Mikelindsey Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Why do some of you like the balance beam over an electronic scale? I had both and re weighed some powder loaded cases but never got a different scale reading so for ease and time I now only use the electronic scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 The only person I have ever talked to who preferred the balance was someone shooting benchrest and trickle charging each load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Balance beam is less expensive, and not subject to battery degradation or "breeze" factors. And, it's accurate enough for my purposes (loading 9mm for USPSA). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssanders224 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Balance beam is less expensive, and not subject to battery degradation or "breeze" factors. And, it's accurate enough for my purposes (loading 9mm for USPSA). They are absolutely subject to "breeze" factors. I use a balance, and it works well.... but turn on your ceiling fan and let me know how accurate it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 After we get smacked by the mother of all Electro Magentic Pulse events, the balance beam will still work. That is why I keep my old RCBS beam scale. In the mean time I appreciate the ease of using the electronic scales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelindsey Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 What is trickle charging? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd7446 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 What is trickle charging? The 2 amp setting on your battery charger. Couldn't resist. Google powder trickler. Essentially something to dispense just a couple spheres/flakes/rods of powder at a time. Used for getting very accurate loads and very precise groups of loads. Therefore the benchrest tie-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelindsey Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 You can even combine a regular powder measure auto trickle with a beam scale all in one "auto" precision unit. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=prometheus%20powder%20scale%20youtube&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2sqNcs-uWzY&ei=c95GVMK3FIjbsASGrIGYBA&usg=AFQjCNELO72rRiNeM4PKdRjwjtOJ89TP8A&sig2=Ar9FA7LmB-bibI-X6XUPCg&bvm=bv.77880786,d.cWc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 That was my Gen 1 at one time, I sold it back to Josh when I got my Gen2 Prometheus, think of the Gen2 as a ChargeMaster, but it's 3-4 times faster and 10 times more accurate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1gcountry Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Just a random note...be careful not to confuse precision with accuracy. I have a cheaper electronic scale that reads down to .1 gr, but in reality, it is inaccurate as all get out. Different measurements each time, and as I trickle more powder in, it will jump by .5-.6gr. This is not a Dillon scale btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 That brings up a good point, there are a lot of electronic scales that don't work worth a dam trickling but are accurate with a dropped charge and yes the $5 harbor freight scales are accurate enough to weigh bullets but I wouldn't trust one with powder charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdinga Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I have two electronic scales and a balance beam for emergency back up. The digital read out is sure easier on older eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcracco Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 The other thing with beam balance scales is you are subject to parallax errors in reading them. If your eyes are higher than the scale you are reading it at an angle and misinterpreting the zero on the scale. Small point but if you look at it from 3 different angles you will get 3 different readings. The better analogue electrical meters of years ago had a mirror on the scale. You shifted your head to get the needle and the reflection of the needle to line up to eliminate viewing parallax. That was fun. I use a digital scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Balance beam. One press for each caliber, once load established, set and forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandabooks Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Balance beam for me. Specifically the RCBS 10-10. Tried a couple different digitals and they were unreliable for repeatability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzxtguy123 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Gem pro 250 and call it a day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick45Colt Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 I was having problems with my Lyman DPS III. I checked it with another Lyman digital scale and then a balance beam scale to be sure. DPS III heading back to Lyman for repair or replacement. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
427Cobra Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 The gem pro 250 would a good scale if it was a good scale, it's a cheap crappy scale with a good warranty, which you will need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Balance beam. One press for each caliber, once load established, set and forget. If you only use one load for caliber. I think at one point I had 3 machines setup for the same caliber, just different loads. I will say I keep preset powder bars with their tool head and powder check arbor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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