Beam or Electronic Scales

[DW]

I have both types, I prefer the manual over the electronic because when I trickle powder you can see the slightest increase in powder where as with the electronic scale it does not seem to be as sensitive. Also when I trickle on to the electronic scale and then check the amount on the RCBS 5-0-5 the two rarely read the same, but if I weigh on the manual scale first the electronic scale almost always matches the manual scales reading. Maybe the Lyman electronic is just not that accurate, wish I had bought the RCBS 10-10 instead. What are you members experiences with scales?

Forgot to mention I have a scale weight check set and the Lyman is frequently a 1/10 of a grain off.

[wilmsmeyer]

Bought my PACT a while back now and like it a lot. It does need calibration everytime I use it but that's OK....takes 3-4 minutes. The manual even says that calibration should be done each time because temperature and humidity changes affect the signals in the sensors. Somebody smarter then me can explain why that is.

I use my electric scale to verify that my thrower is working well since I throw all my charges now.

I, like DW, have compared the beam vs the Electronic and see the same things he does. Trickling a charge may not work as well with the electric. Response time is "off" a little. Readings can be off a 1/10th or two. However, most of these scales advertise +/- a 1/10th or two so I don't get too worried about it once I calibrate & zero the electric.

What I really like about it is weighing things like bullets for uniformity in large batches....or weighing recovered bullets. It is much quicker for those tasks then a beam.

My opinion is that they both serve a great purposes and I would not feel at all inconvenienced if I began using the beam again.

[jims]

I like my electronic if I have a lot to load because of the speed, but if I only have a few I just use the beam type.

[RAF]

I've been looking at them but have been able to convince myself to part will all that money . I don't know how they compare in accuracy to a good balance beam but IMO it doesn't matter as long as they're consistent. If you use it to work up your load and repeat it they should all be the same and what does it matter if it's 48.5 or 48.6. As long as they're all the same.

[antleraddiction]

Like jims if doing a lot I use RCBS chargemaster. If not or doing multiple powders for load development I still use the 1010 beam.

The chargemaster IME has been very accurate when cross referenced with the beam scale. It'll save you time when doing a lot of reloading. If your the type who likes to sit down throw and seat at the same time it works dandy. Caliberation is easy and take about a 1 min.

I'd never be without a beam scale though.

[DannoBoone]

jims said:

I like my electronic if I have a lot to load because of the speed, but if I only have a few I just use the beam type.

Uh-huh...what jims said.

Mine is the Lyman 1200 DPS II and is very accurate. Only problem is
with very fine powders like H335 dropping onto the pan after the
trickler has stopped, but I have such problems using it on the beam
scale, also.

[ozark]

I have both but my vote goes to the beam type. It is more sensitive to trickling a few granuals of powder and trusted more. With the electronic scales I can add a few granuals of powder without the scale indicating an increase. Obviously this means some inaccuracy. Whether these minute amounts of powder would alter the point of impact I don't know. Plus or minus 1/10th of a grain may be acceptable in the industry of reloading. If I want to try 43.5 grains somewhere between 43.4 and 43.6 isn't acceptable to me.

[Iamsignal3]

Electronic for speed and I have the electronic powder disp too both RCBS. It does take the electronic scale a bit 3 to 5 mins to zero so the beam scale stays next to it for the quick jobs that I only need a few of. I like the electronic better and I have been using beam scales for 35 years.

[briar]

i have used the rcbs 505 for years and i just picked up the rcbs chargemaster 1500 from cabelas bargin cave for $175.00 and have had good luck for the first 300 loads.

[redhawk1]

I have gone to the Electronic, but I do miss my beam scale. I think both are really needed, it is nice to have a way to check the accuracy of the electronic one.

[briar]

by the way have loaded over 2000 rounds with the electronic now man what heck was i thinking of waiting so long. totally worth it.

[dka]

I use both and check often. My digital scales are very close to my beam scales.

[hubcap52]

Like dka, I use and recommend both. Wish I'd've got an electronic sooner.