Beam Scales

[Antonyweeks]

I've been using an RCBS Chargemaster 1500 for the last couple of years. Really like it but I've had a nagging suspicion that it's not quite as accurate I'd hope. Fine for all my deer stalking bullets but at the range the speeds on the chrono sometimes vary quite a lot, yet I'm confident the weight of charge was exactly the same for each bullet. I appreciate there could be all sorts of reasons for the variance but one thing I'd like to try is getting the Chargemaster to weigh out the main load and then use a trickler for the final bit using beam scales. I can't afford top of the range digital ones!
I'm looking at the RCBS 500 or 5.05 or the M1000. Looks like I can pick up a 2nd hand 505 for about £60 but I can't find the 1000 2nd hand and new it's £180.
I wondered if anyone had experience with these and whether the 1000 was so much more accurate/better than the 505? Looking at old threads from a few years ago on here it seems some folk swear by the old 505 scales.
Anyway, opinions always welcome.

 

[webley701]

A set of RCBS 10-10 or 5-10 would be much better than the recent RCBS balances you mention.

Even better is a set of Lyman M5

All the above were made by Ohaus - a key thing!

 

[Antonyweeks]

Thanks. If anyone has a set of the above for sale let me know!

 

[.25-06]

Fighting over the last kernel or two of powder won't be the main issue causing the discrepancies. Neck tension would have a bigger % bearing. The 10-10 fixes the kernels

 

[25 Sharps]

A set of RCBS 10-10 or 5-10 would be much better than the recent RCBS balances you mention.

Even better is a set of Lyman M5

All the above were made by Ohaus - a key thing!

The original RCBS 505 were made by Ohaus who also did own branded 505s.

Agree on the modern M1000 or M500 not made by Ohaus but Ohaus made 505s will be good.

 

[enfieldspares]

I have a METRIC set of the RCBS 10-10 made by Ohaus that I would be happy to sell.

 

[lambic]

I have set of RCBS beam scales I'm looking to sell in the very near future.

Send me a PM if interested

 

[7Miller]

RCBS 5-0-5, Ohaus version, on ebay for £52 plus postage.

If its just to test against the electronic scales and you don't want to spend much, I've a set of unused Lee beam scales, £20 posted and some Lyman pro beam scales, boxed, £22.50 if interested.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

A Lyman check weights set might help, I use it to do regular control of my digital scales.

 

[webley701]

The original RCBS 505 were made by Ohaus who also did own branded 505s.

Agree on the modern M1000 or M500 not made by Ohaus but Ohaus made 505s will be good

I didn’t discount the 505 which is a good balance as you say (plus made by Ohaus) - hence I warned specifically about the “recent” balances (e.g. the M1000 & M500).

Too late now but the balance in this advert would have been ideal For Sale: - Lyman Accutouch Scales, Ohaus 505 balance, Lee Powder measure

 

[Buchan]

I have a METRIC set of the RCBS 10-10 made by Ohaus that I would be happy to sell.

How much please?

 

[25 Sharps]

I didn’t discount the 505 which is a good balance as you say (plus made by Ohaus) - hence I warned specifically about the “recent” balances (e.g. the M1000 & M500).

Too late now but the balance in this advert would have been ideal For Sale: - Lyman Accutouch Scales, Ohaus 505 balance, Lee Powder measure

I have a 10-0-5 and 505, generally use the 505s as the sit better on the bench with the Target Master trickler.

 

[JockStalk]

5-0-5 all the way. Simple, decent accuracy and reliable.

 

[enfieldspares]

How much please?

Thank you. Let me get them out and photograph them as I they might be either in my attic or where I keep my air pellets. I will then report back.

I bought them some time back in France not realising they were metric as they were more compact than the Ohaus made RCBS Dial O Grain 304 scales I bought from John Longstaff some now forty plus years ago for £60. When £60 was worth a lot more than it does today! So I'd be happy to, finally, that amount back (plus postage) that I paid for my 304 scales.

 

[Antonyweeks]

Thanks for the replies. Missed the RCBS on Ebay - sold earlier today! Just got back from stalking! I'll keep an eye out.

 

[fizzbangwhallop]

Adding a target master, especially with the later style sensor bracket is a very good way forward… assuming you can still get them I use my original with a set of 5-10’s, and use a cheap n cheerful Lee scoop to add a nearly charge, press the button and it’s ready by the time I’ve seated a bullet in the previous case. The sensor stop point screw needs a few adjustments but it’s not a slow process… adding a clip on usb camera pointing at the centre point and plugging that into the pic/ desktop/ whatever saves me bending to check.

Best thing since sliced bread

Cheers

Fizz

 

[finbar]

Sorry a think a must have got them

 

[25 Sharps]

Thanks for the replies. Missed the RCBS on Ebay - sold earlier today! Just got back from stalking! I'll keep an eye out.

505s come up regularly so you won’t have to wait long

 

[DesG]

I've got an RCBS 505 and an old Redding set which I've had since the seventies. Both excellent and nothing to choose between them. Just stay away from the Lee ones. Total crap.

 

[BSAMarty]

I like the OHAUS 5-0-5 best but I also have a RCBS 5-10
Both are very good and I made this cabinet to keep the dust off them.
As mentioned the Lee are crap…agreed!
Also as mentioned bending the neck to read the scale is a pain. That’s where this cabinet does double duty as I set the scale and powder trickler on top.

And I use bullets for test weights…