Anybody here who's been reloading for more than a couple years but still hasn't added an electronic scale to the toys? I like my beam scale and hesitate to go electric at all since I get a kick out of doing stuff "old-fashioned." And yet... looks easier, quicker, and more accurate. I'm no benchrester and am not weighing every charge, but was just wondering what others with more experience felt about this.
Weighing an electronic scale.
- Thread starter ed dixon
- Start date
- Status
Hkmp5sd
Member
When I started out, I used beam scale and think they are fine. I changed to a digital after I tried to blow up the barrel of one of my guns by screwing up about half dozen rounds out of about 100 loaded during that session. Now I check every completed round on a digital scale. It's very fast as you mentioned.
In one instance, reloading .380 ACP for use in my suppressed Walther PPK, I made a couple of rounds without the proper charge. Enough powder to cycle the action but not push the bullet out the barrel. Thinking I merely missed the target, I fired another round right into the back of the first. Luckily, the Walther has a perforated barrel for the suppressor, so the barrel wasn't damaged. Was not fun trying to get them out, though.
At least when I screw up, I do it very well!
In one instance, reloading .380 ACP for use in my suppressed Walther PPK, I made a couple of rounds without the proper charge. Enough powder to cycle the action but not push the bullet out the barrel. Thinking I merely missed the target, I fired another round right into the back of the first. Luckily, the Walther has a perforated barrel for the suppressor, so the barrel wasn't damaged. Was not fun trying to get them out, though.
At least when I screw up, I do it very well!
Pistolsmith
Member
I had a customer who knew nothing about reloading, but was told everything he needed to know by a gun store clerk. He bought a 10-10 scale. Unfortunately, the clerk didn't tell him to make certain the poise dropped into a notch, so he perched it between notches. (The scale will ALWAYS drop and allow the poise to fall into the notch 10 grains heavier than the novice loader believes it will. ) 'Nuff said! I don't care WHAT other reloaders say, I say the darned things CAN be dangerous. Judging from the wrecked Gold Cup the customer sent in, he was lucky to have all of his fingers and eyeballs.
I have used my electronic Dillon scale with complete satisfaction. It is one of the first that they sold and it still works as intended.
I have used my electronic Dillon scale with complete satisfaction. It is one of the first that they sold and it still works as intended.
JPM70535
Member
Call me old fashioned, but I still use my RCBS 10-10 and have never had a problem with it, possibly because when I set up a charge weight on the scale I check it with my set of check weights. They do not lie.
I'm not anti-electronic scales, I just believe if something ain't broke, don't fix it. If my 10-10 ever gives up the ghost I will most likely change over and join the new technology generation.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT GUARANTEES ALL THE OTHERS!!!!!
I'm not anti-electronic scales, I just believe if something ain't broke, don't fix it. If my 10-10 ever gives up the ghost I will most likely change over and join the new technology generation.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT GUARANTEES ALL THE OTHERS!!!!!
boondocker
Member
Hi Ed
I just got my Dillon about a week ago and love it. It speeds things up quite abit. I checked it against my Lyman and it is on the money. When I got it I weighed everything with it. It is alot faster and I think better to weigh my cast bullets. I nver used a RCBS beam scale although they look better than my Lyman.I was worried it would be to finiky but it is"nt. I would reccomd one.. Boon
I just got my Dillon about a week ago and love it. It speeds things up quite abit. I checked it against my Lyman and it is on the money. When I got it I weighed everything with it. It is alot faster and I think better to weigh my cast bullets. I nver used a RCBS beam scale although they look better than my Lyman.I was worried it would be to finiky but it is"nt. I would reccomd one.. Boon
boondocker
Member
Hey Ed
I was born in Norristown 45 years ago in Sacred Heart Hospital. Raised outside of Collegeville in a little burg called Yerkes untill we moved a little north at ( years of age. Boon Had the Perk in our back yard.
I was born in Norristown 45 years ago in Sacred Heart Hospital. Raised outside of Collegeville in a little burg called Yerkes untill we moved a little north at ( years of age. Boon Had the Perk in our back yard.
I have one of the inexpensive digital ones that go for $90-125. I don't know who really makes this one; I've seen the same scale with Dillon, RCBS, and other brand names on it. It's the one that has the two brass test weights that store in recesses to the right of the scale platter.
It works fine, but I have found it seems to be more reliable powered by a 9-volt battery than the DC converter. Plugged into house current, it acts strange at times. Maybe it is just cheap house wiring, or interference from the TV - who knows?
I just mention this, because paying extra for the DC converter was a poor decision for me since I am using batteries anyway. They do seem to last quite a while.
It works fine, but I have found it seems to be more reliable powered by a 9-volt battery than the DC converter. Plugged into house current, it acts strange at times. Maybe it is just cheap house wiring, or interference from the TV - who knows?
I just mention this, because paying extra for the DC converter was a poor decision for me since I am using batteries anyway. They do seem to last quite a while.
Nero Steptoe
member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2002
- Messages
- 461
"I don't know who really makes this one; "
PACT! I use the wired RCBS version. Works well for me.
PACT! I use the wired RCBS version. Works well for me.
I have several balance beam scales and one digital. It is the same one that antsi mentions; my is labeled RCBS. I used check weights to find that it was actually just as accurate as my beam scales. It is also much faster and more convienient. As was mentioned, it is easy to weigh things other than powder such as bullets or loaded rounds. And, you can do that in between weighing powder or whatever without adjusting anything. Is a digital scale a nessessity ? No, but I think it is a very nice addition to your loading bench.
bedlamite
Member
I don't have one to weigh, but I don't think it would fit on the tray of my Redding beam scale anyway. 
Johnny Guest
Moderator In Memoriam
sure like mine - - -
I have one of the first PACT scales with the IR (??) port for linking to the electronic powder trickler. This is WONDERFUL for weighing each-and-every rifle charge.
It also makes it far easier to sort cases by weight--No wire yoke and balance beam, so I can just stand the cases on their bases. I had always sorted rifle cases by headstamp, but there is a noticible difference in weight (and hence capacity) from lot to lot, or maybe year to year, even amongst same headstamped brass. I feel I cut my groupl size measurably by this simple expedient.
Best,
Johnny
I have one of the first PACT scales with the IR (??) port for linking to the electronic powder trickler. This is WONDERFUL for weighing each-and-every rifle charge.
It also makes it far easier to sort cases by weight--No wire yoke and balance beam, so I can just stand the cases on their bases. I had always sorted rifle cases by headstamp, but there is a noticible difference in weight (and hence capacity) from lot to lot, or maybe year to year, even amongst same headstamped brass. I feel I cut my groupl size measurably by this simple expedient.
Best,
Johnny
Pappy John
Member
wieghing an electronic scale
no, no, no, you just lay it upside down on the bench and then stand on your head to read the ........
no, no, no, you just lay it upside down on the bench and then stand on your head to read the ........
Nanook
Member
I have both types, but I prefer the digital. As mentioned above it is faster, the old Lyman beam scale I have takes longer to settle down for a reading.
The scale is a Pact BBK and costs under $100 usually. I keep the Lyman on hand in case the digital goes toes up.
The scale is a Pact BBK and costs under $100 usually. I keep the Lyman on hand in case the digital goes toes up.
Freedom in theSkies
Member.
I still use my RCBS 505 scale occasionally, but I now rely on a Lyman Autoscale. It's the best of both worlds. You get a beam scale with an electric powder measure. Quite accurate too. +-.1gr.
Steve Smith
Moderator Emeritus
I use an Ohaus/Lyman M5, the old version of the 10-10. I love it.
- Status
Similar threads
