so i bought the RCBS explorer plus kit a few months back cause the price was right. Ive finally gotten around to using it some and am extremely disappointed in the scale that comes with it (1500 grain pocket scale). Now rcbs advertises that it is accurate to +/- .1 grains but so often it needs rezeroed or jumps a couple tenths from one granule of powder. Also if my cellphone or ipad is nearby it will interfere with it. Are these all things that are pretty typical of electronic scales or is it simply the very entry level ones? Are the cheaper (505/502 etc.) beam scales any more accurate or is it simply a mental thing that i think that it would have to be? I am reloading for precision not to save money but my pockets arent real deep so i dont really want to drop $100 on a scale that isnt any more accurate than what im already running. TIA
I found the balance beam scale to be a pain in the ass and incredibly slow. I quickly switched to a GemPro250 and loved it. Now, I have a Chargemaster combo and love its speed.
The 505 is a GOOD scale. Bought one in '83. Got a PACT electronic scale maybe 20yrs ago? Used the 505 as a double check until I felt I could trust the PACT. PACT is all I use now.
thanks ez earl that was my next question: those that use chargemasters and similar products, do you check it against a balance beam and if so how often?
Balance scale: Rugged, works right hot or cold, never needs calibration other than zeroing it, resolution below .1 grain, slower, more likely to be misread. Ask me how I got .357 cartridges with 14.0 grains of powder rather than 10.4.
Electronic scale: Many give different readings hot vs. cold, very susceptible to electrical interference, faster, less likely to be misread.
Since probably all you'll use it for is setting up your powder dump, speed is really not much of an issue. In many cases, a good powder dump as consistent as any scale you are likely to have.
Balance scale: Rugged, works right hot or cold, never needs calibration other than zeroing it, resolution below .1 grain, slower, more likely to be misread. Ask me how I got .357 cartridges with 14.0 grains of powder rather than 10.4.
Electronic scale: Many give different readings hot vs. cold, very susceptible to electrical interference, faster, less likely to be misread.
Since probably all you'll use it for is setting up your powder dump, speed is really not much of an issue. In many cases, a good powder dump as consistent as any scale you are likely to have.
Denton nailed it. The only powder I weigh every charge on is IMR4831. Every other powder, the scale is used strictly to set up the measure and recheck every 25 rounds or so. If you shoot any volume at all and are on a progressive there is no way you can check every round anyway and +-.1 or .2gr of powder is not going to affect the accuracy of your loads. Get a beam scale like a 5-0-5.
Last edited by Blacktailer; 04/03/17.
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all. Jack O'Connor
If you don't load in volume maybe get a 505 and use it in conjunction with your digital one to see if or when you feel it's reliable.
If you decide to go to a better digital maybe someone can recommend a reliable now available one. My model PACT which is battery powered only is discontinued. I have no negative comments to make about it. Seems the ones that are AC powered have/give interference problems?
Got my 5 0 5 in the early 80's and still can't find where the batteries go.
All kidding aside my PACT is EASY on it's 9V battery. I replace it whenever it gets down close to the beginning of the "good" section on my multi-meter.
I started with the Lee Anniversary Kit. Safety Scale works but isn't great. Found a good deal on an old Ohaus 505 that I've been using for many years now.
Last edited by magshooter1; 04/04/17.
Some people are educated beyond their intelligence.
