A5BLASTER Wrote:Chargmaster lite is going to be the best in your price range.

Harpoon1 Wrote:Yep Thanks but that’s what I have now but, it only has 1/10 grain resolution.

Looking for more of a “Lab” type scale, not an actual powder dispensing scale. I just edited the OP for more clarity.

centerfire Wrote:The resolution of the scale isn't what increases it's cost. Your Chargemaster is resolving to the hundredth, it just isn't displaying it. The CM uses a load cell as do some lower end lab scales; load cells lack the necessary rise time to measure trickled weights in the time and resolution you're asking for. Load cells can be made to work but you'll spend a lot of time waiting for it to resolve and then have a significant overthrow occurrence. CW, and similar scale/thrower combos mitigate some of the slow time and overthrow occurrence by reducing resolution (they're still slow).

As far as lab scales go, I think the FX120i (magnetic force restoration scale) is widely considered the go-to for high end scales for reloading applications. You can hand trickle onto it or upgrade to an Auto Trickler V3. The scale is below your $500 maximum (use "CAMBRIDGE" to drop the price to $465).

https://ceproducts.shop/collections/current-offerings/products/fx-120i-reloading-scale-122g-x-0-001g

Your other option is a Sartorius Entris 64, they are considerably more expensive, resolve to a unnecessary level (+/-.002), and have less aftermarket support.

jasper2408 Wrote:Keep in mind you have to have a 100 gram or 50 gram weight to calibrate that scale if you don't already have one. It doesn't come with a calibration weight. The scale comes set for 100 grams but you can change it to 50 grams. They sell the calibration weights on the same web site as the scale at a pretty good price. I forgot to order the weight when I ordered the scale so I got mine off of Amazon.

FLshooter Wrote:You can get a Sartorious M prove digital scale for around $350. it’s it has a resolution of 1/100 g. But I think it’s overkill.My buddy has a high dollar digital lab scale and I do just as well as him with my Chargemaster and rangemaster 750 scales. A difference of 1/10 of a grain is fine.Trying to fine tune it 1/100 of a grain is overkill!
A while back Klem posted about using a ac power source for the charge master which I’m sure will also work with your chargemaster lite. Mine works with a 12 V motorcycle battery that I purchased from Walmart for around $40 . Stays charged for weeks and it’s easy to recharge with a battery charger .
Just make sure you get the polarities right or you will fry your chargemaster.Check it with a continuity gauge ,the middle is positive.
Isolating your scale from vibrations and other things like fluorescent lights helps too.And I re zero mine every 10 charges or so.Ever since I did this I have gotten my average velocity reading of 5 groups a lot closer. +/- 10. I’d like to get it +/- 5 but that may be a stretch. Anyway my groups are a little more consistent.

FLshooter Wrote:Harpoon, Since you already own a charge master, you should try using a 12v dc power source.It is much more stable than AC power. It’s a cheap upgrade. And I think you’ll notice a difference.

Quote:............ In medium caliber rifles a 0.1 gr delta powder charge might cause an MV difference of 5-7 ft/sec, which is generally inside of a lot of the SD's people shoot with (precision usually needs +/- 2 SD to say you're within 95% probability of your next shot being at the desired MV value).............

Harpoon1 Wrote:That’s perfect, thanks. I was going to go with the FX120i if I couldn’t find anything worthwhile below $500. Your discount makes it a no brainer! Thanks again.

centerfire Wrote:Once you have the FX120i and use it a bit take a look at the Auto Trickler V3. My A2520 Grendel load dispenses +/-.02gr in less than 10 seconds. I ran the same load in my buddies CM Lite and it took 28 seconds. Larger grain powder like H4831 take a little longer (maybe 15 seconds tops). I've owned a bunch of different scales and throwers and FX120i with ATv3 is amazing. A friend has a Prometheus and it works about the same for something like six times the price. You're going to love the scale regardless of the resolution, the advantages will be readily apparent.

A5BLASTER Wrote:When did loading presision rifle rounds become a race?

If your worried about how long it takes too get the charge thrown. Your worried about the wrong things.

A5BLASTER Wrote:When did loading presision rifle rounds become a race?

If your worried about how long it takes too get the charge thrown. Your worried about the wrong things.

Harpoon1 Wrote:Personally, I don’t like reloading, it’s just a necessary evil. Load development is the only part that is remotely interesting. Once Ive cracked the code, then you just become an assembly line worker. I’ll be 60 in a few days and time is more valuable to me now than money. I’ve got a bunch of other things I’d rather be doing instead of making ammo. If people enjoy it, more power to you. If I could buy ammo that was as consistently accurate as my reloads, I would never reload another round.

centerfire Wrote:Workflow. You can stand there waiting for your thrower if you want, your choice. I have things to do and somewhere between a four day travel week and family I need to load ammo, do development, live fire, compete, and have fun. I loaded just shy of 18k rounds last year (mostly pistol on a 650), starting in October I reduced my precision rifle ammo loading time by half with the ATv3. If you look through some other forums you'll find guys that use two CM's to keep the thrower from bottlenecking their workflow. This year I am scheduled to shoot multiple level 2 and 3 matches, host multiple trainers, and take more than one class at TR.

For anyone that is interested, SH and Accurateshooter have multiple threads running on the FX120i and the ATv3.