Recomendations on digital scale and powder measure?
- Thread starter C.S.63
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Do you mean a combined unit like an RCBS ChargeMaster? I have one but would never buy one for pistol loading only. I much prefer a Hornady powder measure with the micrometer pistol insert and an RCBS 5-0-5 beam scale for utter reliability.
The ChargeMaster is great for rifle loading on a single stage press where it fits really well with my work flow. Also, I don't sweat a variation in charge weight as much with a 40 grain target load as I do a 3.5 grain load.
The ChargeMaster is great for rifle loading on a single stage press where it fits really well with my work flow. Also, I don't sweat a variation in charge weight as much with a 40 grain target load as I do a 3.5 grain load.
OP
C.S.63
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yes something like the RCBS chargemaster dispencer and scale, or pact? I was looking for something to go with my 505 scale and RCBS uniflow
powder measure, I still load on a single stage and am looking to speed up
my powder weighing. I have been using trailboss and unique and neither is conducive to the uniflow.
powder measure, I still load on a single stage and am looking to speed up
my powder weighing. I have been using trailboss and unique and neither is conducive to the uniflow.
cfplinker
Member
If you want to know how much something weighs get a digital because you can zero it out before and after you weigh the item. This helps eximinate the errors that occur when the scale drifts.
If you want to set the scale at a certain weight and then see if the object weighs more or less than the set weight, use a beam scale preferably one that has graduations at the pointer end of the beam. Personally, I prefer the old oil dampened scales because I can see how much the object is over or under the set weight before the beam stops.
And, if you haven't already got them, get a set of check weights. Zero the scale out using the check weights and you will always be measuring against the same weight.
If you want to set the scale at a certain weight and then see if the object weighs more or less than the set weight, use a beam scale preferably one that has graduations at the pointer end of the beam. Personally, I prefer the old oil dampened scales because I can see how much the object is over or under the set weight before the beam stops.
And, if you haven't already got them, get a set of check weights. Zero the scale out using the check weights and you will always be measuring against the same weight.
Erich
Member
Search on Chargemaster and my name and you'll see a few posts I've done on mine. (Works great with TB, Unique is a hassle.)
MY Herter's powder dropper and RCBS 505 scale still work fine. I don't need to "upgrade" just because something's newer or more sophisticated. A "good" beam scale is no slower than a digital scale. Powder droppers are more consistant with the finer grain powders. I use HP-38 primarily these days, and once set, my dropper never varies as much as .1 grain.
noylj
Member
I vote for the RCBS ChargeMaster if you want a powder dispenser. It and the Lyman, I believe, can be programmed to really dispense a specific charge very fast. As it comes, it is more than fast enough and, when it overshoots by 0.1gn, you can either accept that (as that is well within the tolerance you will get with any volumetric measure) or, as I do, touch the powder with your finger and pick up that 0.1gn of excess powder.
For a digital balance, any unit that costs more than $50 will be more than adequate. I like the Lyman 1000 XP.
Powder Measure? The Lee Pro Auto-Disk is all that 99% of pistol reloaders need. The Hornady is excellent, particularly as a bench-mounted unit and is very good as a case-activated unit.
The Dillon is very good for a progressive press, but it will leak with some powders, does not handle stick powders well, and takes longer to adjust and settle down. However, any of them are, again, more than adequate for most users.
For a digital balance, any unit that costs more than $50 will be more than adequate. I like the Lyman 1000 XP.
Powder Measure? The Lee Pro Auto-Disk is all that 99% of pistol reloaders need. The Hornady is excellent, particularly as a bench-mounted unit and is very good as a case-activated unit.
The Dillon is very good for a progressive press, but it will leak with some powders, does not handle stick powders well, and takes longer to adjust and settle down. However, any of them are, again, more than adequate for most users.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have used a RCBS Chargmaster 1500 and it's a very good electronic measure and scale combo. I have also use a Hornady Lock-N-Load electronic powder scale and dispenser and it was almost as good as the RCBS setup. The Hornady is a little slower and seems to take forever at the end but both seem to be very accurate.
The RCBS 1500 combo will run you $350 while the Hornady Locn-N-Load will run you less @ $240. I have not used the Lyman 1200 DPS 3 @ $277 so I can't comment on it.
The RCBS 1500 combo will run you $350 while the Hornady Locn-N-Load will run you less @ $240. I have not used the Lyman 1200 DPS 3 @ $277 so I can't comment on it.
Friedrice118
Member
I think i can help you out. what i have is a "jewelry" thats accurate to 100th of a gram .o1g. and it has different measurements like oz,ct,tl,dwt,ozt,gn. Now I MUST ADMIT 80% of people who buy these scales...dont way jewelry, they weigh drugs. for weed people buy tenth scales, for powder hundredth scales. But they are extremely accurate and will fit your purpose fine.
One thing you need to be sure of is that you calibrate it right, the lowest you can calibrate it to is 10g, but it will accurately measure lower than that. but if your measuring 20 grams and you calibrate it to 10g, it wont be as accurate as if you calibrate it to 20g. You can buy precise calibration weights on amazon or ebay. or a dollar bill weighs exactly 1 gram, so youd need to roll up 10 bills and calibrate it. If you use a rubber band, put the band on before you calibrate it and press "tare" it will bring it back down to zero then calibrate the bills with the rubber band.
Heres my youtube video on how to calibrate it, i get mine off ebay, LOOK FOR THE SAME MODEL, do not buy pocket scales that are made to look like lighters or ipods, they are made that way so when cops search drug dealers they dont find the scales and the scales are poor quality.
How to calibrate a pocket digital gram scale (.01g) - YouTube
let me know if this helps
swampersand
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Lyman not so good in my opinion
I "upgraded" to a Lyman 1200 DPS-3 and I'm afraid I made a multi-hundred dollar mistake. The charges can vary by rather large amounts and the drift in zero is so frequent that you need to zero every few charges. For example, I was loading 223 cases with 26.0 grains of H4895 which just about fills the case within a sixteenth of an inch of the top of the neck. In 50 charges, the apparent volume difference was in the neighborhood of +/- 3/32". Case volume could possibly account for this, but when checking the weights of the most obviously different ones I got weights from 24.3 to 26.4 grains. This is not what makes for safe or repeatable loadings. The unit has been back to Lyman who say it's "no problem found". I recently called Lyman customer service and was told to clean the unit with Windex and a paper towel, static electricity is a BIG problem, as is fluorescent lighting, television, computers, cell phones and although they didn't say it I suppose pace makers will screw it up too..
Any instrument that is this sensitive and unstable should be heavily shieilded against radio frequency and electro-magnetic frequency interference and the Lyman is not. I took the unit out into the yard about 50' from the house and it would hold zero longer than it would in the house but then air currents screw you up. I believe that Lyman has so much trouble with this unit that they have decided every problem is pilot error.
Your experience may be different, but I could never trust this unit for either accuracy or repeatability.
I "upgraded" to a Lyman 1200 DPS-3 and I'm afraid I made a multi-hundred dollar mistake. The charges can vary by rather large amounts and the drift in zero is so frequent that you need to zero every few charges. For example, I was loading 223 cases with 26.0 grains of H4895 which just about fills the case within a sixteenth of an inch of the top of the neck. In 50 charges, the apparent volume difference was in the neighborhood of +/- 3/32". Case volume could possibly account for this, but when checking the weights of the most obviously different ones I got weights from 24.3 to 26.4 grains. This is not what makes for safe or repeatable loadings. The unit has been back to Lyman who say it's "no problem found". I recently called Lyman customer service and was told to clean the unit with Windex and a paper towel, static electricity is a BIG problem, as is fluorescent lighting, television, computers, cell phones and although they didn't say it I suppose pace makers will screw it up too..
Any instrument that is this sensitive and unstable should be heavily shieilded against radio frequency and electro-magnetic frequency interference and the Lyman is not. I took the unit out into the yard about 50' from the house and it would hold zero longer than it would in the house but then air currents screw you up. I believe that Lyman has so much trouble with this unit that they have decided every problem is pilot error.
Your experience may be different, but I could never trust this unit for either accuracy or repeatability.
swampersand
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Lyman not so good in my opinion
I "upgraded" to a Lyman 1200 DPS-3 and I'm afraid I made a multi-hundred dollar mistake. The charges can vary by rather large amounts and the drift in zero is so frequent that you need to zero every few charges. For example, I was loading 223 cases with 26.0 grains of H4895 which just about fills the case within a sixteenth of an inch of the top of the neck. In 50 charges, the apparent volume difference was in the neighborhood of +/- 3/32". Case volume could possibly account for this, but when checking the weights of the most obviously different ones I got weights from 24.3 to 26.4 grains. This is not what makes for safe or repeatable loadings. The unit has been back to Lyman who says it's "no problem found". Called Lyman customer service and was told to clean the unit with Windex and a paper towel, static electricity is a BIG problem, as is fluorescent lighting, television, computers, cell phones and although they didn't say it I suppose pace makers will screw it up.
Any instrument that is this sensitive and unstable should be heavily shieilded against radio frequency, electromagnetic interference and the Lyman is not. I took the unit out into the yard about 50' from the house and it would hold zero longer than it would in the house but then air currents screw you up. I believe that Lyman has so much trouble with this unit that they have decided every problem is pilot error.
Your experience may be different, but I could never trust this unit for either accuracy or repeatability.
I "upgraded" to a Lyman 1200 DPS-3 and I'm afraid I made a multi-hundred dollar mistake. The charges can vary by rather large amounts and the drift in zero is so frequent that you need to zero every few charges. For example, I was loading 223 cases with 26.0 grains of H4895 which just about fills the case within a sixteenth of an inch of the top of the neck. In 50 charges, the apparent volume difference was in the neighborhood of +/- 3/32". Case volume could possibly account for this, but when checking the weights of the most obviously different ones I got weights from 24.3 to 26.4 grains. This is not what makes for safe or repeatable loadings. The unit has been back to Lyman who says it's "no problem found". Called Lyman customer service and was told to clean the unit with Windex and a paper towel, static electricity is a BIG problem, as is fluorescent lighting, television, computers, cell phones and although they didn't say it I suppose pace makers will screw it up.
Any instrument that is this sensitive and unstable should be heavily shieilded against radio frequency, electromagnetic interference and the Lyman is not. I took the unit out into the yard about 50' from the house and it would hold zero longer than it would in the house but then air currents screw you up. I believe that Lyman has so much trouble with this unit that they have decided every problem is pilot error.
Your experience may be different, but I could never trust this unit for either accuracy or repeatability.
swampersand
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- Jul 7, 2007
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Lyman not so good in my opinion
I "upgraded" to a Lyman 1200 DPS-3 and I'm afraid I made a multi-hundred dollar mistake. The charges can vary by rather large amounts and the drift in zero is so frequent that you need to zero every few charges. For example, I was loading 223 cases with 26.0 grains of H4895 which just about fills the case within a sixteenth of an inch of the top of the neck. In 50 charges, the apparent volume difference was in the neighborhood of +/- 3/32". Case volume could possibly account for this, but when checking the weights of the most obviously different ones I got weights from 24.3 to 26.4 grains. This is not what makes for safe or repeatable loadings. The unit has been back to Lyman who says it's "no problem found". Called Lyman customer service and was told to clean the unit with Windex and a paper towel, static electricity is a BIG problem, as is fluorescent lighting, television, computers, cell phones and although they didn't say it I suppose pace makers will screw it up.
Any instrument that is this sensitive and unstable should be heavily shieilded against radio frequency, electromagnetic interference and the Lyman is not. I took the unit out into the yard about 50' from the house and it would hold zero longer than it would in the house but then air currents screw you up. I believe that Lyman has so much trouble with this unit that they have decided every problem is pilot error.
Your experience may be different, but I could never trust this unit for either accuracy or repeatability.
I "upgraded" to a Lyman 1200 DPS-3 and I'm afraid I made a multi-hundred dollar mistake. The charges can vary by rather large amounts and the drift in zero is so frequent that you need to zero every few charges. For example, I was loading 223 cases with 26.0 grains of H4895 which just about fills the case within a sixteenth of an inch of the top of the neck. In 50 charges, the apparent volume difference was in the neighborhood of +/- 3/32". Case volume could possibly account for this, but when checking the weights of the most obviously different ones I got weights from 24.3 to 26.4 grains. This is not what makes for safe or repeatable loadings. The unit has been back to Lyman who says it's "no problem found". Called Lyman customer service and was told to clean the unit with Windex and a paper towel, static electricity is a BIG problem, as is fluorescent lighting, television, computers, cell phones and although they didn't say it I suppose pace makers will screw it up.
Any instrument that is this sensitive and unstable should be heavily shieilded against radio frequency, electromagnetic interference and the Lyman is not. I took the unit out into the yard about 50' from the house and it would hold zero longer than it would in the house but then air currents screw you up. I believe that Lyman has so much trouble with this unit that they have decided every problem is pilot error.
Your experience may be different, but I could never trust this unit for either accuracy or repeatability.
My advice is forget about it. Stick with a good balance beam scale. They have worked for hundreds of years are guaranteed for life and are not subject to all the little annoy things that electronics are. To get a good digital scale costs a lot of money, you gain nothing IMO. The scale and powder measure combos can not be faster than just setting a powder measure and dropping powder charges.
If you like gadgets and spending money go for it. JMO
Maybe the new I phone version has an app for this.
"May the odds be forever in your favor"
If you like gadgets and spending money go for it. JMO
Maybe the new I phone version has an app for this.
"May the odds be forever in your favor"
MrApathy
Member
I used the cheapie lee scale that comes in the kits when I started out it was quite accurate. I upgraded to a pact digital scale which is a little bit quirky but easily reset and accurate. nice to have both a balance beam scale and a electronic scale, electronic is faster and doesnt need as much tinkering but should power go out the balance beam is better than nothing.
Twoboxer
Member
Curious . . . could you describe the quirks? I'm really interested in the Pact et al.
mwtdvm
Member
MTM cheapo
Don't have the model # off hand but it is very repeatable and seems to work well. I do have to remember to remove the two batteries as they will be dead the next time I go to use it.
OTOH a beam balance is absolutely reliable.
Also my cheapo Lee powder dispenser is accurate w/in .2 gr at 75gr. Better than the RCBS which is laying in the "boneyard". YMMV
Don't have the model # off hand but it is very repeatable and seems to work well. I do have to remember to remove the two batteries as they will be dead the next time I go to use it.
OTOH a beam balance is absolutely reliable.
Also my cheapo Lee powder dispenser is accurate w/in .2 gr at 75gr. Better than the RCBS which is laying in the "boneyard". YMMV
novalty
Member
In my readings of digital scales and dispensers I have read too many negative posts about problems with the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. Many people reported extremely slow trickling time (with a work around of a McDonald's straw), and several have reported electronic failures issues. This combined with RCBS' 1 year warranty on electronic items--really scares me away. The one I would consider is PACTS which is about $75 cheaper than the RCBS and has a limited lifetime warranty. I think if you are loading rifle rounds it would be a handy tool, but for handguns, I think I would just be using my regular powder dispenser and balance beam.
