So I've got three scales. All measure differently, with a margin of error somewhere within ~0.3ish grains. Each scale seems quite repeatable, as long as I don't compare one to the other.
My main goals are to load for hunting, but the idea of longer range target shooting is really starting to appeal to me.
My first scale was a very clean, used RCBS 5-10. I think the seller switched the powder pans before shipping it, so I couldn't get a good zero. I re-calibrated it with some #9 lead shot and it's been good to go since then. The knife edges appear to be in great condition.
My next scale was a used, older, less than pristine Lyman D7 that I bought for $10. It was missing the beam lifting/storage mechanism, but other than looking dirty and well used, the knife edges seems to be in great shape as well.
For the beam scales I made a leveling plate. I used a 1/4" aluminum plate, some nut-serts and some spare/surplus bolts screwed through the nut-serts to get adjustable "feet". I level the plate on my workbench, level the beam scale at zero, and then don't touch it for the rest of the loading session.
My most recent scale is a Hornday electronic LnL Bench Scale. I warm it up for a few hours before using it, it's quick, and most of the time it seems accurate & repeatable. I occasionally find this scale measure the same item differently (within ~0.2 grains) if I lift it off and check a couple of times. Although that's usually on lighter things, like primers etc.
So my questions are:
1) why are my measurements different between each of these scales?
2) if each scale measures differently, which scale should I use/trust?
3) should I bias/true the beam scales (by adjusting off-zero) to sync the scales up?
4) does it even matter, as long as each scale is repeatable?
Thanks for your thoughts/experience.
My main goals are to load for hunting, but the idea of longer range target shooting is really starting to appeal to me.
My first scale was a very clean, used RCBS 5-10. I think the seller switched the powder pans before shipping it, so I couldn't get a good zero. I re-calibrated it with some #9 lead shot and it's been good to go since then. The knife edges appear to be in great condition.
My next scale was a used, older, less than pristine Lyman D7 that I bought for $10. It was missing the beam lifting/storage mechanism, but other than looking dirty and well used, the knife edges seems to be in great shape as well.
For the beam scales I made a leveling plate. I used a 1/4" aluminum plate, some nut-serts and some spare/surplus bolts screwed through the nut-serts to get adjustable "feet". I level the plate on my workbench, level the beam scale at zero, and then don't touch it for the rest of the loading session.
My most recent scale is a Hornday electronic LnL Bench Scale. I warm it up for a few hours before using it, it's quick, and most of the time it seems accurate & repeatable. I occasionally find this scale measure the same item differently (within ~0.2 grains) if I lift it off and check a couple of times. Although that's usually on lighter things, like primers etc.
So my questions are:
1) why are my measurements different between each of these scales?
2) if each scale measures differently, which scale should I use/trust?
3) should I bias/true the beam scales (by adjusting off-zero) to sync the scales up?
4) does it even matter, as long as each scale is repeatable?
Thanks for your thoughts/experience.
