beam or electronic scale

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Axis II

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Ive only made 100rounds of ammo and buying my own stuff now.

im looking at rcbs beam scale, rcbs electronic scale and hornady LNL electronic scale. the $100 price range ones.

I only want to buy one so what would you get?

223plinking and varmint loads, 9mm-38spl is all I load.
 
Beam scale is my vote. It's ancient technology that's been refined enough you get tons of accuracy for not to much money. A digital scale for $100 is what all electronics are for that price, hit and miss. I do all my work measuring powder using a beam scale. I do use a digital scale for weighing my cast bullets, but then that's also just to see the consistency from bullet to bullet. For worrying about the powder charge I always go to my beam scale.
 
You'll get different views on scales. Some use balance beams and wouldn't have an electronic scale. I've had a Pact Precision since they were first introduced in 1994. I wouldn't use anything else but electronic but you have to buy a decent scale and not a $30 one. My RCBS 5-10 balance beam has been in a drawer since 1994 but I like having it just in case of power outages or emergencies. If my electronic scale quit today, I'd order another immediately or have it repaired. So much faster than a balance beam. You can quickly weigh cases, bullets, or loaded rounds plus powder charges. ONLY thing is don't buy electronic UNLESS you buy a scale check weight set. I have Lyman's check weight set and use them to always verify that my scale is weighing perfectly. Gives you confidence in your electronic scale. Electronic scales take 20 minutes and longer to warm up and settle down. I leave mine plugged in 24/7 and turn the display off when done. Buy one that runs on 120 volts and not just battery power. I also recommend buying one capable of weighing 1000 to 1500 grains. Not sure on prices but I suspect you'll pay about $140-$175 for a good name scale.
 
I use two scales, a cheap electronic and a midlevel beam scale. Use the electronic for getting my charge weights dialed in and verify with the beam scale right before starting the load. Gravity never changes, low batteries, electrical fluctuations, and Ive heard fluorescent lights can have an effect on electric scales.

I bought both for just under $100 total, but did spend some money on check weights, which I also recommend.
 
A beam scale will work fine for starting out. Really sweet if you can find an older minty used one for a good price like an old RCBS or Lyman.

You may also want to give this old thread a read where we beat to death the subject of beam versus electronic. :)

Eventually as you do more and more reloading you will likely get an electronic scale eventually owning one or two of each. Along with any good scale it is nice to have a good set of check weights just to keep your scales honest. The link is only an example, other companies make them and I suggest Amazon, especially if you have an Amazon Prime account.

Ron
 
A good beam scale is never a waste. For your present loading requirements it's the right choice. Definitely slower, but if your dumping your pistol powder so what. If your are measuring each rifle charge with a powder trickler, it's fine for small quantities. If production increases you can move up to digital, I like Dillon, and the beam is a great comparison check.
 
I started out with a good beam scale and still use it to check my digital scale. You probably won't get a reliable digital scale within your price range. The RCBS 5-0-5 scale is a good buy, especially when it's on sale. (made by Ohaus)
 
Temperature fluctuations, power line variations, and a variety of other external factors, as well as a tendency for some electronic units to drift considerably are all issues which make a case for a beam scale, which is not affected by these.

That said, i rely on my electronic scale almost exclusively. An initial warmup period, tare at start, verify with check weights, and watching for drift during a loading session are how I compensate. It becomes a matter of discipline and process.

I'll keep my beam scale should the power go out or the electronics get fried by an EMP. As Dave has already pointed out: gravity is constant!

Ed
 
Regardless whether you get a beam or digital scale, I highly recommend a set of check weights to verify weight range of your powder charges. But most reloading aluminum check weight sets like this one for $26 only go down to .5 gr - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/493216/rcbs-standard-scale-check-weights-605-grains

Amazon sells OIML M2 class aluminum check weight set that goes down to 1mg/.015 gr (not advertised but included in the set) for $10 - http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-Calibration-WGHTKIT/dp/B003STEJAC

Zoro sells Ohaus ASTM Class 6 stainless steel check weight set down to 1mg/.015 gr for $56 and free shipping - https://www.zoro.com/ohaus-calibrat...gclid=CJ--h5LW-soCFQiqaQodu6AIyQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have two Ohaus 10-10 beam scales with .1 gr resolution and Lee Safety beam scale with .05 gr resolution (Had a RCBS 5-0-5 but it got PIF). I also have FA DS750 digital scale with .1 gr resolution and Gemini-20 digital scale with .02 gr resolution. All the scales verified check weights from 5.0 gr down to 0.15 gr. After we busted the digital scale myths to death on this thread, IMHO .1 gr resolution is good enough for general purpose reloading - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9596742#post9596742

For beam scale, I would suggest Dillon Eliminator with .1 gr resolution for $70 (You are essentially getting an Ohaus beam scale with Dillon warranty) - https://www.dillonprecision.com/con.../7/Dillon__039_s___039_Eliminator__039__Scale

For digital scale, sky is the limit on resolution down to .015 gr with price tag of several hundred dollars but for .1 gr resolution digital scale durable enough for everyday bench top work, I suggest FA DS-750 for $27 - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/17...50-electronic-powder-scale-750-grain-capacity

So for $70 + $27 + $10, you could buy a good beam scale, cheap digital scale and a set of check weights down to .15 gr (even .015 gr). :)
 
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I have both and use both. The electronic is much faster bit it can be affected by fluorescent lights, any air movement (think AC or fan in the summer), and temperature. I use my beam to periodically check the beam, and I'd recommend a set of check weights too.

I keep my electronic plugged in all the time and unplug it when I use it, running on batteries to minimize our electric current variables. We have lots of those. I still have to watch the flourescent lights and the temperature. Hence the beam to check weights. Oh, and I use a powder measure most of the time anyway.
 
Kinda need to have both in my eyes. A cheap digital is a fast and easy way to get close and the beam scale is there to make sure the digital is doing a good job. If you're only loading super accurate stuff then maybe a beam and trickler is fine but for the cost and space of a little digital you can't really not own one. Just my 2 cents.

Then again I can't imagine doing tasks like comparative bullet weights or something like that on a beam scale. It would take forever.
 
I have both an Ohaus beam scale and an RCBS Chargemaster. If I could only have one scale it would be the beam scale. It will last forever and has been accurate for over 40 years. Check weights are must regardless of type scale you buy.
 
Beam with check weights. I set my lee disks or auto drum and am good to go. A digital is in my future but i would never load without a good beam scale to check.
 
Check Weights

I have had several jobs in labs and food production. In all of them,
the S.O.P. requires a check weight that is above and below what you will be weighing. So if you want to check a 4 grain pistol load, or the weight of a 500 grain bullet, you need to check below and above your expected needs. Just saying.
 
I own both. I have a Lyman D5, I think that's the model number, beam scale. It always works, doesn't need power but is slow. I use it to check the electronics. I have a PACT DPPS and a RCBS Chargemaster. Both are used all the time. The PACT doesn't have a dispenser spout in the way and is used for weighing bullets. Both scales can be used for trickling powder. Weighing bullets on a beam scale is torture IMO. I wouldn't be w/out both types.
 
I have an RCBS 505 beam scale, a $50.00 Frankford Arsonal electronic and a $100.00 CED electronic (that I picked up at a prize table). I use them all but the beam is one I would keep if I could only have one.
 
I've had a RCBS 1010 beam since the early 70's. Rock solid and dead on. I check it also with check weights. I have never had a digital but have my eye on the Gempro 250 for around $130 (either a 30 yr warranty of lifetime, not sure). But this keeps getting good reviews.
 
If you only want to buy one, get the beam. If you get an electronic, you'll probably still want a beam for backup, and sanity checks when you have doubts with electronic.
 
I would spend the extra money and move up to the GemPro 250. It has a 30yr warranty where the RCBS is only 1-2 yrs. Besides you will have a set of scales that have a 0.02gr accuracy vs 0.1gr.

Beam scales still get the job done. Depending on what your doing, I actually prefer the Digital scales for ease of use.
 
bds said:
Amazon sells OIML M2 class aluminum check weight set that goes down to 1mg/.015 gr (not advertised but included in the set) for $10 - http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-Calibration-WGHTKIT/dp/B003STEJAC
Click to expand...

Thank you for the tip! I've been meaning to get some check weights for a while now. I have an amazon credit card, so as I use it for my weekly cost of living expenses (and then pay it off every week from my bank account) I accumulate Amazon reward points, which I then spend whenever somebody points out something that I need on Amazon :)
 
I used a beam scale for years. I finally bought a decent electronic scale (iweigh ibalance 101) and rarely use the beam scale. Actually found out my beam scale has a problem with the secondary poise. It's off about .2 grains. Verified by 2 different electronic scales and various check weights.

I've ordered a new beam scale, because I'm a dinosaur and think everyone should have a good beam scale. But I use the electronic more and more.

Check weights are vital. Not just the calibration weight, but actual check weights. I ordered a set from amazon - Lyman weights. They were a bit cheaper than RCBS. I don't care to do conversions - too easy to muck it up.
 
I use a Lyman Gen 5 powder measure, electronic, super fast and accurate. I also have a couple back-up electronic scales.
 
John3921 said:
my beam scale has a problem with the secondary poise. It's off about .2 grains. Verified by 2 different electronic scales and various check weights.

I've ordered a new beam scale, because I'm a dinosaur and think everyone should have a good beam scale. But I use the electronic more and more.

Check weights are vital. Not just the calibration weight, but actual check weights. I ordered a set from amazon - Lyman weights.
Click to expand...
But most reloaders check weight sets like Lyman, RCBS etc. only go down to .5 gr. The American Weigh and Ohaus check weight sets go down to 1mg or .015 gr.

When people complain about their beam scale having zero or consistency problem, I suggest doing a "tune up" of the beam scale - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9893632#post9893632
- Remove the bearing covers with a Phillips screwdriver (see pictures below)
- Make sure the posts the agate bearings free float on are clean
- Clean the agate bearings, especially the "V" notches
- Re-install the covers
- Clean the knife edges
- Level the bench surface using a bubble level at 90 degrees
- Turn HVAC/vent off and close the window/door to the room as any ambient air movement will affect scale reading/zero
- Place the powder pan on the pan support
- Set both large and micrometer poises to zero
- Lock the micrometer poise with the nylon bolt (for 10-10 scales)
- Adjust the leveling foot so the pointer is at the zero line
Click to expand...
If you don't have check weight set that goes down to .1 gr, you can use pieces of paper to check. Beam scales with .1 gr resolution should be sensitive to/detect 1/4"x1/4" piece of 20 lb copy paper which should weigh around .05 gr and two pieces should measure around .1 gr - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9596742#post9596742

attachment.php
 
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