checking scale

T

tnshootist

New member
Of those with more than one powder scale have you compared them to see if they weigh the same. Another question. How many like electronic and how many like beam.
 
I've never used an electronic scale, John, but have a very old Redding and a much newer RCBS beam scale. Don't have weights but they weigh within .1 gr. of each other using a 55 gr. NBT.
The Redding shows bullet weight of 55.2 and RCBS shows 55.1.

May not be exact but close enough for govt. work.
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Regards,
hm
 
I started with the trusty beam scale from dillon. Than tried upgrading to a hornady e scale and hated the little thing. Turned off after 10 seconds and couldnt guarantee it would hold zero. Than got a hornady lock n load powder dispenser and 15 minutes warm up time and did not work great with extruded powders which is most of what i use. all three would read different no matter how much you calibrate and rezero. I trust beam the best, my 2 cents.
 
I have a electronic scale that has weights with it to check calibration. And I have known weight to check as well. I also have a beam scale. I found the beam scale to weigh .6 light every time. In load development if you start low and work up that would not be a problem if pressure signs were noticed as they increase. If loading a high pressure low volume case and the reloader started near max he might get higher pressures than he was expecting. We all expect loads and pressure signs to differ from rifle to rifle. My load could be to hot for your rifle. I wonder if my scale might be different from your scale causing the variance in some cases.
 
Really like my older RCBS 10-10. It's now the only scale I use. I've tried a few digitals over the years but they drove me mad. I suppose I'm a little fussy. I trust my RCBS implicitly.
 
I've had a Pact Precision since they were first introduced in 1994. Pact was the first electronic for reloaders. I wouldn't load without one. My RCBS 5-10 balance beam is in a drawer for emergency but hasn't been used. Bought a Gem Pro 250 last year just for a backup plus the Gem Pro is accurate to .02 grains resolution while the Pact Precision is accurate to .1 grains. I highly recommend a scale check weight set. I have compared weighing the check weights on both the Pact and Gem Pro 250. Both are accurate enough for precision rifle loads but while for instance the 50 grain check weight in my set shows 50 grains on the Pact, it is about 1/2 of one-tenth off on the Gem Pro. Other check weights are exact in my set. The Gem Pro while extremely accurate is touchy and for my needs the Pact which is within 1/10 grain is faster. I wouldn't bother with some of the tiny inexpensive scales but would recommend an electronic scale such as Dillon's d-terminator, Pact's Precision, or Lyman's or RCBS versions. I understand Pact makes at least some models for RCBS?? For reloading I find that a scale that will weigh 1500 grains max is useful for measuring some heavy loaded rounds, heavy 50 bmg bullets, etc. I used my RCBS 5-10 for a few years and trusted its accuracy but prefer electronics especially if you load a lot, weigh cases, weigh bullets, or weigh loaded rounds. Hard to weigh bullets and cases on a beam scale but sit it on the platen of an electronic scale and it gives you an instant reading.
 
I gave my RCBS beam scale to a young man who was starting to load. I use a RCBS e scale almost all the time. I had no idea beam scales had got so high compared to when I got the one I gave away. I like to have one around.
 
I started out with a hornady beam scale and then was given a hornady digital and finally got a RCBS charge master. I gave the beam scale to a buddy and was checking the 2 digital scale and they were with in .1 of a grain. Then I started to loose faith in the hornady digital scale so I picked up a Dillon and use it for checking against my charge master during load development. I have had very good luck with the charge master throwing extruded powders with the straw modification. I won't load with out my charge master.
 


I have used an electronic scale for the past five years with no problems.
Of course I use my RCBS check weights each time I load.
 
There's not much to go wrong with a beam scale, short of driving over it with your car. It will 'weigh' the same anywhere on earth, even on the moon. Once you know it's labeled correctly it will never change.

Electronics are nifty, but a lot more that can go wrong with them. It would likely be worthwhile to have a simple one as a backup just in case.
 
I've checked a 505 vs chargemaster, vs gempro, vs sartorious.
They all had different weights, although the latter two were very close and had the best repeatability.
They were all within .2 grains. The (my) chargemaster had the most variance and was on avg .1 lighter then the others.
I use the chargemaster initially, then trickle up on the 505 now. I loved the sartorious but it was borrowed and the gem pro is just too slow.

side note..
The 505 has been balanced and cleaned up a bit so it is more repeatable then out of the box.
 
I have bought two beam scales recently and neither one of them are very good. If a fellow is going to go to the trouble of weighing charges to the tenth it would be good if the scale was dependable.
 
What did you buy? Personally, I much prefer beam scales. I can't say completely why, but I find the lack of reliance on unseen electronics comforting. A number of folks I know have complainer about electronic scales drifting. I have an older RCBS 1010, a Lee, and a set of RCBS check weights. Both scales will weigh within .1 grain of the check weight(s). The Lee is just a LOT more fiddly.
 
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I think I need to get a set of rcbs. Had some for a long time and they were good. I don't want to bad mouth a brand so I won't say what I do have. One set is.6 off and the other weighs different almost every time with the check weights. I may be to particular but they are scales. They are supposed to be repeatable and within a tenth. Not the end of the world but is aggravating.
 
You've probably heard of him, but if not, look up Scott Parker. I haven't used his services, but I read some extraordinary things about them. I talked to him a year or so ago and he was tuning and selling new RCBS 505s.
 
He doesn't do the new rcbs units, says they are untunable.
Tnshootist,
I only have experience with the rcbs so I don't know if this is applicable to you or not.
Is there a way to open up the scale pan hanger? A screw maybe?
If so, you can open it up and add weight to it to bring it up .6. Add small pieces of solder to the pan until you get your desired weight, then put the pieces into the cavity.
Make sure the agates are centered and the knife edges on the beam are sharp and clean. I cleaned them up with a hone and 2k grit carbide paper. I polished the two points of contact on the hanger as well but not sure if it helps or not. It's not going to make it a lot more accurate but it does help with repeatability
 
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One has to remember that digital scales can be effected by
electric motors, florescent lights, some cell phones, etc. My
problems ended after installing LED shop lights and moving the
scale far away from a freezer.

I have a real odd-couple, a Chargemaster and a Lyman 500 balance
beam for checking. So far, after a year of marriage of these
couple, the Lyman has been right there with the RCBS CM with
any and all checking....well within .1gr...happy, happy, happy!
 
I started with a lyman balance scale many, many years ago, while reloading shotshells. It only went to 500grains so I up-graded to a RCBS 10-10 balanced. It is a very good scale that I trust and check everything else with.

I currently use a midway digital scale that works well, but it needs a warm up time, that my balance beam doesn't
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Pretty sure I have a Chargemaster in future, reviews on it are very encouraging.

Pro vs cons (IMHO)
Elect Pros:
an exact number (clear reading)
fast (after warm up time)
fast zero check

Elect Cons
Lower certainly (less trust)
Powered (find batteries or an outlet) no outlets if I take it to the my range
warm time likely on most units.
Susceptible to electronic noise

Balance Pro
It works
works with out power
high confidence
No drift in readings
Works great around electronics

Balance Cons
Slower to setup
slower
harder to zero.

YMMV
 
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