Small scale - beam scale

[Flouncer]

Is there an affordable version of the simple single beam scale that has a range of 0-10 grains ?
From what I can tell the scales mostly have a range of 0-100g or greater, meaning that 90% of that range is outside of gauging pistol powder loads of 3-5 g for 380 auto and 38 Special. I would think that a scale with a range of 0-10 would be more precise in the range of weights 3-5g than one with a range 0-100g. These loads are so small that a little error is a big one in terms of scale. - thanks

 

[ebb]

I gave up trying to do what you are doing. I eventually decide to use my Lee scoopers, but could not find one that was close to what I needed. So after reading about it on cast boolits i mad a scoop to fit my charge weight, I took a 9mm case and drilled a hole through the extractor groove and gorilla glued in a piece of brazing rod for a handle. Weighed a charge and put it in the scoop and made a mark on the out side of the case with a sharpie. Cut off case at line and after a few trips to the belt sander it held the right amount. I do most every thing on the charge master but the small amount of powder was freaking the CM out. This may not meet your accuracy standards but suits me fine for plinking handgun loads

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

I can't imagine there would be much of a market for a 0-10 scale. Most scales have two slider: a 0-5 or 10 and a 5/10 to whatever is the max. Using the lower weight slider would be equivalent to a 0-10 scale.

Frank

 

[BoydAllen]

A tuned reloading balance scale will respond to a single piece of powder. I have been able to tune my scales to this level of sensitivity, and helped others do the same. Given that, I think that you are looking for a solution to non existent problem.

 

[K22]

My Lyman Brass Smith beam balance which I had to purchase a few years ago to replace my 50 old beam balance consistently retains and average .1 to .05 grains measurement consistently as checked with weight standards.

I load a lot of small charges for pistol cartridges and never had any issue with my beam balance used to check powder measure setting discharges.

PS: Special Thanks to Mr. BoydAllen for helping me adjust / setup my beam balance which made a huge difference is repeatability and consistency of measurement.

 

[Flouncer]

A tuned reloading balance scale will respond to a single piece of powder. I have been able to tune my scales to this level of sensitivity, and helped others do the same. Given that, I think that you are looking for a solution to non existent problem.

Thanks Boyd. I am using a 30 yo Lee single beam. Cheap Ahs I am. It works very well, zeros and holds zero, and will deflect with a grain of 4831 ( not HS-6 or Win 244) and I am probably overthinking this. But it is unavoidable if you try to process logically. For loading pistol and revolver, who has any need of a scale that is almost an order of magnitude high in its capacity ? And like anything, the refined range is the better one. Do we use a 250 ft lb torque wrench on an action screw ? Even if it is "accurate" ? Overall, in the history of the last 30 or 40 years, for marketing and sales at least, it seems strange that no one has offered a 0-10 or 0-20 scale. You guys are benchrest and rifle competition shooters. I am simply an enthusiast and sometime hunter. That scale tune cost 4x what my scale cost. Have a chuckle on my behalf !!!

Side bar !! anyone loading 38 Special with 148 and 158 lead ( with or without any coating) for target ? My 27 yo Lee manual states that it uses 10% reduced max loads from the powder manufacturers throughout the range he provides. For Bullseye, there is no range, just 6.5g. Two newer manual (Speer, Hornady) loads top out at well less than 5.0g. My concern is not overpressure but leading. I have a chrono, what muzzle velocity is widely accepted as the limit for lead ? - thanks

 

[jpx2rk]

Look at the RCBS 505 beam scale, it has the settings for 0-10 gr and tenths on the right side of the beam and larger amounts on the left side with a zero setting for the larger amts. I've seen the for sale for $50 or so. I use a 505 on a regular basis with no issues.

 

[RegionRat]

For Bullseye, there is no range, just 6.5g. Two newer manual (Speer, Hornady) loads top out at well less than 5.0g. My concern is not overpressure but leading. I have a chrono, what muzzle velocity is widely accepted as the limit for lead ? - thanks

Here is another it depends answer.

Some combinations lead up prematurely, and others defy the text books.

Your lead alloy, the design of the bullet, the lube, your rig, your shooting interval and cleaning habits, all affect this answer.

In general, you are over-thinking it.

For games where they don't put a minimum floor on power factor (or kinetic energy), especially one like bullseye where you might find yourself shooting cast bullets, you are not going to push to the point of leading since the accuracy will drop off long before you could get through a match or practice session.

So, you wouldn't call a hot load accurate for long enough to use it, and so then it takes care of itself.

Those levels are counter to using cast bullets for accuracy, so don't push them where they shouldn't go. Your priority is accuracy and shooter fatigue, not speed.

In a closed loop pistol load development, you have to shoot enough shots to get through a match, not just 10 shots. If you stop load development without shooting a mock match, you are kidding yourself.

If the bullseye shooters over the last decades couldn't load because their beam balances were no good, then you would see a cottage industry selling a specific model to that crowd. Folks spending $5 - $7k for their rigs wouldn't blink an eye at a custom beam scale if that is what was required... point is, it isn't required. The ones you have now are fine.

 

[ebb]

How are you lubing tour lead bullets? Ive done a few batches in 38 and a few in 8 mm and have tumble lubed but I think I need to up my game and either get a lube sizer or go to powder coat. I like powder coat best but it looks like too much work.

 

[K22]

The following velocities numbers are "ballpark" numbers, not exact numbers.

I qualified Distinguish Expert with a S&W Model 14, 38 Special. I also hunted extensively with a 357 magnum, S&W Model 27 revolver.

For the ultimate in target accuracy, nothing beat the swaged, 148 grain hollow base wadcutters with a light roll crimp or taper crimp with light charges of 231 and / or Bullseye, velocities in the range of about 750 f/s. Even though these bullets are lubed, they cannot be driven at velocities over 800 f/s without significant leading problems plus the hollow base creates pressure issues at high velocity.

Lubed hard cast bullet can be driven faster up to about 950 f/s without leading problems degrading accuracy. The Oregon Trail Laser cast bullets are very accurate and are an example. Elmer Keith used his own design lubed hard cast bullets to take many species of game with a revolver.

However, today with the wide availability of excellent bullets, for hunting loads where you need the most energy possible, expansion w/ penetration, jacketed bullets are the best option. Hornady XTP's are a good choice.

Believed me, you will never see the difference on target with pistol reloads varying a .1 grain or so. Therefore, the scale issue you raised is a non-issue even at charges 2.8 to 3.1 of Bullseye which is often used in competitive target shooting the 38 Special.

 

[Flouncer]

Thanks all for the time and effort to answer. I just shot new Ruger LCRx 38 Special 3-inch first time out of the box. All I can say is that my pistols will stay in the box for a while, it's revolver time. For whatever reason, I shoot this weapon and a Smith K frame way way way way better than plastic frame semi-autos in 9mm. Not even close, not even with no trigger familiarization, nothing but bone stock. I shot a 4-hole touch group with one flyer (my fault) at 7 yards. Shooting is fun again instead of frustrating with poor results. I have a 500 box each of 125 and 140g FMJ RN to play with before I delve into the lead bullets. Dahm that was fun !! Wont worry about the 0.1 grain error BS but will check very very close for a double load. Cheers.

 

[K22]

Thanks all for the time and effort to answer. I just shot new Ruger LCRx 38 Special 3-inch first time out of the box. All I can say is that my pistols will stay in the box for a while, it's revolver time. For whatever reason, I shoot this weapon and a Smith K frame way way way way better than plastic frame semi-autos in 9mm. Not even close, not even with no trigger familiarization, nothing but bone stock. I shot a 4-hole touch group with one flyer (my fault) at 7 yards. Shooting is fun again instead of frustrating with poor results. I have a 500 box each of 125 and 140g FMJ RN to play with before I delve into the lead bullets. Dahm that was fun !! Wont worry about the 0.1 grain error BS but will check very very close for a double load. Cheers.

A "fail safe" system I used for many years reloading pistol cases is to turn your primed cases upside down in a loading block and charge one at time. Then visually check each case.

Double charges of fast burning powders like Bullseye can be catastrophic so you must do everything possible to avoid it.

 

[justinp61]

A friend of mine used to shoot bulls eye pistol with hollow base wad cutters, IIRC he shot 2 1/2 or 3 grains of bullseye. I have a Colt bulls eye revolver that I bought a few years ago, have some HBWC’s loaded but haven’t really messed with it much. I only use a scale to set up my powder measure, with the powders I’ve used I see no need to weigh every charge.

I do wish Ohaus had made a 0-100 grain scale for powder charges, or even a 0-250 grain would’ve been nice.

 

[6MMsteve]

test your scale, do 10 or 20 charges thrown then weigh, or 50 charges something that will give you pc of mind....

 

[Flouncer]

Again, thanks. I'll pass on the turret press for this. Cant see or check adequately.