scale accuracy question...

[ruger22]

I just bought a new dillon beam type scale.
I was thinking it might come with calibration weights to varify accuracy.
It did not.

My use is not too critical in terms of accuracy. It is target loads for handguns.

What do other guys do? Trust the scale to be good from the factory. Then stay there?
Or buy calibration weights?

 

[River Rat]

Weigh some bullets they are Within 1/2 a grain or right on most of the time.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Use Factory Jacketted bullets, works fine. Try several different weights.
Don't use cast or swaged lead bullets, they may not be as consistent

 

[Eagleye]

Better yet, use Nosler Ballistic tips. They are usually within .1 grain of dead on. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Winchester 1886]

Or take a loony($1),it is 7 grams or 108 grains.

 

[waynesixgun]

Or take a loony($1),it is 7 grams or 108 grains.

Thanks for that tip..my scale is right on..

 

[RePete]

Or take a loony($1),it is 7 grams or 108 grains.

New or used?

RCBS make calibration weights and they aren't too expensive.

 

[lcq]

Hornady 50gr vmax are +/- 0.1gr

Brian

 

[Boomer]

Common you guys - Buy a check weight set!

They are cheap, they are accurate, and if you have concerns about your scale they are invaluable. Often I can calibrate my scale to level the exact powder weight I wish to measure, with the scale weights.

 

[acrashb]

Common you guys - Buy a check weight set!

Agreed. The other methods here are fine for quick-and-dirty, but if you're using a max load with a fast powder on 9mm, you need better than that.

 

[KDX]

Where is a good place to get a check weight set?

 

[acrashb]

http:// www.lockstock.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RCB98990

 

[joe-nwt]

Agreed. The other methods here are fine for quick-and-dirty, but if you're using a max load with a fast powder on 9mm, you need better than that.

What happened to the "work up your load" rule?

If you follow this rule the actual accuracy is not that important.

 

[acrashb]

What happened to the "work up your load" rule?

If you follow this rule the actual accuracy is not that important.

Accuracy no, precision yes. How do you know that your scale is repeatable? Further, if you get a new scale, you might use the 'same' load that isn't actually the same. Best to know your tools.

 

[joe-nwt]

Accuracy no, precision yes. How do you know that your scale is repeatable? Further, if you get a new scale, you might use the 'same' load that isn't actually the same. Best to know your tools.

All I'm saying is if you use a bullet for a check weight and work your load up to "x" amount of powder, as long as you use the exact same bullet (call it your new check weight, if you will) next time, and load "x" amount of powder again, mission accomplished, no?

 

[acrashb]

OK. Don't lose that bullet!

 

[joe-nwt]

OK. Don't lose that bullet!

Or your $23.95USD weight........

 

[TPK]

How do you know that your scale is repeatable?

I agree with what joe-nwt is saying. I am curious as to what could make weights on a new beam style scale "not repeatable"? I use one and never really thought about it before, I just assumed as it's a balance type that it would always be same time after time if kept clean.

 

[acrashb]

Junk collecting on the fulcrum. Damage from your kid dropping it, not telling you, and putting everything back.

Electronic scales are more an issue here, and I'm not advocating daily checking of a good beam scale that is well maintained, but occasional checking can't hurt.

By way of comparison, I have a set of length standards that I use from time to time to check my calipers and micrometers. Makes for good peace of mind.

 

[TPK]

Ah yes, those things would indeed cause discrepancies in weight, but for the most part then my assumption of a balance beam scale not loosing it's repeatability is correct. I never thought of length standards to check calipers ... damn some more stuff to consider purchasing ...