Going to buy a new reloading scale. Which digital would you buy? I only reload shotgun ammunition.
Digital reloading scale....Which one is best?
yvonne
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Yvonne, I have a PACT I got from Midway for $100 and it is quite good.
I have one of those shirt-pocket $15 MTM jobbies I got from Precision, and it is quite good.
The secret to any digital scale is to check them often, zero them, set on a solid, flat base out of an air current, and let them 'warm up' before use.
I have good balance scales, too, but I find I use them more nowadays to do random checks of the digitals.
Bob
I have one of those shirt-pocket $15 MTM jobbies I got from Precision, and it is quite good.
The secret to any digital scale is to check them often, zero them, set on a solid, flat base out of an air current, and let them 'warm up' before use.
I have good balance scales, too, but I find I use them more nowadays to do random checks of the digitals.
Bob
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907 Posts
I would go with one of the RCBS models.
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50 Posts
I am not sold on the digital scales. Just because a scale is digital that does not make it more accurate. I use a RCBS 5-0-5 scale to mesure the powder charge for shot shells.
The other thing is powder charges are on the low end for shot shells. The span on the 5-0-5 scale is in the low end which makes the significant figures greater for mesurements than on the larger scales.
The greatest advantage of beam scales are cheeper than digital scales and they work.
Dale Wolff
The other thing is powder charges are on the low end for shot shells. The span on the 5-0-5 scale is in the low end which makes the significant figures greater for mesurements than on the larger scales.
The greatest advantage of beam scales are cheeper than digital scales and they work.
Dale Wolff
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5,706 Posts
Yvonne I use the RCBS and it comes w/2 weights to be sure the scale is correct.
I leave it on all the time, and never turn it off, it is now 4-5 years old and cost kme around $100 and am happy as a Lark w/it.
Another thing about the digital scale, is if you think you made a mistake weigh that shell and several others, and you can tell.
Especially on a loader where you back off the loading arm to correct something
and powder or shot drops twice, but that is usually very visible. I needed it more using my PW Loader than the MEC, Have since sold the PW Loader, and went back to the MEC W/ adjustable charging bar, I have worn out 2 of the Universal Charging Bars and I am on my 3rd now.
Best thing since Cream Cheese and Bagels.
Gary Bryant
Dr.longshot
I leave it on all the time, and never turn it off, it is now 4-5 years old and cost kme around $100 and am happy as a Lark w/it.
Another thing about the digital scale, is if you think you made a mistake weigh that shell and several others, and you can tell.
Especially on a loader where you back off the loading arm to correct something
and powder or shot drops twice, but that is usually very visible. I needed it more using my PW Loader than the MEC, Have since sold the PW Loader, and went back to the MEC W/ adjustable charging bar, I have worn out 2 of the Universal Charging Bars and I am on my 3rd now.
Best thing since Cream Cheese and Bagels.
Gary Bryant
Dr.longshot
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136 Posts
I have owned a pact for 25 years and never looked backed. I used to use the RCBS and for a long time compared the weights, they were always the same. I packed away the beam scale and use the pact. Beam scales are great scales, don't get me wrong. The digital scales are faster I think. I don't put it in on my reloading bench, I built a small shelf on the wall right above my reloading bench. Rick
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472 Posts
I have the PACT digital scales.
On the down side.
I must set it up several days prior to a reloading session. If I don't it will drift off of "0" calibration. I must than recalibrate it, sometimes several times until it will hold.
By setting it up several days ahead, it will hold calibration (never understood this!).
Any digital scales is very susceptible to air currents and vibration. It must be set up on a separate table from your loading press and don't run any fans or have windows open.
On the plus side.
The PACT digital scales is very nice to work with and very accurate, I would not be without it. I will never go back to a beam balance scales.
If you follow the suggestions above, a PACT (or any make) will serve you very well, go for it.
Frank
On the down side.
I must set it up several days prior to a reloading session. If I don't it will drift off of "0" calibration. I must than recalibrate it, sometimes several times until it will hold.
By setting it up several days ahead, it will hold calibration (never understood this!).
Any digital scales is very susceptible to air currents and vibration. It must be set up on a separate table from your loading press and don't run any fans or have windows open.
On the plus side.
The PACT digital scales is very nice to work with and very accurate, I would not be without it. I will never go back to a beam balance scales.
If you follow the suggestions above, a PACT (or any make) will serve you very well, go for it.
Frank
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3,932 Posts
I'm with shot410ga on this one. My Dillon has worked flawlessly for years. I don't know if Dillon makes it or it is made by another company, but if it ever fails I'll buy another.
I've been over beam type scales for years.
ss
I've been over beam type scales for years.
ss
I also have an older Dillon that has served me well for a very long time. Balance beam and digitals each have drawbacks. The balance beam is affected by where it's located on your bench/table. If you zero it in one place, it's not necessarily accurate if you move it to another; sometimes only inches. So re-zero-ing may be necessary when it's moved. The digital's down fall is that it's affected by any breeze at all. I work in a closed garage to avoid breezes and even then sneak up on the scale to avoid creating any sort of air movement around it. Which do I use? The digital most of the time and I check it's accuracy with pistol or rifle bullets of known weight. The balance beam does come out occasionally when I'm feeling really anal......breakemall
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763 Posts
I have used a PACT for maybe 15 years now and it has been flawless. Check weights came with it and it's always right on the mark. Balance beam scales are not always the answer either. I had a cheap Lee that was junk. Most balance beam scales work great if you don't mind that they are slower. Whatever you get, make sure you have some check weights so you can recalibrate it if necessary.
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