Reeder Custom Guns - Reloading question.

First: I have two methods of measuring powder for a charge. An electronic Lyman Accu-touch 2000 Scale, the other is a new Hornady Balance Beam Scale.
Second: I have a bunch of .357 magnum brass to reload. I want to use a charge of 15.5 grains of H110 start and also load some 15.8 grains and do not intend to go near the max charge of 16.7 grains of H110. Hodgdon has a start load of 15 grains and a max of 16.7 on their website for both H110 and W296.

The question I have is which is most accurate? The balance beam (the weights are really near the zero on the beam) or the electronic scale. I note that there is at least .1 to .2 grains difference between the balance beam and the electronic scale. What would you use to load these .357 magnum loads?

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Depending on the bullet that max is likely a compressed load or close. I once cracked a SBH cylinder with a too light W296 load! It makes the pressure curve do odd things.

A few tenths is nothing with that slow powder, either way. The old LEE dippers we used in the old days could be 1/2 grain off, usually lighter. Your technique was everything, and the variable. We never knew or cared. Bullseye and loading a .25 ACP or .32 maybe 0.3-0.4 could cause trouble.

Get some rounds under your belt and you'll be an old salt in no time. Starting out it's best to do smaller batches and test. Find the sweet load and then bulk up.

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Larry,

When you say the beam is near zero what do you mean? Do you have calibration weights to use and see which scale is the most accurate? I have a cheap 505 beam scale that came in a kit with a rcbs press and it's small and takes a while to stop moving when I weigh something. I have been looking at trying to get an Ohaus 10-10 or an electronic scale myself but keep hearing there are accuracy issues with the electronic scales. I'd order some calibration weights and see which one is accurate.

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For me anyway.
The electronic scale is much more sensitive to wind, any small breeze will have an effect (ceiling fans must be off, A/C off). Static electricity can also have an effect. The new electronic scales are faster than the older ones, but you still need to give them a few seconds to settle in to a reading. When zeroing the electronic scale, it takes a few seconds also, for the scale to settle.
The accuracy of the electronic scales is usually plus or minus .1 of a grain, so you wont know for certain what the charge is “exactly”, but your powder is not exactly the same H110 as the test powder that the book used either. Working up loads with a chronograph is the safest way to get close to your reloading guide.
I calibrate my electronic scale often, i weigh every charge most of the time, so i try to eliminate any variables, and it works for me.
You probably knew most of this already ( except how anal i am about weighing charges), but a reminder helps sometimes. I hope this helps answer your question.

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so to "warm up" and really be consistent. But to much quicker than a beam type scale. When I first switched I used to compare them all the time, but finally quit worrying...

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I loaded a bunch of mid-range handgun loads. Half of them I loaded using a powder dipper and half I loaded weighing each charge and keeping them as close to the same as I could.

I was as careful as I could to dip each powder charge the same way... just as I was careful to weigh each charge as close as possible.

Then I went and shot groups at 25 yards.

Averaging all the groups, the loads that I dipped the powder charges, I shot more accurately than the ones I weighed.

What did it prove? Probably not much of anything. But I got a lot of shooting done!

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SUCH A MINUTE DIFFERENCE WHEN LOADING STANDARD LEVEL .357 MAGNUMS??

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GNR handloads. I have never reloaded a .357 magnum and want to be sure and not do something stupid, especially when I can come on here and be stupid and not blow up my gun! I have calibrated my electronic measure with a 260 grain accubond .375 caliber and have a few tenths of a grain difference between the electronic and beam balance scales. Since I do not know if a few tenths of a grain can make that much of a difference in the high pressure magnum loads, I wanted to be sure that I had a warm fuzzy before proceeding.

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I started this about 5 years ago. I was getting a new 45 colt load for hunting. Loaded the scale and got my weight I wanted then flipped it to metric. It measures an extra decimal. I loaded all six that way. They were very accurate with a SD of only 3 fps. This is how I start all my new loads. Yes, I have some OCD tendencies.

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had any problems. I set my weight charge on one of my Dillons and start loading. I try to stay away from most flake powders as static electricity seems to effect them more than other powders. Plus I check every 9753rd round for accuracy.

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UNTIL I GOT ONE. HAVEN'T BEEN WITHOUT ONE FOR AT LEAST 30 YEARS. USE BOTH RCBS AND LYMAN.

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Reloading question.

Actually the light charge is more flightly than heavy.

Scale accuracy

A little learning curve with electronic scales

I have a Hornady and it seems to take 5 min or

Many years ago ...

Have you tried recalibrating the electronic scale?

Yes with both a bullet and the provided weight.

WHY BE CONCERNED WITH

Because I am used to rifle loads and

I use a digital electronic measurer.

I use a RCBS electronic scale and have never

I NEVER WANTED AN ELECTRONIC SCALE