Which do you all find more accurate, weighing on a beam type scale and dialing in a measurer such as the Harrell. Or doing both with the electronic measurer and scale such as the Pact2. All or atleast most my reloading will be done at home. What's your all thoughts?

Phil

P.S. Hope you all don't mind my questions. I would like to set up a good bench for about a $1,000 excluding dies and the misc., but would like that also to include a chronograph.

I use both a Harrell and the RCBS auto thrower - however I weigh every charge with an RCBS 301 beam scale

There are two schools of thought on throwing powder - 1. By Weight, 2. By Volume. The ONLY way to determine which is more accurate is to shoot across a good chronograph and measure velocity standard deviations. Generally speaking - If you can keep your velocity SDs in the single digit range, your powder throws are accurate. (Other factors like barrel fouling, variances in case volume, etc. can also effect your SDs)

I always throw by weight because I generally use stick powder. Stick powder is difficult to throw consistently by either volume or weight. To maintain consistency, I use the weight method when throwing rifle powders. I use the volume method when throwing ball powder for handguns.

[This message has been edited by Zero Drift (edited 11-27-2001).]

Grey ghost; I have used a Lyman autoscale for a few years now. It works pretty good.
It has a balance beam with a coarse feed and a fine feed. the feed is adjustable, I have use it with all types of powder ( even flake at 3.5grs for a 38 sp. load).. It is consistent but a little slow compared to powder throwers. I seat the bullet while the scale is weighing the next load, this keeps me from waiting . I have mine set on the back of my bench at eye level this helps with the setup. I looked at the pac scale before I got the autoscale and thought the balance beam to be better, it can still be used as a scale if you need to.
Dave

Greyghost,
IMHO forget about an electronic scale. A high quality beam scale will have more consistency than an electronic scale. I have a Dillion Determinator and PACT BBK. Both suck in comparison to my Redding No. 2. But this only my experience; not indicative of the general consensus. If your just starting I think a beam type scale will will give you less margin for error than an electronic gizzi, which can and do lose their zero.
If you are planning to get in the door for about 1K you should check out Redding's Boss Pro Pak. For about 2 bills(from Grafs) you get a Boss press, scale, trickler, 1 set of dies, brass prep tools. I think for another Benjamin Grafs will add a Redding powder measure and case trimmer. With this your ready for just about any handloading task. Not to sound like a Redding Sales person, I'm not, but every one of their products I own are damn fine. Much better quality(IMHO) than the other company that makes green presses.
So for the Bass Pak and an Oehler 35P chronograph your at about $550. Gives you a little Play money left!

www.grafs.com

You ask which is the more accurate, a beam scale or a powder volume measurer.

Both may well have the facility for adjustment & calibration and my personal view of volume dispensers is that it's very difficult to verify the accurate measure of what's coming out, whereas at least with a beam scale you can put a verified weight in the pan.

Having said that I use both, check zeroing the beam scale at the start of a session, ensuring that what then comes through the dispenser is mathematically correct for its weight.

Depending on what I'm loading for, and which powder I'm using, I may still weigh every load.

------------------
tikka 3 barrels

If I use ball powder I set up my throwers with a beam scale and go to town. If I am using IMR I weigh every charge.

Greyghost,

I use the Pact powder dispenser and scale to "throw" the charges and then double check them on my Redding balance beam. I discard the charges that do not meet my standards.

Works pretty well.....

mike

------------------
NRA Life Member

America, Love it or LEAVE IT!

Don't forget if you get a beam type measure, you should get a set of check weights. These will varify that your scale is giving you a proper measure. They are not expensive and are worth the money. luck hotdog

Sinclair has an electric trickler called the "vibrashine". Its really fun and ez.
It cost's $19.00. Once you get "in rythem" you will be able to make loads fast with a balance beam scale. I have an electric scale and it is not trustworthy till it's warmed up--(about 20 min). I do real well with a rcbs thrower with the micrometer adjuster, the vibrashine trickler, and a basic balance beam scale. It might not be the best if I was going prairie dog hunting but, for your basic 30-06, 7mm mag, 300 wby loadings I feel I can throw within a kernal or two on every charge!!