELR come up, but in a budget scale discussion?!?

If the budget for your scale is a concern, I would have to ask how far ahead you looked at the rest of the game?

 

[SteveOak]

If you don't need to load large quantities I would stick with a beam scale. Most electronic scales have a frustrating tendency to drift.

This is solid advice. The less expensive scales use a different technology and usually use software schemes to try to overcome the liabilities.

If you do go with a digital in your target price range, get a good check weight and use it frequently.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Some time ago, I went with a "lab" scale from a local company that sells scales. More support and expertise than a gun shop could provide. For $200, got a reasonable, useful scale that is good to .05g. Similar to the device that Creedmoor sell.

Having said that, auto tickler is on the way... for speed and accuracy. The little scale will be used for brass sorting etc.

 

[Retired shooter]

RR
If the budget for your scale is a concern, I would have to ask how far ahead you looked at the rest of the game?

ELR and Budget used together are Oxymorons aint no such thing as budget when doing ELR. Looking for a quality scale for testing case volumes, and checking powder charge. Never claimed to need THE BEST, just a reasonably accurate scale. Saving the cash for more bullets to be cast into the wind.

 

[JFrank]

No, I think that the measurements of the box it ships in.

If I might ask, what are the dimensions ?

 

[762plinker]

Good morning Gentlemen

Looking back through all the older posts about powder scales, ( beam type, or electronic )nothing really current, seems some of the brands mentioned are now no longer being manufactured , ( also note the price increases from about 2020 till today ),once again we get the Ford vs Chevy , argument, one over the. other. That's all and good, to each there own.

Looking for information from those using digital scales, as to make and model being used. Guys the A&D. EJ & FX models look like they should be good, however the retired lifestyle says not..

Not looking to shot the fly stuff off of the pepper, not doing competition, just getting good start in ELR . What brand or model of digital scale will serve that purpose, for say $ 250.00/ $ 300.00 price range.

Thank you .!

not...
you want accuracy in ELR...300 bucks aint gonna do it
join the shooters with an A and D fx120i

 

[Kracken McGraw]

not...
you want accuracy in ELR...300 bucks aint gonna do it
join the shooters with an A and D fx120i

I don’t have one yet, but when I upgrade it will definitely be the fx120i.

 

[TheCZKid]

I've been using an A&D EJ-54D2 scale, which has been great for my 17 Hornet loads, which are finicky and need very accurate consistency.
It's in the $420 cost at the link below, accurate down to .005 grains, and I added a Dandy Trickler as my alternate to the Auto Trickler, as I couldn't afford that either. Just a thought, it's a very accurate scale, slower than the FX 120i and not able to attach to Auto-Trickler, but a lot more affordable too. It's a mid-price unit.

Scales Plus Acquires Assets of Old Will Knott Scales | Scales Plus

Allendale, MI, 10-10-2024 - Scales Plus acquires assets of Old Will Knott Scales as Old Will Knott Scales shutters operations. Read the news.

www.oldwillknottscales.com

 

[Rocketvapor]

I like the EJ-54D2.
Auto zero turned OFF, low range calibrated @ 10 grams.
Checked @ 1, 2, 5 grams with "Good" check weights.
Got it for less than $400

What's your dream powder scale?

Gen ll Prometheus, it's really a dispenser not a scale. Fast and accurate, by the time I seat a bullet it's usually waiting on me with the next charge. You have one you'll never look back!

forum.accurateshooter.com

Instead of an auto trickler (which won't work with this scale) I'm now using an older model Lyman Gen 5.
($95 used from a forum member)
20 drops @ 31.5 grains of SB 6.5 (very fine ball powder), checked against my A&D EJ-54D2, gave me:
Min 31.42 gr,
Max 31.56 gr,
ES 0.14 gr,
Mean 31.48 gr,
SD 0.045 gr.

Set on auto, will have the next charge ready by the time I pinch up/down on the scale and dump into case.
Here's the Lyman with a target of 31.5 grains, dumped to the EJ-54D2

I just 'Pinch' up or down to get closer to the target charge.

 

[6Creed73]

If I might ask, what are the dimensions ?

It's about 10" deep and 8" wide

 

[Tony 1948]

Creedmore Sports has their scale on sale. Worth looking at. I'm pleased with mine.

 

[Dimner]

The one from Creedmoor looks to check most of your boxes.

I just purchased one of these 2 weeks ago. It has stepped up my reloading precison more than any other purchase in quite some time. I came from using the RCBS 10-10.

Edit: it doesn't drift, it is accurate down to the hundredths of a grain and its on sale for $275. I do not compete either.

 

[Krogen]

I'll second the Creedmoor recommendation. I received mine last week and am very well pleased. In my opinion, they hit one out of the park. It has 0.01 grain resolution, 3-weight calibration routine and comes with F-1 cal weights that are precise to 10x the scale resolution. Very nicely designed and appears to have been designed by handloaders for handloaders.

 

[JimSC]

seemed like the only time I had scale drift was when I was using a Tree 123 scale in the garage and the temps dropped below 65F. Temps never seemed to affect the A&D or even my $20 battery scale. However now that I have a loading room in the main house that Tree hangs right in there with my A&D 120. Just my observation

 

[Homerange]

Please learn me to what's wrong with the newish $300 Chargemaster Link:

Buy ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser and More | RCBS

Shopping for the ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser - Learn more about the latest Priming & Powder Charging and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

www.rcbs.com

 

[skeeljc]

I am happy with the used A&D EJ-123 that I picked up for less than $250. The zero drifts a little, always the same amount. I have been meaning to send it in but have not done it yet. It is a good two decimal place scale. I always run it on the internal batteries. It may not be the best scale to do dynamic weighing but you can get used to how it performs when trickling up and make quick, consistent weighs.

 

[skeeljc]

Please learn me to what's wrong with the newish $300 Chargemaster Link:

Buy ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser and More | RCBS

Shopping for the ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser - Learn more about the latest Priming & Powder Charging and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

www.rcbs.com

Absolutely nothing. I bought one last year and I like it a lot. I use it with my A&D EJ-123 scale and a Dandy 2-speed trickler. I did not think I needed the cell phone interface but once I used it I will not weigh any other way.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Please learn me to what's wrong with the newish $300 Chargemaster Link:

Buy ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser and More | RCBS

Shopping for the ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser - Learn more about the latest Priming & Powder Charging and other hunting or shooting gear at RCBS.

www.rcbs.com

Who said anything is wrong with it?
I would recommend this to someone just getting started in reloading, as I think it would be the easy button for making powder charges for their cases.