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Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
#7022491
01/03/18 03:57 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,806
MathMan
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Today I reloaded some ammo in my shed where it was 33 degrees. The digital scale was slow to measure but every time I got it where I wanted I then took the pan off and then put it back on and it said the same weight so then I used it.
I checked the scale for accuracy with its calibration weight and it was good every time.
Was the scale correct? Does cold weather affect the accuracy of digital scales? I have a Frankfort Arsenal $32 digital scale.
Are my loads safe?
I’m not near max in my load if that matters.
I’ll be shooting theses loads at 10 in the morning unless it’s not good.
Thanks:)
Last edited by MathMan; 01/03/18 03:59 AM.
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7022931
01/03/18 04:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 679
686ppp
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do you have a beam scale to double check? You need a heater also.
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7022944
01/03/18 04:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,448
aggiehunter03
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I don't know what scale you're using but I know my RCBS shows my pan to weigh 155.9 grains. I just always look for that as a last check after calibration.
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7023115
01/03/18 05:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,517
RiverRider
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Calibration of a digital scale can be no better than the precision of the weights used.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: aggiehunter03]
#7023121
01/03/18 06:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,534
redchevy
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I don't know what scale you're using but I know my RCBS shows my pan to weigh 155.9 grains. I just always look for that as a last check after calibration. Lol I do that too, but mine weighs 157.8 I think. If it correctly weighed the check weights I think you should be ok. I would try to find more favorable loading and storage environment for electronics in the future. It is easy to store your scale inside and drop your powder inside then go out to a mounted press and seat bullets.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7023140
01/03/18 06:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,563
patriot07
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I was doing some initial checks after getting a set of 6.5 creedmoor dies for Christmas and noticed that the dimensions of the bullets & brass changed significantly from when it was 60 degrees when I first measured them to when it was 20 degrees the other night. I doubt the steel dies had changed nearly as much since steel has a fairly low CTE. For instance, if you sized some brass when it was cold and then it warms up, you're going to get a lot less neck tension than if you size when it's warm and then shoot the ammo when it's cold.
Makes me think I'll try to do my loading somewhere around 60-70 degrees so the dimensions are all the same or close enough to the same that it doesn't matter. The main thing I was checking was neck diameter and shoulder location, and the neck diameter was .002"-.003" smaller and the case to shoulder length had come down a few thousandths as well.
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: patriot07]
#7023144
01/03/18 06:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,534
redchevy
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I was doing some initial checks after getting a set of 6.5 creedmoor dies for Christmas and noticed that the dimensions of the bullets & brass changed significantly from when it was 60 degrees when I first measured them to when it was 20 degrees the other night. I doubt the steel dies had changed nearly as much since steel has a fairly low CTE. For instance, if you sized some brass when it was cold and then it warms up, you're going to get a lot less neck tension than if you size when it's warm and then shoot the ammo when it's cold.
Makes me think I'll try to do my loading somewhere around 60-70 degrees so the dimensions are all the same or close enough to the same that it doesn't matter. The main thing I was checking was neck diameter and shoulder location, and the neck diameter was .002"-.003" smaller and the case to shoulder length had come down a few thousandths as well. That's and interesting observation
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7023190
01/03/18 07:03 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,806
MathMan
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Thanks for the help. I shot it today and it did well. Ill be reloading when it is warmer in the future. I just wanted to reload some before i went hunting today. After i hunt i always shoot some ammo. The scale has been great for me in the past. Was just running slow. It may have been about .2 grains off possibly which i dont like but it was just for fun.
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7023882
01/04/18 03:13 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,935
ChadTRG42
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I would turn on the scales at least an hour before I loaded ammo to make sure they were warmed up right. But yes, they should read accurately, but would be slower to read.
Today, I took a 6 pack cooler with me to the range with my ammo inside and put a heating pad inside that was heated up. It's one of those things that goes into the Pyrex dishes you carry with insulated food. It kept the ammo warm inside for sure!
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7032230
01/10/18 03:43 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,517
BoomStick
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The cold weather can affect the batteries. The less power they are holding the less the scale can perform accurately. I use a MEC digital scale. When the batteries start getting weak, it can be off. The instruction manual states this for the nay sayers, It also recommends to change the batteries regularly!
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Re: Reloading when it’s 33 degrees. Digital scale?
[Re: MathMan]
#7043100
01/18/18 03:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 31
rawToes
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yikes! For just a few rounds before hunting, I'd have carried the brass, scale and powder indoors and just used a scoop to get to right charge. Finish off back in the icebox (shed). Nothing worse than loading when you're too hot or too cold.
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