Getting a RCBS 10-10 calibrated
- Thread starter nettle
- Start date
That is true.
Lone Hunter
Silver $$ Contributor
Why do you need to buy calibration weights when it comes with a 250gr weight
that you can use to check the scale.
that you can use to check the scale.
Balance can vary in their accuracy at different settings. In other words, they can be non-linear. For example, in the lighter weights, such as for pistol charges they can vary more than a higher charges for center fire rifle because the sensitivity can be less at the lower range.
So, it is effective to check throughout the range of use, for example, say your loads for all calibers that you load range from 10 to 60 grains. So, checking say at 10, 25, 40, and 60 might give you a better idea of your balance's accuracy throughout the intended range of use.
For hunting loads, I do believe this is significant however for ultra-precision shooting it may be a factor.
PS: I worked for a while in an analytical laboratory, and it was a common procedure to check analytical balances throughout their range of use.
I use Sierra match bullets to confirm accuracy of my scale. I try to use a bullet close the load I will be using.
Also accuracy and sensitivity are two different things.
Frank
Also accuracy and sensitivity are two different things.
Frank
Sorry if this is a thread highjack but over the winter I have gone down the beam scale rabbit hole trying to learn what I can about them. I have not been able to really find a definitive reason why the import (Mexico or China) scales are not worth the time to have tuned other than reading that they are not as high quality as the USA made scales. With that being said, I took the advice I found here and purchased an as new RCBS 5-0-2 scale which I thought or assumed, was USA made. Turns out the bottom of the box says MADE IN MEXICO. I also purchased the Lyman equivalent D5 which appears to have little use. No box with that so I'm not sure where it was made. The only other beam scale I have to compare it to is an RCBS 5-0-5 that I have been using for 25 years that came in my Rockchucker kit I started loading with. Box is long gone for that so I'm not sure where that one was made. I have cleaned all three scales and inspected the beam and knives with my 10x loupe. The notches in the beams appear fine with no burrs noted. The knives on all three seem to be nice with no burrs however I did touch up the 5-0-2 knives with a fine stone just for the sake of doing it and learning. The bearings on all three float nicely. The wire that the pan holder hangs from is centered on the knife and swings free on all three scales. For check weights, I simply use bullets. I also have an RCBS Chargemaster so I used it along with the three beam scales to cross check with all of them and have a 55gr Vmax, 75gr Vmax, 105gr Berger and 140gr Nosler that I set aside for my check weights. I went through several of each until I came up with an example I liked. All three of these beam scales seem quite accurate and repeatable varying less than a tenth grain. All three react to a single grain of Varget. So...are the foreign made scales just that hit and miss with quality that it's not worth taking a chance on them to have tuned or is it something else? Maybe I just got good ones? As a caveat, I am NOT a competitive benchrest shooter so my level of expected accuracy/precision is likely different than others. 
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
I had a new Chinese 10-10 long enough to test it, I gave it to my brother because I have three other balance beam scales. The build quality seemed quite high, and the only criticism that I had was that the damping took longer than id does with my USA made scales. Other than that it seemed fine. I did do a little tuning, but that was minor. As to linearity as long as one works with the same scale, given the limited range of weights used for any given cartridge, I do not think that it is a bit issue at all. If you want to take extra precautions, simply note what scale you used in your load data notes.
Mulligan
Silver $$ Contributor
Using electronic devices like your tablet to remove the possibility of parallax is significant to repeatability.
Nice work
CW
In my experience, RCBS scales made before about 2010 or so were all made in USA, all RCBS 5-10's were USA made as they were discontinued before RCBS/Ohaus went down the China/Mexico route. All Chinese made scales are hammer green except for the very recent ones starting to appear that are light grey.
All M500/M1000's are made in China. Blue Dillon Eliminator scale seem mostly to be made in Mexico.
The problem I have found with these scales is, the quality is very variable - True, some work just as well, and are as sensitive and accurate as any USA made scale, unfortunately there are a fair few duff ones among them. Many "run of the mill" reloaders will be quite happy with any of these scales, never verifying against proper checkweights, a 10th grain, give or take being well within their expectations.
However - as many discerning reloaders know, a good, reliable, repeatable beam scale is a joy to use and if coupled with a camera system can easily detect a single kernel of powder.
Another problem is that the scales often say "manufactured by ***, USA" cast in the base but only the cardboard box states where it was actually produced.
These are just my thoughts and observations of the scales that have been on my bench over the years.
This is the sort of thing I'm talking about that is often missed - Pan stirrup edge not square to the beam.
This scale will never repeat reliably.
Knife edge not set upright in the beam.
All M500/M1000's are made in China. Blue Dillon Eliminator scale seem mostly to be made in Mexico.
The problem I have found with these scales is, the quality is very variable - True, some work just as well, and are as sensitive and accurate as any USA made scale, unfortunately there are a fair few duff ones among them. Many "run of the mill" reloaders will be quite happy with any of these scales, never verifying against proper checkweights, a 10th grain, give or take being well within their expectations.
However - as many discerning reloaders know, a good, reliable, repeatable beam scale is a joy to use and if coupled with a camera system can easily detect a single kernel of powder.
Another problem is that the scales often say "manufactured by ***, USA" cast in the base but only the cardboard box states where it was actually produced.
These are just my thoughts and observations of the scales that have been on my bench over the years.
This is the sort of thing I'm talking about that is often missed - Pan stirrup edge not square to the beam.
This scale will never repeat reliably.
Knife edge not set upright in the beam.
Yeah that made a huge difference for me. I like the iPad setup but I also picked up a $10 webcam for my laptop that I like even better.
Do you calibrate 10-10 scales that are not USA made?
Did you pick that up on Amazon..??? I need one myself... What should I search for to find one..???
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