rcbs 5-0-5 won't zero

Grizzlypeg

Grizzlypeg

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Well I got my RCBS 5-0-5 scale for my birthday. My wife picked it up from Cabellas / SIR. First frustration, it was the wrong scale in a 5-0-5 box. Someone had stuck a 502 in the box. Took it back, found the right scale in a 502 box, swapped it and am trying to use it.

The scale doesn't zero. With all 3 poises set to zero its cup heavy. If I move the middle poise to 6 grains, it balances. What am I doing wrong? I'm supposed to use the removable cup right? Did someone switch cups or hanging pieces and screw it up?
 
Its so far out of balance that I can lift either end of the scale and inch or two and it makes no difference. I think Cabella's is out to get me. They must have swapped cups with the 502 or something because its out by 6 whole grains. Damn glad I didn't buy this mail order or I'd be even more pissed.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
Its so far out of balance that I can lift either end of the scale and inch or two and it makes no difference. I think Cabella's is out to get me. They must have swapped cups with the 502 or something because its out by 6 whole grains. Damn glad I didn't buy this mail order or I'd be even more pissed.
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I think you're right, you have the wrong cup. Zero adjustment is usually the equivalent of a few tenths of a grain, not 6 grains.
 
i have had two 505s and neither one would balance, but only a few 10ths of a grain , i borrowed a check weight, and took the cup end apart and took out enough of the small pieces of shot to make it balance,it hasnt stayed zeroed it is out a little again,i think what happens is the little pieces of shot that is in the cup base must rust just enough to add a little wieght , eventhough its small it registers on the scale,, wade
 
Shoulda got a digital. I quit playing fool with the "bar" scales and never looked back. The mechanical scales proved (to me) that they are out a fair amount on the weights.
 
I opened the cup up and took out enough lead shot of varying sizes that it now balances. I then put a 250 grain hornady xtp bullet on the scale and it weighed precisely 250 grains. I then tested a cheap cast bullet and it came out 1.5 grains heavy over what it is rated. Some variance in waxed, cast bullets is bound to occur. I think I'll just keep it as is. I can't be bothered to go back to the store again. It balances and weighs properly. I'll throw some other known weights on it to further test its accuracy.
 
Just pulled apart a 22 lr cartridge. The bullet weights 40 grains and the powder 1.9 gr. I think the scale is accurate based on the 250 gr xtp and the 40 gr winchester 22 bullet being right on.
 
Winnipeg Toymaker said:
Shoulda got a digital. I quit playing fool with the "bar" scales and never looked back. The mechanical scales proved (to me) that they are out a fair amount on the weights.
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I read the reviews and reports on here and it sounded like a significant # of people were having problems with theirs. Probably have to spend $300-$400 to get a good one. More coin than I wanted to drop. Mechanical scales may be finicky to use, but they should be inherently accurate if you do it right. 5-0-5 got good feedback. I'm just jinxed by Murphy's law or something on this purchase / gift from my wife.
 
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