Scales-Beam Vs Digital

C

Collieman

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Chaplin, Saskatchewan
This may belong under the reloading section but because we all shoot the same rifle and I know you all reload your own ,as I am just starting wanted some input. Have done a few loads and find beam scales a bit of a pain, being left handed and klutz. Don't hunt and like target shooting only.
Your thoughts please.
Thanks
 
The problem with a digital scale is one worth buying is a little more money. I have a cheap one and only use it to sort things. I would never trust it weighing powder. I'm just about to switch so I'm in the process of looking. These are two that were recomended to me by a guy we all know and trust. The Jennings MACK 20 and Gempro 250 were two Jerry Teo suggested I check out. They are expensive but the goal in my case is to get a scale with a high degree of precision. If your just loading up ammo for the 305 then the Hornady or RCBS for about $115 should do the trick.
 
I have a Lyman digital 170 bucks, one of the small ones. It is scarry as it wanders badly. Over 1 grain errors on it. I took my trusty Beam Scale and weighed the same weight back and forth 20 times between the digital and beam. The beam read the weight exactly the same each time, the didgital was out over 1 grain. This is scarry and I refuse to use the digital for anything.

Another thing, with the beam I can "see" 2 sticks of powder with it. With the digital I have to add 5-10 sticks of powder before the display shows a gain in weight.
 
My digital scale developed issues, don't use it for powder anymore. Prefer the trusty old RCBS 10/10 beam, and a trickler.

When volume matters(hungry black rifles), a good powder measure and using ball powder really speeds up a loading session.
 
Digital scales

Republic of Alberta said:
I have a Lyman digital 170 bucks, one of the small ones. It is scarry as it wanders badly. Over 1 grain errors on it. I took my trusty Beam Scale and weighed the same weight back and forth 20 times between the digital and beam. The beam read the weight exactly the same each time, the didgital was out over 1 grain. This is scarry and I refuse to use the digital for anything.

Another thing, with the beam I can "see" 2 sticks of powder with it. With the digital I have to add 5-10 sticks of powder before the display shows a gain in weight.
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Thanks for the input from all, I was concerned about how sensitive digital would be for adding just a "stick or three" and see it's going to be the beam, left handed or not.
Cheers all and thanks
 
The only trust worthy scales are beam manual ones. An alternative is the electronic powder measures that drop a charge and weigh them at the same time but they are expensive and I only use it for precision loads or those at very near maximum. No matter what you buy, a manual beam scale is a must to have.
 
Miltiades said:
The only trust worthy scales are beam manual ones. An alternative is the electronic powder measures that drop a charge and weigh them at the same time but they are expensive and I only use it for precision loads or those at very near maximum. No matter what you buy, a manual beam scale is a must to have.
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I'm going to have to agree with this one. A beam manual scale is a must, unless you have a $500.00 precision electronic scale that measures your powder for you.
 
Gempro 250. I snagged one off ebay from JTVonline (jewelery store on ebay or something) I love it. I got a pretty good deal at about 200$ plus shipping. I can drop a single stick of 4064 and it'll pick it up, consistently. It'll weigh down to .02 grains +or- 0.02 grains.
My only argument, with say the RCBS chargemaster in this argument is that it still uses a
200ish$ electronic scale. I don't think the electric trickler makes it accurate. Its a decent electronic scale attached to the electric trickler. I'm not saying I don't want a chargemaster, because that would be crazy.
JMO
Derek
 
Miltiades said:
The only trust worthy scales are beam manual ones. An alternative is the electronic powder measures that drop a charge and weigh them at the same time but they are expensive and I only use it for precision loads or those at very near maximum. No matter what you buy, a manual beam scale is a must to have.
Click to expand...

Have the Hornady measure-thrower and its awesome, precise and quick.
 
For ultra reliability you cannot beat a beam scale. Here is the setup I did when I was using my RCBS 5-0-5 beam scale, net camera and cheap Craigslist laptop. Worked awesome and helped with eye fatigue.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=441355&highlight=Oldsmobiler

HOWEVER since going to a Chargemaster its been fun loading for the pig again! I still check every 10th or 20th round to see where its at and 99% of the time its well within spec.

I used to be a fanatic when it came to powder measuring and making sure it was within one single kernel of powder in the case. Did an experiment where I did 20 rounds of super fussy loads and 20 whatever....know what....the s**tty loads shot better. Since then I do my best with case prep, chargemaster throws the powder, seat the bullet to the ogive and shoot the hell out of the rifle.

More time behind the trigger and less time fussing over stuff benchrest guys yak about.

My load - Winchester case (match prepped), CCI #34 primers (basically a large rifle magnum primer), 41gr of IMR4895 with a 168gr SMK seated to 2.80COAL. Feeds good and shoots well too.
 
I know for our labwork, we use the digital, and pay constantly to have them re-calibrated. I have had my beam scale for over 30 years and it is still very reliable and accurate.

It is the same with the calipers. I have had my trusty vernier (sliderule) and never have a problem. My buddy, on the other hand, has had three of the digital ones...finally he went to a analog dial. Funny thing is, those silly little gears tend to wear over time and lose their tension. Mine has not.

Oh, and in both cases...I never need batteries or power....ever.
 
I personally prefer my RCBS Chargemaster combo, as long as I calibrate before use I'm happy. It gets put away in its box after use and I trust that more than my eyesight and the balance beam. I like the web cam idea if you really dont want a digital set up but I prefer the confidence that the combo set up gives me, it also means each charge is weighed and I dont have to do too much fannying around with different loads!
 
When I'm loading, I find in all of my rifles except the m305 that up to 1 grain up or down doesn't really make a difference. The m305 is the only rifle I have ever reloaded for, other than pistol calibre ones, that will dramatically change the group sizes within half a grain.

I pulled match ammo before and found that they had a variation of up to 1.5 grains, so they're dumping the charges.

I find now with my Lyman universal trimmer and the RCBS chargemaster combo I can reload m305 ammo so fast I worry about my barrel life more than the time I spend working the press. Case prep is and will always be the most annoying part, but it used to be really annoying to have to sit there and weigh charges on a beam scale, that took forever.
 
Miltiades said:
The only trust worthy scales are beam manual ones. An alternative is the electronic powder measures that drop a charge and weigh them at the same time but they are expensive and I only use it for precision loads or those at very near maximum. No matter what you buy, a manual beam scale is a must to have.
Click to expand...

Those electronic powder measures look like they would be slick to use. I think about $350-$400 though. Probably worth the money if you do a lot of reloading.
 
Ballistic Experience said:
Those electronic powder measures look like they would be slick to use. I think about $350-$400 though. Probably worth the money if you do a lot of reloading.
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Mine was somewhere about £350 here and I always use it. I tested it against the beam scales and it was quicker and seemed to be more accurate and as I like to check each load for the first 20 rounds and then every 5 or ten there after. Using the electronic combo means I get each load weighed for me and all I have to do is calibrate the scales before each loading session!
The best thing is the manufacturers warranty!
 
TimC said:
Mine was somewhere about £350 here and I always use it. I tested it against the beam scales and it was quicker and seemed to be more accurate and as I like to check each load for the first 20 rounds and then every 5 or ten there after. Using the electronic combo means I get each load weighed for me and all I have to do is calibrate the scales before each loading session!
The best thing is the manufacturers warranty!
Click to expand...

I find the accuracy is the same, simply because the digital scale is a quality design. I only double check my loads now every 20 rounds or so on the beam scale.

[youtube]ILvkEHQPHHg[/youtube]​

I do have to say that the Lee beam scale isn't that consistent. I find it fluctuates as much as .3 grains up or down, and that is just not acceptable, especially if you're working with handgun ammo. It should be .1 grains up and down. The 5-0-5 scale isn't bad, but like I always say, RCBS overcharges in order to make their stuff look as good as Dillon and Lyman.
 
I'll pay RCBS prices for the no quibble warranty, I do use a Redding Boss press as I have broken a rockchucker!
Dillon doesnt get the exposure here since the end of pistol shooting at clubs (we still shoot its just very regulated) as it was a popular reloading tool at progressive levels and Lyman all seems to be quite old here but their electronic stuf is top notch.
As a licensed dealer I get trade rates from importers (and use those for myself) and I used to get on really well with the RCBS importer but that went sour a while ago.
I dont use Lee, I did when I started but bought green in my first year and still have some of those original dies. I used to trawl all the gun club shops for used bargains but now I find I get offered the stuff as people jack in the sport etc.
I like the constant measuring you get from electronic packages and my 505 beam scale is out on permanent loan to a friend.
I wouldnt be able to load rile ammo at the same rate with different loads using the beam scale and powder throw!
 
What we used to do before I ponied up the cash for an electronic scale is use scoops and a trickler. I know this guy who's like a gorilla, about 6 foot 6 and 300+lbs. It was awesome seeing him hunched over trickling a few grains at a time to reload his ammo. I called him fairy fingers, and I still do to this day.

I find that reloading with an electronic scale is about as fast as having a second guy just weigh charges for you while you prep the cases.
 
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