Recommended beam balance pistol loads

Hi All,

Can someone recommend a beam balance that would be accurate for pistol loads (2.6 to 4.5 grain).  I have a Lee beam balance, which seems to me the only common one that will go that low, and I don't have a lot of confidence in measuring to 0.1 grain accurately.  Are there any better balances out there?

Best,

Joe

Hornady Lock and load is under 100.00 and is accurate to .1 according to them and has good reviews. Im currently looking at scales and some digital scales are just as accurate.

I have not had any luck with digital balances.  Weight a powder and get a number. Take it off, tare the scale, pour the powder back in and get a different number.  I think the digital scales are good for rifle, but not bullseye pistol.  Really with bullseye pistol you need something that works less that 5 grains, and that it.  Don't need out to 100 grains.

If you are setting up a drop dispenser, for say 5 gr but can't weigh something that light very well, adjust it so that 5 dropped charges come to 25 gr.

Best balance beams were older ohaus beams from the 60s imho. .i have several lyman M5 beams that are excellent and can be made very sensitive. These were the same as the ohaus 10-10 from the same era.. a fellow by the name of Scott Parker was converting those to be Very sensitive. Not sure he still does that.

I googled him:-

Scott Parker
Bakersfield CA
VLD223@yahoo.com
661 364 1199

No idea whether he still offers the service.

Ohaus 10-10 is a great balance scale. I absolutely love my A&D Fx120i. It's digital, but a great lab grade scale.

Jwhelan939 wrote:Ohaus 10-10 is a great balance scale. I absolutely love my A&D Fx120i. It's digital, but a great lab grade scale.

I will second that. my 10-10 is the best balance scale I have ever used. My Fx120i is outstanding. Mine is hooked up to an auto trickler.

Bill

I'll be third on Fx120i, especially if you can find link that Zane Mosley posted sometimes ago.  If same Canadian company has them on sale as before, it would be well worth it IMO.  Also, if you ever come across of Gem Pro 250 (NOT the newer models 300 and whatever else) - it would be very good purchase as well.  I use two of these pretty much for all measurements including for online measuring charge dropped in the case while loading for pistol cartridges.

AP

I have the Gem250 and it's nice but once in a while it will start to drift.

Friend gave me all the trickle parts so I'm too in the Fx120 market

I also started with the Hornady but that thing will change readings just sitting on the bench.

I use the
Lyman Ohaus M5
read post 6 here
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/lyman-m5-ohaus-10-10-thoughts.3946962/

This is similar
https://us.ohaus.com/en-US/Products/Balances-Scales/Mechanical-Reloading-Scales/Reloading-Scales/Reloading-Scale-5-0-5

I have a Scott Parker scale, very nice. He goes under the business name Single Kernel Scales. Excellent work, but be prepared to wait - approximately 1 year wait time for one of his scales

Don't forget to cover and protect your scale from dust.

I had mine uncovered in a cabinet for decades until I found it was out of calibration due to dust in the bearing blocks.

Cleaned with alcohol and a toothbrush, all good

My RCBS 5-0-5 has been excellent down to 2.9 gn.  The test weights are always right on.  I do have it covered and clean it every 300-500 rounds.  I replaced the large cap rotor for a small capacity.  A draft-free reloading station is necessary for weighing.
Dave