Scale Preference

tachunter · December 27, 2009, 12:19 AM

I'm not any type of specialist when it comes to reloading. It's been less than a year for me as a matter of fact. I have the RCBS 505 balance beam. I find it to be accurate, but just too inconvenient. I'm kind of OCD about my reloading and if that beem isn't exactly where I want it, I will go back and forth all day long. I make time to reload, but then again it's taking me too long to weigh my charges. I understand it's not going to be just scoop, take a few grains out, and I'm good. I was debating purchasing a digital scale just so I can save a little time. I was wondering if you guys with experience with both have to say about it. Are the digitals as accurate? Do you really save yourself the headache of going back and forth with the beam?

80viking · December 27, 2009, 01:23 AM

I have a Lyman DPS and it definitely worth getting, it really shines when using stick powders or doing test loads, to get the most speed and accuracy out of the scale you need a solid bench or shelf and no moving air, this being said after using a balance beam scale and a powder dribbler for many years, and I'm about as cheap as they come

tachunter · December 27, 2009, 04:20 AM

haha i hear ya 80. Actually I wasn't untilizing my RCBS powder measurer. I mounted it, dialed it in, and it has cut some time down. Still am thinking about a nice digital though. If it's just as reliable, accurate, and time friendly I just might.

wncchester · December 27, 2009, 08:48 AM

You scale is excellant, accuracy between digitals and beams is equal when the digital works right, neither has any significant speed difference over the other when used properly. Sounds like you may be vastly over complicating a simple task.

First, get your scale up off the bench top, put it on a shelf at about nose level so you can see it properly.

Second, not sure what you mean by "going back and forth". ? If you mean you're moving the poises to read each weight to zero before changing it, don't do it that way. Simply set the poises to the charge weight you want and add or subtract kernels to bring the scale to zero.

If you mean you are weighting bullets or cases take advantage of the +/- 1/2 grain on the end scale, no need to bring the pointer to zero every time at all.

sundog · December 27, 2009, 11:49 AM

A scale has to be accurate, sensitive, and repeatable. Accurate means just that. Get a known correct test weight and check the scale occasionally. Sensitivity can be tested on a balance beam by dropping a 1/4" square of bond paper in a the pan of a zeroed beam to see if it moves - it should, even if only a little. Repeatable means just that. Every time your test weight, or another item, is placed on the scale, it should give the same reading. Every time.

If you are still scooping, you might consider a powder dump. If funds are tight, the Lee Perfect Powder Measure really does work. However, if you use very fine ball powder like #9, it leaks. Short of a problem such as bridging, a dump should be quite repeatable.

GeauxTide · December 27, 2009, 06:21 PM

OCD could be hazardous to you in reloading. Just relax and get the above mentioned DPS3. Then, you can check every 20 loads to relieve your compulsion.

NWPilgrim · December 27, 2009, 07:01 PM

I don't know how OCD affects using a balance beam scale, but weighing should be rather simple.

Method 1 (fastest, measure good for +/- 0.1 grain):

Zero balance beam in cleared area away from being bumped or air currents
Set up powder measure and prep it by running 10-20 dummy charges through
Set scale to desired weight (no touchy the setting from now on!)
Throw a charge on powder measure, weight it
If too heavy or too light, adjust measure not the scales
Repeat powder throws and test on scales until it balances (may take 5-15 powder throws)
Re-weigh every 10-20 cases just to be sure

The other method is to weigh each powder throw. Do the same as above, but adjust the powder measure to throw a couple of grains BELOW the target weight. Throw the charge with the powder measure, put on scale pan and top off with a powder trickler (ought to please your OCD).

From what I heard about how finicky some digital scales can be they may frustrate your OCD more than a balance beam. I would get the method refined to be efficient before running off to get mor equipment. Right now your problem is in your "back and forth" procedure, not the equipment.

rottieman33 · December 27, 2009, 10:11 PM

This might help you in choosing a digital scale. Its a review on 3 Digital scales RCBS is rated the best.
http://www.6mmbr.com/powderdispensers01.html

December 27, 2009, 12:19 AM	#1
tachunter Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Posts: 196	Scale Preference I'm not any type of specialist when it comes to reloading. It's been less than a year for me as a matter of fact. I have the RCBS 505 balance beam. I find it to be accurate, but just too inconvenient. I'm kind of OCD about my reloading and if that beem isn't exactly where I want it, I will go back and forth all day long. I make time to reload, but then again it's taking me too long to weigh my charges. I understand it's not going to be just scoop, take a few grains out, and I'm good. I was debating purchasing a digital scale just so I can save a little time. I was wondering if you guys with experience with both have to say about it. Are the digitals as accurate? Do you really save yourself the headache of going back and forth with the beam?

December 27, 2009, 11:49 AM	#5
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	A scale has to be accurate, sensitive, and repeatable. Accurate means just that. Get a known correct test weight and check the scale occasionally. Sensitivity can be tested on a balance beam by dropping a 1/4" square of bond paper in a the pan of a zeroed beam to see if it moves - it should, even if only a little. Repeatable means just that. Every time your test weight, or another item, is placed on the scale, it should give the same reading. Every time. If you are still scooping, you might consider a powder dump. If funds are tight, the Lee Perfect Powder Measure really does work. However, if you use very fine ball powder like #9, it leaks. Short of a problem such as bridging, a dump should be quite repeatable. __________________ safety first

December 27, 2009, 07:01 PM	#7
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	I don't know how OCD affects using a balance beam scale, but weighing should be rather simple. Method 1 (fastest, measure good for +/- 0.1 grain): Zero balance beam in cleared area away from being bumped or air currents Set up powder measure and prep it by running 10-20 dummy charges through Set scale to desired weight (no touchy the setting from now on!) Throw a charge on powder measure, weight it If too heavy or too light, adjust measure not the scales Repeat powder throws and test on scales until it balances (may take 5-15 powder throws) Re-weigh every 10-20 cases just to be sure The other method is to weigh each powder throw. Do the same as above, but adjust the powder measure to throw a couple of grains BELOW the target weight. Throw the charge with the powder measure, put on scale pan and top off with a powder trickler (ought to please your OCD). From what I heard about how finicky some digital scales can be they may frustrate your OCD more than a balance beam. I would get the method refined to be efficient before running off to get mor equipment. Right now your problem is in your "back and forth" procedure, not the equipment. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

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December 27, 2009, 01:23 AM	#2
80viking Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Location: The Peoples Republic of Massac Posts: 333	I have a Lyman DPS and it definitely worth getting, it really shines when using stick powders or doing test loads, to get the most speed and accuracy out of the scale you need a solid bench or shelf and no moving air, this being said after using a balance beam scale and a powder dribbler for many years, and I'm about as cheap as they come

December 27, 2009, 04:20 AM	#3
tachunter Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2009 Posts: 196	haha i hear ya 80. Actually I wasn't untilizing my RCBS powder measurer. I mounted it, dialed it in, and it has cut some time down. Still am thinking about a nice digital though. If it's just as reliable, accurate, and time friendly I just might.

December 27, 2009, 08:48 AM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	You scale is excellant, accuracy between digitals and beams is equal when the digital works right, neither has any significant speed difference over the other when used properly. Sounds like you may be vastly over complicating a simple task. First, get your scale up off the bench top, put it on a shelf at about nose level so you can see it properly. Second, not sure what you mean by "going back and forth". ? If you mean you're moving the poises to read each weight to zero before changing it, don't do it that way. Simply set the poises to the charge weight you want and add or subtract kernels to bring the scale to zero. If you mean you are weighting bullets or cases take advantage of the +/- 1/2 grain on the end scale, no need to bring the pointer to zero every time at all.

December 27, 2009, 06:21 PM	#6
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	OCD could be hazardous to you in reloading. Just relax and get the above mentioned DPS3. Then, you can check every 20 loads to relieve your compulsion.

December 27, 2009, 10:11 PM	#8
rottieman33 Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 223	This might help you in choosing a digital scale. Its a review on 3 Digital scales RCBS is rated the best. http://www.6mmbr.com/powderdispensers01.html