Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

My RCBS electic scale broke today and as I am in the middle of loading rounds as well as working up some loads for my new 7 mag, I was wondering how accurate is the 5-0-5 scale that comes with the rockchucker kit? I haven't used it as I bought the electric at the same time as I bought my rockchucker. If it is as accurate as the electric I will learn to use it and save money by not buying a new electric scale.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

It is a very acurate scale and I trust mine more than digital scales. For plinking loads I use the powder measure and only weigh every 5 rounds but I weigh every round for my hunting loads.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

The RCBS 505 should be accurate to 1/10th of a grain. Sure enough it does take more time with the balance beam but is just as accurate. One important thing is........make sure you level and zero out the 505, if not it will not give proper readings. Another thing is to try to have it at eye level so you dont have to lean down to read the scale.

RCBS makes some of the best reloading equipment out there and they do stand behind their product. I am sure if you contact them they will do you whatever needs to be done to correct the problem at no charge to you.

I have a couple of older 505's and 5-10's on standby in case my Lyman LE 1000 electronic fails me. I think I bought it back in 1991 and it still going.

doubleA

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

For measuring powders I would feel more comfortable with that 505 than any digital scale, I was gonna buy a digital scale from a friend after trying it out I wasn't too imprest , Another friend who stated a beam scale gives a reading in real time where a digital scale takes a second to process so while trickling powder in the pan you might go over your mark before you even get a reading but with a beam scale it gives a reading instantly. Not doubting my friend but wanting to see for myself I tryed trickling a load and he was absolutely correct I went past my mark by 1.2 grain before the digital scale even gave a reading, So after that it will be a beam scale only for me but might use a digital scale for weighing bullets or a final charge weight.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

You will find out how much easier it is to load with a beam than a electronic. Trickling loads will be a snap. I trust a mechanical scale anytime over digital. What do you think NIST uses to verify and cerify digital scales?

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

The 505 is one of my all time favorite scales! I've had one around since way back before RCBS bought them from Ohaus.

It's really a great accurate scale that's easy to use!!

Drilling Man

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

I have an RCBS digital and like it very much.

I also have an old RCBS 5.0.5

I've checked them both against each other with no deviation in powder weight so I'm confident with my charges using either one.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

for grins, with my cabelas points I got a RCBS wieght scale check set. Came with variety of calibrated wieght from .5gr to 200gr. And you can put them all on there for 498.5gr. Using the larger counterwieght I was dead on with my 505. In other words, measureing out things in increments of 10gr. But using my middle counter wieght (i.e. 1g increments), it was off by .05gr. Reason I know its .05gr is I would move the smallest counter and it would be overwieght or underwieght when I moved smallest counterwieght.

Thats pretty good for a 45 dollar scale. But now started thinking, its a waste of money for this scale check kit. After I verified my scales, won't use it again.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

It you ever hit the scale by accident, or ???? at least you now have a set of weights to check it!!

Drilling Man

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

True, add it the long list of stuff you really don't need, but like to play with in the reloading world.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

I almost never use my 5-0-5 scale since I bought the digital. I always check my scales zero with a set of scale weights. I was told by my grandfather (almost 40-years ago) that balance beam scales can get "sticky" and give you an false reading. He always checked his scale with scale weights.
A friend told me Jack O'Connors scale was off by two grains and Jack never knew it. He said some editor wrote this in one of the hunting magazines. I guess someone was using Jack's old reloading setup & checked the scale with scale weights.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

I can beat anyone speed wise with a beam over a digital. They update real time. Wolf, I suggest you give it a try. I have looked at all the digitals. I mean all. They don't stay calibrated. Sometimes can't be trusted. If you got a breezy place or even a dryer running, they can fluctuate. And now I find out that mine is accurate within .05gr. Nothing more I could ask for.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

I read that that digital scales actually measure the density of the powder rather then by actual weight but give you a reading in weight. and that even the vibration from a neon light can cause a false reading. I bought a Dillon precision eliminator scale I couldnt ask for a better beams scale its dead on within .1 grain with my check weights and even using some bullets for check weights everything is within .1 grains. I would have to say it is the most consistent scale I have ever used. Besides I was told a scale is only used for reference since you will be working up your load anyway looking for signs of pressure. Someone even said that even if the scale only measures within .3 grains it doesnt matter because you should be working up the powder charge anyway from a start load which should be considerably lower the the max charge. To comment bigcountry I figured I prefer to trickle my charges for every cartridge and I couldnt do that with a digital scale.

RE: Using the RCBS 5-0-5 scale...
 

I've been using one of these scales for years now. A good accurate scale. Just zero it out before you start (level it up).
I set mine on a home made shelf made of 2"x6" boards for the sides and a 2"x8" for the top (so I have room to put my trickler). This puts the scale more at eye level when weighing my charges.