Digital powder scale.

[bobjones223]

So I had a Hornady digital scale that I used for a few months and was disappointed with the consistency out of it. Could measure three or four charges, put the empty pan back on the scale and it would not read 0.00 and had to rezero it again. This would go on through the reloading process.

I am reloading for precision not volume so speed it not a consideration.

Bought a Franklin Arsenal and it runs the first +-5 consistently then showns the pan weighing 0.3gr more that 0. Dump those charges and low and behold they are 0.3gr lite. All others after that first flub are good but still leaves me questioning the consistency.

Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations going forward? I am leaning twords just running several until the readjust takes place but still leaves me guessing what my "True charge" is when done.

 

[djones]

Turn the scale on the day before you plan to load and leave it on. See if that helps. I load in a non heated garage and have had similar problem as you described. Turning scale on the day before loading helped me.

 

[bobjones223]

Turn the scale on the day before you plan to load and leave it on. See if that helps. I load in a non heated garage and have had similar problem as you described. Turning scale on the day before loading helped me.

Sounds good in theory but it has an automatic shut off if not in use.

 

[rvb]

my digital scale experience and consistency (Dillon).
make sure you are not using fluorescent lights.
keep electronics several feet away, esp if they have Bluetooth, wifi, cellular, etc
calibrate before each use.

-rvb

 

[ckcollins2003]

I've had similar problems with my Hornady Auto Charge scale. I don't trust it for consistency, so I use it for loads that don't need to be exact. For my precision loads I use my RCBS Rangemaster 750. I've had it since I started reloading about 6 years ago and it has been worth every penny. It will sometimes need to be calibrated in the middle of loading large volumes, but I can usually get around 60-70 rounds loaded before it doesn't return to zero or starts to do weird things.

Also, not sure of your environment that you reload in. I reload in the garage and I only charge cases with the doors and windows shut. Any slight breeze will throw it off. Even if you are inside, if the AC is running or a window is open it can affect the scale.

I feel Hornady's quality has gone downhill. I like their dies and their trimmer, but that's about it. I even ordered 500 of their 155 gr match bullets and weighed 300 of them out, getting very inconsistent weights between them, most of them being 0.3-0.4 gns off from 155.0 and 155.1. After these are gone I'll be switching to Sierra Matchkings, but that's another story for a different thread, sorry if it jacks this one lol.

 

[bobjones223]

Currently reloading in the basement, no fans or vents in the room, and it has fluorescent lights. I will make it a point to keep my phone off the bench. Never thought the type of LIGHTS would affect how much something weighs!

I can think of a few liberal talk shows that could benefit from this information.......not sure it would make then any smarter though?

 

[rvb]

Currently reloading in the basement, no fans or vents in the room, and it has fluorescent lights. I will make it a point to keep my phone off the bench. Never thought the type of LIGHTS would affect how much something weighs!

I can think of a few liberal talk shows that could benefit from this information.......not sure it would make then any smarter though?

I have fluorescent over my bench as well as incandescent can lights. I turn off the fluorescents when weighing (and the TV, and ham radio, remove or turn off electronics, etc). Use incandescent light.

It's not that it affects the weight, fluorescent lights emit all kinds of EM energy that messes w/ the electronics/sensors in the scales. The lights work by ionizing the gases in the tube to spew out photons. Not "clean" from an RF standpoint at all. I have to turn off the fluorescent lights to get good receive quality on my ham radio also.

-rvb

 

[Sniper 79]

Never had any problems like that when using my RCBS Charg Master. Always have floresent lights and radio or TV on, tumbler going and my phone on the bench.

I double check every tenth round. Agrees with my balance beam.



I did buy a Cabelas brand scale and it was awfull. Returned it and got the RCBS. Been at least six years now.

 

[CZB1962]

I purchased this https://www.amazon.com/My-Weigh-GemPro-250-50gX0-001g/dp/B004C3I3AA and I love it. I turn it on an hour or so before use and it stays dead on for me.

 

[Jim McKalip]

My Pact scale is close to 25 years old and has never had a problem of any sort. My 50 grain check weight is always dead on, so I don't even have to recalibrate.

 

[miguel]

My Pact scale is close to 25 years old and has never had a problem of any sort. My 50 grain check weight is always dead on, so I don't even have to recalibrate.

Model number? Or just Pact brand?

 

[gmcttr]

FWIW, my ~15 year old Pact BBK II no longer "locks" on a weight, continues to wander and is of no use now while my ~38 year old RCBS 505 is still on the money and should last another 38 years.

I consider the lifespan and performance of any electronic item as hit or miss...may last a year, may last 15, may last much longer. Consider them to be a consumable item and you won't be disappointed.

I replaced the Pact with a GemPro 250 just to try something different.

 

[sloughfoot]

My 25 year old Pact scale display went bad. I bought a new Frankford Arsenal from Midway and am amazed how much better it is. It seems impervious to air currents that would drive the old Pact crazy. The new one is rock solid stable.

I was at Tomlinson's in Churubusco yesterday. They stock them and others at competitive prices. I wish I had known, I much prefer buying from LGS.

 

[Jim McKalip]

My 25 year old Pact scale is the 110 volt one. That seems to be the only one they make now. It has a lifetime warranty except for the load cell.

 

[oldpink]

My Pact scale is close to 25 years old and has never had a problem of any sort. My 50 grain check weight is always dead on, so I don't even have to recalibrate.

My PACT scale is about fifteen years old, and it still works perfectly, just as your does.
The best investment I ever made for my reloading setup, aside from my RockChucker Supreme, of course.

 

[dhamby]

I run a gempro 250 that was suggested previously.

 

[dieselrealtor]

I had 2 Hornady digital scales & they weren't even consistent with each other. I have a couple of cheap MTM digital scales & they have been surprisingly reliable & consistent.

 

[Bennettjh]

I must be in the minority. I use a Hornady bench scale and it's been flawless. It always returns to zero when the pan is put back on. It does stay inside though so no extreme temps.

 

[topash]

I used to have trouble with my Pact until I bought an isolation transformer to feed it. I live out in the country and our electric power fluctuates constantly. Now the Pact works consistently without variation and no need to re-calibrate during a reloading session.

 

[jstory]

RCBS Chargemaster, I know its not an inexpensive option, but it is a good one.