for small weights, use beam or digital?

[socalbeachbum]

I'm wondering, when you want to be precise in weight measurement, are you better off using an old school beam type mechanical scale or digital?

for example 5.0 grains

I got a new Dillon Precision digital for $146 and it seems not as precise as an old RCBS beam scale I gave up.

are digitals ok down at 5.0 grains?

 

[oneounceload]

I prefer a balance beam and always have. Digitals can be too susceptible to outside factors like fluorescent lighting, weak batteries, failure to allow it to warm up properly, etc.

 

[Schwing]

They SHOULD be. I have a cheapshhot Frankfurt arsenal digital scale that is dead on. I would use some fixed weights (your scale should have come with at least one) and verify if it is calibrated properly. I routinely measure down to 2.5 grains with no issues on mine.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have a PACT BBKII & an Ohaus beam.
The PACT is always 1/10th of a grain lite no matter how lrg or small the charge.

 

[lilguy]

It has been a while since I've loaded that light. For decades I used my RCBS beam scale for everything from 9MM to 45/70 and 12 gauge shots shells. It worked well with Bulls Eye and Unique small volume loads up to various IMR heavy rifle loads. 2 years ago I got a RCBS digital, it does the job. no fiddling
and its a few .01 within range of test weights. I'm loading HG hunting rounds in 460,480, and 500 and 12 gauge with no issues. I don't think you can do a
direct comparison of the 2 scales, different paths to a reading.

What do you notice comparing the two? I retired my beam scale after close to 40 years and have not pulled it out since. The digital is spot on with what I'm doing and I knew checking the two back and forth would drive me nuts.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a set of RCBS check weights and my electronic scale and the scale reads them just fine. Some of the eights are pretty small.

In my opinion, the inexpensive digital scales can be hit or miss. Of course, the better quality the scale is, both beam or digital, the more reliable the results.

I never have battery problems as I buy digital scales that work off house power and plug into TVA. Of course, TVA has trouble with its "batteries" on occasions.

Wind currents affect both. Stray radio frequency emissions emitted from various devices will affect a digital scale, but usually the scale can be located to minimize these affects.

Digital scales require a little different operating procedures from beam scales. If you do not zero the tare weight frequently the weight indicated might drift with each successive charge weighed. This is not the same as calibrating, which should be done at least once during the session. I zero my scale every or every other charged weighed when adjusting the powder measure, and the before every check charge during the reloading session.

The smallest charge I have weighed on my digital has been about 1.5 grains for 25 ACP. Results were just fine.

I prefer digitals because it displays the actual weight of the charge without any action from me. On the beam, I have to spend time moving the weights around if I want to know the exact weight and how much it varies from my target weight.

But different folks have different comfort levels with the different technologies.

 

[USSR]

Nothing wrong with "old school".

Don

 

[Blue68f100]

Old school or new does not matter as long as you confirm calibration. For better than 0.1gr accuracy you will need to move to a precision digital. I use the GemPro 250 which gives me ± 0.02gr. I also have a set of calibration weights I use. The problem you run into is that most all reloading scales are ±0.1gr accuracy. So you can figure what accuracy to expect. 5gr is high enough if your not at max that the ±0.1 gr deviation will not hurt you. The Error of deviation is low. Now remember some powders are sensitive to case volume and can be really moody. TG comes to mind here. With those you should ensure you stay under the max charge. You should always work up your loads to make sure your reloading in a safe range. Slower burns powders are a little more forgiving.

As you can see loading rifle rounds with the large volume the ±0.1gr has little impact. But on a small case pistol ammo it can. The reason I always use a powder that will meter dead on with little deviation as possible. If you are working with the 380acp or smaller your low to high may only be 0.3gr. Does not leave room for error.

 

[socalbeachbum]

what is the typical accuracy limit of a beam type.??

is it also about +/- 0.1 grain ?

 

[rcmodel]

In theory yes.
That's the smallest calibration markings on the beam pointer.

In actuality though, they will read between the lines even finer if your eyes are good enough to see it!

Probably 1/4th. of 0.1 if you look real close at the pointer!
And completely repeatable with the same weight time after time.

My digital goes +/- 0.1 with the same weight, and that's about the best it will do.

rc

 

[MoreIsLess]

I had purchased an RCBS electronic scale and I ended up sending it back and getting an RCBS 505 beam scale that I satisfied with.

Gravity doesn't lie.

 

[illinoisburt]

Typical beam scale is in increments of 1/10th (0.1) grains. All beams should be as accurate as the increments, though you really need some type of check weight to verify. The main advantage of beams is extremely good repeatability. Set a charge weight on the scale and then trickling up until the beam touches center. Your beam setting might be a little off from the real weight of the charge due to variances in scales, but they will all have the same weight.

 

[gamestalker]

My digital collects dust. I thought I would like it, but it's not as reliable as my old RCBS 5-10.

GS

 

[Reloadron]

I use both. As to digital using a light load? Below is a pretty old RCBS labeled digital scale, I haven't a clue who actually made it. The scale is shown with a 0.5 grain and 1.0 grain check weight. It has always been stable and never a problem with outside interference like fluorescent lights or other electrical noise on the line.





and finally 5 grains.



I have never had issues using it and I generally have it on 24/7.

Ron

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have both and have used both. I only use my digital now - Gempro 250 checked for zero/calibration and verified with a check weight set. Since most of my loads are <5 grains I find this the most accurate.

My carry .32acp loads are 3+ grains of Unique (hot - don't try this without working up) and range loads at around 2.7 gr. .380 loads are 3.8 gr so I work a lot in the range you are asking about. It depends on what you are most comfortable with and how picky you are. For me?

.1 gr. is simply not close enough and represents 100 fps in a .32 acp load. My Gempro weighs a .5 gr. check weight at .5 gr. each and every time and it weighs a 5 gr. check weight at 5 grains every time. I feel it is accurate to within .03 gr. or so. It is susceptible to air currents, level, vibration, temperature, and such but that never vexes me as I use it in a controlled space and control all those variables. I have held a ringing cell phone near it and it never changes - I have held a fluorescent lamp near it and it never changes zero. I have heard many say that digitals are sensitive to these factors but I have not witnessed that. I'm a digital kind of guy and the beam balance sits on a shelf in the box now. I weigh every charge from a trickler and just love my digital now.

VooDoo

 

[sauer1911]

got rid of digital, got a used old beam scale on ebay, $40. It will never wear out. It is always right on for what I use it for, that is powder measure and checks at 4-7grains.

be safe

 

[blue32]

When the deviation between minimum and maximum charge weight falls below 1 grain, I think its wise to stick with a beam. I wouldn't trust an electronic scale when I'm reloading 32acp or similar.

 

[Pit4Brains]

I stick with the balance beam. I set my powder measure to be around one grain less than my load, then I use a trickler to bring it up. Now I only make hand loads for my two rifles and now for a neighbor of mine. I have plenty of time to be spot on. Gravity always works, just be mindful of drafts when using a beam..

 

[gahunter12]

Old style beam scales are hard to beat! That said I use a Dillon Beam scale, and a RCBS digital scale. Both are dead on the money when checking with check weights, and checking powder drops. I load 3.5 gr of Titegroup for my .40s&w loads, and never get over .1gr difference across 10 powder drops.

 

[kcofohio]

Use both here. Beam to set load, and digital to measure 10 throws to be sure of consistancy.

 

[FROGO207]

I like the Ohaus that I have. Same as the RCBS 1010 but painted gold. I did get a FA digital that is relegated to weighing bullets due to it's continuously wandering numbers on the readout. Even with a fresh battery the zero will wander---Think I got a Monday morning assembled one.