Need opinions on a new electronic scale

[glock24]

My fifteen year old PACT BBK is starting to go tits up. It likes to drift from its zero during use. I just don't trust it anymore.

Can anyone recommend a better scale? Do I have to spend the big money on the Acculab scale, or are their other choices?

Thanks

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

What is your price range?

 

[desertHK]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

I use the RCBS chargemaster 1500. Very happy with it. Tried the Lyman 1000 and 1200. Had some problem with holding zero.

 

[glock24]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

I'll pay the price for quality, I just don't want to blindly buy a scale without asking first.

I'd like to keep the cost under $350

 

[Chris@InterstateGuns]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

+1 for the RCBS chargemaster

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

For a simple set up, the chargemaster is great. It's good to +/- .1 grains.
If you want precision, you could get the Accu-lab for about $250, last I checked. Use a powder dumper to get you close, then trickle the charge on the Accu-lab. That's what I use, and it works great. Just keep the scale properly zero'd, and charges will be accurate to .02 grains.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

Another vote for the Chargemaster. Scale works great, holds zero and great customer service.

 

[Jason280]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

Whatever you do, don't ever, ever ever ever, ever, buy the Lyman DPS 3 1200.

 

[repiv]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

Chargemaster 1500 is great. You take the powder, charge the brass, return the pan. It will have the next one ready (does it automatically) by the time you seat the bullet and place the round in the box you are going to the range with. So much time saved!

 

[DBohn]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

I tried the Acculab and was not impressed, bad wandering zero. Back to using my Dillon D-Terminator and think I'll stick with it. Have had it for years and never had a problem, ever. The only reason I tried the Acculab was it measured to .02 grains vs the .1 of the Dillon. Would way rather measure to the .1 than have to deal with zeroing and recalibrating all the time.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

+1000 for Chargemaster 1500.

 

[vman]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1000 for Chargemaster 1500. </div></div>

LOL

 

[Former0302]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

I have an Acculab, and the zero can wander +/- about .04 grains occasionally. Here's a couple of things I did to minimize it though (and probably good to do with any electronic scale).

- keep it turned on (this really helps the Acculab)
- eliminate drafts as much as possible
- make sure it's balanced
- keep your pan in the center of the scale
- get rid of flourescent lights near the bench
- move the radio to the other side of the room
- don't reload with your cell phone on the bench / near the scale

Heres why I love it, it measures to the individual grain of Varget (if you want to get that anal). Makes for very consistent velocities if you don't mind taking the time to trickle up.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

Get a Prometheus, no reloading electronic scale is going to be as fast, as accurite as one.

 

[tarzan]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

buy a good beam scale

 

[Fuzzball]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

"buy a good beam scale"

Amen. And almost all of them ARE good.

 

[madd0c]

Re: Need opinions on a new electronic scale

Chargemaster 1500.

Here is a tip for people using it to try, not mine, found it on another forum and it works great.

Go grab a Mcdonalds straw (they seem to be the perfect diameter) cut 1/2" off the straw and stick it into the dispense tube. It covers the last 1/2" of threads on the tube. When dispensing long grain powders (4064, Varget) it SIGNIFICANTLY cuts down on the over throws that happen when the last 1/16th turn it does to go up the last .1 grains dumps a clump of long grain powder in the pan. Worked very well for me and I went from probably 30% overthrows with 4064 to about 5%.

Another tip is to keep a lee powder scoop or similar handy to just dip out a granual or two of powder when the inevitable overcharge does occur.

The Chargemaster definitely changed my reloading experience.

madd0c