reloading scale calibration weights needed

[markshere2]

I'm about to start reloading again after a 15 year break.

I'll start with 38 SPL + 357 pistol, branch into 9MM pistol / carbine, then into .30 carbine loads, and 30-40 Krag, 8MM Mauser and 30-06 rifles.

Shotgun to follow.

I am slightly concerned that my RCBS balance scale (aged and moved several times) might not be as accurate as I want it to be.

Is there a kind soul out there that can weigh and return some small scraps of wire for me to use as calibration weights?

I'll supply the weights and a SASE.

I'd just like a couple of known good weights to let me know if the equipment is in the ballpark of accuracy.

thanks

Mark

[JayBell]

honestly, for the really cheap cost these days, just go buy a digital reloading scale and be done with it.

balance beam scales are a lot more time consuming... especially in your current situation

for example:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=261453

[sbaker]

I could swear I paid less than this, but I bought a set just like this one on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRECISION-SCALE-...3%3A1|294%3A50

I think I got the set for less than $10. There are also lots of individual weights for sale if you don't need a set.

[sbaker]

honestly, for the really cheap cost these days, just go buy a digital reloading scale and be done with it.

balance beam scales are a lot more time consuming... especially in your current situation

for example:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=261453

I've never done any reloading, so I don't know how accurate you need to be, but when I bought a digital scale I bought calibration weights to make sure it was accurate.

I needed to make sure the scale was accurate to +/- 0.1 grams when weighing around 600 grams. I just didn't feel like I could trust a scale that cost less than $10.

[imashooter2]

I once passed a shiny new dime around to my friends to weigh on their scales. The results:

34.4 Dillon elec
34.5 Lyman beam
34.5 Redding beam
34.5 PACT elec
34.6 Dillon beam
34.7 RCBS beam

My opinion... Weigh a quality bullet to see if your scale has been damaged. If it shows the advertised weight plus or minus half a grain, drive on and work up your loads as normal. If you like, when you're done you can weigh a nickel, dime and quarter, record and keep in a bag so you can check your scales repeatability at a later date.

[wirepuller]

I just weighed 5 dimes and they were all between 34.9 to 35.1 gn

[stephpd]

I remember reading that a nickle weighs 5 grams. That's about 77 grains

[markshere2]

Many thanks for the inputs.

I have overspent my budget already (going broke on "good deals") and "Buy while it's available", so I would prefer to not pop another $35.00 at this hobby / life skill in this pay period.

Yeah I'm chea... Er.. frugal.

I have priced the calibration weights and they're in the ballpark of $20 to 30 retail new ( whichis probably a good way to go)

I WILL be buying an electronic scale and I think the $40 price range will be correct, but right now - money is kinda tight.

The dimes mentioned are about 5-10 times heavier than the critical range I will be measuring.

My reloading data calls for charges ranging from 3.2 grains of Bullseye up to 4.5 grains, paired with a 125 grain bullet in a 9mm Luger.

I'm not real concerned about the bullet weight- nothing much I can do about it anyway.

However, 3.2 to 4.5 grains is not a lot of weight and it is nowhere near the middle of the range of the little RCBS balance beam scale.

15 years ago, I was throwing consistent charges of powder between 6 and 8 grains of powder for .357 Mag loads. I would weigh every 4th or 5th load and it was very consistent.

I'm just wanting to make sure I'm not doubling a safe charge with a goobered up scale.

+/- 15% accuracy @ 3.2 grains would be 2.72 to 3.68

I don't KNOW how close the li'l scale is reading.

Hence my request to see if somebody could spend a couple of minutes spent weighing some small pieces of wire for me and returning them with the actual weight recorded.

I'll send a stamped Self addressed envelope with the bits of wire.

Anybody game?

Thanks for the input.

Mark

[imashooter2]

You have a PM.

[Bama Man]

Take a roll of solder to the post office.
Most of them have a letter scale in their lobby for after closing mailings.
You'll find it next to the stamp machine if they have one.
Then do the math one pound equals 7,000 grains.
Have fun.
I used to weigh bullets there before I really started reloading, just to see how much some military bullets weighed.
I can't remember now as far as what the scale there read, but, I was able to find the actual grain of the bullets.
One ounce equals 437.5 grains. One tenth ounce eguals 43.5 grains.
The PO scales are digital. Cut your solder until you get a piece that is one tenth of an ounce, then go home and set your scale at 43.75 grains and see what happens.