That is a part of a sequence of posts that spotlight the gear the 200 top-ranked shooters within the Precision Rifle Sequence (PRS) are operating in long-range rifle matches. (Be taught concerning the Precision Rifle Sequence.) This group of opponents represents the most effective precision rifle shooters within the nation.
This text is a part of a brief sequence the place I’ll concentrate on the reloading tools and course of these guys use to load their match ammo. Right here is how I plan to publish this 3 half sequence:
Reloading Presses & Dies
Reloading Powder Scales (this text)
Reloading Course of & Steps Carried out (subsequent article)
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This text will concentrate on the reloading scale that these shooters are utilizing to weigh their powder fees.
You’ll see that the majority of those powder scales will not be simply scales however auto-dispensing techniques. Meaning you may set a desired powder cost weight, after which the system will robotically dispense powder till it reaches that weight. Then, you may load it into an empty case and repeat.
Finest Reloading Powder Scale
Here’s a breakdown of the completely different manufacturers and fashions of powder scales that these top-ranked PRS shooters mentioned they have been utilizing to handload their match ammo:
Wow! I anticipated the A&D FX-120i powder scale to be common – however 75% of the 200 top-ranked shooters within the PRS are operating that scale to load their match ammo! That included 70% of the fellows within the prime 10 and 68% within the prime 25. Mainly, the overwhelming majority of fellows on the very prime of the game consider that it’s the finest scale for loading match-grade precision rifle ammo.
The A&D FX-120i is a “precision steadiness” (i.e., high-end scale) with 0.001-gram or 1.0 mg decision at a comparatively reasonably priced value (beginning at $568 road value).
Weighing To The Kernel: The common reloading scale solely has a decision of 0.10 grains, however the gold customary for long-range ammo is a scale that’s correct inside a single kernel of powder. Here’s what Benchrest Corridor-of-Famer, Speedy Gonzales needed to say: “I’ve started emigrate from the short-range recreation of Benchrest slowly into the long-range facets of taking pictures and have come to grasp how essential a single grain of powder has change into and the way paramount its impact is to taking pictures or competing at any excessive distance.”
Bryan Litz explains in Fashionable Developments in Lengthy Vary Capturing Quantity II, “So as to resolve powder fees right down to the kernel, you want a extremely correct scale able to resolving right down to 0.02 grains which is concerning the weight of 1 kernel of stick powder.”
One kernel of a preferred extruded rifle powder like Hodgdon Varget weighs 0.02 grains. The accuracy or decision of most high-end scales is marketed in grams or milligrams, so we’d like this conversion: 0.001 grams = 0.015 grains. Meaning a scale with an accuracy of 1 mg (or 0.001 grams) ought to be capable of differentiate between a single kernel of Varget powder.
Most individuals pair the A&D FX-120i with an computerized powder dispenser that connects to the size with a cable. The dimensions studies the load to the powder dispenser, and the dispenser is programmed to throw a particular weight of powder. The most well-liked combo is the AutoTrickler v4 + A&D FX-120i Scale, which you should buy for $1,070 as a combo bundle. An alternative choice is the SuperTrickler + A&D FX-120i Scale, however that combo begins at $1,400. Right here is a good video that compares the AutoTrickler and the SuperTrickler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmWxkON4PhM.
Many of those shooters run 2 of those A&D FX-120i scale setups side-by-side to hurry up their loading course of. I do know a pair who’ve advised me they’ve 3 side-by-side!
The following hottest scale was the RCBS MatchMaster powder scale and dispenser ($900), which represented 8% of those shooters – though not one of the shooters within the prime 25 have been utilizing it. RCBS had quite a lot of computerized powder dispenser scales represented amongst this group: RCBS ChargeMaster ($300), RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme ($430), and RCBS MatchMaster ($900). They mixed to characterize 14% of those top-ranked shooters, with the MatchMaster being the most well-liked mannequin.
The first distinction is the MatchMaster is able to accuracy right down to 0.04 grains in “Match Mode”, whereas the ChargeMaster scales are solely correct right down to 0.10 grains.
7% of those shooters mentioned they have been utilizing a Prometheus Powder Scale, together with 1 within the prime 10 and three extra within the prime 25.
The Prometheus was the primary auto-dispensing scale that might weigh right down to the kernel. It’s really a tuned analog steadiness. Whereas there’s a digital controller/circuit board for the powder trickler, the size itself isn’t digital (which is usually a good factor). It’s mainly a powder measure that dumps powder into “an ultra-sensitive mechanical steadiness beam system” that’s in a sealed draft-proof enclosure, and it robotically trickles one kernel at a time till it balances at precisely the appropriate weight. Then, you may rapidly dump the powder instantly into an empty case, and the Prometheus will robotically begin the method over. Within the time it takes to seat a bullet in case you simply dumped powder into, after which prime one other empty case and get it again to the Prometheus – it’s going to virtually be able to dump the following exact powder cost.
The Prometheus II powder scale was the gold customary for the longest time. I’d guess from round 2012 to at the least 2018, it was what each long-range rifle reloader wished that they had. I personally invested in a Prometheus II in 2016, and it value me $4,450 at the moment. That was really the worth to “lease” the Prometheus for 25 years from the inventor/proprietor, Model Cole, which is type of a bizarre deal – however mainly doesn’t give individuals the appropriate to promote it, use it for industrial functions, and another issues. The leasing association is unusual, however he now provides an possibility the place you should buy it for one thing like $1,000 extra. I’m unsure what the present pricing is, however you may contact Model Cole for more information.
I’ll say the Prometheus remains to be one of many quickest and most correct powder scales out there, which is why many of those guys are nonetheless utilizing one (and I’m, too). Nevertheless it clearly doesn’t supply the identical bang on your buck because the A&D FX-120i + AutoTrickler – which is why that setup is drastically extra common.
96% of those shooters have been utilizing one of many scales above: A&D FX-120i, RCBS MatchMaster or ChargeMaster, or a Prometheus.
There have been additionally 2 shooters operating the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Sequence Digital Powder Intelli-Dropper, which has a road value of solely $196. That scale is marketed to be correct to inside 0.10 grains. These have been each shooters whose season rank was between 60 and 100, which could sound excessive – however it could possible put them inside the highest 2% of all individuals who shoot PRS matches. So clearly, their ammo remains to be very succesful.
Two shooters have been additionally utilizing the Hornady Auto Cost Professional Powder Measure, which is correct right down to 0.10 grains and has a road value of $360.
There have been additionally 2 shooters who mentioned they use a Sartorius scale, which is a really high-end pharmaceutical-grade scale, just like the A&D FX-120i. I personally personal a Sartorius Entris II BCE64-1S Analytical Steadiness that I take advantage of in a few of my testing, and you’ll see it’s simply capable of differentiate between 1 kernel of gun powder within the video beneath. It’s really correct right down to 0.1 mg, which is overkill for reloading – however can something ever actually be too correct?! 😉 In true scientific testing, you usually need your tools to have the ability to resolve 10x greater than you intend to report on. The road value of the Sartorius Entris II BCE64-1S is round $1,600.
Lastly, there was one shooter who mentioned they used a Redding #2 powder scale, which is a mechanical steadiness beam powder scale.
It would shock just a few individuals to see such an “old style” method, however actually – it’s nonetheless an excellent possibility! In reality, an old-school steadiness scale is a a lot better possibility than the common digital scale. Bryan Litz put that to the take a look at in Fashionable Developments in Lengthy-Vary Capturing Quantity II, and you’ll see his findings within the desk beneath:
The common digital scale is able to measuring right down to +/- 0.10 grains, however a superb mechanical steadiness beam will be correct right down to +/- 0.02 grains! Meaning the common digital scale is +/- 5 kernels of powder from what you meant, however a superb mechanical steadiness beam will be inside +/- 1 kernel! So, if an digital scale just like the A&D FX120 that may measure right down to a single kernel of powder is out of your finances, I’d advocate utilizing a Redding #2 steadiness beam scale, which has a road value of $130.
The Good thing about a Excessive-High quality Scale
I purchased my first scale that was correct right down to a single kernel of powder again in 2016 – and it was a recreation changer. Earlier than that, I might spend days fine-tuning a load by firing numerous fees and recording velocities and teams. On many cartridges, I’d finally be capable of develop a load that produced a regular deviation (SD) of 10-14 fps in muzzle velocity – which is sweet however not nice. For instance, most of those top-ranked PRS shooters reported getting 6 fps or much less. (Not accustomed to SD? Learn this.)
Once I began doing load improvement utilizing my Prometheus scale, it was surprising how straightforward it was to discover a load with SDs within the single digits (i.e., lower than 10 fps). In reality, the masses that produced 10-14 fps SDs earlier than dropped to 6-9 fps when loaded on the Prometheus. When doing new load improvement, I might discover a number of completely different powder cost weights that produced nice masses. With a high-end scale, load improvement felt virtually easy.
The reality is the powder measure I used to be utilizing earlier than (an older RCBS Chargemaster) merely wasn’t throwing powder fees persistently. Whereas the digital readout on the size would say two fees have been an identical – in actuality, their weight possible assorted by a number of kernels of powder. Whereas a distinction of some kernels might not matter for many reloaders, when you’re making an attempt to provide super-consistent ammo for long-range taking pictures – it actually isn’t serving to you. It was merely introducing noise into my load improvement course of, which I tried to beat with bigger pattern sizes.
Since I’ve moved to a scale that was correct right down to a single kernel, I actually do minimal load improvement. I’d say I spend 80% much less time on creating a load, AND my ammo is best!
Now, is it price it? The reply to that query at all times varies from individual to individual. Clearly, the overwhelming majority of those top-tier shooters suppose it’s price it. I get asked, “Is it price it?” so typically that I typed out my reply right here. However, right here is an article that may assist put into context how a lot SD issues, after which you may resolve for your self: How A lot Does SD Matter?
I’ve plenty of good reloading instruments that I might say are NOT required to provide high quality ammo. They make reloading extra pleasing or perhaps assist with some marginal enchancment to my ammo. However I really feel like investing in a scale that may measure right down to the kernel is without doubt one of the finest selections I’ve made. It makes producing super-consistent, world-class ammo easy and repeatable. It’s price it to me!
I’m actually not saying you must purchase a Prometheus or a Sartorius. I nonetheless love my Prometheus and use it to load all my ammo, however the A&D FX120i with the AutoTrickler wasn’t round again once I ordered my Prometheus. I can NOT say that I believe the A&D FX120i is best than the Prometheus, however an A&D FX120i + AutoTrickler combo is sort of $3,400 lower than what I paid for my Prometheus! My Prometheus was $4,450 again in 2016, and the A&D FX120i + AutoTrickler will be purchased in a combo bundle for $1,070!
If I needed to do it once more at this time, I might most likely spend money on 2 of these combos over the Prometheus – and I’d nonetheless be lower than half of the price of a Prometheus. The A&D FX120i with an automatic powder dispenser (both the AutoTrickler or the SuperTrickler) is a big worth for the way a lot it may possibly assist enhance your ammo and streamline your load improvement course of.
Coming Up Subsequent
If you happen to loved this content material, I’ve already pushed dozens of articles identical to it! Try the opposite “What The Professionals Use” articles which have already been revealed this 12 months.
As talked about, this was Half 1 of a 3-part sequence the place I’ll concentrate on the reloading tools and course of these guys use to load their match ammo. Keep tuned for the following 2 installments, which shall be revealed very quickly:
Reloading Presses & Dies
Reloading Powder Scales (this text)
Reloading Course of & Every Step Carried out
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