Seeking Digital Scale Recommendations

[TXTad]

I would like to get a good digital scale. I know there are two main types: the simple scale that merely tells you what something weighs, and the type that meters out the powder charge to a preset weight. I suspect the latter can operate as a simple weighing scale as well.

I am interested in both types, though my immediate need is something that just tells me weights.

As always, cost is important, but it's not my major concern.

Primarily, I want trustworthy and repeatability, so however much I have to spend to get this much is fine.

I have an inexpensive Hornady scale that wanders terribly. I noticed it was discontinued not long after I bought it, so I suspect that was just a problem with it. Inexpensive isn't a deal if it doesn't work.

Thank you for any thoughts.

 

[jimbires]

I bought an A&D fx120i scale a while ago . it is a really nice scale , not cheap , but nice .it weighs to the kernel of powder . there are a few things that can be purchased along with this scale , that make it an automatic powder measure .I don't have any of the addon's , just the scale . these guys were the best price , I'm not sure if they still are . I think they have something set up for the reloaders to order through . maybe someone else will be able to link to that page .

A&D FX-120i - 122g x 0.001g Precision Balance

A&D Weighing FX-120I - 122g x 0.001g - 5 year Warranty - Top Loading Balance External Calibration. Ships from Canada. Best value precision scale on the market. Popular as a reloading scale for marksmen.

cambridgeenviro.com

 

[RL338]

FX-120i is a very good scale , probably the scale most reloaders update to. I’m happy with my RCBS Chargemaster.

 

[grry10]

I've been very happy with my RCBS Chargemaster Lite. It has been checked against my balance beam and the accuracy is there.

 

[JD338]

I got the RCBS Chargemaster Lite and have not had any issues with it.

JD338

 

[Slimfinn]

I got the RCBS Chargemaster Lite and have not had any issues with it.

JD338

+1 no issues with mine

 

[Dr. Vette]

The Chargemasters are fine until you get a more precise scale that tells you how much their weight is off.
I bought a GemPro 250 years ago from Old Will Knott Scales. It goes down to 0.01 grains (!), which is one place further than the Chargemaster's 0.1.
Currently I use the Chargemaster to throw the charge, then move it to the GemPro and add or subtract to get the exact weight I want.
Does it make a difference? Who knows, but I routinely get low SD/ES so I keep doing it.

The bad news is that the GemPro is no longer available. There are others now, and you want to find one that goes to 0.001 grams and also weighs in grains. The conversion will get you close to the 0.01 grains of the GemPro.

 

[300WSM]

I've looked at scales high and low...how many tenths out and all that...
And then reality hit me...
Let's focus on this number.... .04 of a grain.
Do you have the platform to actually see a difference if you are loading 45.2 grains but you really wanted 45.16 grains.
The difference in .04 of a grain is negligible and that's a fact. Especially when you are working with brass, bullets, primers, all have to be identical and even then are you actually burning all of that extra or less .04 of a grain?
The reason why I say about .04 of a grain is the scales that only go to one decimal place are going to round up or down on their own.
Watch the scale and it sits there at 55.4 grains and then in a few seconds changes to 55.5
Why? Because it is actually 55.45..or 55.46 or 55.47 and so on. So at that point when it settles the scale changes it to 55.5

Actual accuracy of the scale...that's another topic but there have been many fine groups shot with a mechanical scale.

Do you think you have the equipment and all components that are so equal in performance that this can make a difference for you then go for it.

Only you can answer that.


P.S.

One reason I stopped shooting metallic for a bit and got into trap shooting was it really bothered me when I went to 1000 yard matches and observed...
People literally sparing no expense to try and buy a group. Taking as much of "THEM" out of the equation and putting more stock into who spends the most wins.
As example...
Check this thing out...

ADVENTURER™ Analytical Balance AX224/E, 220 g, 0.1 mg

ADVENTURER™ Analytical Balance AX224/E, 220 g, 0.1 mg (30100603)

www.ibisscientific.com

Yeah seriously...
there are people using this very scale and there are some even more expensive.

Good luck and let me know which way you go as I'm soon needing another digital scale myself. (I always have two for comparison purposes)

 

[AFG270]

Why was the Chargemaster Lite discontinued, if indeed it was? Is the Chargemaster Link basically the same thing? Anyone have the Chargemaster Link?

 

[Slimfinn]

Why was the Chargemaster Lite discontinued, if indeed it was? Is the Chargemaster Link basically the same thing? Anyone have the Chargemaster Link?

Ahh i was mistaken, i do have the link and not the lite. I believe the difference is that the Link has Bluetooth so you can operate it through the rcbs app on your phone. You can also run it from the machine itself. Has worked well for me.

 

[TackDriver284]

I use the Chargemaster as a primary scale to dump powder .1 grain less than the desired weight, then use a FX 120i as a secondary scale to final weigh to the desired weight by adding a few kernels. The Chargemaster measures by tenth of a grain while the FX120i does it in .02 grains. I like both of them and its consistent. I'm not a volume shooter that shoots hundreds of rounds a week, but those scales works for me. I have the Adam's Trickler for the FX120i but have not used it in a while, I mostly use my fingers or a tweezer to add those final few kernels.

 

[300WSM]

Ahh i was mistaken, i do have the link and not the lite. I believe the difference is that the Link has Bluetooth so you can operate it through the rcbs app on your phone. You can also run it from the machine itself. Has worked well for me.

That's the difference. Blutooth