Let's talk mechanical/beam scales for a minute

Status
Not open for further replies.
D.B. Cooper

D.B. Cooper

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
4,394
Some of you may recall the difficulty I had getting consistency from my powder measure, only to discover I was having trouble getting consistency from my electronic scale. The consensus of the group at that time was that I needed to be using a beam scale as the final arbiter of accuracy.

I'm about to order said beam scale.

I like the RCBS because it has an all metal body. I feel that this will contribute to overall stability. (not tipping over or being pushed around, etc.) However, it measures in grams and you have to calculate to grains. I experienced this with the Lee Safety scale decades ago, and I hated it. Even using the internet (non-existent in my previous experiences), and a calculator, I am having trouble finding the right conversion factor and accurately calculating between the two units of measure.

Is this just the standard for beam scales? Are there none that measure directly in grains? I'm not measuring white powder, so I'll never need a scale that measures in grams. Who makes a solid, high quality beam scale that measures directly in grains?
 
All mine are grains.

I have a Lee safety scale and a Lyman ohaus beam scale. I prefer the Lee, but the Lyman is nice because it will weigh heavier bullets and stuff.

The Lee may be hard to duplicate a load exactly since it’s tenths slider is kinda crappy, but in a single session it’s extremely accurate.

I’ve never used any of the newer rcbs or Lyman or other high end beam scales.
 
I have an RCBS and a Hornady. Both measure in grains. I started with a cheap Hornady electronic scale years ago, it would measure grains or grams. And the electronic scales are the only reloading scales I've ever seen that will measure in grams. I'm thinking you'r either mistaken or the website you're looking at has a typo.
 
I have a Lee safety scale and a Bonanza II. Both read in grains. They agree with each other when properly calibratd, BTW.
Are you looking at a Euro version of the RCBS that is scaled in grams?
 
I have owned all 5 major brand's beam scales, and all are sold except for 3 Redding scales. Find a $30-50 Redding on eBay; you can't buy better, but you can spend a lot more.

Edit: 15.432 grains = 1 gram.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GT1
i like the lee safety scale for the cost, i found that mine wasnt horribly accurate to the markings, but it was very consistent in and of itself. I used my digital to set my powder measurer, then checked a set of charges on the the safety for consistency. I found my cheap little hornady scale to be consistent enough as long as the correct precautions were taken, so i eventually gave it away, with a pile of gear, to a friend who was starting to reload.

Im actually in the market for another mechanical balance, as since were not working right now, i dont have access to the very accurate and expensive digitals we used in the lab to check my gear against. Having a second balance would make me feel better.

all reloading specific balances that ive used since i started in the mid 90s have all been in Grains.
 
I used a RCBS beam scale for decades and it got broken when we moved here. I have a Redding beam scale now. It's a good scale but no better or worse than the RCBS I had. The Redding is made in the USA.
 
I second the ebay thing, lots of redding beams on there and 30 bucks to your door is common.

I prefer beam scales, just because I like mechanical things, and gravity seems to stay about the same here.
The electrics seem to be affected too easily by weird electromagnetic fields. Fluorescent lights, cell phones, laptops, etc, etc. I don't trust them.
 
D.B. Cooper said:
However, it measures in grams and you have to calculate to grains.
Click to expand...
I have never seen a beam type powder scale graduated in Grams Vs. Grains and I have several of them. Considering that one Grain = 15.4324 Grams the grain is a rather large unit of measure. As to beam scales themselves the scale I like best of several I have is an old Lyman M5, if you could find a nice minty one of those on the lightly used market I would grab it. Even with a beam scale which could resolve 0.1 gram that would be 1.54324 grains and you don't want to play that game.

Ron
 
Given the statements here, and after re-reading, I realize that I made an error. The RCBS comes with a grains to grams conversion chart, which I understood meant that it read in grams. (Why else would you need to convert?

With that said, and what I've read here, the Redding isn't much more than the RCBS, however, the Redding looks to be made from plastic.
 
The Redding is made of pot metal. There isn't any earth shattering differences between the RCBS that I had and the Redding that I have now. The Redding is accurate and dependable. That is my expectations of a beam scale.
 
Whenever I get behind my Mr Green jeans reloading press.
I know that it's all on me and not some internet nut case.
 
Or the Oahus (RCBS) 5 0 5. I learned on one, and when the PACT electronic my dad gave me (because he kept his 5 0 5) started going wonky, I bought my own 5 0 5, and have used it since.
 
I used a set of Lyman D-7 scales for 30 years before I gve them to my brother who started reloading and needed a good set of scales. I ended up buying the Dillon Eliminator scales on sale several years ago for around $75 and have been happy with the purchase. Being able to measure in 1/10th of 1 grain is an added bonus even though I don't use it that much.
 
If you are not in a big hurry, keep watch on eBay and this site. They come up for sale now and then. This is my personal favorite, but even the little Lee Safety Power Scale is an excellent unit. As far as electronic, the little Gem Pro 250 does a good job, just not as good as a beam scale.

26239184524_b51870e27a_z.jpg
 
I found temperature affects electronic scales. Loaded up a bunch of 600 yard ammunition in cold weather using an PACT electronic scale and the charge weights were so low, bullets were not hitting the target. I started reloading in a cold room, with space heaters bringing the room to a reasonable temperature, and even though I had been using check weights and recalibration, what was indicated as a charge weight on the display was unreliable.

So, while temperature affects electronic scales, it does not seem to affect gravity, hence my reuse of my old Redding scale in the winter. This has been a great scale, you have to get used to the scale on the left being graduated in five grain increments, you use the scale on the right in grains, from 1 to 5, but it works.

N6ixH7V.jpg
 
I use an RCBS (Ohaus) 5-0-2, and a 5-0-5. Both are older scales, made in USA. I like them both.

Prior to that, I used a Lee Safety Scale. It worked fine.
What I didn't realize using the Lee, as it was what I had, was that the Lee is somewhat of a pain to use. It is better as a check scale, than it is for weighing things. However, it was as accurate as any I've used.

I recently gave the Lee to a new reloader. He will probably replace it as money allows, but for now is satisfied.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

socalbeachbum
  • Locked
for small weights, use beam or digital?
Replies
20
Views
860
FROGO207
FROGO207
C
  • Locked
Scales
Replies
11
Views
754
lgbloader
L
CRM284
  • Locked
How to accurize your beam scale?
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
rskent
rskent
Thomasss
Looking for a new powder scale.
Replies
24
Views
551
jmorris
jmorris
T
  • Locked
Accurate Powder Charging
Replies
5
Views
557
30Cal
3
Back
Top