BALANCE BEAM?

[muddocktor]

I have a RCBS 10-10 scale and a 5-10 scale. So I have no real need of any electronic backup. Electronics fail, as do batteries. But with proper care, those mechanical scales will not, as long as you don't damage the bearing surfaces and pivot arms.

BTW, the first scale I used when I was a kid was a Redding #1 my Dad had too, in the 1960s.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I've used an RCBS 10-10 ever since the water dried up and land re-appeared after the BIG flood.......Have an RCBS pro 1000(I think) that is NIB that has been sitting on the shelf for years.......Dat ansa yo?

 

[rockquarry]

Almost immediately, this thread drifted into the " old guy/ balance beam vs. electronic scale" debate, but I'm with you. Tried an electronic scale once and found no advantage.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Purchased a used 505 from a forum member. Got some check weights. I put in on a dead level shelf that is off my reloading table. I have had to adjust the zero once. Check weights on dead on.

Just don't see the need for something else.

"Ain't broke, so I'm not fixin' it."

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Took an offer so I guess that is that- THANKS for all the input--

 

[Rule3]

Almost immediately, this thread drifted into the " old guy/ balance beam vs. electronic scale" debate, but I'm with you. Tried an electronic scale once and found no advantage.

A debate on the "reloading section? Say it isn't so!

Where are the Blue Kool-Aid drinkers or the wet tumblers?

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I've used a RCBS 5-0-5 (badged Ohaus) since 1974 and am in no hurry to change. I've read too many complaints about wandering zero, inconsistent weights, long warm up, etc., to be in a big hurry to change.

I've got a set of laboratory weights that I use as check weights and my unit is always right on.

Same story here! I had a conversation with a PA "Weights and measures" guy once and he told me as long as a "beam balance" scale had no damage and would "zero" it will work just fine. It happens that when it it get's to firearms and related things I'm getting a bit antsy about anything with batteries. Weapon lights excepted of course, just buy top notch is all.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Are we older guys being attacked because we have old tools that still work? I saw it on another thread just minutes ago about why ole guys carry wheel guns. I like electronic gadgets as much as anybody, have a "smart" phone, several computers, electronic tuners for my musical instruments, but being old fashioned about our likes and dislikes doesn't mean we are out of date. A fine wheel gun, shotgun or a nice Martin guitar that doesn't have to be plugged in doesn't make me out of touch.

 

[Rule3]

Now wait a gosh darn minute!. Did someone call refer to me as "old"

A quality balance beam trumps a cheap arse electric any day of the week! A high quality electric is fine. but most are not, unless you pay some good money for one.

I have both and prefer the balance beam, it will always work anything electronic (anything) not a matter of if but when it will malfunction.

 

[Beemer-mark]

Don't take my post wrong, I think the digital scale is the way to go. I bought the RCBS after a lot of research. it's the most expensive but it's very reliable. Per the instructions, I calibrate it before every use. Then I check it agaisnt my balance beam. My cartridge block holds 50, so I charge 50 and usually move to the press. If I don't, I weight another round and check it against my balance beam.

The digital has taught me that a smidgen off on the balance beam (which I used to accept) is up to 2 grains over. So the digitial is way more consistent. I won't give up the balance beam but I won't go back to using it fro every charge.

 

[Boogsawaste]

The digital has taught me that a smidgen off on the balance beam (which I used to accept) is up to 2 grains over. So the digitial is way more consistent. I won't give up the balance beam but I won't go back to using it fro every charge.

I hope you mean .2 grains!

My d5 has .1 marks on it and it's on with the check weights. I have grown accustomed to those marks and to be .2grain off would be noticed right away. I'm not hammering you on your decision for digital, just saying maybe your beam was not working right?

 

[stu1ritter]

My old and new Redding beam scales show 1/10th grain per graduation and it is dead nutz accurate.

Stu

 

[mtgianni]

I use a Lyman DOS 1200 and verify with a balanced beam scale. Where a digital scale really comes n to play is weight sorting cast bullets and as a system. I like the ability to do something else while the powder is being dispensed, just do not trust it without verifying every 10 rounds.

 

[wrangler5]

For weighing individual powder charges, it's hard to beat a beam scale for simple, consistent reliability. I started with a 505 and used it for more than a decade. Decided I ought to modernize and got a Dillon digital scale, which was just peachy for a year or two - as long as I turned it on and let it warm up for a while before use. But after a while it started to drift pretty quickly after a zero, and finally I just gave up on it.

Research seemed to indicate that any of the commonly offered digital reloading scales were not likely to offer long term accuracy and stability. Since I didn't want to spend a grand on a powder scale, I went back to the 505 beam.

When I decided I ought to have a backup beam scale, just in case, research suggested that the Lyman M5 was among the most accurate. Found one on ebay, and that's what I use now. VERY sensitive (1 granule of Varget moves the needle). And I have adapted to the 2-poise system it uses. If I had it to do over, I'd get another one.

If I did bullet sorting by weight, there's no doubt that a digital scale is the way to go, and I'd have one of the usual, affordable, models for that purpose. But for powder work, whether setting a measure or trickling up individual long range rifle rounds for a match, I'd take a beam scale any day.

 

[DWalt]

"(1 grain of Varget moves the needle)"

You mean one granule.

 

[wrangler5]

"(1 grain of Varget moves the needle)"

You mean one granule.

I did. It was late. I fixed it. Thanks for the catch.

 

[Skeet 028]

I pretty much use a balance beam RCBS 304 or the Ohaus version of it for checking powder but I do use a RCBS Chargemaster for close to max or max rifle loads..max pistol loads too I also have an older Dillon Electronic that is very reliable esp when plugged in. Battery power? I might trust it if the battery is new or close to it.

 

[da gimp]

we just sent our RCBS 1010 in for warranty work.. they sent us a NIB 505..free. postage paid.. with the notation that they no longer sell or service 1010's... ours was listed as worn out.

 

[rwsmith]

It's a general rule......

It's not a hard and fast rule, but generally you have to put some money, about $100 plus, to get a long lasting, digital scale that doesn't develop drift or some other problem after a few weeks of use.

 

[lebomm]

I've used my current scale, an RCBS (Ohaus) 1010 for maybe 30 yrs, and had an oil-damped Redding before that. I was a machinist/toolmaker for 35 yrs and don't own a digital caliper, either. Why depend on something that requires a battery? Mechanical for me!

Larry