Best Powder Scale for Reloading – Reviews in 2024

In order to make the best ammunition, with the most precision, then you have to have the best powder scale for reloading. When it comes to ammunition then the weight of the ingredients used in the ammo design will either increase your precision or decrease your precision. You must have a precise scale that is capable of making accurate, dependable, and reliable weight measurements.

A weighing device that can help you to create powerful ammunition needs to have the ability to measure in a variety of weight increments and needs to be easy to use, and portable. The following scales are excellent choices for reloading aficionado.

Top Rated Powder Scales for Reloading

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS
  • Dimensions: 4.25 x 4.5 x 2.6
  • Item Weight:‎0.08 Kilograms
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  • Weight Limit: 0.5 Pounds
  • Material: Metal
  • Dimensions: 1.06 x 2.64 x 1.06
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  • Weight Limit: 20 Grams
  • Item Weight: 0.12 Kilograms
  • Material: Plastic
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  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Item Weight: 2.4 Kilograms
  • Dimensions: 13.1 x 11.75 x 7.25
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  • Material: Plastic
  • Item Weight: 2.2 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 4
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Why a Reloading Scale?

When you are reloading ammunition you need to know that the weight of your gun powder is within one-tenth of a grain. If you pack more powder into the casing, or less powder into the casing, the ammunition will not have the same strength, or accuracy.

A reloading scale lets you know the precise weight and measurement of the powder that you are using, and even of the brass you are using. When you can have precise measurements you can create ammunition that does exactly what you want it to do, and you can recreate that ammunition anytime you want to.

Increased Chance of Improving your Shooting Score

Having accurate ammunition increases the chances of you hitting the target you are shooting at. Having a reloading scale means that you increase your chances of being more successful on hunts, or even on target shoots.

An Assurance of Safety

Having ammunition that is precisely calibrated can also help to protect you. If you have your ammunition loaded too heavy with gun powder you can cause damages to your weapon when you fire the ammo. You can even cause physical damages to yourself with improperly loaded ammunition.

weighing bullets with a milligram scale

7 Best Reloading Powder Scales (Review with Buying Guide)

1. Hornady 050100 Powder Trickler – Best Reloading Scale for Long Range Shooting

Hornady 050100 Powder Trickler

This weighing apparatus is small and portable. It weighs only 2.72 ounces and measures 4.2 inches x 4.5 inches x 2.6 inches. You can easily carry it with you when you go to the hunting club, or shooting range. You can also easily store the item in a cabinet when you are not using it so you do not need a permanent place to load your ammunition.

The trickle down feature causes the powder to slowly trickle onto the scale pan so you can get the precise amount of powder you desire. Exact charges are created when the measurements are perfected to within a tenth of a grain, and this trickle down design will let you achieve that accuracy.

The unit is designed with a wide bottom so it sits level and is hard to disturb. You will not be concerned about tipping the scale over and spilling the contents.

When you are finished loading the device is designed to be cleaned up in a quick and efficient manner. In just a few minutes you can have the device emptied of the powder you were weighing and wiped down, making it ready to use again. You can wipe the machine down using a simple damp cloth and do not have to invest in any expensive cleaning solutions.

2. Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Digital Reloading Scale

Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Digital Reloading Scale

This digital reloading scale will give you the accuracy you need to create dependable loads that perform perfectly over and over again. It has the ability to weigh your powder in increments as small as .03 gram. You will also get a corner load or bias tolerance of .02 gram.

The device can hold 750 grains or 50 grams of powder at a time. You will have plenty of powder to create the charge you need for your ammunition.

The weighing apparatus has a built in cover so it is protected from dirt, dust, debris, or accidental damage while it is being transported or stored. It also has a powder tray, and comes with the calibration weight. The batteries to power it, and a storage case for when it is not in use.

You get the option to choose from four weighing modes. It measures in grams, ounces, grains, and carats. It also has a tare feature so you know how much the powder weighs minus the weight of the powder tray.

The digital display is large and easy to read. The display is backlit to enhance the visibility of the weights, so you can easily see the numbers on display no matter what lighting situation you are experiencing. From my point of view, this is the best electronic powder scale right now on the market.

3. American Weigh Scales Gemini Series Precision

This amazing powder scale is capable of calculating weights in six different modes. You can choose from ounces, grams, troy scale ounces, denarius weight or pennyweight, carats, or grains. You will always have the ability to get the exact weight you need with no guessing.

It has a clear shield that covers the weighing platform when it is not in use. This shield is designed to flip up when you need to access the platform, and to close back down when the machine is in transport or is not being used.

The weighing platform is stainless steel so it is easy to clean, and will not corrode, rust, or deteriorate. The weighing platform has a diameter of 1.3 inches.

The LCD display is made easier to read because it is backlit with blue. The numbers are large and easy to read.

It has a tare feature so you always know the weight of the powder in the container without the added weight of the container. It also has separate on and off buttons so you never get confused when powering the device.

The apparatus comes with a 1.3 inch tray for your powder, tweezers that are 4.5 inches, and 2 calibration weights of 10 grams.

4. Hornady 050068 Lock-N-Load Auto Charge – Best Digital Powder Dispenser

Hornady 050068 Lock-N-Load Auto Charge

The features on this Hornady Lock-N-Load auto charge powder dispenser make it easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to clean up when you are finished for the day. The powder empty cap will allow you to recover any unused powder before you clean the machine for the day so you will have less wasted powder.

The large hopper holds as much as 1000 grains and it is precise in calculations within 0.1 grains. You also get a charge weight up to 300 grains and you get overcharge protection.

The keypad has large buttons that are easy to read. The display screen is also large enough to make it easy to read the calculations. The display screen is backlit so you can see the numbers better, and can use the device in poor lighting situations.

This is a 110 volt device, but it also comes with an adapter that will allow it to operate from a 220 volt power supply.

With this machine you can accurately repeat load charges for your ammunition needs. You save money on ammunition, and you get precise loads that will shoot farther, and have a more accurate projectile.

5. Hornady 050108 Electronic Scale

Hornady 050108 Electronic Scale

This Hornady electronic scale has one of the largest scale capacities that you could hope for. The scale capacity on this device is 1500 grains. It is so precise and accurate that it can weigh your powder to within one tenth of a grain. You will be able to reload your ammunition and create ammo that is better than any you have ever fired before. You will also be able to duplicate your loads every time, because the measurements you use will be precise.

There is a large LCD screen on the device to display the measurements. You will have no trouble seeing, or reading this display screen.

The device is made of high grade plastic and is durable, water resistant, dependable, and long lasting. You will love how easily you can clean up when you are finished with your loading process. The plastic allows the apparatus to be larger than many and still be light and portable.

It is powered by 110 volt but does come with an adapter that will allow you to power the device with 120 volt currents. It does not require batteries to operate.

It comes with everything that you need to start weighing and loading as soon as you get the device.

6. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Precision Scale Reviews

Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Precision Scale Reviews

This reloading scale is perfect for all reloading needs that you have. It has the ability to measure weight in several different modes and has a 3 point calibration feature that assures you that the measurement you receive is precise.

There are only four control buttons so it is easy to select the measurement mode you desire, and get the weight calculation.

The scale has a tare button that tells you the precise weight of the ingredients in the container without adding the weight of the container into it. That means that you can have consistent measurements and re-create loads that you find to be the highest performing.

The scale is portable and comes with a rigid carry case so it does not get damaged when it is being moved from place to place. The carry case also allows you to store the scale for indefinite periods of time and never have to worry about dust or grime building up on the device.

The device weighs 2.2 pounds, and measures 11 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches.

This is a battery operated device and the batteries required are not provided in the package.

7. RCBS 98923 Chargemaster Combo Scale

RCBS 98923 Chargemaster Combo Scale

This amazing reloading equipment will provide you with the speed to get large amounts of ammunition reloaded in short amounts of time. You will also get completely accurate reloads of your ammunition so you will know that you have the precise charge you need.

This device basically does all of the work for you. All you need to do is load the hopper that can hold one pound of smokeless powder, and then press a button to choose the desired charge you prefer, and the machine does the rest. You do not have to make any calibrations or adjustments.

The alphanumeric keypad is advanced and provides you with memory buttons. The memory button allows your favorite reloading recipes to be stored in the device memory so all you have to do is push a button and pull up the data.

You will waste less powder because the trickle feature will allow you to get the very last of the powder into your pan.

The two piece combination consists of the dispenser and the other piece is the scale. You will find this equipment very simple to operate, and even simpler to disassemble and clean when you are finished loading.

How to use a Reloading Scale

Production of cartridges for a rifle realoading

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Using a reloading scale properly is critical in the creation of ammunition that will fire correctly and have the power you want it to have. It can take a little time to get used to using these scales, but once you do you will realize they are easy to use.

How to use an Electric/Digital Reloading Scale

  1. Make certain that the scale is positioned on a surface that is solid, steady, and perfectly level.
  2. Make certain that you have fresh batteries that are working at optimum power loaded into the scale.
  3. Turn the power button on and let the scale warm up long enough to function properly. This warming time can take as long as 30 minutes, so turn the scale on while you are assembling your supplies.
  4. Use your check weight and calibrate the scale before each use. Zero the scale before you take a weight measurement. Do this before every measurement.
  5. Follow the precise steps laid out in your owners-manual.

How to Use Best Mechanical Reloading Scale

  1. Place the scale on a level surface that is perfectly steady. You do not want the table or counter to move at all during the process.
  2. Make sure the balance beam on the scale swings freely.
  3. Hang the weighing pan on the end of the beam using the hook
  4. Load your materials into the pan
  5. Wait a few seconds for the beam to become stabilized
  6. Read the weight following the instructions that came with your scale

Best Reloading Scale for The Money: Buying Guide

weighing bullets with frankford arsenal ds-750 digital reloading scale

There are several things to consider before you go out to buy a reloading scale. You want to make certain that you get a scale that is going to benefit you and the type of charges you need to load.

Scale Capacity

You want to consider the number of rounds you will be loading at one time. The capacity of your weighing device can limit the number of loads you can create without having to refill or reset the device.

If you have to make your measurements several times it will take you longer to finish your reloading tasks. Get a scale with a large enough capacity that you can load it once or twice and get all of the charges you need.

Precision and Accuracy

The accuracy of the scale will determine how accurately you will be when you fire your weapon. This is a detail that is worth a lot of consideration, and careful examination. You want a device that is accurate within 0.1 grain.

There are scales available that have an accuracy that is higher than the 0.1 grain. These scales are very expensive, and to be honest the majority of shooters do not need an accuracy rate in their loader that is above the 0.1 grain.

Pay close attention to whether the scale is supposed to be accurate to the grain or accurate to the electron. You are reloading ammunition and you need it to be accurate to the grain.

Measurement Speed

You want to get a scale that will not have you waiting for thirty seconds or more while it tries to calculate the weight of the powder. You want fast, reliable weight measurements.

TARE

A tare feature is almost a must have when it comes to reloading scales. You do not want to get the calculated weight and then have to deduct the container weight.

The tare feature automatically deducts the weight of the container so you are shown only the weight of the powder.

Large Display Screens

You want to get a reloading scale that has a large digital display screen that is backlit. You do not want to be squinting and hoping that you are reading the weight calculation correctly.

Weighing Modes

You want to get a scale that can display the weight in several different modes. The most common weight modes are grams, ounces, grains, troy scale ounces, denarius weight or penny weight, and carats.

How to Take Care of Your Powder Scale

The most important part of caring for your reloading scale is the owner’s instruction manual. Read this manual from cover to cover before you ever set the scale up. Keep the manual with the scale so you can refer to it when you are using the device.

Empty the Scale after Each Use

When you are using the scale there is a load on the scale. If you leave the scale holding this load you can damage the load cell of electronic scales and cause them to give inaccurate readings. Make sure you totally empty the holding pans and scale after each weighing.

Clean the Scale Regularly

You want to make sure that you clean your scale regularly. The smallest amount of dust or debris can wreak havoc on your measurements.

  • Dust off powder grains and remnants after each use. Do not use water on the scale.
  • If you have a cover for the scale then keep the cover in place when the scale is not in use
  • After you finish using the scale remove the weighing platform and make sure there is no dust or debris under the platform. NEVER turn the scale upside down in an effort to shake away possible dust.
  • Clean your powder pan and dry it completely
  • Use compressed air to blow away dust and debris particles.
  • Do NOT use dryer sheets to remove static from the pan without cleaning the pan thoroughly afterward to remove the residue left by the dryer sheets

Store Properly

Make certain that the scale sits in an upright position while it is not in use. Do not lay it on its side, or turn it upside down during storage.

People Also Ask

Though we tried to cover all the answers in our content, there are a few extra questions that people often ask on the best powder scales for reloading.

What is the Most Accurate Reloading Scale?

The Lyman Pocket Touch 1500 is considered to be one of the most accurate reloading scales on the market today.

Which Scale is More Accurate, Digital or Beam?

If you want precision then you want a digital scale. They give precise readings and are extremely accurate if they are used properly, maintained properly, and positioned in the proper setting.

What is a Powder Scale Dispenser?

The powder scale dispenser is a device designed to dispense the smokeless powder used in reloading charges. The dispenser allows you to have a precise amount of the powder so your charges are accurate and consistent.

Final Notes

If you read the article till the end, now you know which is the best powder scale for reloading. Reloading your own ammunition will give you more powerful ammunition that is safer to use, and less expensive. It does not matter whether you plan to reload hundreds of cartridges each week, or you simply need a hundred cartridges for hunting season. You want the ability to have precise ammunition that has the power and accuracy that will help you shoot better.

That means that you need precision scales and weighing equipment that is capable of re-creating the same charge repeatedly. When you get the recipe right you want to be able to make it exactly the same every time.

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