I have has a midway scale, a lyman scale and now have a Hornady scale. I weigh all my charges so a beam scale just isn't practical for me due to the extra time it would ad to me already slow technique.
I was loading some fairly hot loads and as you do, try to pour do that the powder settles best into the case without filling the neck. I noticed that some cases would fill up no matter how carefully I poured so I decided to check them all.

I found .5 grain differnce, sometime more throughout the charges!!

Is it common for this to occur?
This scale also was near the end of it's battery life, which again, is way too short for y likeing, I get about 400 weighs out of each 9V battery.

Any advice? I wanted to get a denver instruments scale, but thier Italian distribuer seems less than keen to get one to me.

I don't know that I'd be overly concerned with the amount of time it takes to weigh each charge, especially "fairly hot" ones as you mention. I'll take the time to get each one right on the button, rather than getting a load that's too hot.

When using some of the more coarse stick powders, like H4831, IMR 4350, 4831, 7828 and such, 1/2 grain, or greater, variations are not uncommon between thrown charges. Another concern is the possibility of bridging in the measure, and getting one charge a grain or two low, and the next one the same amount high.

I'm a solid proponent of weighing each one.

R-WEST

I have had similar problems with electronic scales. First, I suggest you get an adapter and plug the scale into an outlet. That will eliminate your power problem. Place the scale on a different bench than your press. These small scales are sensitive to vibration and go out of calibration quickly. No matter where they are calibrate them regularly. I do it every time I turn the scale on and every 50 uses thereafter. Finally, use a model with a weighing range that closely brackets your needs rather than one with a wide range. Hope this helps.

Here's my recipe for a "foolproof" powder measuring system...

Get two fairly decent beam scales (they don't have to be top of the line--30 to 40 dollar scales will work), and designate one bullet weighing 100 to 125 grains as your "scale checker."

When you are ready to weigh the charges, zero both beam scales, then check their zero with the bullet (put the bullet in the scale pan and set the scale to the weight of the bullet and see how close each one is).

If there is a small amount of error, just go on and zero each scale with the same bullet in the pan, then recheck zero with the bullet removed, and the poises set back to zero. You should be more than close enough...

Now, when you throw the first charge, put it in the pan of the first scale. Trickle up until you have it right. Now, move that charge to the second scale and see how it reads. Obviously it should agree. If it doesn't, go back to square one and re-zero.

For the first few charges, double check each one. Then when you're confident that the scales are performing properly, you can weigh each charge only once.

It is a good idea to use a piece of glass or slick tile as a base for each scale.

Every six to ten cartridges, double check the scales against each other once again...

This system will ensure that your charges are uniform.

By the way, I've had similar trouble with electronic scales--eating batteries, losing zero, acting crazy... I don't trust them anymore. I weigh cases on my electronic, but I beam weigh every powder charge that matters.

If you don't like weighing each charge, you will want to go to a ball type powder that throws pretty consistently. If your load is properly developed, you can err a bit on either side of the charge weight and you'll see no difference on the target...

Good luck,

Dan

EXPRESS Get the Denver Instrument scale. Kidnap the Pope and hold him for ransome if that is what it takes. They are excellent scales.

Problems with electronic scales are common with the budget models that are commonly sold for reloading purposes. Denver Instrument Scales are great but much more. Another alternative is the Ohaus Navigator available in the US for about 400 dollars through Clinch River Outfitters. The CED Electronic Scale available from RSI is inexpensive, uses multiple strain sensors and a quicker refresh and has proven to be a good budget choice.

Let me add one or two suggestions to the others. Electronic scales need a 'warm-up" period of ~10mins. If you buy the AC/DC converter, you can turn the scale on while you're doing something else. Second, RCBS, et al sell scale check weights. Buy a set and use them to calibrate your scale (beam or electronic) every time you use it. Last, electronic scales are sensitive to drafts/air currents. Some suggest putting the scale inside a cardboard box (case of liquor size) from which you remove the front side. ...Maven

ANY accurate scale is sensitive to air currents, beam or electronic. Many electronic scales are also sensitive to flourescent lights. I've had several electronics, presently use two of which one is a scientific accurate to .01g, and have NEVER experienced the problems many others have. I favor the cheapest one I have which is a Pact with a trickler system. For years I checked my electronics against each other and concluded it was a total waste of time to double weigh charges.

I recommend a set of check weights to verify accuracy. They're cheap. The recommendation for using a bullet is OK if you don't mind several tenths grains of inaccuracy and you use the SAME bullet each time. In most any box of GOOD bullets you'll find variances of up to �.4g, some more. Check weights, or the calibration weight for the electronics, are the way to go for verifying accuracy.

Express,
I also weighed every charge I shot for over twenty years. I was sure that a Pact digital scale would be the cat's meow. After purchasing the Pact I found that air currents made it more unstable than the balance beams. After using the Pact for a couple years I gave up and purchased an RCBS 10-10 and have never looked back. I can spoon loads out faster on the 10-10 than I could on the Pact.
The 10-10 also has a screw adjustable poise with a lock so that it will not change settings while loading.
The digitals are only way to go for wieghing bullets or brass, but I much prefer the RCBS for powder.
Christmas before last, my wife ordered for me a new Midway powder measure. I have been thoroughly pleased with it's accuracy and repeatability, even with H4831, RL25, and H1000

Express,

IMHO Idaho has got it right. The 10-10 scales are superb. They have magnetic (inductive) damping and an "approaching weight" feature which allow you to get close to your desired charge quickly, and then trickle the charge in spot-on.

Batteries are neither included or required!

Patrick

I bought one of the first electronic scales sold by rcbs and have been totally pleased with it.It is just as accurate as my old 10-10 and is much faster.I load in a location where air currents are not a problem and I have a very heavy and sturdy loading bench.

Gentlemen

I have used a RCBS powder tower and scale for two years. They have all worked great. It is very sensitive to exterior factors like wind, light etc. I got mine with adapters to aviod any problem with batteries.

I guess the PACT and RCBS powder towers are all the same, but different names on them. Good old 10-10 is not bad either

Is there any one who had trouble with the powder towner and scale from RCBS?
/ JOHAN

I use the RCBS Powder Pro dispensor and scale. They set on the bench right next to my Dillon RL550 and have not had sensitivity problems. It's worked fine and I recommend it. My dad had the scale and trickler too, no problems with either in over a year and a half now.

I did have the dispensor just quit on me right after I got it. It was returned to Wally-World for a different one and this one has worked fine ever since. Wally-Worlds no BS return policy is precisely why I paid the money there in the first place. No shipping, just go down and get a new one, let them handle it. That's got to be worth something, especially up here.

I found the scale wors better now that I have replaced the battery, but it is the 3rd battery it has eaten in less than one month...
I have never left it switched on or done anything strage with it.
I found a 12V adaptor today, although is not part of this scale, could I use it anyway?
The instruction booklet speaks of a 12V DC adaptor but I would have to order that in, possibly from the US.

EXPRESS,

The amp rating is what is also important, very important. You might call the MFG and order the right one or get the amp rating output on their supply adapter.

Good luck.

My RCBS units are both 300MA, one is 9v the other 12v. Yours may be quite different. It might say on your scale how many MA it is, usually it's on the adapter itself though.

[ 02-17-2003, 02:36: Message edited by: Brent Moffitt ]

I, too have had the RCBS electronic scale for 2 years now. It replaced a 10-10 which I still have and use when I am testing loads at the range (set up inside of the range house). No problems with the RCBS until recently when I set it up in my new house. It wouldn't stay calibrated even after it warmed up for two hours. I was dead set on sending it back. The next day I took it to work with me and was going to ship it out that afternoon. For kicks I set it up and turned it on sitting the bookcase by my desk. After about 30 min. or so I placed one of the 500 gram check weights on it. It did not drift for the next 6 hours. I didn't send it back. The scale is back in my loading room in a different location and works fine now. Not sure if it is related to electrical interference from the walls, air current, or just what but it is on a box at knee level and is working just fine.

I'll try relocating my RCBS electronic scale and see what happens.

I do have flourescent lights in my loading room also...

You guys have given me some good info,

Thanks,

Dan

My wife bought me a PACT scale a couple of years ago, but it the calibration would drift as I used it. Others have mentioned some shortcomings, but another problem that baffled me for a long time was caused by my cordless phone. So wireless devices, temperature changes, batteries, air currents---I finally decided that an electronic scale was a solution to a problem that didn't really exist for me.

Now I only use the electronic scale to figure out the H2O capacity of my cases for calc of loads in Quickload.

Steve

I have the little RCBS digital and really like it.

It is accurate to within +/- 0.1gr just like the advert says. I am not happy shooting thrown charges except in my 222 so a good scale is a must for me.

I use the RCBS scale and powder dispenser combo. They work great. They are sensitive to vibration so I have them on a smaller bench near my reloading bench. I also found out that the scale is sensitive to flouresent light. I replaced my shop light with other lights and the problem stopped.

Bob257