Webster 
Why I Use a Balance Beam Scale
Over the past few years I've purchased three electronic scales; a Smartreloader that auto-weighs loads, an RCBS 750 and a Lyman 1500.
Not a single one of them stays stable, varying by .1 - .2 grains. It's irritating, to say the least.
I'm back using my nearly 40 year old Lyman D-7 balance beam scale. I set it at eye level, zero it and my loads don't vary by even 1/10th of a grain. Using a Lee dipper of the appropriate size and a trickler, I'm able to load as quickly and with more consistency than with an electronic scale that I have to re-calibrate often.
No more electronic scales for me.
Not a single one of them stays stable, varying by .1 - .2 grains. It's irritating, to say the least.
I'm back using my nearly 40 year old Lyman D-7 balance beam scale. I set it at eye level, zero it and my loads don't vary by even 1/10th of a grain. Using a Lee dipper of the appropriate size and a trickler, I'm able to load as quickly and with more consistency than with an electronic scale that I have to re-calibrate often.
No more electronic scales for me.
61 - 67 of 67 Posts
I had one digital scale and it read all over the place. Even after a trip back to the factory. It resides in a landfill now.
I bought a chargemaster several years ago and was initially skeptical, as many had stated that they weren't consistent. I compared each charge to a portable digital and again to my old C-H beam scale, turns our it was both accurate and consistent. Some powders don't dispense that well, clumping together in the trickle phase causing over charges is common with titegroup and 4831SC, but it's very consistent with RL15, N140 and HP38. This is a minor issue though, as removing a few gr to the correct charge doesn't take much time and is still much faster than waiting on the beam scale to stop moving. Loading 1500rds a year would be far too time consuming using the old methods, so for me I will embrace the new technology with open arms, and save the old beam scale for apocalypse usage...
I was gifted a beam scale with the Dillon 450 (it is a 550 now). I’ve never used the beam scale, but keep it for the same reason.I bought a chargemaster several years ago and was initially skeptical, as many had stated that they weren't consistent. I compared each charge to a portable digital and again to my old C-H beam scale, turns our it was both accurate and consistent. Some powders don't dispense that well, clumping together in the trickle phase causing over charges is common with titegroup and 4831SC, but it's very consistent with RL15, N140 and HP38. This is a minor issue though, as removing a few gr to the correct charge doesn't take much time and is still much faster than waiting on the beam scale to stop moving. Loading 1500rds a year would be far too time consuming using the old methods, so for me I will embrace the new technology with open arms, and save the old beam scale for apocalypse usage...
And are fluorescent lights really that bad on digital scales? I’ve used mine with the shop lights on, and shop lights off and cannot get a different reading either way.
Leaving the ceiling fan on though is another story.
Depends on proximity. A flourecent desk lamp next to the chargemaster is a no no. Overhead lighting is ok....
I honestly haven't uncovered my rcbs balance for years. I usually use an economical Frankford for verifying anything from 2.8 bullseye to 24.0 2400. I verify with weights.
Now running the Frankford in tandem with an older Lyman le1000.
I have an automatic Lyman dispenser I verify with Frankford.
Beams are just too slow and just as susceptible to environmental factors as digital.
Now running the Frankford in tandem with an older Lyman le1000.
I have an automatic Lyman dispenser I verify with Frankford.
Beams are just too slow and just as susceptible to environmental factors as digital.
Another +1 for the rcbs 10 10. And my low end Dillon isn't bad, just not as friendly.
61 - 67 of 67 Posts
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