Scales question - The Firearms Forum

ramdino · 01-29-2011, 04:07 PM

I have a rcbs balance scale that was passed down to me. It goes from 0-500 grains. Can I weight small grains like 22.5 grains for loads or do i need a smaller scale?

steve4102 · 01-29-2011, 04:45 PM

My 505 RCBS scale goes from 0-500 and I can accurately weight pistol powders down to 1.6gr. What model # is your scale?

noylj · 01-29-2011, 06:15 PM

If the balance weighs from 0-500 grains, then it must be able to weight 22.5gn. It will also weigh 2.0gn.

johnlives4christ · 01-29-2011, 06:20 PM

yes. it can weigh any charge up to the max which is should be 505 grains. obviously you're not familiar with scales, which is okay, everyone has to start somewhere. but my concern is... if you're not familiar with scales then you dont need to be loading ammo as scales are an integral part of, and probably the most important part of the loading process.

ramdino · 01-30-2011, 02:37 PM

Thats what I am working on, familiarity with scales. I figured it out after I read the directions for the 505 scales at RCBS. My concern was that since my scales went over such a large spectrum of weights, that I would be better to get one that was closer to the weights I would be using to prevent a larger amount of variations between loads. I know I can use it, or I do now. I just want to be as acurrate as possible within reason. I am new so misrtakes of a .001 of a grain do not mean mush to me know but a mistake of 1.0 grain would.

johnlives4christ · 01-30-2011, 05:18 PM

i dont think you'll have a problem with the 505 measuring a smaller weight. they know that most reloaders will be measuring under 100 grains so they make the scale accurate over a broad range.

your scale wont measure down to .001 grains. now... depending on the cartridge .01 might be a big difference. when you're throwing 22 grains, unless you're real close to max, .01 wont make any difference in safety. it might make a difference in accuracy depending on the gun and load.

do you have, and have you read a loading manual?

ramdino · 01-30-2011, 10:06 PM

yep, i have a lyman brand new and two others that are older. Do you have another suggestion?

312shooter · 01-30-2011, 10:38 PM

For most pratical loading you won't need to be concerned with charge weights smaller than .5gr. You should have a scale weight check set to verify your scale accuracy,if all checks out with the check set you are good to go

noylj · 01-31-2011, 01:38 AM

It doesn't matter if you are loading for benchrest or trying for max velocity, reloading is a +/- 0.1 gn activity. It just doesn't matter.

woolleyworm · 01-31-2011, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noylj

It doesn't matter if you are loading for benchrest or trying for max velocity, reloading is a +/- 0.1 gn activity. It just doesn't matter.

+1.0 to that

johnlives4christ · 01-31-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramdino

yep, i have a lyman brand new and two others that are older. Do you have another suggestion?

no sir

hunterfisher · 01-31-2011, 09:02 AM

I use an electric scale. But I purchased the, LEE,'' Powrer Safety Scale,'' so that during my reloading I can keep checking my elec. scale against it. Heck, for $20 it's well worth it.

Orin · 01-31-2011, 11:23 AM

Your scale likely has 3 poises which establish increments... 10, single & tenth grains, starting at the big one up front. For 22. grns set the front to 20 grns, the middle poise to 2 grns & the little one at the rear to whatever tenths. All this AFTER zeroing the scale with the hopper attached. Test to see how freely the scale swings cuz you'll probly hafta learn to "play with it" & let it go to zero from high & low. Its a good idea to test a new scale with test wieghts, which are cheap, to ensure that its dead-on. Take yer time. No hurry. Craftsmanship adds to life's worth but takes time.

01-29-2011, 04:07 PM	#1
ramdino Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 12	Scales question I have a rcbs balance scale that was passed down to me. It goes from 0-500 grains. Can I weight small grains like 22.5 grains for loads or do i need a smaller scale? __________________ Romans 8:28 -->

01-29-2011, 04:45 PM	#2
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: Scales question My 505 RCBS scale goes from 0-500 and I can accurately weight pistol powders down to 1.6gr. What model # is your scale?

01-29-2011, 06:15 PM	#3
noylj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 113	Re: Scales question If the balance weighs from 0-500 grains, then it must be able to weight 22.5gn. It will also weigh 2.0gn.

01-29-2011, 06:20 PM	#4
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Scales question yes. it can weigh any charge up to the max which is should be 505 grains. obviously you're not familiar with scales, which is okay, everyone has to start somewhere. but my concern is... if you're not familiar with scales then you dont need to be loading ammo as scales are an integral part of, and probably the most important part of the loading process.

01-30-2011, 02:37 PM	#5
ramdino Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 12	Re: Scales question Thats what I am working on, familiarity with scales. I figured it out after I read the directions for the 505 scales at RCBS. My concern was that since my scales went over such a large spectrum of weights, that I would be better to get one that was closer to the weights I would be using to prevent a larger amount of variations between loads. I know I can use it, or I do now. I just want to be as acurrate as possible within reason. I am new so misrtakes of a .001 of a grain do not mean mush to me know but a mistake of 1.0 grain would. __________________ Romans 8:28

01-30-2011, 05:18 PM	#6
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Scales question i dont think you'll have a problem with the 505 measuring a smaller weight. they know that most reloaders will be measuring under 100 grains so they make the scale accurate over a broad range. your scale wont measure down to .001 grains. now... depending on the cartridge .01 might be a big difference. when you're throwing 22 grains, unless you're real close to max, .01 wont make any difference in safety. it might make a difference in accuracy depending on the gun and load. do you have, and have you read a loading manual?

01-30-2011, 10:06 PM	#7
ramdino Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 12	Re: Scales question yep, i have a lyman brand new and two others that are older. Do you have another suggestion? __________________ Romans 8:28

01-30-2011, 10:38 PM	#8
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Scales question For most pratical loading you won't need to be concerned with charge weights smaller than .5gr. You should have a scale weight check set to verify your scale accuracy,if all checks out with the check set you are good to go __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

01-31-2011, 01:38 AM	#9
noylj V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 113	Re: Scales question It doesn't matter if you are loading for benchrest or trying for max velocity, reloading is a +/- 0.1 gn activity. It just doesn't matter.

01-31-2011, 09:02 AM	#12
hunterfisher V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 271	Re: Scales question I use an electric scale. But I purchased the, LEE,'' Powrer Safety Scale,'' so that during my reloading I can keep checking my elec. scale against it. Heck, for $20 it's well worth it.

01-31-2011, 11:23 AM	#13
Orin V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 109	Re: Scales question Your scale likely has 3 poises which establish increments... 10, single & tenth grains, starting at the big one up front. For 22. grns set the front to 20 grns, the middle poise to 2 grns & the little one at the rear to whatever tenths. All this AFTER zeroing the scale with the hopper attached. Test to see how freely the scale swings cuz you'll probly hafta learn to "play with it" & let it go to zero from high & low. Its a good idea to test a new scale with test wieghts, which are cheap, to ensure that its dead-on. Take yer time. No hurry. Craftsmanship adds to life's worth but takes time.