Powder Scale

[Sunbeam]

Hi,

Can anybody recommend me a good quality beam powder scale?
I don't want to pay too much, but happy to pay a little extra if it makes a difference in quality.

I also need to be able to buy it in the UK.

Thanks.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I'm sure you are aware that muzzle loading firearm loads are measured by volume. The grains weight to grains volume conversion only is correct for black powder. For my volume measures, that is 2fg GOEX. The substitutes are less dense than real black powder so a 100 grain volume measure of Pyrodex will weigh about 80 grains on a weight scale. Some of the digital scales are as accurate as a beam scale and faster to read, so I would suggest a digital scale.

What are you wanting to weigh.

 

[Sunbeam]

I want consistent Swiss FFFG black powder charges.
I need to remove the inaccuracy of a scoop.

 

[hawkeye2]

I have a Lyman-Ohaus 10-10-5 scale I bought back in the 60s and it was about the best on the market at the time. $17.95 then, probably a lot more today. It's done everything I have asked of it and the RCBS 10-10 is an identical scale except in green. The major manufacturers all offer balance beam scales and I would recommend you start with the medium priced ones and up. A good one is a lifetime investment, mine is about 55 years old and still working. If you are going with a scale you'll also want a powder trickler.

 

[Sunbeam]

Would the RCBS 505 be a good scale?

 

[Stumpkiller]

Yes.

The RCBS 5-10 as well. I've been using a 5-10 for a long, long time.

 

[hawkeye2]

It is limited to 511 grains whereas the 10-10 will measure 1,000 grains. This might be important if you are considering shooting large caliber roundballs, conicals and minies further down the road.

 

[Zonie]

I have used an Ohaus 5-0-5 powder scale for years. It is the same thing as the RCBS 505 and it has proven to be very accurate and darn near indestructible. It has a removable pan to put the powder in for measurement.
It can measure the weight to a 0.1 grain accuracy up to 511 grains. (0-500 grain poise, 0-10 grain poise and a 0.0-1.0 poise)

The only thing that is a negative is if it has been moved you may have to adjust the scale to re zero it. This is done by simply turning a thumb screw that is located under one end of the scale.

All in all, an excellent, simple tool that doesn't need to be plugged in or use batteries.

 

[Sunbeam]

Thank you, I have just bought a used 505 on Evilbay for a good price.
Looks to be in perfect condition.
I have also seen on YouTube that people use webcams to view the pointer via a laptop to cancel out parallax, so I will also do that
The most I need to weigh out will be 60 grains of Swiss FFFG for muzzel loading.
So as long as I can get all my vials to the same consistency, I'm happy.

 

[hanshi]

I've owned the mentioned RCBS powder scales mentioned for many decades. But I almost never use them for muzzleloaders. The only time I weigh a BP charge is if I'm curious what my measure holds; that's it. BP is a volume powder and does not react to tiny changes in weight as smokeless does. Fill your measure the same way each time and the charges WILL be consistent.

 

[hawkeye2]

"I have also seen on YouTube that people use webcams to view the pointer via a laptop to cancel out parallax,"

Isn't that an awfully complicated and expensive way to avoid having to lean forward to look or setting the scale a little higher? I wouldn't want that stuff taking up room and getting in my way on my bench.

 

[Sunbeam]

I got the laptop, I got the webcam, I may as well use it, it's not a problem or cost to me. My work bench is always clear when I'm filling vials.

 

[hawkeye2]

Better than mine than.

 

[Archer 756]

Why is it that we take a simple question and make more out of it than required

 

[longcruise]

I know you have already purchased, but I'm going to suggest that you get a digital scale. I started using one for modern Loading and it has simplified and sped up all my scale usage. With a powder trickler you can very rapidly weigh a bunch of charges.

It's also handy and fast for weighing projectiles.

Also, you have the balance beam scale for double checking accuracy.

 

[Sunbeam]

OK Guys, thank you for the info so far.

So having now bought the 505 and not interested in a digital scale, may I ask a new question within this thread?

The 505 scale can be 'turbo charged' (upgraded). I have looked about the net and I can't find what is done so you could do it yourself? I contacted the guy in the USA who does it and he only wants to sell me a new scale that has been tuned at a cost of well over $200! I live in the UK, so postage is an issue.

Does anybody know if 505 scale 'needs' tweaking, or could somebody point me to any info on doing it yourself?

Thanks.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I use a dope scale, far quicker and more accurate than a beam scale and dirt cheap.

I use this one;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Sc...463887?hash=item1a87ead54f:g:rE4AAOSwM3hdTVJc

 

[hawkeye2]

I can't imagine what could be done to improve it to the extent that an upgraded 505 would be worth that kind of $$. They are quite accurate and very easy to use, what else could one wish for? I can't see where any of the mid to upper grade beam balances "need" tweaking. I can't speak for the lower end scales as I have no experience with them but before I invested time or money in any scale I would move up the ladder a few rungs. A pair of tweezers are handy for moving the weights on the beam and a magnifying glass set in front of the pointer helps too. How about an analytical balance? I haven't used one since the 1960s but one can weigh a flea off a gnat's back with them.

 

[Stumpkiller]

The 505 scale can be 'turbo charged' (upgraded). I have looked about the net and I can't find what is done so you could do it yourself? I contacted the guy in the USA who does it and he only wants to sell me a new scale that has been tuned at a cost of well over $200! I live in the UK, so postage is an issue.

Does anybody know if 505 scale 'needs' tweaking, or could somebody point me to any info on doing it yourself?

Wow! I cannot imagine a tweak that would almost triple the cost. I have mine (a 5-10 that has a "micrometer" barrel instead of 1/10 grain sliding tab like the 505) set at eye-level when I sit at my bench on a carefully leveled square of plate glass. If you are concerned about your 505 get a standard weight kit that has an assortment of known weight . . . weights. You can then calibrate the arm yourself if necessary.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/74326

For $200 you can get a pretty sophisticated digital scale.

 

[Sunbeam]

His name is Scott Parker from California I think?
$220 for a new 'tuned' scale delivered to the UK, so $220 all in!

I'm not saying the 505 needs tuning, I'm just asking.
I'm quite happy to use the 505 as standard.