How many of you went back (scales)

[Kerryt38]

I almost went back. After moving 3 times in 3 years my Lyman DPMS 3 wouldn't hold zero and I was about to throw it out when I read an article on digital scales. Turns out that the floor in my house wasn't level. I leveled my loading bench and my scale works perfect. I still recommend verifying your scale but the only time I have trouble now is when my wife washes clothes!!!

 

[J E Custom]

I was just weighing some powder and had a heck of a time with my Dillion scale. Just would not keep Zero for some reason. It wasn't repeatable either. I put a new battery in it, used the power adaptor and calibrated it several times. When I put my powder pan on the scale to zero by the time I dumped the powder the scale had already changed. I gave up and went back to my ole beam scale. Really not sure it's any slower by the time I keep messin with the digital scale.
How many of you guys went back to the beam scale and put the digital on the shelf? I guess I could call Dillion and send it back but.........

I cant say I went back because I still use both the electronic and the beam scales.

When I wont the best accuracy I still use my Ohas 1010 and while weighting cases I use the electronic scales (I don't care about anything but comparisons from case to case) because it is faster.

They both have there place, but I have more confidence in a good beam scale.

PS: I have found that turning the electronic scale on well before I use it (Up to 1 hour)seems to help it settle down

J E CUSTOM

 

[varmintH8R]

Re: How many of you went back for two more?

I'm wondering why you need $1000 worth of Chargemasters to do what my $75 5-0-5 does....

In all seriousness your review of your new Chargemaster has me interested is seeing if I would enjoy one as well. I have no concerns about reliability, I just wonder if I load enough precision ammo to get any real value out of the time I will save. All my volume ammo gets made on a progressive, and I have a cheap e-scale for case sorting and to double check my beam.

I'm on the fence

Brandon

 

[J E Custom]

Re: How many of you went back for two more?

I have had bad luck with the Charge Master. The first one I bought had an electronic problem
and would not allow setting it to different loads.

Like a good RCBS fan I sent it back and they repaired it for no cost. You would think I would be happy but the replacement would send an error message almost every time/charge.

This time they said it would be cheaper to just buy a new one, So I did.

Guess what happened then, the charges were all over the place. with that I sold it at a garage sale
at a huge loss and went back to weighting each charge and have not had any more problems and
without the hassle, I can load faster (Not much, but faster)with the Harold's powder measure and my scales.

I am glad you had good luck with the Charge master because it seemed like a great idea.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Pdvdh]

I didn't actually buy two additional Chargemasters. While I was researching the RCBS units across various Forums - prior to purchase - I came across a thread on another Forum from one member who was running three of them concurrently. He stated he operated all three and he was dumping powder charges just about as quick as he was able. He actually said one more - operating four concurrently - would be about the maximum he could handle. I remembered he posted a picture of the three units side by side on his reloading bench. So I posted the picture to help keep this Thread on the lighter side... These discussions have a tendency to go downhill after a time.

I still just own the one. So far I am happy HAPPY with it. No quirks, no fuss, no muss, no error messages. Every load I've checked on the balance beam has been confirmed accurate thus far.

Goodgrouper reportedly hauled one of the RCBS Chargemaster Combo units all around in his mobile reloading station (pickup truck) for years and had nothing but positive things to say about it. He expected it to go belly up from all the vehicle vibrations and was surprised at how well it endured his rough and tumble transport and use.

My personal experience is still very limited - about 4 weeks and 450 powder charges thru it to date. But yes, my experience is only positive thus far. Just received my $50 RCBS rebate check yesterday.

 

[Trickymissfit]

WOW! You guys sure like to load a lot faster than I do! I just like to take my time and relax. My big chore than I often dread is case prep, but not sizing. I loath reaming primer pockets and turning necks anymore. Guess I really getting old now!

I use a lot of ball powders in smaller cases, and simply dump it with my Harrell. It's going to be in the +/- one tenth grain area every time, and that's every time I pull the handle. Still I wish that somebody like Harrell would give us a thrower that would at least meter XMR2015 and 3031 that good.

You guys using the Chargemaster / Pact / Lyman combos ought to look at buying a small concrete stepping stone at Lowes. Set it on the bench and level it as accurately as possible. Then replace the electrical receptacle in the wall with a hospital grade outlet. The outlet is a trick guys use to help get cleaner electricity to high end audio systems, and you may well see an improvement as almost all AC current is dirty. There are other ways, but they also cost quite a bit more money. The concrete slab will help fight the vibration issues, and maybe make things a touch more consistent. Just be sure to level it as close as you can, and recheck it every couple months without ever moving the slab of concrete. I personally use a slab of granite that was once a mount for a gauge. My measure fits it perfectly, but really wish it was a foot square instead of eight by ten inches.
gary

 

[Brewer]

I use the RCBS ChargeMaster, a Mettler Toledo AB104-S and a Omega 2 speed electronic trickler to weigh my powder charges. Would not could not in the rain, would not could not on a train, I do not like them, Sam I am.

yes!! if you go electronic to measure to within 1 or2/100ths of a grain, you don't buy it at Cabela's. if you care about precision, the OLNY scale you should be buying at Cabela's is a balance because nobody that makes reloading equipment really makes a good electronic scale that is repeatable. you have to get a good lab scale if you want that precision.

Having said that, you have to let your crony be your guide as to how much precision you really NEED.

I have a lab scale and I cut pieces of extruded powder (reloader 25 mostly) to get me within +/-.002 grains. you cant do that with a balance. and there are lots of guys that call that kind of accuracy hogwash. so...

 

[Pdvdh]

Yes!! If you go electronic to measure to within 1 or 2/100ths of a grain, you don't buy it at Cabela's. If you care about precision, the ONLY scale you should be buying at Cabela's is a balance because nobody that makes reloading equipment really makes a good electronic scale that is repeatable. You have to get a good lab scale if you want that precision.

Having said that, you have to let your crony be your guide as to how much precision you really NEED.

I have a lab scale and I cut pieces of extruded powder (reloader 25 mostly) to get me within +/-.002 grains. You cant do that with a balance. And there are lots of guys that call that kind of accuracy hogwash. so...

Did you really mean +/- 0.002 grains? I imagine 2 thousandths (0.002) of a grain of RL25 must be an awfully tiny piece of RL25. Even 2 hundredths (0.02) of a grain of stick powder must be pretty darn tiny.

 

[gohring3006]

if I get to the point where I have to cut extruded powder into pieces to get a good load then I'm switching powders lol.

 

[rfd]

though i have both lyman and rcbs analog balance beam scales and i should sell them all 'cause i'll never use them ever again. digital is best for me, hand's down. i use two - jennings mack 20 and gem pro 250, both are accurate +/- .02 grains. i also use an omega power trickler to make very accurate loads for all my calibers from .45acp to .30-06. it's all good and ymmv.

 

[barnesuser28]

I went from the redding balance beam to a gempro 250 with no complaints, except it drives me insane when the scale drifts .04 grains.

 

[varmintH8R]

I went from the redding balance beam to a gempro 250 with no complaints, except it drives me insane when the scale drifts .04 grains.

Jeeez, it's amazing you hit anything with that kind of inconsistency

 

[rfd]

digital scales need to be used in the right environment, else there WILL be problems. they should be isolated from vibration, which means they need their own solid, no-move table that's separate from the press table, and they're all highly sensitive to air movement.

 

[cholla chomper]

I went back to the beam scale after my rcbs chargemaster scale took a dump and haven't broken down and bought a new one yet