Beam scale /real eye opener.

[Lonewolf74]

I use an RCBS beam scale to verify all of my powder charges from my RCBS charge master.

This showed me that the charge master would drift or vary .2 grains but if I watch the beam scale very carefully I can get each charge with in a couple kernels of powder. I know this has been a big step in getting more consistent and better ES.

Now as far as repeatability of the beam scale I'm not positive on. I'm sure that each charge within a loading session should be very exact but I don't know how exact it is from one day to the next. So for example during a session my charge weight is 44.1 and I'm confidant i get each charge within a half tenth of that. But the next time I zero the scale and reload I'm still confident each charge is within half a tenth but it may be a tenth off (44.0 or 44.2) from the last batch.

I think a guy could account for this by having a test weight that you zero the scale to each time you use it instead of just setting the scale to zero but I could be wrong on that.

 

[Pdvdh]

Used a beam scale till ~5yrs ago. Now it collects dust. RCBS Chargemaster even for loading less than 10 cases.
If loading 50 or more pistol or .223 cases in one setting, the Chargemaster has the obvious advantage for convenience using the auto repeat setting.
But even for loading a couple cases at a time, I still use it manually placing powder in the scale pan.
There's multiple ways to ensure it doesn't drift or produce errant powder charges, IMO.

 

[coop2564]

I've found in cold temps my digital just needs a couple of minutes of warmup time. It does change about.1 or .2 from turn on to warm up but after that its on. Once warmed up and checking the two against each other they match.

 

[rscottb]

Just a nube here with his half cents of experience. My 1st digital scale was terrible, bought a Lyman 2000 and this was slightly better. Bought a Chargemaster 1500 and have been very happy. Recently bought a used RCBS 10 10 to get a bit a balance beam scale experience and to verify my Chargemaster stays consistent. I find if I always use my weights to zero out the scale and routinely hit the zero button on my Chargemaster, I am very consistent. These scales stays in my home office with consistent temps, which is much better than the temperature variables in the garage.

 

[J E Custom]

Mine is about 40 years old, but it is tan or beige in color. It has a clear front cover that slides over the front of the scale. I haven't seen them for sale in years, but I think similar ones are sold by RCBS now, and probably green.

Still can't find where the "dome oil" goes ; )

You have a Ohaus 1010 beam scale and there is no oil needed.

It has a magnetic dampening system and it is rare for this scale to give problems. I have had mine for over 50 years and it still zeros with the weight furnished when I bought it. RCBS makes this scale now and it should be just as good/accurate (It is important to check every scale every time you use it with the calibration weights).

J E CUSTOM

 

[Laelkhunter]

Thanks J E. I didn't think it had to have the oil dampening, that's why I put the "wink and a smile" after the "Can't find where the oil goes". The scale is so accurate and never given me any trouble, so I don't care to move on to the electronic digital scales.
Most folks use the beam scale to verify the charges on their digital scales anyway, so I figure it's not worth the trouble or extra time.