Comments on: Shot Order and Calibration When Using Electronic Scales

By: tom f

tom f — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 16:59:54 +0000

Also a minor tip,NEVER wear wool shirts or sweaters while reloading.

By: Brad Sauve

Brad Sauve — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:51:09 +0000

Always good to hear others’ techniques. I “shaved” a 22 caliber bullet to weigh exactly the weight of my powder charge and then I can use that periodically to check the scale during the charging of my cases. I got that tip from Wayne Daniels.

By: Matt M

Matt M — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:18:40 +0000

I agree with many of the skeptics who posted above. The assumption that the strain gauge scales induce error in a predictable manner is incorrect. I have personally witnessed randomized error induced causing both higher and lower measurements across a number of the major brands (VIC-123, UniqueTek’s Pro scale, RCBS Chargemaster, and others).

Unfortunately if you want to maintain a consistency between charges, much like in any other real world scenario, you need the right tool for the job and strain gauge scales can only take you so far. If you need more consistency, you’ll need to invest in a laboratory scale using better technology.

By: Dale Keith

Dale Keith — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:37:14 +0000

Hello Shooters:
I have been reloading for about 50 years. I have progressed from balance beam to electronic scales. In my years checking powder loads I have found the following to be true for electronic scales:
1. Leave your scale on for several hours before you start measuring powder and calibrate prior to starting. This will make sure the humidity in the scale components has had time to become consistent. I also wipe my scale down with a used dryer antistatic sheet to get ride of static interference.
2. Turn all fans off.
3. Stay off your cell phone as I have seen my scale read wildly when the plate is empty and I was on the cell phone.
4. Try to use a digital scale that has two decimal points i.e., hundredths of a grain. Most scales on the market only measure to tenths. Is 24.5 grains really 24.5 or 24.51, 24.52,… or 24.59. All will read 24.5 on a single decimal scale. I also use a manual trickler to properly satisfy the exact charge I need. I use a lab-type scale and shield the scale from wind. I make sure available lighting does not interfere with my measurements.
5. Good luck with your scale and loading.

By: Scott Parker

Scott Parker — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:51:11 +0000

Funny thing how gravity always seems to work the same every time, everywhere. no Drift! Try a beam and ditch the gizmos.

Scott Parker

By: arch

arch — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 01:02:50 +0000

I’ve got some 4 figure lab balances here, and at work they don’t wonder at home they do.

interference and noise in the household can be rather strong, perhaps that goes part way to explaining it.. power filtering maybe part of the solution. Interesting tho.. mine too wonder in the same direction consistently as well..

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 00:50:17 +0000

What I’ve noticed with digital reloading scales is that they all drift when not in use. But with frequent use(while charging shells), more recent models don’t. They lock in on zero everytime the pan is reset.
If you were to weigh a charge every 30sec, lifting and re-setting the pan, for hundreds of rounds, you would not see drift at all.

Is anyone seeing the scale off on standard weight checks after a hundred rounds? If you do, you need another scale.
When that PACT scale drifted .3gr over 45min of inactivity, did it read your standard weghts correctly?
A chargeMaster will drift like this when not in use. But it always ‘wakes up’ and reads a reset pan or standard correctly.

I’m sure it’s a side affect of filtering applied, and not a real issue.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 02:04:30 +0000

The problem is that this assumes that the scale drifts in a more or less uniform, predictable manner which was not my experience with some of the less expensive ones I tried a few years ago. I am simply not inclined to believe a scale that drifts.

By: Dave White

Dave White — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:52:06 +0000

Make that calibrating every 25 rounds…

By: Dave White

Dave White — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:50:57 +0000

When I first obtained an Acculab scale, I left it on all the time and would note that it would wonder by perhaps even a whole grain over night. Pretty tough to accept that in a loading session, but anything I can do to improve my loads is worth considering.

The time it takes me to throw and weigh 100 charges is perhaps two hours at the outside, so weighing every 25 rounds does not seem excessive. Thanks for the advise Kelly!