Measuring powder

[mike22250]

I have been talking to some of the PRS guys in my state of Utah. They tell me they have the RCBS throw the weight then they fine tune it on a balance beam. One guy told me that he cut his ES and SD were cut in half. What have you guys seen on weighing charges? what system do you use?

thanks

 

[sfldiver]

A properly adjusted balance beam can yield very accurate and consistent results. I just sent one of my balance beams to Scott Parker (sparker) to be tuned up. Since my digital scale is not consistent/sensitive enough to rely on by itself, I currently use my Chargemaster in conjunction with an RCBS M500, and use the digital scale in between for additional quality control. However, the M500 has repeatability issues, which is why I bought an old Lyman M-5 scale and sent it off to be tuned up.

I know there are digital scales that are accurate, sensitive and repeatable, but I haven't had the guts to drop the $500+ or more on one.

There are several threads on this site that discuss the benefits of a properly tuned balance beam. Here's a current thread that might give you a bit more info about balance beam accuracy:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/on-beam-scales-part-two.3906350/

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

This is actually covered in full detail in the new book: https://store.appliedballisticsllc.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=0004

In the study, multiple avenues were used from metering, to advanced analytical scales.

 

[Auto-X Fil]

If you have questions like this, you MUST buy the book linked above. It's awesome.

I bought a Chargemaster and it's not as accurate as my beam, but it's close, and much faster. It's especially nice for load development where I want to quickly do a handful of several different charge weights. SDs are in the high single digits, which is good enough for what I do.

 

[mike22250]

thanks for all the reply's. I searched through this site but didn't see that post. I will look over it. I too don't have the $$$$$ to drop on a scale, but again I don't have a gun that I feel will benefit from the precision of the powder amount. I may look into getting one of the RCBS 1010, but I also have been looking at a new Chrono. So many needs with not enough money to fill the needs. Mike

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

thanks for all the reply's. I searched through this site but didn't see that post. I will look over it. I too don't have the $$$$$ to drop on a scale, but again I don't have a gun that I feel will benefit from the precision of the powder amount. I may look into getting one of the RCBS 1010, but I also have been looking at a new Chrono. So many needs with not enough money to fill the needs. Mike

If you are going to do that, I personally recommend going on Ebay, and looking for one of the Lyman M5 of old Ohaus 10-0-5 scales. You can send them to Scott Parker and he will tune them. The one he did for me is lights out accurate.

 

[sfldiver]

If you are going to do that, I personally recommend going on Ebay, and looking for one of the Lyman M5 of old Ohaus 10-0-5 scales. You can send them to Scott Parker and he will tune them. The one he did for me is lights out accurate.

My understanding is that Scott also sells tuned scales - may be an option for someone not sure about what to purchase or not wanting to go through the hassle of buying then shipping to Scott for tuning. Plus, some of the M-5's are getting rather pricey on Ebay lately - seen several sold in the $100+ range. by the time you add all the shipping, may just be easier to go directly through Scott. I got lucky and got a good deal on an almost new M-5 on Ebay, but that's not always the case. If you plan on buying one to send to Scott, I'd check with him first to verify if the model your going to buy is tunable.

Adrian

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

My understanding is that Scott also sells tuned scales - may be an option for someone not sure about what to purchase or not wanting to go through the hassle of buying then shipping to Scott for tuning. Plus, some of the M-5's are getting rather pricey on Ebay lately - seen several sold in the $100+ range. by the time you add all the shipping, may just be easier to go directly through Scott. I got lucky and got a good deal on an almost new M-5 on Ebay, but that's not always the case. If you plan on buying one to send to Scott, I'd check with him first to verify if the model your going to buy is tunable.

Adrian

You are correct, he does. They are getting expensive because of known performance.

 

[normmatzen]

I have mentioned this before with little interest. But I bought a lab balance on ebay and am very happy.
Actually, I have bought 4 of them and shipped one to my friend in Australia. All were Ohaus TS series balances of the magnetic force restoration type. You don't need just Ohaus, but you do need Magnetic force restoration!

Look for one with up to 200 gram and with 1mg accuracy. My Ohaus TS200 is accurate to 1mg, has linearity of 1mg and drift of 1mg. One of mine, the TS200, can indicate grains to 0.02 gr and my TS120 only indicates grams. This isn't really a problem as grains to grams is an easy Google translation! And, when My TS-200 is on grains, it truncates the indication to X.XX gr and in 0.02 gr increments. so the real accuracy is +/- 0.02 gr. When I set it to grams, or use the TS120, the accuracy is +/- 1mg which is 0.015 gr which is a bit more accurate than the calculated grain setting.

The caveat is, do your homework on the balance on offer, make sure the add on ebay says functions to specification or functions properly. Then you have an out as to returning. DO NOT buy one that has either no power unit (hence not tested) or "Doesn't power up" or "Not Tested." In the case of the Ohaus TS series I over bought on, I pretty much know a bit about them as I downloaded the instruction manual as well as the Maintenance manual. If one of these "function properly" then it is a good bet as the set up and full scale and linearity caliberation will tweak them up. If there is ANYTHING wrong with it, don't consider it. Unfortunately, a lot of surplus instrumentation companies do not test any of their products!

 

[mike22250]

too all the replys, Thanks for your advice. I was sick for a couple weeks and was not able to move out of bed. I will look into all the comments and go with the best route for me (Most likely call Scott and see what he has). Also, did anyone see the new post on the bulletin about the Whidden on Winning at Long Range: Part 2 — The Cartridge and how he measures his powder. I will need to look into that system and see what suites me best.... Basically what I can afford.

again thanks all for comments, please keep them coming if something pops into your head or if you learn something new.

Mike

 

[1lnbrdg]

Check out this thread then:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...to-a-prometheus.3897203/page-27#post-36823459

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

A good (note: I said good, and that means a Parker tuned one) balance beam scale is essential for quality loading.
I have Accu-Lab electonic scales, and the VIC-123 is accurate to .02gr. But it takes a good balance beam scale to verify, and recheck from time to time.

I would beg to differ with Brian Litz, just a teensy bit on measures capability. I have one of Neil Jones measures. I spent nearly an hour throwing charges and weigh checking each one.
There was no "spread", and I was using 4895 for a bench rest rifle. You will not see a bench rest shooter (100/200/300yds) with a scale weighing charges. I shot the Super Shoot one year, with a borrowed rifle. At 100 yds, I shot a group that measured .067". Out of sixty shooters on the relay, that was good for 7th smallest group.

 

[M14AMU]

Weigh mine on a digital scale and the 130 Bergers out of my 6.5x47 Lapua will shoot a fist sized 'knot' at 1000 yards!

 

[CHROME]

Weigh mine on a digital scale and the 130 Bergers out of my 6.5x47 Lapua will shoot a fist sized 'knot' at 1000 yards!

Which scale are you using?