I suspect that it is highly unusual for most shotshell handloaders to weigh every load of shot and powder. Most shotshell loading equipment incorporates both shot and powder metering devices which use adjustable measurement cavities. One might use a scale to adjust those cavities to deliver the desired weights from time to time. Most trap and skeet shotshell handloaders usually set their tools once and never change them.
From a performance standpoint, both digital and beam scales are equally satisfactory, the relative costs of each being a primary decision point.
Hi Mr. Walt,
I don't know where you read that I weighed every charge I put into a metallic case or shotshell hull, so let me take this opportunity to clarify what I had assumed that everyone understood in my previous post.
I use a Dillon RL-550 that I purchased around 1985 for almost all of my metallic cartridge reloading. This is a progressive reloading press, I hope I'm not going to be asked to explain what constitutes a progressive reloading press, and is equipped with an adjustable powder measure/dispenser that drops a powder charge every time a case is brought up to the top of the stroke at position two on the press. I use a scale (electronic) to set up the powder dispenser to throw the charge I'll be loading for on this press. I then use the scale to check weigh the powder charges at random points as I load whatever batch of shells I'm working on, and also, always check if I have to open a new container of powder to continue loading.
I have three powder dispensers in use for the Dillon RL-550, and one spare that has never been used. The three in use are installed on the toolheads on my three most often loaded calibers; .45 ACP, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, and .44 Special/.44 Magnum.
On those extremely rare occasions when I want to load metallic cartridges on a single stage press; I use my RCBS Rock Chucker, and an RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure. I have two of the Uniflow Powder Measures, one that I've had since around 1974 and one that my brother gave me after he had his third and most debilitating stroke and lost the use of his right arm, among other effects in 2007. The Uniflows are great measures, but do take a little fiddling to get the powder charge set. I use an electronic scale to set the Uniflows to the desired charge weight, and also for check weighing further along in the reloading process.
When it comes to shotshells, I'm a MEC man all the way. I have a total of six MEC Reloading presses, three in 12 GA., One in 28 GA., and two in .410 Bore. One of the 12 GA. presses is a progressive, all the rest are single stage, and yes, every one of them is equipped with a powder dispenser and a shot dispenser. The MEC reloading system is comprised of shot charge bars that are fixed and non-adjustable. Each of these charge bars will accept MEC Powder Bushings that are charted to throw specified weights. The bushing-powder charts will usually get you close to the charge weight listed, but never right on the money. That makes weighing charges during setup absolutely necessary and yes, I use an electronic scale for this as well. I also check weigh, at least every 100 rounds when loading shotshells.
I also failed to mention how much faster setup and check weighing is with an electronic scale; drop the powder charge in the pan and you almost instantly have the charge weight on the electronic display; no fiddling around with beam weights, just much faster and simpler.
To conclude; I've been reloading metallic cartridges since 1972, and shotshells since 1977.
Nobody has to agree with my opinions, but I think I've been doing this long enough to form some definite ideas on how to reload.
If anyone actually made it this far, have a great day!
