Best Reloading Scale: A&D FX-123 vs FX-120i vs EJ-54D2
The best reloading scale for most reloaders is the A&D FX-123: 122 g x 0.001 g with 0.02-grain readings and AutoTrickler V4 support, on sale for $675.00 (regular $1,595.00) with a 100 g calibration weight, in stock.
Our picks: the A&D FX-123 if you want speed, 0.02-grain readings and AutoTrickler V4 compatibility. The A&D EJ-54D2 if you hand-trickle and want the finest resolution (0.0002 g) at a lower price, with battery power. Both ship free from our Texas shop, and the FX-123 comes with a 100 g calibration weight supplied by MNM Scales.
Ask a room of long-range shooters what scale they use and you’ll hear the same names again and again: A&D’s FX-120i, the newer FX-123 and the little EJ-54D2. Reloaders buy more of these balances from us than almost anything else we sell. Here’s how they differ and which one fits the way you load.
Why reloaders move up to a milligram balance
Most beam and load-cell powder scales resolve about 0.1 grain. That’s fine for plinking ammo. But if you’re chasing single-digit extreme spreads at distance, you want to see a single kernel land in the pan. A 0.001 g balance resolves about 0.02 grain, five times finer than 0.1 grain. The FX balances also use A&D’s Compact Super Hybrid Sensor, which settles in about one second. That speed is what makes automated trickling practical, and it keeps hand trickling from feeling like waiting for paint to dry.
FX-123 vs FX-120i vs EJ-54D2 at a glance
| A&D FX-123 (Fortis) | A&D FX-120i | A&D EJ-54D2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity × readability | 122 g × 0.001 g | 122 g × 0.001 g | 22 g × 0.0002 g / 52 g × 0.001 g (dual range) |
| In grains | About 1,882 gr capacity, 0.02 gr readability | About 1,882 gr capacity, 0.02 gr readability | About 339 gr in the fine range, 802 gr in the standard range |
| Repeatability / linearity | 0.001 g / ±0.002 g | 0.001 g / ±0.002 g | 0.0004 g / ±0.0006 g (fine range) |
| Sensor and speed | C-SHS, about 1 second | C-SHS, about 1 second | Load cell, slower to settle |
| AutoTrickler V4 | Compatible | Compatible | Built for hand trickling |
| Display | Backlit LCD | VFD | Backlit LCD |
| Interfaces | RS-232C and USB standard | RS-232C; USB optional (FXi-02) | Optional USB, RS-232C or wireless |
| Power | AC adapter | AC adapter (optional FXi-09 battery) | AC adapter or 4 AA batteries (not included), about 70 hours |
| Pan | Ø130 mm, small breeze break | Ø130 mm, small breeze break | Ø50 mm with anti-static breeze break, plus carat pan |
| Extra protection | Impact Shock Detection | Overload protection | — |
| Calibration weight | 100 g or 50 g. A 100 g weight supplied by MNM Scales is included | 100 g or 50 g (not included) | 50 g (not included) |
| Warranty | 5-year A&D (U.S.) | 5-year A&D | A&D warranty |
A&D FX-123: the best all-around reloading scale
The FX-123 is A&D’s Fortis-generation follow-up to the FX-120i, and it’s our first recommendation for most precision reloaders. It has the same 122 g × 0.001 g capacity and the same one-second C-SHS sensor that made the FX-120i famous, plus a few upgrades that matter on a loading bench:
- AutoTrickler V4 ready. The AutoTrickler maker lists the FX-123 as a supported balance. The AutoTrickler and its cable are sold separately. For the exact scale settings, see our FX-120i AutoTrickler setup guide; the same steps apply to the FX-123.
- USB and RS-232C built in. Logging charges to a PC no longer needs an add-on board.
- Impact Shock Detection. If a die, bullet box or calibration weight hits the pan hard, the balance beeps and logs the impact. That’s cheap insurance for a sensor you rely on for every charge.
- Calibration weight in the box. Every FX-123 from MNM Scales includes a 100 g calibration weight supplied by us (it isn’t a standard A&D accessory), so you can calibrate on day one.
A&D FX-120i: the proven classic
The FX-120i is still one of our best-selling balances, and plenty of benches have run one for years. It weighs exactly like the FX-123 (122 g × 0.001 g, about one second to settle) and works with the AutoTrickler V4. Choose it if you’re matching an existing setup, or if you prefer its bright green VFD display. USB is available through the optional FXi-02 Quick USB interface. Add a 100 g calibration weight (not included), or have us calibrate it before it ships.
A&D EJ-54D2: the finest resolution for hand trickling
The EJ-54D2 takes a different approach. It’s a compact, dual-range load-cell balance that reads 0.0002 g up to 22 g, five times finer than the FX series, and 0.001 g up to 52 g. Reloaders who trickle by hand like it because they can watch the reading climb in fine steps. It’s also light, battery-powered (4 AA, not included, about 70 hours) and easy to move to the range or a hunting camp.
Two things to plan for. First, the 22 g fine range includes your powder pan or cup, so use a light pan and keep the charge plus pan under about 339 grains to stay at 0.0002 g. Second, a load cell settles more slowly than the FX’s force-restoration sensor, so the EJ-54D2 is a hand-trickling balance. For an automated dispenser, choose the FX-123. It calibrates with a 50 g calibration weight (not included).
Which one should you buy?
- Running an AutoTrickler or planning to: FX-123 (or the FX-120i if you’re matching an existing station).
- Hand trickling for the tightest charges on a budget: EJ-54D2.
- Weight-sorting bullets and cases as well as powder: FX-123. Its 122 g capacity handles cases and heavy bullets. To weigh larger cases and loaded rounds, the FX-300i (320 g × 0.001 g) also works with the AutoTrickler. See how the two compare in our FX-120i vs FX-120iN vs FX-300i guide.
- Loading away from the bench or without reliable power: EJ-54D2.
Setup tips for consistent charges
- Put the balance on a solid surface away from the press, fans and HVAC vents. Level it with the bubble and let it warm up for at least 30 minutes.
- Static is a reloader’s enemy, especially in dry winter air. Wipe the breeze break panels with a slightly damp cloth and keep the powder cup grounded or metal.
- Re-zero before every charge and check the balance with your calibration weight at the start of each session. Our step-by-step FX calibration guide walks through it.
- Weighing by hand in a drafty room? Try the MID or SLOW response setting on the FX models for a steadier last digit.
Calibration for your reloading scale
All three balances fall in our up-to-2.2 kg calibration tier. Add it to your order and the balance ships calibrated with a certificate. You can also mail in the one you already own; it’s available nationwide and usually takes 1 to 3 business days in our shop.
Add In-House Calibration + Certificate ($95) Add NIST Calibration + Certificate ($395)
Why reloaders buy from MNM Scales
We’ve been in business for over 30 years, and we’re an authorized A&D dealer and one of the largest scale distributors in the country. Reloaders on the big shooting forums tell each other the same things about us. The balance is already in stock in Texas, so there’s no cross-border wait or customs fees. It ships fast and free. The FX-123 comes with a calibration weight. And we’ll beat competitor pricing when you call. Questions about your setup? Call (832) 290-3120 and a real person who knows these balances will answer, or send us a message.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FX-123 better than the FX-120i for reloading?
They weigh the same: 122 g × 0.001 g (0.02 grain) with about one-second stabilization. The FX-123 adds standard USB, a backlit LCD and Impact Shock Detection. From MNM Scales it also includes a 100 g calibration weight. Both work with the AutoTrickler V4.
Does the A&D EJ-54D2 work with an AutoTrickler?
The AutoTrickler V4 is designed for A&D FX and FZ balances such as the FX-123 and FX-120i. The EJ-54D2 is a hand-trickling balance that resolves 0.0002 g in its 22 g fine range.
How accurate is a 0.001 g scale in grains?
0.001 g is about 0.015 grain, and A&D FX balances display to 0.02 grain. That’s five times finer than the 0.1-grain resolution of most powder scales.
What calibration weight do I need for my reloading scale?
The FX-123 and FX-120i use a 100 g or 50 g weight. MNM Scales includes a 100 g weight with the FX-123. The EJ-54D2 uses a 50 g weight, sold separately.
How do I calibrate my FX-123 or FX-120i?
Warm the balance up for 30 minutes with the pan empty, press and hold CAL, zero the empty pan, then place the weight when prompted. Our step-by-step guide covers both models. We also calibrate by mail-in, usually in 1 to 3 business days.
Why does my reading drift while I trickle?
Usually because of static, drafts or vibration. Close the breeze break, move away from fans and the press, wipe the plastic parts with a damp cloth in dry weather, and use the MID or SLOW response setting in a drafty room.