RCBS 505 scale keeps losing zero

stubblejumper said:
Actually the digitals have a built in check, if you watch the weight every time you lift the pan off, it should read the same, which is the negative pan weight. If that reading stays the same, the zero and calibration haven't changed.
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mine went the other way... neg tare stayed the same but putting on the same weight would get different readings

YMMV

Jerry
 
Maybe I’m expecting to much out this? It came with a kit .
Even the silver line in the font blade is not centered in the V shaped blade.
I’ll play it some more and then check it with something of a known weight.
 
Mystic Precision said:
mine went the other way... neg tare stayed the same but putting on the same weight would get different readings

YMMV

Jerry
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That is how my new RCBS Chargemaster Link behaves. I bought it because my old Lyman DPS1200 died. I assumed that the reliability would have improved over the years, but this new one drifts just as much as my old Lyman.

Chris.
 
I have both the 505 RCBS scale and the 5-10 RCBS scale. I use and prefer the 5-10 and consider it a better scale. No problems at all with it after many years of use.
 
How solid and flat is your bench top?
Try putting it on a piece of porcelain tile or something so you know that’s not the cause.
My 505 has no issues.
 
"So just a small sample, zeroed and weighed 5 of the same charge. I know it’s not much but it gets worse."

What are you weighing? post mentions 'charge' weights? Charges thrown from a powder measure?
I'd trust the scale
 
boxhitch said:
"So just a small sample, zeroed and weighed 5 of the same charge. I know it’s not much but it gets worse."

What are you weighing? post mentions 'charge' weights? Charges thrown from a powder measure?
I'd trust the scale
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Powder drop and trickler
Bench is framed up with 2x6 ,screwed to the wall and sheathed over with 3/4 plywood. It’s solid
 
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Is it one / the same powder amount that you put on and off the scale a number of times and get different weights?

Is it doing the same thing if you weigh a bullet ten times?
 
bertn said:
Is it one / the same powder amount that you put on and off the scale a number of times and get different weights?

Is it doing the same thing if you weigh a bullet ten times?
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Yes to the first question.
I haven’t tried the bullet thing though
 
gunlaker said:
That is how my new RCBS Chargemaster Link behaves. I bought it because my old Lyman DPS1200 died. I assumed that the reliability would have improved over the years, but this new one drifts just as much as my old Lyman.

Chris.
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I haven't tried the new version, I am still using the original Chargemaster, but I have tested it by rapping the bench and even using a hair dryer to cause a draft, and if I get the scale to read a different value for the check weights, the pan weight also changes. I tested the Chargemaster, to verify that it was consistent enough to trust, before switching over to it from my 10-10 scale, that I bought to replace my 505, when it started drifting due to the adjuster moving. A friend still uses the 505, but he used a drop of rtv on the adjuster threads, and it stopped moving on it's own.
 
Hello,

Some ideas;

Are you possible reloading in area with a lot of draft? For an example, fans, furnace ducks/venting, open window, etc? This will affect your scale off/on depending if it is happening during your reloading session.

Have you tried Alcohol - Isopropyl - 99% and cleaned the connections?

Something else it may be worth following up on - give RCBS a call. They may have dealt with this issue or check the manual (click here).

If you are going digital, what is your budget?

Cheers,
 
Mine will do that sometimes. When it happens to me it's because when I put the pan back onto the scale, it sometimes moves the bean backward in the agate v-blocks to the point where the beam "knives" rub against the edge of the scale. I think the tiny bit of friction causes the problem.

I've had 3 of the 5-0-5's. The first was an old metric one I found somewhere. It is very good but the metric part is a bit of a PITA. The second was a used one that someone must have damaged. I could never get it to be consistent despite spending hours on it. It behaved exactly like yours does to matter what I did. The third is a new one and I did have to fiddle with the calibration a bit. I like it quite a bit as long as I occasionally clean the agate blocks and knives with rubbing alcohol now and then. I position the camera on my laptop so that I get a big magnified image of the pointer. That way I can remain standing and read the scale perfectly.

Chris.
 
45C said:
It’s driving me crazy, think I’ll go digital
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Digital scales have at least as many things happen that can make you crazy. If you tend to go crazy easily, you will likely be better off sticking with the 505. It probably needs cleaning.
 
jethunter said:
Digital scales have at least as many things happen that can make you crazy. If you tend to go crazy easily, you will likely be better off sticking with the 505. It probably needs cleaning.
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Well it’s more of a time issue, I just don’t have the time to fiddle with it.
I’ve tried all suggestions and it’s actually gotten worse.

Just would like something more reliable
 
45C said:
Well it’s more of a time issue, I just don’t have the time to fiddle with it.
I’ve tried all suggestions and it’s actually gotten worse.

Just would like something more reliable
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I don't know if you can get anything more reliable than a balance scale, but if you're going digital then don't waste time and frustration on cheap junk, and anything under $200 is probably not worth the effort. :)

Digital scales come with their own list of possible issues including but not limited to power fluctuations, lengthy warm-up periods, and drift. Plan on a minimum starting price of $200 and up. The Gempro 250 is a good starting-level electronic scale, I like mine. Fast Toys had them on sale a while back.

I'll buy that RCBS 505 from you as is if you want to sell. I have time to fiddle with it. PM if you're interested.
 
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I have a good 5-0-5 and 5-10. The 5-0-5 is the one I use the most, and I am quite fast with it as well. I won’t buy a digital unless it’s at least a FX120i.
 
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