RCBS Beam Scales

Just now getting back into reloading after a twenty-year hiatus.  I unpacked my old gear, noticing my trusty RCBS scales is a Model 5-0-5.  Is anybody still using that model for bullseye (.45 & .38 wad) or are the Model 10-10 and Lyman M5 more common among basic beam scales?  Also, is Scott Parker still in the business of tuning scales and is worth sending a 10-10 or M5 to have it tuned?
Cheers,
Carl

Scott Parker is still doing scale tuning. He can be found in the reloading forum at 6mmbr.com. He generally likes the older US built balances so yours should do fine.

That's great. Thanks!

I bought a Lyman Ohaus M5 based on Scott's advice.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/scott-parker/

Scott Parker
vld223@yahoo.com
(661) 364-1199.

Looks like I'll be seeking a 10-10 or M5, as the 5-0-5 scale is not worth/capable of accurizing!

I have several balance beam scales, including the 5-0-5.  As long as you have a set of check weights to verify the accuracy, you should be good to go.

That's good to know and it makes sense!  Do you have a source for check weights?

BEA wrote:I have several balance beam scales, including the 5-0-5.  As long as you have a set of check weights to verify the accuracy, you should be good to go.

+1.   I use the 5-0-5 scale both for personal use and in the reloading course I teach.

Don

The older all-metal RCBS 5-0-5 scale is an Ohaus product and (IMO) the best type of scale for the job.  Opinions vary.  It will certainly maintain the +/- 0.1 grain accuracy of a beam scale. 

I have read, but have not extensively measured, that CCI large pistol (300) primers weigh 4.6 grains.  I've generally compared charge loads between more than one beam scale (I sometimes get carried away with my measurements).  Since I have many thousands of CCI 300 primers, those seem like a good choice for a standard and are fairly close in weight to the powder charge used for 45 acp.


Edit: I did some measurements with the CCI 300 large pistol primers and they measure 4.6 grains using my Dillon Eliminator (Ohaus Beam) scale and my Redding #2 beam scale.  Both scales are good to +/- 0.1 grain accuracy and give the same measurement for separate primers.  CCI has good quality control.

Tip: Use a U.S. dime as a check weight.   They weigh 35 grains on the button.

Don

5-0-5 here.  No adjustments needed with my checkweights until I approach 50 gr which I never will.  The scale choice was just good luck as it came with the Rockchucker kit in 2014.

I'm definitely enlightened now about the merits of the 5-0-5.  Many thanks guys!

RCBS offers a set of checks wts.  They are very handy as they include a variety of wts.

While you don't need all this sensitivity for pistol loading I bought a Redding #2 that was tuned by Scott. He stated that the Redding is the most sensitive of the 505 grain balances.

I have a set of Lyman check weights which includes two 20 grain weights.  Interestingly they are not the same!   

What I learned is that it pays to test all your check weights against each other since occasionally a bad one gets shipped.  I can see that once the scale is zeroed, all test weights match except the one 20 grain which is "light".

I don't intend to start a debate on the best type scale to use, since it depends on one's needs.  I mainly use an old Redding beam, but I did purchase a Gem20, a remarkably cheap top-loading pan balance that, when calibrated against laboratory-grade weights measured within 0.05%.  Calibration against accurate weights is essential.  I just weighed 4 new pennies and they varied by several tenths of a grain.