Electronic Powder Scale

J

John Leslie

New member
I've used an RCBS balance beam scale to weigh powder for years, but I might ask Santa to bring me an electronic scale. What does everyone recommend, and why?
 
I like my Hornady Lock and load Charge master. It doesn't like the stick powders too much like Varget or RL 15. It usually throws a higher charge I just pause it when it gets close and trickle to the exact amount. It works with all other powders beautifully. It is simple and pretty cost efficient. Plus Hornady has always had good customer service.
 
I got nauseous reading on electronic scales but, today I ordered a GemPro 250. I really couldn't find much bad about it. But, we'll see. I hope it works out. I'm not really a high volume reloader so not throwing the powder straight onto the scale is not a problem.
 
Originally Posted By: John LeslieI've used an RCBS balance beam scale to weigh powder for years, but I might ask Santa to bring me an electronic scale. What does everyone recommend, and why?

Keep your beam scale and ask Santa for socks and a trickler.
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I have a rcbs charge master. If you think you might like one of the auto dispense systems, go ahead and buy their scale and just add the powder dispenser later.
 
I will never give up my RCBS Chargemaster 1500, I use it for all my rifle loads, and I have not had any problems with any of the different powders.
 
I sure wish I could use an electronic scale, But I just can not bring my self to use mine for weighing powder. I just don't trust them at all. With my beam scale I can tell if it is weighing correctly at a glance, I check the setting quite often, just takes a quick glance.

Call me old fashion if you want. Heck the cell phone I use can only be used as a phone.
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Another vote for the RCBS chargemaster. It works great! I also have a beam scale and have finally quit using the beam to "double" check the weight. The chargemaster is on the money.
 
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Gem pro 250....very accurate..reliable..just leave it on...electronic scales are funny.....u need to put them on a surge protector strip and get a couple of those little black thingies that clip on the cord from radio shack.....mine does not float at all.....
 
Well...I got my Gem pro 250 yesterday. Let it warm up for 4 hrs. and then calibrated it. So far so good. Then I balanced my beam scale. Threw and weighed 3 charges on each scale. 53.5 grs. on the beam scale weighed exactly 53.66 on the Gem pro! Today I will leave it on all day and throw some charges tonight. Guess I'll have to contact Myweigh Monday if it's still reading different from the beam scale.
 
Originally Posted By: DABI sure wish I could use an electronic scale, But I just can not bring my self to use mine for weighing powder. I just don't trust them at all. With my beam scale I can tell if it is weighing correctly at a glance, I check the setting quite often, just takes a quick glance.

Call me old fashion if you want. Heck the cell phone I use can only be used as a phone.
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Well, I don't have a cell phone!!! So the Gem pro was a HUGE step for me.
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I'm not impressed with electronic scales! I have an old RCBS beam scale from 79 that I use every time I reload. I bought a Dillon scale a few years back with excitement. Well in my reloading room its JUNK. I have tried to use it a bunch. As I use it I check it with a calibration weight often. If there is wind movement in the room (fan) the weights change. I have the thermostat turned down in the summer so as I inter I turn on the AC as the room temperature changes the scale reads do also. I called Dillon and they told me that's normal for a electronic scale. I built a wooden box for it to keep air currents off it and that helped a bunch. Finally I got out the old beam scale and forgot the electronic scale. Ok now a question why do we want a electronic scale? What's the benefit. Batteries or cords and a possibility of inaccuracy. For this old fart I gotta keep it simple too many other areas that I can complicate.
 
I have to agree with all those who like and use a beam scale.I tried to go electronic about a year ago and bought one, ended up sending it back...way too finicky for me. Like others who have posted I couldn't trust it.I have noticed that electronic scale users have all kind of tips and tricks to keep their scales working properly, no a/c,no flouro lights,letting it on all the time etc.. This sort of thing ain't for me. My advice is to save your money.
 
I hear you guys that don't like the Electronic dispensers, but I load over 800-1000 rifle rounds per year with NO issues ever. I have florescent lights over my 2 benches and have never had an issue. Great topic,----Riflemann
 
The Lyman 1200 DPS 3, works pretty good for me but when I had to move my reloading room due to basement renovation, when I first re-set it up I experienced some problems with it. Two things, I believe it may have had some interference with the wireless router being right next to it and then the table I set it up on was not the most sturdy. Moved the router and filled the bottom of table/shelves with reloading dies and bullets, problems solved.

ETA- I compared Lyman and RCBS and I preferred the buttons on the Lyman.
 
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I tried a Hornady Lock and Load a while back and had terrible luck with it. It just wasn't consistent and I didn't trust it. I ended up sending it back to Hornady for a refund. By the way, they were great to work with. I use my RCBS beam scale now, however I did contemplate the RCBS auto charger for a while, but then I am retired and I have more time than money so I probably will stay with the beam scale.
 


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