Precision powder scale.....

ryutzy

ryutzy

New member
OK folks, I need a new scale and am looking for the best most accurate scale out there. What are you benchrest/target shooters using? I have a Hornady digital scale now and it's only accurate to .2 of a grain. I want something accurate to at least .1 of a grain.
NOTE: I'm not necessarily looking for a powder/scale dispenser combo unless that's the best thing. I am open to the balance beam scales (they're cheaper) if those will give me just as accurate charges. thanks!
 
Originally Posted By: ryutzy What are you benchrest/target shooters using?

They use a Harrell's measure and generally don't weigh each and every charge.

I have the old style e-scale measure combo from RCBS and use it from time to time. I also have an RCBS 10-10 scale that sees some service along with a Harrell's measure. My volume loading is done on Dillon 550's so I use those measures with good results. I use the e-scale combo for very short run or experimental stuff, because its slow. Everything else, load work etc.. is done with the Harrell's measure. I only use a scale with it to keep myself in between starting and max loads. Most the time I know how many clicks makes a good load and not how much it weights.

So I guess to answer your question, I use a bit of everything but have been leaning on the high quality of the Harrell's a bit more as of late.
 
The 1010 is a really nice and accurate scale. I have used one for years. I also have a Harrell and it is pretty nice too. I still hand weigh the longer extruded powders on the 1010 and drop balls on the Harrell.
 
Gem pro 250 weighs to .02 grain, and can be had for around $160. It's made to weigh gems (hence the name) which I suppose people are fairly particular about. I loaded a few rounds weighing within .04 grains of eachother just for fun.
 
Originally Posted By: FurhunterOriginally Posted By: ryutzy What are you benchrest/target shooters using?

They use a Harrell's measure and generally don't weigh each and every charge.

I have the old style e-scale measure combo from RCBS and use it from time to time. I also have an RCBS 10-10 scale that sees some service along with a Harrell's measure. My volume loading is done on Dillon 550's so I use those measures with good results. I use the e-scale combo for very short run or experimental stuff, because its slow. Everything else, load work etc.. is done with the Harrell's measure. I only use a scale with it to keep myself in between starting and max loads. Most the time I know how many clicks makes a good load and not how much it weights.

So I guess to answer your question, I use a bit of everything but have been leaning on the high quality of the Harrell's a bit more as of late.

I went with the Harrell's after a using one a good friend of mine owns..
I have think I have owned just about every powder scale and powder measurer made. I switched over to the Harrell's with absolutely no regrets..
 
"I need a new scale and am looking for the best most accurate scale out there. What are you benchrest/target shooters using?'

They do not use scales, they throw charges. They only weigh charges for beyond 300 yards.

Jack
 
Not to be picky, but you didn't state what your purpose is in reloading and searching for a new scale....ie. General hunting loads or Benchrest/accuracy reloading. Jack Roberts said it best that Benchrest shooters throw their powder. But IMHO, it does you no good to buy a top of the line scale and then use a mediocre powder thrower. Just a thought. But I will say the the Harrels do make for a very accurate pair.
 
Not to get to far off track here, but what model of the Harrel dispensers are you all using?

As far as the OP's question ... I would think that a good quality beam scale along with a reliable manual powder dispenser would be hard to beat! If you want everything exact, just throw your charges a little shy of the target weight and then hand trickle to get them exact. It can be done just as quick(if not quicker) than the electronic scale/dispenser combos, IMO. Plus, no electronic variances to worry about.

While we're on the subject of manual dispensers, I will suggest that there are brands out there that will perform to your satisfaction that would cost much less than the Harrels.
The Lyman #55 is one you might want to consider. I have done alot of reading on manual powder dispensers and they get great reviews. My next dispenser will be the Lyman.
 
I use this one,

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=49&rn=380&action=show_detail

It's by far the most accurate measure I have ever used, and I have used a few of them. One of the best features is the click adjustment and scale on the Harrell's. You can return to a past adjustment, throw a charge on the scale to verify and start loading. Pretty hard to do that with the other throwers out there that have screw or slide adjustments as they just don't have the accuracy or repeat ability.
 
Ok folks I'll be more specific. I have a powder thrower and I set it to throw a charge just shy of the load that I want and then I trickle each load to what I want. I hunt with these loads as well as do long range paper/varmint shooting. I want to try my new 6ai at 1000 yards. I just need a super accurate scale to help drop my ES from 11-20 fps to be less than 10. My scale right now isn't all that great.
 
I think Ricky Bobby has the right idea.....
I have been loading since 1964 and I still use the same powder measure and scale. Back then I bought a Pacific beam scale and a Belding & Mull measure. I set it to throw a grain or two shy and dump it in my scale pan and trickle the last part in. I can do this fairly fast after all these years, however that being said I am never in a hurry when loading. It's a labor of love for me.
thumbup1.gif
 
OK folks here is what I've ended up doing. I bought a beam type scale. RCBS 505 if I remember right. I throw charges just shy of what I want then trickle the rest. It is definately more accurate/sensitive than my cheap electronic scale. I have dropped my ES down to 10 with this scale and it shows on my targets! The scale may not be fancy but it works great.
 
Prometheus, excuse the spelling, is the best on any market. They are accurate almost to a few sticks of powder. But expensive and wait list to get one is long.
 
Back
Top