Quick Review of Gempro 250 Scale

[PredatorDown]

Got a little bored tonight while loading and decided to do a quick video to show the scale I use. Bare with me on the lighting and focus in the video.

The Gempro 250 has an accuracy of +/- .02gr, compared to most scales accuracy of +/- .1gr. That means that even on the extreme end, my variance will be less than half of what most scales are even capable of showing. It will also repeatably measure single kernels of most extruded powders. When doing ball powders, it's easy for OCD to get the best of you. I usually figure if I'm within .02-.04 of my target weight I call it good.

There is absolutely no drift in the scale over time. Meaning if I zero it, walk out of the room, and come back 3 hours later it will still read 0 grains.

The main thing I have found helps to get the most accurate results possible is to have it turned on several hours before planning to load. Or in my case, I just permanently keep it on. I've had it for over a year, have loaded several thousand rounds on it, and it still performs the same as when I bought it.

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't done any extensive testing to see what the difference in SD is, and this may very well be going way beyond what is necessary, but I figure why the heck not. The scale really isn't too expensive at $130 from Brownells.

http://www.brownells.com/reloading/powder-handling/powder-scales/250-precision-scale-prod59271.aspx

[LRRPF52]

Thanks for that. That price is more than reasonable.

I would like to integrate that scale with my powder dispenser if I could.

[PredatorDown]

I've thought about getting a chargemaster or similar and setting it to throw .1-.2gr short, then transferring it to this scale to finish trickling it in. A chargemaster would probably be plenty accurate for 90% of my loads, but for when I really feel like taking my time and getting it exact that would be a killer setup

[McFireFighter]

I've been wanting one forever. You read great reviews and bad reviews and I've always been afraid to jump on it. I think it's time I try one. Fear my ocd will get the best of me.

[rabiddawg]

I am in the market for a new scale. I chunked my old partner in the garbage last weekend.

Thanks for posting your review. I was leaning Chargemaster now I may have to give it more thought.

[SG4247]

I've been using one for several years now.

Bought it off flea bay for $100!

Good scale for the $$

[McFireFighter]

That's awesome to hear. Definitely start looking for one.

[pdq5oh]

I have a Gem Pro 250 and will be sending it back for repair/replacement. Intermittently it'll start drifting all over the place. Turning it off & back on sometimes helps. Sometimes not. I've turned it on well before I intend to load & it's fine, then starts drifting all over suddenly. I can put it away and get it out after several days and it's fine. Next time I get it out it's drifting right away. I just haven't gotten around to sending it back yet. I will say when it works it's very accurate. Hopefully the replacement will work well.
PDown, is your scale on a different table from your loading bench. I'd considered leaving mine on all the time but worried the vibrations from sizing brass, seating bullets and using my ultra sonic cleaner would affect it.
Old Will Knott in Co has them at a good price and are very good to deal with. Fast shipping, too.

[PredatorDown]

Mine is axtually in an entirely different room than my presses. My loading bench is outside in a shed, and I wanted to keep the scale in a more climate controlled setting. I leave it sitting in the corner of my computer desk when not in use, then just move the keyboard/mouse when it's time to throw charges

[Cornbread]

If I'm going to an electronic scale I would be getting one of the automatic setups like the pact ,Hornady or RCBS. They need to be tuned properly but can really speed up the load time. Many of the cheaper stand alone digitals don't update fast enough for powder trickling,tend to drift off zero. Leaving them on all the time and running a power conditioner helps.

[McFireFighter]

How does the Gempro do with trickling. Different reviews to its trickling capabilities.

[SG4247]

How does the Gempro do with trickling. Different reviews to its trickling capabilities.

I would say it doesn't trickle well at all. That strain gauge design is more suited to dropping a full charge on it.

This means you have to take the pan on and off the scale - to get accurate readings, which it does.

Also, mine is in a temperature controlled room. Even so, during the summer when the AC kicks on, the scale will immediately drift all over the place. I had to redirect the AC air coming from the vent, so that the scale does not get cold soaked.

But, I have learned to work with those issues, and like the scale very much for the price.

[pdq5oh]

My loading room is in the front of my house. I just turn the furnace off up there when loading.

[dfp23]

I have had positive experiences with the Gempro 250. Since changing my powder measuring procedures incorporating the Gem pro. I consistently get single digit standard deviations as the norm. Setup (taken from advice from another forum member): I have the Gempro set atop of a thick piece of granite, with ferrite line filters and line conditioner-like this set up posted by wheelguner http://www.65grendel.com/forum/attac...&d=1450150907- I liberally use dryer sheets to wipe down all surfaces prior to a reload session to cut down on the static electricity.

I throw a underweight charge with my Lyman electric scale and put it on the Gempro and trickle the rest with a electronic Omega trickler. This set up/ system have served me well for the last thousand + rounds. It's a bit tedious, but quite effective.

[McFireFighter]

I have the Charge master combo. I'm getting some filter and line conditioners for it today. I ordered the Gempro 250 this morning. Will let you know how things work out.