Even from our earliest days, we tend to have a liking towards guns. A simple survey of kids who love James Bond is a perfect example of this. A good gun needs good bullets, and to ensure that you have bullets that offer the best performance you need a good digital reloading scale. In this buying guide, we will give an analysis of ten of the best digital reloading scales that offer a high degree of accuracy, are easy to calibrate, are easy to clean and are so easy to use that any newbie can get up to speed in a short time period. Which digital reloading scale offers the best performance? We will give an analysis of the features that each digital reloading scale has and this is aimed at helping you make a judgment as to which digital reloading scale is best for you. In addition, we will show you which digital reloading scale is best for those buying on a tight budget.
Alternatively, just skip to the best digital reloading scale on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Best Digital Reloading Scale Comparison Table
List of the 10 Best Digital Reloading Scales
1. RCBS 98923 Chargemaster Combo Scale/Dispenser
This is a digital reloading scale from the manufacturer, RCBS. This scale comes with a host of features. It comes as a 2 piece unit with a dispenser and a scale. It has an accuracy of 0.1 grain. This makes it suitable for most applications. It has a powder dispense range of 2-300 grains. It comes with an easy to press alphanumeric keypad. This has memory buttons that are designed to remember your favorite load recipes. This enables you to get consistent results. You can use the trickle button to get the last bit of powder into your pan. It has a powder hopper and a quick drain system. It allows you to master reloading techniques. This helps you to save money on ammo as you will be able to reuse cases and shells.
This device works better than most scales. It is very easy to clean. This makes using it a very pleasurable experience as you will not have to worry about having great challenges when trying to clean it. It is able to store a lot of loads. It is easy to calibrate. This allows you to get accurate readings. It can be reprogrammed to suit your needs. This is a very handy feature as you can look for the settings that best suit your unique needs. Tutorials on how to do this are available on YouTube. This device has a few drawbacks. It is sensitive to the temperature that is present in the environment where it is located. This means that you need to be weary of heaters and other temperature controlling devices. In addition, it does not look nice. This may be a problem to those who prefer to have products that are aesthetically pleasing.
2. Homgeek Digital Milligram Pocket Reloading Scale
This is an affordable, multi-purpose digital scale from the manufacturer, Homegeek. This device can be used for a wide range of applications. It comes with host of features. It has a backlit, easy to read LCD display. This allows for you to be able to view the contents displayed at virtually any angle. It automatically shuts off after 60 seconds. This allows for you to save on batteries and make them as long as possible. The scale is able to measure substances from 0.001g to 50g. This makes it perfect for a wide variety of applications. You can use it to measure gun powder, bullets, and the casings. You can also use it in non-ammo applications. It can be used in jewelry, research laboratories, and more.
This device comes with all the features that you would expect in a digital reloading scale. It has changeable units. This allows you to choose between the following: g, oz, ozt, dwt, ct, gn. It has the tare function. This allows you to calculate the net weight of your powder. It is compact and easy to clean. The manufacturer includes all that you need to get started. It comes with a set of tweezers, a weighing pan, as well as a 50 calibration weight. It uses 2 AAA batteries that are easy to find and replace. It has a count function to give you an accurate count as well as a wind shelter mechanism to prevent the readings from being affected by the external environment. The manufacturer offers a 2 year warranty. This product comes with one main drawback. A few customers complained that it does not work well for products under 100mg. Due to all of these factors, we have chosen this as the best budget digital reloading scale.
3. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Precision Scale and Reloading Case
This is a digital reloading scale and case from the manufacturer, Frankford Arsenal. This is a very reputable manufacturer who is known for producing long lasting devices. This device has a host of features. It is compatible with both 110 and 220 V AC systems. This means that you can use it in America and surrounding countries. When you move to other countries such as South Africa or Switzerland, you are guaranteed that this device will continue to work. It has an LCD display which is backlit. This makes it easy to read at virtually any angle. The device stays on when plugged into mains electricity which makes it suitable for those who do a lot of ammo work. It allows you to measure many different units. It can use either AC or battery power. The manufacturer includes 4 AAA batteries that you can use to provide power to the device. In order to make your batteries last for long, the digital reloading scale automatically shuts off after 180 seconds of use.
This device is versatile. It has podium indentations to easily index arrow shafts. It has a weigh plate that is shaped to accept a powder pan as well as arrow or any like shaped objects. It has a tare button that allows for measuring the consistency between loads. It has weights included for easy calibration. It is shaped to allow the use with a powder trickle that easily reaches the pan when set level on a bench. It comes with a 3 point calibration system and is accurate to 0.1 grain. It also comes with a durable plastic storage case. This product has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained that the customer support is not quick to respond. In addition, a few customers complained about the reading fluctuating by +/- 0.1gr.
4. Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Digital Reloading Scale with LCD Display for Reloading
This is a lightweight device from the manufacturer, Frankford Aresnal. The manufacturer is well known for producing high quality devices, and this is one of them. This device comes with a host of features. It has a capacity of 750 grain. This allows you to measure powder, bullets, cases and loaded rounds. It has a large, high-contrast backlit display. This allows for you to read the values present with great ease. It is powered by 2 AAA batteries that come included in the packaging. This allows you to use it in areas where there is no mains electricity. It is lightweight and weighs only 8 ounces. This makes it very easy to carry around with you. There are simple controls that allow for you to change units with great ease. The device is able to measure up to 0.03grams and has a bias tolerance of 0.2 grams.
The digital reloading scale is durable. It comes with an integrated protective cover. This protects the digital reloading scale from damage and helps to extend the life of the device. It registers weights placed on it very quickly. This makes the reloading process rather quick. It defaults to the last unit you were using. This prevents you from having to manually enter the units you want each time you use the device. It has a tare feature to set the weight to zero with an empty pan on the scale. The manufacturer proves a soft carry case, a powder pan and a calibration weight in the packaging. In addition to all of this, it comes at a very attractive price. This product has a few drawbacks. It is not ideal for trickling. In addition, the readings can be inaccurate if the batteries are low.
5. GEMINI-20 Portable Precision Digital Milligram Scale
This is a portable digital scale from the manufacturer, American Weigh Scales. This scale is quite versatile. It comes with two calibration weights that are there to help keep the product as accurate as possible. It can be used for a wide variety of applications. It can be used in laboratories, in jewelry, as well in reloading. It has a blue backlit LCD display screen. This allows for you to view the contents of the screen from virtually any angle and it means that you can use the scale in environments with low lighting. It is able to measure substances with an accuracy of 0.001g. It comes with a clear flip top shield. This design helps to isolate the weighing object for most accurate results. It comes with 4 keys. These are used during the operation of this device. This makes it very easy to use the device. It has separate on and off buttons to ensure that you do not power up or switch off this device by mistake. It is powered by 2 AAA batteries that come with the device. These are very easy to find and replace.
This device comes with the standard features found in a digital scale. It has the tare feature. This allows you to calculate the net weight of the substance that you place in the tray. It has tweezers that allow you to place gems on to the scale and also remove them. It has a large 1.3 inch stainless steel weighing platform. It comes with a detailed user guide to ensure that you do not have trouble using the device. It comes with a 10 year warranty. This device has one main drawback. A few customers complained that it was a bit too sensitive.
6. Fuzion Digital Milligram Scale 50g/ 0.001g, Portable Reloading Scale
This is an affordable multi-function, portable digital scale from the company, Fuzion. This portable scale can be used for reloading, jewelry, and for measuring medicine tablets. This makes it quite versatile. It comes with a weight of just 2.4 oz. This makes it very easy to carry around. It is so small that you can fit it into your handbag. It is powered by 2 AAA batteries. These batteries are very easy to find and this means that you do not need to worry about struggling to replace them when they eventually run out. It comes with a weighing pan in which you can place your powder or cases. It is rather accurate. The manufacturer claims that the accuracy is ± 0.003g. It has a measurement range of 0.001g – 50g. This is more than enough for most typical reloading applications.
The device boasts a lot of digital features. By pressing a button you can change the unit of measurement. You can choose one of the following options: g, oz, dwt, gn, ct, ozt. It has an auto off time of 180s. This helps to conserve battery power and make them last as long as possible. It gives a low voltage alert. This means you do not need to worry about your device’s batteries running out unexpectedly. It gives an overload alert. This alert informs you that the device that you have placed on the scale is too heavy for it. This gives you time to remove the device and ensure that the device lasts as long as possible. It has a backlit LCD screen. This helps you to see the values quite clearly from any angle. It also has the tare function which is quite handy in reloading. It comes with a 2 year warranty. This device has a few drawbacks. It cannot measure weights above 50g. In addition, it looks really cheap.
7. Hornady 050108 Electronic Bench Scale 1500 Grain,Red
This is a digital reloading scale from the manufacturer, Hornady. This manufacturer is well known for producing innovative bullet, ammunition, reloading tools and accessories. This device is an example of an innovative, high quality digital reloading scale. It is a very accurate device. It is manufactured to give an accuracy of 0.1 grain. This means that you will be able to measure your powder with accuracy. It can measure up to 1500 grains. This allows you to weigh enough powder to make very many high quality bullets. This high capacity also allows you to weigh bullets, cases, cartridges and more. This makes it the perfect addition to your reloading bench. It is very lightweight and comes at a weight of a mere 2 pounds. This means that you can easily transport it with you, as long as the place that you want to use it has an AC source. It is not prone to static unlike many digital reloading scales. This means that you do not need to worry about the reading being incorrect due to static charges.
This product is easy to install and setup. All you need to do is to follow the very easy to follow instructions in the manual that comes with the device. It is very easy to calibrate and will give you accurate readings if you calibrate it properly. It has a bright, backlit LCD screen. This makes it very easy to read the contents of the screen. It has a few drawbacks. It needs to be placed on a sturdy and stable table as it is very sensitive to motion. In addition, it does not use batteries which makes it difficult to use in areas that do not have mains electricity.
8. Lyman 7750600 Gen 5 Touch Screen
This is a digital reloading scale from the manufacturer, Lyman. This company is well known for producing many innovative products for shooters. It tries and satisfies the needs of a shooter with advanced technologies. As expected, this device is full of innovative features. It has a touch screen interface. This makes it very easy to select and enter commands into the computer system present in the scale. It also makes it user friendly as well as making the product have a premium feel. It has a beeper that beeps once every load is dropped. This device has three volume levels for this beeper. It has a higher operation speed than its predecessors as well as other digital reloading scales. It is able to store up to 100 of the previously made loads in its memory. Each load in memory has three input lines. The load can be recalled anytime. The cartridge name, powder name and weight of the powder are the three inputs needed. The load can be selected and recalled by entering the cartridge name. It has anti-static and anti-drift technologies as well as electronic shielding to resist interference from other electronic devices such as cellphones, etc.
This product has all the standard features that you would expect from a digital reloading scale. It is very easy to clean. It is compatible with both 115 and 220V AC systems. It has a grain hopper as well as a digital reloading scale. It has a maximum capacity of 1500 grains with an accuracy of +/- 0.1 grain. This product has a few drawbacks. It can expose you to harmful chemicals such as lead. In addition, this device comes at a very high price.
9. Lyman Micro-Touch 1500 Electronic Scale 110V 7750700
This is an electronic scale from the manufacturer, Lyman. This scale is lightweight and comes at a weight of just 1 pound. This makes it quite portable as you are able to carry it around with great ease. It comes with a capacity of 1500 grains. This means that you can use it to measure powder, bullets and cases. It comes with a dust cover. This makes it very easy for you to use it in environments that have dust in them. In addition, the cover also protects the scale from getting damaged. It uses 110V. This means that it can be plugged into any wall socket that you will find here in the United States. It comes at a fair price. This makes it much more attractive than most digital reloading scales.
This device comes with all the features that a standard scale comes with. It has the ability to display the weight in grams or grains. It can work with both AC and with batteries. This means that you can use it in areas where there is no AC power outlet present. It allows for you to trickle powder into the tray. You may need to wait a bit for the device to register that some additional weight has been added. It comes with an easy to read LCD touchscreen. This screen is big and allows you to read the reading from virtually angle. You can press the screen to enter commands. This makes it feel like a premium device as it does not have any cheap looking buttons. This device does have a few drawbacks. It operates a bit slowly. A few customers complained that the accuracy could be a whole lot better.
10. Hornady 050068Lock-N-Load Auto Charge
This is another digital reloading scale from the manufacturer, Hornady. This device comes with a host of features. It comes with both a grain hopper as well as a scale. This means that you do not need to worry about having a separate grain hopper. It comes with automatic and manual dispense options. This gives you a great advantage when you have a lot of ammo work to carry out. In addition, when you want to have full control over the exact grain capacity, you can use the manual mode and it will help provide the right amount to suit your unique needs. It comes with the trickle function, with 3 different trickle settings available. This allows you to add powder bit by bit until it reaches the exact weight that you would like. It comes with an easy to read, backlit LCD. This allows you to read the LCD screen at virtually any angle with great ease. It comes with an accuracy of 0.1 grains and has a capacity of 1000 grains. It is very easy to calibrate.
This device offers additional features. It comes with overcharge protection. It is very easy to clean. This means that you will not need to worry about any maintenance hassles. It comes with a side drain. This allows you to easily change the contents of the grain hopper. This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained that it is a bit slow. In addition, a few customers complained that the material of the device reacts to smokeless powder which means you need to drain it completely after use.
Best Digital Reloading Scale Brands
The best digital reloading scale brands are RCBS, Frankford Arsenal and Hornady. RCBS makes very accurate devices that are easy to clean and are highly popular. Frankford Arsenal is a manufacturer who is known to produce long lasting digital reloading scales. Their device that we reviewed lives up to that standard. Hornady is well known for producing innovative bullet, ammunition, reloading tools and accessories. Their devices that we reviewed are quite innovative and have many features that shooters will highly appreciate.
Best Digital Reloading Scale
RCBS 98923 Chargemaster Combo Scale/Dispenser
This is the best digital reloading scale. It comes with a high accuracy, has memory buttons that are designed to remember your favorite load recipes and it is very easy to clean. It has so many features that shooters are quite willing to fork out the rather high price that it comes at.
Here are the key features we liked about the digital reloading scale.
- High accuracy
- Memory buttons
- Very easy to clean
- Easy to calibrate
- Can be reprogrammed
Best Budget Digital Reloading Scale
Homgeek Digital Milligram Pocket Reloading Scale
This is the best budget digital reloading scale. It is an affordable multi-purpose digital scale from Homegeek. It is lightweight, comes with all the features you would expect in a digital reloading scale and it comes with AAA batteries that are very easy to find and replace.
Here are the key features we liked about the digital reloading scale:
- Backlit, easy to read LCD display
- Uses AAA batteries
- 2 year warranty
- Wind shelter mechanism
- Multi-purpose
How Much Do Digital Reloading Scales Cost?
Digital reloading scales come at varying costs. They are usually in the 10 – 700 USD price range.
High End Scales
These are the digital scales that cost above 250 USD. These digital reloading scales usually come with a high degree of accuracy and boast advanced features such as touchscreen interfaces. They also usually also have a hopper. An example of such a device is the Lyman 7750600 Gen 5 Touch Screen.
Mid-range Scales
These are the devices that are perfect for making accurate bullets. With these scales you are usually able to workup any load you want. They are usually in the 60-200 USD range. An example of such a device is the Hornady 050108 Electronic Bench Scale 1500 Grain, Red.
Low End Scales
These are the scales that are below the 60 USD mark. They work quite well if you stick to the maximum and minimum loads written in the manual. They are unsuitable for powders with a narrow safety range. They are quite suitable for entry level reloaders as well as those who would want to use them for other purposes e.g. jewelry.
Types of Reloading Scales
Reloading scales can be divided into two categories.
Digital Reloading Scales
These are the reloading scales that use digital technology to take measurements. They come with several features that enhance their functionality and display the result on a visual display unit such as an LCD screen. All the reloading scales in this article use this technology.
Mechanical Scales
These are the reloading scales that have a graduated scale and a mass slider. The more beams present on such a device, the more accurate the results obtained.
Why You Need a Digital Reloading Scale
Accuracy
In order for you to get a round that is as powerful as possible, you need to make sure that you put in the right amount of powder. These devices will ensure that you do exactly that due to their accuracy of 0.01grain.
Versatile
Reloading scales were not designed and developed just for ammo purposes. They can be used for other applications such as weighing gems, stones, small electronic components and more.
Portable
Most reloading scales weigh less than 3 pounds, and most can use batteries. This means that it will be very easy for you to carry them with you.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Digital Reloading Scale
Accuracy
To get a powerful round, you need to get accurate measurements. The difference of 0.x grain can completely change the performance of the bullet shot. You need to have a digital scale that is able to measure at least 0.1 grain accurately. Most digital reloading scales come with an accuracy of 0.01 grain. This is more than enough for typical applications.
Material Construction
You need to check out the materials that have been used to construct the digital reloading scale. Some materials may react with powder. This will jeopardize the reloading process. To avoid such a scenario, just have a look at the manufacturer’s manual or the details that are present about the device. Check if any people had any problems with the device using the type of powder that you intend to use.
Power
You need to have a digital reloading scale that supports the type of power that is available in the environment that you put it in. If you are here in America, you need to make sure that the device that you have supports 110V AC. If you want to use this device with you when you travel, make sure that it supports both 110V and 240V AC.
If the environment has no main electricity, then you need to consider if it supports the use of batteries. Make sure that the batteries are very easy to find and replace.
Response Time
This is another important aspect that needs to be considered. You need to ensure that the digital reloading scale that you intend to purchase has a decent response time. This is because it will be a very huge inconvenience for you to use a slow device as it could turn a simple ammo prep session into a nightmare.
Environment
You need to check the environment that you want to place the digital reloading scale into. These devices are sometimes so sensitive that a gust of wind can drastically change the reading present on the device. In addition, these devices need to be operated on level surfaces.
What is a Digital Reloading Scale?
A digital reloading scale is an electronic device that is used to weigh and measure powder, cases, bullets as well as other reloading accessories. These operate as normal scales but only differ in the sense that they were made specifically for bullets, gun powder and cartridges.
How Does a Digital Scale Work?
Digital reloading scales work in a similar fashion to conventional scales. You load a weight onto the device and then it measures the weight exerted by the device on the scale. These scales work with the use of a strain gauge load cell. These strain gauge load cells convert the force of a weight into an electrical signal. When an item is placed on the scale, the weight is first evenly distributed among the load cells present. The mechanical design of the digital scale applies the force of the weight to one end of the load cells. As the weight is applied, the load cells bend downwards. The weight deforms the strain gauge. When the metal foil in the strain gauge is strained, the backing flexes or stretches. The strain gauge then converts the deformation into an electrical signal. This is due to the fact that the resistance of load cells depends on the force that is incident. This change in resistance is then interpreted as an electrical signal. The signal passes through a circuit which has an amplifier together with a comparator. After that it is fet to an analog to digital converter. This feeds the microcontroller with the digital signal indicating the value of the signal present. The microcontroller then displays the result on a visual display unit such as an LCD screen.
Digital Reloading Scale FAQs
Do they Use Batteries?
Most digital reloading scales can use batteries. This makes it convenient if you are in a room without any (free) plugs.
Do they Change Units?
In most cases, yes. This allows you to use the unit that you are most familiar with.
Are they Trickle Compatible?
In most cases, yes. This allows you to add the exact amount of powder you need.
Can they connect to my Smartphone?
In most cases, no.
What types of powder can I use?
Well this greatly depends on the exact digital reloading scale you want. First have a look at the details from the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the top 10 best digital reloading scales. We have given a thorough analysis of each digital reloading scale. We also included a comprehensive guide aimed at equipping you with the skills of identifying the best digital reloading scale to suit your unique needs. In addition, we included a list of comprehensive FAQs for your convenience.
