Too much information you gave, but it's all good for a complete understanding. In Pharmacy (I'm a registered Pharmacist) , compounding hormonal or thyroid preparations and many others have active ingredients measured in milligrams, requiring a digital scale, with sliding/closing windows block air disturbances. In other Pharmacy applications , balance scales are quite adequate. Balance scales in our application here, is most adequate. SAVE YOUR MONEY, and use the tried and true balance scale. Lucky for me that I have my old Pharmacy balance scale (here too is a closing lid to block air flows) in reserve. Most accurate for our purposes. Great explanation- thanks for this video.
...bought one of these as part of the RCBS Ammo Crafters kit (paid IIRC $43 for it in 1972 ) - bought it along with a Rock Chucker press through the Illesheim Rod & Gun club when I was stationed in Germany (Nov '71 - Jul '74)...still have and it's my gold standard...don't see this anywhere...anymore...
Reloaders should be reminded that 30 degrees temp difference could have more effect than several grains. Could be a lot more yet with some powders. So don't develop loads when it's cold then take 'em out in the summer. And never let them set in the sun, in a vehicle especially. Also it looks like Ohaus is still in business.
totallyjonesin - Good points. An exception though was when we shot competition trap, we often put the shells we were about to use on the dashboard of our cars to warm in the sun - in that application, it was a good idea - not as good in other applications as you have referenced. And also IMR 8208XBR powder has the nice feature of not being affected by temperature changes as other powders. (And TiteGroup powder is less position sensitive, CFE powders reduce copper fouling, etc) Your comments could apply to a fair number of videos on like subjects. Have a great day, FC Steve
Thanks FortuneCookie for your efforts in a set of great clips, responsible efficient, and practical tips, well done. watching this video i was wondering if your older set of balance scales which were misbehaving, may have worn balance points or some dust or some contaminant interfering with its free movement, just a thought, i had something like this happening with my RCBS set a while back, once i cleaned it out its been perfect. Just a thought, good luck and happy reloading.
Linden Mansfield - Thanks for the fine comment...interesting that my MO for using the Ohaus was that I left it out on my reloading bench for 5 years of use, covered with a clean rag when not in use. I'll check out the little bearings when I get home tonight. That Ohaus was stored away at my mom's house for like the near side of 40 years - I only recovered it recently while cleaning out some of my old stuff. It's still practically new in appearance - a blast from the past..!! When it started doing weirdness, I got the RCBS, but got into the habit of putting it back in the box when not in use...That RCBS is still being used. Have a great day, FC
great video and I have the RCBS 505 scales and mine work exactly like yours and I purchased it new 3 years ago. Should I upgrade to a digital one also?
Only you can answer that question. Think about how you use the scale, me I just use them to verify every 5th charge for the first 25 rounds after that I rarely touch the scale. But sometimes I want a very accurate load so I use my balance beam for every charge. Hope this helps.
Scott Morgan - Great question, Scott. Some feel that the balance beam scales are our most accurate devices for powder measurement - taking the weighings thus obtained as actual. However, there are problems with any of our scales 1) they have 1/10th grain error built in no matter how they zero 2) they can lose calibration and error greater than 1/10th grain can result. You have a quality instrument there that will patiently serve your needs over a lifetime of reloading. Sure, you can obtain a digital unit along the way, and many will do that - the digital scales are convenient and faster in use. All of our powder measuring devices are designed to be accurate within 1/10th of a grain of "true". Even our check weights may not be "true" as there can be corrosion or presence of oil, residue, even air movement, etc. Ideally, we would have our check weights calibrated on a regular basis and kept spotlessly clean. Also does not hurt to have more than one scale so that they can be compared to each other. So if you obtain another scale digital or otherwise, it would be good. Best Regards to you, FC
Hi FC, just wondering what your opinion of the Lee Precision Safety Scale is? I have been using a cheapo Frankford Arsenal digital and I have lost all faith in it. It jumps around so much. My reloading kit came with the safety scale but it's kind of a pain to use. I know how, but it's kind of tedious. That being said, if it's more reliable and accurate, then I'm switching to a beam scale, tedious or not. I'm just not sure if I should get the RCBS 510 or stick with my Lee.
aaronsabin - I have two balance beams myself, along with three electronics - it's good to be able to calibrate them against knows as well as against each other. A set of check weights is always good to give us faith in our scales. I have several check weights. Best to ya, FC Steve
Cookie, what is your take on the Hornady Lock N Load automatic powder dispenser now that you have owned it for some time. Btw I have the same 5-10 scale that you have. It's been a faithful partner for many years. Dave.
ideamachineim Advice already taken. It's in the mail. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works. I mostly want it for extruded powder when loading .308 or 30.06 for service rifle. even some 5.56 as well. Thanks again ideamachineim. Dave.
I've owned a couple of digital scales and watched many videos on them. I don't trust them. In my experience the digital scales "float" too much, don't hold zero reliably and often take too long to display a weight. I think they're fine for pistol loads or plinking, but not for serious rifle accuracy. I think the RCBS M500 which Ohaus makes, given adequate care and attention, is probably the most reliable and easiest to use scale for the money. It seems slower and more crude than a digital display with black on white numbers, but would you rather trust gravity or Chinese electronics?
Thomas Herbert - That's my old Ohaus scale...it's really simple - was my first scale. The RCBS was an upgrade. As I recall, Ohaus made scales for other companies for a while. Best to ya, FC Steve
Too much information you gave, but it's all good for a complete understanding. In Pharmacy (I'm a registered Pharmacist) , compounding hormonal or thyroid preparations and many others have active ingredients measured in milligrams, requiring a digital scale, with sliding/closing windows block air disturbances. In other Pharmacy applications , balance scales are quite adequate. Balance scales in our application here, is most adequate. SAVE YOUR MONEY, and use the tried and true balance scale. Lucky for me that I have my old Pharmacy balance scale (here too is a closing lid to block air flows) in reserve. Most accurate for our purposes. Great explanation- thanks for this video.
I just picked up a used RCBS 5-10 at a gun show. Thank you for showing me how to use the round foot for zeroing the scale.
Thank very much for making this kind of video look to do match shooting so thanks again
...bought one of these as part of the RCBS Ammo Crafters kit (paid IIRC $43 for it in 1972 ) - bought it along with a Rock Chucker press through the Illesheim Rod & Gun club when I was stationed in Germany (Nov '71 - Jul '74)...still have and it's my gold standard...don't see this anywhere...anymore...
Thank you, great video
Nick J - Really appreciate you taking the time to post comment...means a lot to any YT poster anywhere... Best to ya, FC
great vid
Love my OH scale. Proper charges all the time.
Reloaders should be reminded that 30 degrees temp difference could have more effect than several grains. Could be a lot more yet with some powders. So don't develop loads when it's cold then take 'em out in the summer. And never let them set in the sun, in a vehicle especially. Also it looks like Ohaus is still in business.
totallyjonesin - Good points. An exception though was when we shot competition trap, we often put the shells we were about to use on the dashboard of our cars to warm in the sun - in that application, it was a good idea - not as good in other applications as you have referenced. And also IMR 8208XBR powder has the nice feature of not being affected by temperature changes as other powders. (And TiteGroup powder is less position sensitive, CFE powders reduce copper fouling, etc) Your comments could apply to a fair number of videos on like subjects. Have a great day, FC Steve
Thanks FortuneCookie for your efforts in a set of great clips, responsible efficient, and practical tips, well done. watching this video i was wondering if your older set of balance scales which were misbehaving, may have worn balance points or some dust or some contaminant interfering with its free movement, just a thought, i had something like this happening with my RCBS set a while back, once i cleaned it out its been perfect. Just a thought, good luck and happy reloading.
Linden Mansfield - Thanks for the fine comment...interesting that my MO for using the Ohaus was that I left it out on my reloading bench for 5 years of use, covered with a clean rag when not in use. I'll check out the little bearings when I get home tonight. That Ohaus was stored away at my mom's house for like the near side of 40 years - I only recovered it recently while cleaning out some of my old stuff. It's still practically new in appearance - a blast from the past..!! When it started doing weirdness, I got the RCBS, but got into the habit of putting it back in the box when not in use...That RCBS is still being used. Have a great day, FC
It's O-house. Haus is german for house and its pronounced in the same way as the english word.
I just purchased a Ohaus 3 beam scale new 6/15/2019
great video and I have the RCBS 505 scales and mine work exactly like yours and I purchased it new 3 years ago. Should I upgrade to a digital one also?
Only you can answer that question. Think about how you use the scale, me I just use them to verify every 5th charge for the first 25 rounds after that I rarely touch the scale. But sometimes I want a very accurate load so I use my balance beam for every charge. Hope this helps.
Scott Morgan - Great question, Scott. Some feel that the balance beam scales are our most accurate devices for powder measurement - taking the weighings thus obtained as actual. However, there are problems with any of our scales 1) they have 1/10th grain error built in no matter how they zero 2) they can lose calibration and error greater than 1/10th grain can result. You have a quality instrument there that will patiently serve your needs over a lifetime of reloading. Sure, you can obtain a digital unit along the way, and many will do that - the digital scales are convenient and faster in use. All of our powder measuring devices are designed to be accurate within 1/10th of a grain of "true". Even our check weights may not be "true" as there can be corrosion or presence of oil, residue, even air movement, etc. Ideally, we would have our check weights calibrated on a regular basis and kept spotlessly clean. Also does not hurt to have more than one scale so that they can be compared to each other. So if you obtain another scale digital or otherwise, it would be good. Best Regards to you, FC
Hi FC, just wondering what your opinion of the Lee Precision Safety Scale is? I have been using a cheapo Frankford Arsenal digital and I have lost all faith in it. It jumps around so much. My reloading kit came with the safety scale but it's kind of a pain to use. I
know how, but it's kind of tedious. That being said, if it's more reliable and accurate, then I'm switching to a beam scale, tedious or not. I'm just not sure if I should get the RCBS 510 or stick with my Lee.
aaronsabin - I have two balance beams myself, along with three electronics - it's good to be able to calibrate them against knows as well as against each other. A set of check weights is always good to give us faith in our scales. I have several check weights. Best to ya, FC Steve
Cookie, what is your take on the Hornady Lock N Load automatic powder dispenser now that you have owned it for some time. Btw I have the same 5-10 scale that you have. It's been a faithful partner for many years. Dave.
ideamachineim Advice already taken. It's in the mail. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works. I mostly want it for extruded powder when loading .308 or 30.06 for service rifle. even some 5.56 as well. Thanks again ideamachineim. Dave.
But (in the end) what if either of the beam scales was off by say 3/10ths of a grain. How would you recalibrate the scale to be correct?
Certified check weight set
Add or remove shot from the cup under the pan.
I've owned a couple of digital scales and watched many videos on them. I don't trust them. In my experience the digital scales "float" too much, don't hold zero reliably and often take too long to display a weight. I think they're fine for pistol loads or plinking, but not for serious rifle accuracy. I think the RCBS M500 which Ohaus makes, given adequate care and attention, is probably the most reliable and easiest to use scale for the money. It seems slower and more crude than a digital display with black on white numbers, but would you rather trust gravity or Chinese electronics?
Dude how do you zero it, thanks.
The tan scale in the back looks more like a 502. The 505 has 3 poises on it. I think.
Thomas Herbert - That's my old Ohaus scale...it's really simple - was my first scale. The RCBS was an upgrade. As I recall, Ohaus made scales for other companies for a while. Best to ya, FC Steve
Looks like Ohaus is alive and well in 2019.
whats up with your voice??
MisguidedBAR - I have a frog in my throat named Kermit... Ha, har - I kinda like that one... Have a great day, FC