Just loaded some 50 pcs. .223 using a RCBS 502 balance beam checked against an RCBS electronic scale-- mfg'd by PACT I hear. Measured each charge and topped off in the balance beam with a trickler . . . good lighting and beam at eye level so the witness marks aligned accurately.

Running 26.0 gr. on the beam, the electronic scale varied readout from 26.0 to 26.2 gr. I trust the beam. I'm not crazy about the electronics. Seems the electronic finally settled down to measure a consistent 26.1 after about an hour of "warm-up."

RCBS notes that you need to let the system warm up and settle down for maybe 20 min.

I'm working in a shop with no fans or drafts. Heat is constant. The electronic scale is sitting on a bench independent of the press and other disturbances.

I think they're probably fine once they warm up, but the balance beam is precise all the time, and you can see variations less than 0.10 gr. I pick the balance beam for precision loads. Using the electronic to weigh brass and bullets for variation.

-- and letting it warm up for about 30 minutes.

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PowderBurns Black Powder / Muzzle Loading Forum:

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Don't know which model you have, but I have the pro scale from RCBS and it doesn't seem to have to have a warm up time and is right on the money - I use mostly ball type powder and a little stick powder and use it with the electronic dispenser. All I can say they work great for me!

I reload in batches of several hundred to 1,000 at a time on a Dillon 550B. I use a PACT electronic scale to set my powder measure. My particular PACT requires little, if any, warm up time. It is accurate for that purpose, plus weighing bullets, cases and other things. I have found ammunition loaded with thrown charges to just as accurate as ammunition using weighed ones and it takes a lot less time to load. So, I guess what I am saying is while I have nothing against balance beam scales, I have no use for one.

PB -
I also use an electronic scale (Lyman LE-500) and an RCBS 502. Use the electronic to adjust the measure setting, then weigh the charges on the beam scale. Works good for me. One nice thing about using the two scale method is as a check on each other to reduce the chances of, for instance, a 44 grain load becoming a 49 grain load by getting the beam poise in the wrong notch. If you're loading, say, 46 grains of 4064 with a 150 grain bullet in a .308, and your next load to try is 44 grains of the same powder and a 165 grain bullet, it's easy to move the main poise up to the 45 grain notch and forget to move the smaller grain/tenths poise to its proper spot, and end up with 49 grains instead of 44. If you're checking one against the other, the electronic scale will let you know in a hurry.
Also, if you're trickling the powder, it's easier to anticipate when to stop with the beam scale, in my experience.
That 26 grain/50/.223 load you mentioned - what powder are you using? I've been getting some great groups with 26 Accurate 2230-C and Nosler 50 B-Tips.
R-WEST

Load is 26.0 Varget with a Sierra Match King 69 gr. BTHP. Trimming the case to 1.760" and OAL of 2.415". Fire formed/neck sized brass.

Shooting in a Rem. 700 Police Sharp Shooter. The Police model has a long throat for the heavier bullet. Doesn't shoot the 55 gr. very well . . . I get 2" groups at 100 yds. with 55 gr. and .5" with 69" -- measured edge to edge of the holes.

Electronic scale is a RCBS Powder Pro. Electronic is OK except there's that "digital divide" between .0 gr. and .1" where you can add a granule or two of powder and not get any reading on the scale. The beam will move if you add a flake to the pan.

If you're loading a zillion rounds an hour in a Dillon 550 then electro is the route to go. But I'm spending 15 maybe 20 minutes preparing one case. Last lot of 50 I loaded took me about 5 hrs. -- But then we're working on the coveted "200 yd. bug hole."

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PowderBurns Black Powder / Muzzle Loading Forum:

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Powderburns -- I use all of them. I have a Lyman autoscale electronic set up for one powder and a RCBS electronic set up for another powder, and a balance beam set for anything I don't have in the two electronics. When you shoot a lot and use large amounts of the same powder it is handy to use this way. The RCBS has to be calibrated with each use, the Lyman does not. Good Shooting.

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Powder Burns,

I have a Denver Instrument's electronic scale. I have owned it since 1989. It is accurate to +/- -0.01 grains. I have not turned it off since I bought it twelve years ago.

I would not go back to a beam scale. This electronic scale is far more accurate. It came with a calibration weight, which I use every time I do any loading, and it is much faster than a beam scale.

Good Hunting !