Pocket scale

F

Fergus Bailey

New member
My old pocket scale died and I need a replacement.

Can anyone recommend a digital scale for range use? I am looking for something that will let me set or adjust my powder thrower by weight rather than clicks at a match. I am not looking for something that will be used to weigh every load.
 
Fergus there was another post almost the same as yours about a month ago I think.
Just a forewarning your going to get a barage of info. Some is opinion by some that have more opinion than fact you will get some facts without opinion. Get a good seiv and sort them out.
Here are the 2 most recent and you will see what I mean.

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?75134-Powder-scales&highlight=scale

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?75144-Powder-scales..........a-new-thread&highlight=scale

The one thing I have found between my 2 scales are that once in use they measure consistently. They may be wrong but they are consistent.

One thing I might suggest is that when you do decide on a scale, if you use the same powder at the range all the time, sit down at home with it and take your measure and throw at least 20 charges on each click. Write down 2 columns one for the click one for what weight it equals.
Once you have done this you should be good until you get a new lot or a diff powder.
IF your scale is consistent then you have a starting place.
You will hear a lot about accurate down to the nth degree. And while I would like one of those I cant afford it right now.
If you take say 10 bullets that all weight just slightly different and separate them and then re-weigh them over and over and the scale always says which one weighs correctly then it is consistent by others terms it would be consistently wrong but at least its consistent.
You have a basis for your powder at the range. You can repeat the same powder throwing and weighing at the range just remember you have wind and other changes to deal with and take into account.

I think I should put on my flame proof suit and goggles for those more challenged posters before I press the final button.
 
just add to the debris that must be sifted through....
watch for liste accuracy and listed sensitivity.
most are only 0.1....so you might as well use a good beam if you are not goignto buy a good electronic.

as an add on..some scales are not sensitive enough to notice a small change so they do not work for trickling up a charge with a small change...like n133 or 8208.....
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Fergus,

I just bought the RCBS rangemaster scale. It's a little bigger then a pocket scale but still quite compact. Runs on a 9 volt battery. Downfall is it switches off after a few minutes of inactivity, I would prefer to have it running continually. It's as consistent as my chargemaster and you can pick it up for under $200 in Australia.
 
Fergus,

I just today took delivery of this one. I did a quick linearity check ( http://www.lab-balances.com/applications/glossary.html ) & it reads each weight consistently to the milligram & the aggregate too. I'd like a little more time to check it out before making a call. It has a 30 year guarantee & seems a good possibility. Runs on 4 x AAA or mains. I've already a recharger for my muff batteries, so I think I'll go the isolated power route.

I'll get back to you if you like, after I put it through the hoops tonight.

http://www.medshop.com.au/my-weigh-gempro-250-scale-50g-x-0.001g.html

Better than paying 1000 bucks for a Denver over here, I'm hoping.

John
 
Last edited:
John Kielly said:
Fergus,

I just today took delivery of this one. I did a quick linearity check ( http://www.lab-balances.com/applications/glossary.html ) & it reads each weight consistently to the milligram & the aggregate too. I'd like a little more time to check it out before making a call. It has a 30 year guarantee & seems a good possibility. Runs on 4 x AAA or mains. I've already a recharger for my muff batteries, so I think I'll go the isolated power route.

I'll get back to you if you like, after I put it through the hoops tonight.

http://www.medshop.com.au/my-weigh-gempro-250-scale-50g-x-0.001g.html

Better than paying 1000 bucks for a Denver over here, I'm hoping.

John
Click to expand...


John and Fergus

I to highly recommend the Gem Pro 250..... I know of two, mine and a freinds. Both been in the "field" on several occasions with fresh AA and back at home on a flat work table weigh a lota stuff... Very repeatable and consistent... Drift is minimal (typically < .05+ -) and with a re zero, it's back to .02gr stable for a while... I've only calibrated mine a few times.... When I'm pulling handles on new bullets, I do it... Just to be SURE....

Two years with my 250 and just thrilled with it's consistent precision but at an economical price.

Only complaint..... I wish the draft shield had a 1/2" hole in it to pour powder through.... But no biggie.... I may order a new shield and cut my own.

cale
 
I use the Tanita 1210N , runs on 4 AAAs ( best specs on the market , jeweler stuff ) . extremely accurate : so exremely sensitive ( related : if your scale is not very sensitive , how can it be accuate ? ) : it is difficult to use at the range because of the sensitivity to wind (even indoor winds , aircond ) or cellphones : at the range it could be used in a clear inverted shoe box like those from container store : put the lid on the table , tape the rear to the box ( to make a hinge ) , use the box as a lid . In Krokodislpruit i used it under a big cardoard box , no other way under the open tent ...
Seems to me any scale needs to be calibrated every time it is turned on , no ?

At home where i pre- load my tubes , it works beautifully .
 
pascal,
it says it is .05 accuracy, but i see no sensitivity listing in the ad's.
if it is .05 accuracy AND .05 sensitivity....thats a pretty expensive .1 scale....

the gem pro 250 has gotten some good reviews.
and again can one add a little and see the change( sensitivity)


mike in co
 
??pocket scale?? I got a cheap one off Milan ,Fergus is a Frankford Arsenal cheapy made in PRC.but seems repeatable enuf.jim
 
Fergus

I would recommend the Dillon as I have been using mine since 2005 at home and at the range. 4 AA batteries and a shield that has a hole in it. I made a paper cover (circle) to cover the hole in the cover when the wind is blowing. www.dillonprecision.com $139.95 Called the D-terminator. They also have a hard case for the unit, check weights, etc.
I also have an Adam Highland Portable which is more accurate but not for at the range use. At least for me. www.adamequipment.com
Good luck
Centerfire
 
The biggest problem with all of these small scales is they are not hat sensitive to small additions of powder, such as when you trickle in a few tents to get it just right. Lift the case off, add a tad, and it weighs less when you put it back on.'

A few years ago, I bought a Denver Instruments TP-153. Very accurate, very sensitive, high resolution, but not very practical at the range.
 
Tanita 1210 N and Tanita 1230

I've been using a Tanita 1210N for the past 7 years and wouldn't reload my N133 at a match or home without it. You can see a 0,05 grain difference in the pan (about 3/4 kernels of N 133). True if there is a lot of wind at the range (Ben Avery some times?) you need to get some protection (valid for all scales). The new Tanita 1230 is supposed not to need a calibration every time you start the scale, also have one and prefer the 1210N as more stable. Only possible drawback? price around $200,00. Check www.tanita.com
 
jackie schmidt said:
The biggest problem with all of these small scales is they are not hat sensitive to small additions of powder, such as when you trickle in a few tents to get it just right. Lift the case off, add a tad, and it weighs less when you put it back on.'

A few years ago, I bought a Denver Instruments TP-153. Very accurate, very sensitive, high resolution, but not very practical at the range.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the small, inexpensive scales are strain gauge balances and do not respond quickly to "trickling."

However, I would think the GemPro 250 would be just the ticket for range use. It is accurate and reasonably stable. I stopped using mine only because I found an Ohaus TS200 for a good price.
If you have accuracy doubts, check out the on-line sources for sets of weights in the 10-30 gn range. I got one with 40,20,10,5,2 and 1 gn weights. My TS200 is a 200g full scale balance so calibrating it with premium weights still allows an error of .003 g or so. Sure, even referred to grains, that's not much, but do as I do and put 35 gn of these weights on the pan and verify accuracy.
 
A friend has a Dillon scale that he uses to check the weight of his short range charges to .1 grain. He does not trickle, having spent the time to learn how to operate his measure pretty well. He weighs each charge. Most of them pass muster, and if they are off, he dumps and throws another, he doesn't have to do that very often. He found that my suggestion that he wipe off the plastic parts of his scale with a dryer sheet helped settle the scale a lot, and he has a transparent plastic lid that he places over the scale to solve the wind problem. All in all, the setup seems to work pretty well for him. I should add that he modified his measure's baffle. His measure is a Harrell, one of the smaller ones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top