What beam scale are you using?

[potatoe]

Thanks fellas, I talked with Scott and have an M5 ordered. Thanks again!

 

[Brians356]

What's a beam scale? Regards JCS

"Beam scale" is a measure of how inebriated you are, from 1 to 13, after drinking cheap Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.

 

[centershot]

I just looked at my scale and low and behold, it is a M5. What does Scott do to the scale to improve it? Any pictures of it?

 

[potatoe]

I don't think you can see what he does to them by pics, but you can google/youtube search his scales and see how sensitive they are once he is done with them.

 

[dixieppc]

Keep looking for an RCBS 10-10 or Lyman M5. Scott Parker can recondition it for you.

You have to be careful of which scales you purchase to have Scott tune. Take the 10-10's for example, according to Scott, only the older Ohaus or Ohaus made RCBS 10-10's made in N.J. USA can be tuned.

He tuned my 1970's vintage Ohaus 10-10's and they now are able to indicate a single ganule of N133 and are stubbornly repeatable and of course never drift. I use my A&D-120i for most all powder weighing but know that I always have a precision tuned mechanical backup if needed.

Regards.....

 

[Rpbump]

An old Ohaus 10-10 I've had for 30+ years.

Rpbump

 

[sparker]

I make them more sensitive, more repeatable and more accurate.

Scott Parker
661 364 1199

 

[Sheldon N]

So what kind of variation do you see in "un-tuned" beam scales in terms of repeatability/consistency of a measured powder charge?

I'm using a stock RCBS 505 beam scale, trickling up and individually weighing each power charge to get it as close as possible. I can see deflection in the scale with one or two kernels of powder at a time assuming I keep the balance points clean. I don't care too much whether my measurements are "true" to an accurate standard, but I do care that they are repeatable and have low deviation between each measured charge.

Has anyone tested how well they can repeatably measure charges using just a normal beam scale like the 505 and a powder trickler?

 

[joshb]

I use the same scale I got with the RCBS kit I bought, in the 70's. Doin fine, sofar.

 

[Cleftwynd]

I I have used several brands and styles of scales and prefer my pacific model M 3 poise balance beam over the Lee, RCBS, Redding, Lyman and newer Hornady versions. I tweaked it myself making it much more user friendly. I have not played with the Ohaus (RCBS) 10-10 much though, so can not comment on the Model M bs the 10-10.

I filled the base with lead, filed down the pointer, added rubber stopper so beam doesn't bang on the base, sharpened and cleaned the knives, etc.... Now it quite easily shows 1 granule of powder difference. I usually set up a webcam to view the pointer on a laptop screen making it extremely easy to operate.


Scott, don't want to bother you via phone or otherwise as this isn't all that important, but have you ever modified the Pacific Model M balance beam, and if so, how does it rate vs the others you offer your services for?

 

[1066]

I I have used several brands and styles of scales and prefer my pacific model M 3 poise balance beam over the Lee, RCBS, Redding, Lyman and newer Hornady versions. I tweaked it myself making it much more user friendly. I have not played with the Ohaus (RCBS) 10-10 much though, so can not comment on the Model M bs the 10-10.

I filled the base with lead, filed down the pointer, added rubber stopper so beam doesn't bang on the base, sharpened and cleaned the knives, etc.... Now it quite easily shows 1 granule of powder difference. I usually set up a webcam to view the pointer on a laptop screen making it extremely easy to operate.

The old Hornady/Pacific "M" type scale is quite a classic. Although this large scale, with it's cast iron base, looks a little agricultural it works very well. One of the main differences with this scale is that the shape of the knife edges mean that the beam self centres between the bearings. Most of the other beam scales use a straight knife edge and rely on end plates to keep the beam centred, this can be the cause of friction and zeroing problems.

Here's one I tricked out some time ago.

 

[jonbearman]

I fully recommend Scott Parker. He is a great guy.

 

[Sheldon N]

Took a ceramic sharpening stone to the edges of my RCBS scale and cleaned them up gently to make them as sharp as I could with no burrs. Scale seems more sensitive now to small changes. One thing I noted is that the position of weight in the pan can make a slight difference in reading (repeatable).

Will need to make a mental note to ensure that the powder is centered and evenly distributed in the pan the same way every time when measuring charges in the future.

 

[madmixerman]

Scott Parker tuned Lyman/Ohaus M5

 

[HTSmith]

I bought a RCBS 1010 as an upgrade to my old Lyman 1000 and was very disappointed. It must have been one of the later model ones mentioned above. I was not repeatable at all.

 

[dixieppc]

For those interested in some info on what Scott Parker does and what units he does it to:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2014/09/tuning-balance-beam-scales-for-precision-and-repeatability/

Regards......

 

[1911cwp]

Dillion

 

[CharlieNC]

Redding from who else, Scott Parker. Works well with Omega Trickler; charges thrown quickly with Lee cheapo. Tough to justify spending more.

 

[Andr01d]

Check out this tweak to my RCBS beam scale. You can see single kernels of Varget move the extended needle. It may be a bit crude but it will make your weight measurement extremely accurate and repeatable! Cost almost nothing, made from vinyl notebook divider, glue gun, crazy glue, nail polish, lead for counter balance of extended needle. Take a look at the 500 yd target that was shot at 1000, 7 inch group with the flyer.

 

[1066]

Check out this tweak to my RCBS beam scale. You can see single kernels of Varget move the extended needle. It may be a bit crude but it will make your weight measurement extremely accurate and repeatable! Cost almost nothing, made from vinyl notebook divider, glue gun, crazy glue, nail polish, lead for counter balance of extended needle. Take a look at the 500 yd target that was shot at 1000, 7 inch group with the flyer.

Ahh yes! I like that. Here's another on the same theme.