setting up modest reloading station: scale advice?

[Winny94]

I'm in the process of setting up a modest reloading station for low volume, high precision (relatively speaking) ammo. Budget isn't unlimited, but I will pay for value. Efficiency is of little concern. If you had an average budget and didn't need speed but wanted precision, what scale/dispenser set up would you go with?

 

[canezach]

A&D FX120i is probably the best "bang for your buck" scale available. If you did want speed, you could couple it with the auto trickle at a later time. You'll need to trickle powder yourself or scoop and dump. If money was no concern, there's always the Prometheus.

Second place is the Chargemaster. It's probably the most common piece of reloading equipment used by everyone on this site, and for good reason. It's inexpensive, reliable, pretty accurate, and quick. Best of all, it'll throw the charge for you.

 

[Threadcutter308]

I'm in the process of setting up a modest reloading station for low volume, high precision (relatively speaking) ammo. Budget isn't unlimited, but I will pay for value. Efficiency is of little concern. If you had an average budget and didn't need speed but wanted precision, what scale/dispenser set up would you go with?

I’’d buy another AND fx120i all over again. Couldn’t be happier.

 

[Marksman10x]

Here's an excerpt I found...

If you are a competition benchrest shooter and shooting over 400 yards the FX-120i is NOT what you want to buy since you will be ± 1 or 2 kernels of powder. You either want a Prometheus powder measure or the Sartorius Entris64-1S.

A single kernel of Varget weighs ± 0.02 grains and the FX-120i increments in 0.02 grain divisions (0.02 gn > 0.04 gn > 0.06 gn, etc) and the linearity (or accuracy) is ± two(2) divisions or ± 0.04 grains. When shooting .308 ammo, on average, a single kernel of Varget roughly changes the velocity by 1.3 fps. So just a few kernels of variation can easily double the extreme spread in velocity. Out to 500+- yards it does not seem to make much difference, but beyond that and things can get ugly fast. Buying the right balance is just another tool to put more bullets closer to the desired point of impact.

 

[TripleBull]

A single kernel of Varget weighs ± 0.02 grains and the FX-120i increments in 0.02 grain divisions (0.02 gn > 0.04 gn > 0.06 gn, etc) and the linearity (or accuracy) is ± two(2) divisions or ± 0.04 grains. When shooting .308 ammo, on average, a single kernel of Varget roughly changes the velocity by 1.3 fps. So just a few kernels of variation can easily double the extreme spread in velocity. Out to 500+- yards it does not seem to make much difference, but beyond that and things can get ugly fast. Buying the right balance is just another tool to put more bullets closer to the desired point of impact.

I do believe that the FX120i will operate in the +/- 0.02 to 0.04 grain range long term. That's just my experience weighing standards in the 1 gram to 100 gram range over a period of many months.

I'm not convinced that you can correlate a single grain of Varget to a velocity variation of 1.3 fps. There are so many variables involved, it's tough to pin it all on powder mass. Muzzle velocity dependency on powder mass will vary depending on if you are in a node, for example. Variations in the temperature of the rifle's chamber and variations shot to shot in how long a round has been in the chamber soaking up heat can dwarf the effect of a single grain.

 

[HoustonB77]

I am currently using a powder throw, Gempro 250, and a Trickler. Its nothing fancy but I am getting single digit SDs.

 

[castlebravo]

I am currently using a powder throw, Gempro 250, and a Trickler. Its nothing fancy but I am getting single digit SDs.

I have a Gempro 250, but I was rough with it, and now it is broken. I ended up getting a cheap $35 "Smart Weigh" scale off Amazon that will read out to 0.001gr. It drifts like the Gempro and all other cheap load cell scales, but I made a check weight out of a small pill bottle filled with enough powder to match the weight of my powder pan with my desired powder charge, and I compare each powder charge to this check weight to get consistency. This is slow and tedious, but it works, and I've been getting 5-shot SDs under 5 fps. I plan on getting the FX-120i and auto trickler setup eventually. Beyond just the speed and efficiency, an auto dispensing measure reduces the possibility of me screwing up. I'm pretty sure I've loaded at least one round a grain high before based on what it did when I fired it.

 

[HoustonB77]

I have a Gempro 250, but I was rough with it, and now it is broken. I ended up getting a cheap $35 "Smart Weigh" scale off Amazon that will read out to 0.001gr. It drifts like the Gempro and all other cheap load cell scales, but I made a check weight out of a small pill bottle filled with enough powder to match the weight of my powder pan with my desired powder charge, and I compare each powder charge to this check weight to get consistency. This is slow and tedious, but it works, and I've been getting 5-shot SDs under 5 fps. I plan on getting the FX-120i and auto trickler setup eventually. Beyond just the speed and efficiency, an auto dispensing measure reduces the possibility of me screwing up. I'm pretty sure I've loaded at least one round a grain high before based on what it did when I fired it.

So far I have had excellent luck with the Gempro. I leave mine turned on and plugged in 24/7. This seems to keep the drift down to a minimum.

 

[Sheldon N]

I'm in the process of setting up a modest reloading station for low volume, high precision (relatively speaking) ammo. Budget isn't unlimited, but I will pay for value. Efficiency is of little concern. If you had an average budget and didn't need speed but wanted precision, what scale/dispenser set up would you go with?

GemPro 250. Leave it plugged in and turned on. Make a check weight. Watch the negative number of your pan weight when you lift scale to combat drift - rezero as needed. Don't trickle, weigh once then add the number of missing kernels of powder to hit your target weight.

Fast, accurate, and efficient. Next step up from that is the FX120i with auto trickler... but that's 7 times the cost.

 

[Marksman10x]

I do believe that the FX120i will operate in the +/- 0.02 to 0.04 grain range long term. That's just my experience weighing standards in the 1 gram to 100 gram range over a period of many months.

I'm not convinced that you can correlate a single grain of Varget to a velocity variation of 1.3 fps. There are so many variables involved, it's tough to pin it all on powder mass. Muzzle velocity dependency on powder mass will vary depending on if you are in a node, for example. Variations in the temperature of the rifle's chamber and variations shot to shot in how long a round has been in the chamber soaking up heat can dwarf the effect of a single grain.

That quote was from a website that sells the scales, the same site the links for the other scales take you to. I'm not sure I agree with their conclusion about one kernel equaling 1.3 ft/sec. either. Seems just a little too simple to be accurate, perhaps this is an average?? But, yes, I do agree with your statement.

The reason for posting was more geared toward the claim that the fx 120 is NOT precise enough to detect a single kernel of Varget, whereas, the thousand dollar Sartorius Entris64-1S is designed for precisely that. So, Winny94 if it were me and I was looking to take the next MEANINGFUL step up in digital scales, I would skip the 120i, certainly the GemPro, and start looking at something like the Entris64 mentioned above.

With that being said, if you can't achive single digit SD's with a basic $50 digital or beam scale, you're reloading methodology is flawed.

 

[Marksman10x]

Entris64-1S is a tremendous value - Made in Germany, Monoliithic force restoration balance and IN STOCK ready to ship from our facility in Massachusetts. Whether you want 1 or 30 Entris64-1S we have them in stock ready to ship TODAY. We even stock the 50g ASTM Class 1 without certificate. Sartorius Entris64-1S has a maximum weighing capacity of 60 grams and increments in 0.0001 grams graduations (4 decimal places). That is 1/10,000th of a gram or 0.1 milligrams. This is a great replacement model for the discontinued GD503 for those long range shooters looking for a balance that reads to 0.002 grains for ammo reloading. Many of the US F-Class Open Team members have purchased the Entris64-1S from us to insure each 308 round has the same amount of powder.

When the Entris64-1S analytical balance is first installed or when it is moved to another location, it should be calibrated to ensure accurate weighing results. We always recommend you purchase an optional external 50 gram calibration weight so you can perform the external calibration.

Calibration is simply a press of the "Cal" button and then placing the external 50g calibration weight on the weighing platform. The Sartorius Entris64-1S laboratory balance also features a dynamic animal weighing application which allows this high precision balance to weigh small insects that may be moving on the weighing pan accurately. Parts counting is another great application allowing this high accuracy balance to easily count those extremely small and lightweight parts the typical counting scales can't even sense the weight.

Sartorius Entris analytical balances are also quick and easy to clean. The side doors, top sliding door and easy to remove all stainless steel parts of the analytical draft shield chamber making it convenient for thorough cleaning.

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Using the latest technology. Sartorius utilizes 21st century technology, such as the unique robotically etched monolithic weigh cell, which ensures long-term high accuracy. Sartorius Entris series features the latest powerful microprocessor technology, shortening the response times for faster results. Reliable weighing results, all of the time - even under less than ideal ambient conditions, thanks to the Entris' highly sophisticated digital compensation algorithms.

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If you are looking to spend more money and want additional features be sure to see the Secura 124-1S, Quintix 64-1S or Practum 64-1S. The Secura, Quintix and Practum balances introduced in 2013 featured an entirely new cutting edge design offering with a touch screen display with graphical user interface. These new touch screen balances are very nice and offer advanced weighing applications, but they are also expensive and for some people they prefer tactile keypad buttons over a touchscreen.

We understand purchasing an analytical balance is a major capital expense and if you have any questions give us a call and one of our weighing experts can discuss your weighing application and get you the most affordable balance for your weighing needs.

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http://balance.balances.com/scales/569

 

[CE Products]

We have a shipment coming in from Autotrickler this week for the AUTOTRICKLERS AND AUTOTHROWERS we will have 10 extra in stock, We will be extending the $10.00 off as well as free pre programming deal until the end of this week. for $929.00 delivered (Continental USA)
We have over 100 FX-120i in stock ready to ship. LESS BENCH MORE RANGE, LESS THAN $1000.00
Lowest price on FX-120i online anywhere

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If you have any questions please feel free to contact us Mon-Fri 830-500pm EST @ 1-800-535-3751

FX-120I $500.00 USD Plus $25.00 Shipping in stock and ready to go https://ce-products.myshopify.com/products/fx-120i-reloading-scale-122g-x-0-001g

 

[sjoliat]

I'll echo what others have said about the GemPro. I added an RF filter on the cord and leave it plugged in which has done a lot for reducing drift. There is a part of me that wants a better scale, like an FX-120i. However, I have managed very low single-digit SDs with my GemPro and for the time being I will use the extra money upgrading other elements in my shooting universe.

 

[Kyskeet]

Sjoliat: what RF filter are you using, I need to reduce drift on my gempro 250.

 

[sjoliat]

Sjoliat: what RF filter are you using, I need to reduce drift on my gempro 250.

A friend picked it up for me, so I don't know the specifics, but I do know that he got it at Radio Shack. Probably easier to get it from Amazon, look for RF choke.
Like others said, I turn mine on a day before I plan to load. Also, like Sheldon N said, pay attention to the negative number when you take then pan off of the tray when you first zero, then watch that each time you take the pan off and re-zero as necessary.

 

[MtnCreek]

I've produced a lot of single digit ES ammo on a $25 Lee balance (actually a very accurate scale, but a pain in the ass). I currently use an ohaus balance + mechanical trickler with a chargemaster weighing a little under desired charge weight. Maybe if I had used a $1500 scale before I'd see the need for one.