The Hornady GS-1000 electronic powder scale appears to be discontinued by the manufacturer (according to the Midway USA website). In addition, several
other websites show this unit as "unavailable" or "out of stock". (The going price for these scales on various websites, where still available, runs
between $120.00 and $140.00).
Click to enlarge thumbnails (opens in new window)
The GS-1000 will be reviewed anyway with the assumption that other electronic scales made by Hornady are of the same approximate quality.
The unit is powered by four AA alkaline batteries (or an A/C adapter) and features a digital readout. Hornady claims a 1/10 grain accuracy and a
maximum load of 1000 grains, hence the "1000" in the model number.
The case is made of hard plastic and measures approximately six inches square, by 1¼ inches high. It weighs just under one pound.
I have compared the measurements given by the GS-1000 to a Lee Precision balance beam scale, and have found them in very high agreement over a wide
range of loads.
When using the Hornady unit, the manufacturer recommends that it be calibrated before use. In experimenting with the GS-1000 I have found that this is
not generally necessary, as I have usually gotten the same readings with or without calibration. Nevertheless, I do follow the manufacturer's advice
and recalibrate each time I set it up for use.
Two metal weights (of 20 grams and 30 grams) are supplied with the unit to aid in the calibration process. Additionally, a small plastic tray (powder
pan) is supplied, which holds the powder being weighed.
I do not use loads over 30 grains for any on my loadings, however, I have placed ten 55 grain .223 bullets in the tray, and have received a reading of
549.9 grains... which indicates a high degree of accuracy... in fact, the unit may be "right on" and the bullet weight might actually be off by that
much.
Here is the basic operating procedure... when using the unit you will need to have these written instructions with you, as the exact sequence of button
pushes is a little hard to memorize.
The left button is the CAL/MODE button - the right button is the ON/OFF/ZERO button
To Calibrate (and then use)...
Press & hold the RIGHT button until the display lights up...
Wait about 30 seconds to let the unit stabilize... the display will read zero or "approximately" zero
Press & hold the LEFT button until it says CAL 1
Press & hold the RIGHT button for 2 seconds, then release - wait for the display to flash 20.00
Put the 20g weight on unit
Display will flash 20.00, then say CAL 2
Press & hold the RIGHT button for 2 seconds, then release - display will flash 50.00
Add the 30g weight to unit - wait for the display to flash 50.00, then say CAL F... (If the unit displays CAL E, and error has occurred - turn it
off and start over)
Remove the weights - gently place the empty powder tray on the unit
Press the RIGHT button (do not hold) to zero the display - when it says 0.0, it is ready to use... (this step makes the unit read zero with
the empty powder tray on board) (After an object is on the unit and being weighed, you can switch between grains and grams by pressing the CAL/MODE button)
To turn off - press & hold the RIGHT button until it says OFF... (If the unit is left on, it will turn itself off after a few minutes)
To Use (without calibrating)...
Press & hold RIGHT button until display lights up
Wait about 30 seconds for the unit to stabilize... display will read zero or "approximately" zero
Gently place the empty powder tray on the unit
Press the RIGHT button (do not hold) to zero the display - when it says 0.0, it is ready to use... (this step makes the unit read zero with
the empty powder tray on board) (After an object is on the unit and being weighed, you can switch between grains and grams by pressing the CAL/MODE button)
To turn off - press & hold the RIGHT button until it says OFF... (If the unit is left on, it will turn itself off after a few minutes)
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