Beam scale versus Digital

[kix]

  Hello all and I have a question that needs your experience to answer. 20-30 yrs.ago (or even less) about all we had were beam scales (to my knowledge) and re-loaders back then could shoot 1" groups all day long. I still use mine-an RCBS 5-10. But now we have digitals which leads me to my question: All things being equal,such as same bullet,same powder,same everything can a shooter see conclusively better 'groups' just by using a more precise measuring device? This might be a stupid question because on the surface it would only make sense the digital would be far superior;but is it? Has anyone seen their groups shrink dramatically after switching over? I'm asking to find out if I need to join the 21st century or stay old-school.  Thanks for your replies.  Kix

[irold]

Kix ,  I bought a digital about a year ago thinking it would be an improvement , or faster than my beam.  I load on an old RCBS single stage , my time hasn't improved....by the time I calibrate the digital , I could've had the beam set up...( I recalibrate or reset the beam at each reloading session ) the digital may be a little faster , not by much though.  As far as my groups....not a difference.   I have checked the scales against each other....no difference , If the beam says I have 5.5 grains of Bulleseye.....the digital says the same.  The only thing I can say about the digital , the platform that its setting on has too be "rock solid".  No vibration , no breeze either....not even breathing on it.  I have found the digital is handy to check bullet weights or to double check various aspects of reloading.  All said , I'm not sorry I bought it , but it hasn't effected the quality ( either good or bad ) of my loads.  Just another tool at my disposal.   regards

[LaOtto222]

I think the old style beam scale can't be beat by a digital scale. The bench rest folks that get real serious about group sizes do not weigh their loads. They load by volume. They may develop their loads using a beam scale, but after they know what volume it takes to get the same weight, they go from there with volume. Many load right at the bench and a beam scale or a digital scale will not work at all in the open air of a shooting range. Thus most load by volume. I load with a scale. I used a beam scale for years and got good groups doing so. Recently - about a year ago I purchased a RCBS Charge Master 1500. It uses a digital scale to weigh out its powder charges. I have not found that it makes more accurate loads, but it did speed up my reloading process. If you want to stick to your RCBS 5-10 beam scale, I do not think you are at any disadvantage. The only thing I can think of is to get a Lyman or RCBS auto type powder charging station that consists of a powder meter and digital scale to speed up your reloading. But I would not expect it to give more accurate loads. I still use my old beam scale for small powder charges - those in the 5 or 6 grain range or under of powder. I just have a gut feeling that the RCBS 1500 does not handle these as well. I have a feeling that the heavier your powder charge, the more accurate it gets. This is because it is + or _ .1 grains accuracy. .1 grains to 30 or more grains is a lot more accurate than 5 grains + or - .1 grain - all things considered. When I use a beam scale, I make sure it is zeroed to start with and trickle in just enough to make it zero exactly. That is my 2 cents worth. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[res45]

+1 on what irold said,I have found the exact same results.  One good thing about the beam scales they never need batteries.

[victorcharlie]

I used a beam for most of my life, but switched to a digital about a year ago.

I like the digital because I can see the display better than the little white marks on the beam.  Those little marks seem to get fuzzier and fuzzier as the years go by.

It doesn't save me time, and it hasn't improved accuracy, but it has helped with constantly moving my glasses up and down in order to focus on the mark.

[kix]

  Thanks guys for the replies but I am a bit surprised;I just knew it would be far and away superior! I am not concerned with speed as I don't do any competitive shooting or anything like that so I guess my old scale will do just fine-what a relief not to have to spend more money!  Thanks again for the info.  Kix

[Luckyducker]

I have used balance beam scale since I started reloading and a few years ago got caught up in the gota-have-a-digital craze, and it is accurate but no more accurate than my RCBS 10-10.  Don't even think about trickling powder into the pan while on the e-scale, no dice, you have to reweigh the whole load because it won't change once it gives the weight.  I don't know if they are all like this but I will say it is very good for weighing brass, bullets and stuff like that.

[wncchester]

"can a shooter see conclusively better 'groups' just by using a more precise measuring device?"

No.  Accuracy of .1 gr. is all we can use.  Digitals are not more accurate than that.

"This might be a stupid question because on the surface it would only make sense the digital would be far superior;but is it?"

No.  Not in any way. In fact, a digital is more trouble than it's worth, IMHO.  Beams need no warm up so the zero and calibration doesn't wander, they don't care if power line voltage is steady or if any stray magnetic fields are around.

"Has anyone seen their groups shrink dramatically after switching over?"

No.

I find a beam scale as easy to read as any digital IF the scale is properly placed as it should be, that is on a shelf at or near eye level, not just sitting on the bench top.

[victorcharlie]

I have used balance beam scale since I started reloading and a few years ago got caught up in the gota-have-a-digital craze, and it is accurate but no more accurate than my RCBS 10-10.  Don't even think about trickling powder into the pan while on the e-scale, no dice, you have to reweigh the whole load because it won't change once it gives the weight.  I don't know if they are all like this but I will say it is very good for weighing brass, bullets and stuff like that.

I don't know what scale you're using, but my RCBS 750 allows me to trickle up and the display changes just fine.

I use it exactly like the balance beam.

A balance beam is every bit as accurate if used properly.

[Skunk]

Don't even think about trickling powder into the pan while on the e-scale, no dice, you have to reweigh the whole load because it won't change once it gives the weight.  I don't know if they are all like this but I will say it is very good for weighing brass, bullets and stuff like that.

I have the RCBS CHARGE MASTER COMBO which has the Model 1500 Scale and you can trickle into or remove powder from the pan in order to get the correct weight of charge. I've used both balance beam and electronic scales and have not notice much of difference in accuracy, but the CHARGE MASTER COMBO with the automatic dispenser sure is an improvement in convenience.

[MnMike]

For weighing charges for each round, I notice no difference between the two in convenience or time.

I have compared the digital and the beam and they are both accurate, the beam is maybe just a bit better.

For setting my powder measure, the digital is much quicker. No more accurate, but quicker. Place and read vs place and move thingies back and forth until the durn thing settles in the middle.

I used both for a while: did the set with the digital, then checked it with the beam. Never saw any difference.

BTW my digital cost $24.

mike

[torpedoman]

faster reloading saves a lot of time for me, i prime all cases, then start ,the machine throws and weighs the charge, i put it in the case, seat the bullet and another charge is waiting for me by then.

[Skunk]

For weighing charges for each round, I notice no difference between the two in convenience or time.

Mike, I just don't see how it couldn't be more convenient or less time consuming to be able to type in for example, 43.5, on the keyboard and then just push another button to dispense a charge for each case from there on in.

faster reloading saves a lot of time for me, i prime all cases, then start ,the machine throws and weighs the charge, i put it in the case, seat the bullet and another charge is waiting for me by then.

Exactly. The CHARGE MASTER COMBO is awesome. I do weigh a few of the charges with a balance beam every now and then just to make sure the digital scale is being consistent.

[Siskiyou]

I appreciate topic, it is timely because I have been considering the pros and cons of buying a digital scale. I bought a Redding Beam Scale in the late 1960’s and it still does a good job.  When I load rifle cartridges I normally drop a charge from my powder measure into the pan, and then place the pan on the scale to weight the charge.  I then trickle powder into the pan to bring the scale to zero.

From the discussion I do not think it would be a cost effective move for me to purchase a digital scale at this time and discard the old Redding.  Thank you for giving the pros and cons.

[mattmillerrx]

I have the cheap frankford digital scale.  And rcbs beam scales.  I use both.  I like the digital but in my opinion is not as accurate as the beam but I use them to check each other when something is in question.  If the loads are not for bench rest, i like the little digital better.  It dose make weighting bullets quicker, and I like it to check the zero on my beam.  I believe it goes for around 20 bucks.

[kix]

   Well guys,you certainly educated me. Do you think some old timer's like myself can talk any "newbie" out of the new technology? I don't so but it doesn't matter as long as we think along the same lines.  Kix

[Graybeard]

I've not used a beam scale in over ten years likely lots more than that. I serious doubt I ever will again. I saw the light and the light was good. I'll never go back.