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jmak · Bearcat Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 6

I purchased a used RCBS 505 scale a while back and wanted to know if there is a way to check the accuracy for 10 -15 grains of powder? I know they sell check weights but I don't really want to spend $25.00 to get a set. It is the only scale I own.

Thanks,
jmak

sourdough44 · Single-Sixer Joined: 08 Mar 2010 Posts: 164 Location: WI

Check it with a lightweight bullet of a known weight. A 45-50 grain 22 bullet will do.

pvtschultz · Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject:

Maybe you could get a jewler or someone with a delicate scale to weigh something for you that is in the neighborhood of what you are looking for and convert it to grains.
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Carl R. Schultz
www.privatescustomgrips.com

Arisin' Wind · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:05 am Post subject:

Use coins. They have set weights.

A nickle weighs 5 gms.

sixshot · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:07 pm Post subject:

Weigh some pennies, they are very close to 38.58 grains, you'll be surprised.

Dick

dg101win · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:04 pm Post subject:

I always found that Sierra Bullets are within a few 1/10ths of published weight.
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jmak · Bearcat Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 6

I looked at using coins but ended up getting a good deal on some check weights (grams) on ebay, $18.00 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PRECISION-SCALE-...item3c9b04b486

Thanks,
jmak

GP100man · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:57 am Post subject:

Good deal on the check weights !!!

A peice of note book paper cut on the lines, squared weighs .1 gr.
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GP100man

The Only Thing That Limits A Man Is His Imagination!!

Rick Courtright · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Ok, guys, throw rocks (of whatever weight) at me if you wish for saying this, but here's what an old timer told me early in my reloading adventures:

"If you can't afford a set of check weights, you can't afford to reload!"

I 'spose one could interpret that at least a couple of ways.

All I can say for sure is even though I ignored his advice for quite a few years before getting a set, mine have cost me an average of under $1/yr so far (or as low as 2 cents per use back when I loaded, AND checked the scale, weekly!), and as long as gravity keeps working, so will they. Which makes their amortized cost continue to go down...

In time, they've become one of the least expensive pieces of equipment I have, so maybe the ol' boy was right!

Rick C

sceva · Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:58 am Post subject:

get some steel balls ( from bearings ) of various diameters. Carbon steel of the various alloys has a fairly consistent weight of 0.283 - 0.284 pound / cubic inch per the Machinist handbook. There was also an article to this effect in the Sept - Oct 1986 Handloader magazine that used the ratio od 1,974 grain per cubic inch. There is a chart there for various sized balls.
I calculated the theoretical weight in grains for various sized steel balls then checked my Redding powder scale with them. Worked well.

.09375 ball = 0.851649 grains calculated

.125 ball = 2.019402 grains calculated

.1875 ball = 6.813192 grains calculated

.250 ball = 16.14979 grains calculated

.3125 ball = 31.54255 grains calculated

.375 ball = 54.50553 grains calculated

.500 ball = 129.1983 grains calculated

I hope this helped
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Sceva

WESHOOT2 · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:26 am Post subject:

I'm sorry; $25 for check weight set (I use the Lyman) is like wearing safety glasses and ear protection when shooting: Mandatory.
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"all my ammo is mostly-retired factory ammo"