powder scale wont zero?

semi_problomatic · October 12, 2009, 10:41 PM

Just bought the rock chucker supreme press kit (man thats a long name!) pulled it out the box and started putting together parts and I get to the scale (the 5-0-5)... and can't get it to zeroize. The directions said just push all calibrator weights whatever to zero and it should sit close to the 0 mark. Well it doesn't

and I'm not sure whats going on. I've gone through the whole spectrum of height adjustment too (even though its on my coffee table!) Anyone have this problem before? Anything I can do aside from taking my dremel to the copper vane on the end? Any help would be great. Thanks.

Tony R · October 12, 2009, 11:04 PM

If it is like my rock chucker scale you can take some of the lead weights out of the powder cup side. Did you screw the base support up or down to adjust the scale? Make sure it is sitting properly on the balance point as well. your pointer isn't touching the scale is it?

FrankenMauser · October 13, 2009, 12:05 AM

Do not remove weight from the pan rest. It is calibrated (including those weights) before leaving the O-haus factory.

Do not take your dremel to the copper vein. It dampens the 'jumping' of the scale, and won't do you any good to alter. Taking your dremel to the thing will void your warranty.

Make sure the adjustments are made so you are in the detents.

Also make sure you have the powder pan on the rest, on the balance beam.

Gently clean the pivot point and bearing suface with a lint free cloth.

Turn the fan off.

Get the scale away from heating/AC vents.

Make sure the surface is level in both dimensions.

Reinspect the scale, to make sure you assembled it correctly. (Without damaging it.)

If it still doesn't work; send it back to RCBS. It may have been damaged in shipping.
The 5-0-5 is the scale by which all others in its class are judged. RCBS will cover it, if you don't alter it.

Crankylove · October 13, 2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Get the scale away from heating/AC vents.

Had that problem with my Pacific scale. Needle was wandering up and down, tried everything I could think of over several days to get it to zero, none of it worked.............turned of the ceiling fan when reloading............no more problems.

medalguy · October 13, 2009, 12:33 AM

+1 on the ceiling fan!

Same for ANY wind source, no matter how little. As they say, a little goes a long way.

steve4102 · October 13, 2009, 06:53 AM

Did you forget to put the brass powder pan on the scale???

Jector · October 13, 2009, 08:15 AM

A picture is worth a thousand words as they say...

Hope this helps...

oneounceload · October 13, 2009, 08:34 AM

Jector has it - use the white knob to set your final adjustment for a zero. If your platform for your scale is not perfectly level, you may have to really use that knob for adjusting

plainsman456 · October 13, 2009, 01:23 PM

With the scale set to 0 use the wheel to center the scale.If you move it to another place be sure to do it again,cuz it will be different.Good Luck

semi_problomatic · October 13, 2009, 06:49 PM

yeah it was the brass pan. covered in brown paper.... hiding... musta fell out when I was pulling the parts out and then I didn't notice it until after I turned off the comfuser. but thanks all for your replies.

So here's my first load set-ups for my weatherby bolt action .308

168 grain Hornady A-max bullets
starting off with 42 grains of VIHT N-150 (10% less than book reccomended max)
CCI large rifle primers. (found a box on an online store, thank god)

The brass is some once-shot stuff I've been collecting since I've started thinking about reloading. and I'm using the 7th edition hornady handbook.

Also, I'm going to reload for my dad's 45-70, and the hodgdon site said that the H4198 would work for it. But I can't find any data for it in either of my books (speers and hornady) anyone know where else to look?

jaguarxk120 · October 13, 2009, 07:26 PM

Try getting a Lyman book 49 edition. They should have it in there.

FrankenMauser · October 13, 2009, 08:47 PM

H4198 seems a bit fast for .45-70. That may be the reason you can only find info on the Hodgdon site. Moving to a slower burning powder would probably increase the data available.

Farmland · October 13, 2009, 09:12 PM

It isn't a bad powder to use, here is a page that is for the 45-70 and includes some loading info for H4198.

http://www.reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

Christchild · October 13, 2009, 09:37 PM

I have load data for 45/70 1895 Marlin and 45/70 Ruger #1 using H4198 in the Barnes #4 Manual, using 300 grain and 400 grain bullets.

45/70 Gov. in Sierra 5th Edition 4th Printing using H4198 and 300 grain bullets.

Let me know if You'd like me to post this data.

semi_problomatic · October 13, 2009, 10:40 PM

I'm using Speer #14 and it has data for the H4895, the hornady 7th edition has it for the H4198, but under the 1895 marlin and no 300g bullets under the ruger #1 section, which is what I think my dad's using. He wants to use the 300g rounds (which should be fine with the stronger action) but I've SEEN "should be fine" be not fine at all.

It sounds like a dumb green-behind-the-ears question because it is. but I'd rather look dumb and be safe than be a smartass and blow up a perfectly good gun that I could inherit some day (besides I kinda like my dad)

**Mal H** · October 13, 2009, 10:51 PM

semi problomatic - a forum suggestion. Most members will think this thread continues to be about your scale probloms (

). When you completely change subjects, it is usually best to start a new thread for the new topic. Otherwise you may not get all the eyes reading your question that you would with a new thread.

Do you want me to split out the .308 loading posts from the scale posts and make a new thread for you?

Christchild · October 13, 2009, 11:05 PM

Sierra Manual Specifies...
.45-70 Government...Loads for the Model 1895 Marlin, Ruger #1 and Ruger #3, and Siamese Mauser bolt action.

.458" 300 grain HP/FN...C.O.A.L. 2.525"

22" Barrel

*START LOAD___H4198___48.9 grains___1900 FPS

H4198___49.8 grains___1950 FPS

H4198___50.7 grains___2000 FPS

H4198___51.6 grains___2050 FPS

H4198___52.5 grains___2100 FPS

H4198___53.4 grains___2150 FPS

*MAX LOAD___H4198___54.3 grains___2200 FPS

Christchild · October 13, 2009, 11:13 PM

Barnes Manual #4

.45-70 Government 1895 Marlin
300 grain Original FNSP (lead core/copper jacket)
C.O.A.L. 2.515"
24" Barrel

*START LOAD___H4198___49.5 grains___2254 FPS

*MAX LOAD___H4198___53.5 grains___2428 FPS

Christchild · October 13, 2009, 11:18 PM

Barnes Manual #4

.45-70 Government 1895 Marlin
400 grain Original FNSP (lead core/copper jacket)
C.O.A.L. 2.515"
24" Barrel

*START LOAD___H4198___42.5 grains___1847 FPS

*MAX LOAD___H4198___45.5 grains___1981 FPS

Christchild · October 13, 2009, 11:23 PM

Barnes Manual #4

.45-70 Government Ruger #1
300 grain TSX FB___Flat Base, NOT Flat Nose
C.O.A.L. 2.770"
24" Barrel

*START LOAD___H4198___52.5 grains___2394 FPS

*MAX LOAD___H4198___57.5 grains___2569 FPS

Christchild · October 13, 2009, 11:30 PM

Barnes Manual #4

.45-70 Government Ruger #1
400 grain Original FNSP (lead core/copper jacket)
C.O.A.L. 2.515"
24" Barrel

*START LOAD___H4198___46.0 grains___2009 FPS

*MAX LOAD___H4198___50.0 grains___2162 FPS

Christchild · October 13, 2009, 11:36 PM

All my entries of Load Data posted are EXACTLY as stated in the Manuals specified.

Use this Data at Your own risk.

You can possibly go to the websites of the Manufacturers and check this data, along with data from Bullet Manufacturers and Powder Manufacturers.

I hope this helps.....and as always, start low and work Your way up.

October 13, 2009, 06:49 PM	#10
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	I'm a jack A$$ yeah it was the brass pan. covered in brown paper.... hiding... musta fell out when I was pulling the parts out and then I didn't notice it until after I turned off the comfuser. but thanks all for your replies. So here's my first load set-ups for my weatherby bolt action .308 168 grain Hornady A-max bullets starting off with 42 grains of VIHT N-150 (10% less than book reccomended max) CCI large rifle primers. (found a box on an online store, thank god) The brass is some once-shot stuff I've been collecting since I've started thinking about reloading. and I'm using the 7th edition hornady handbook. Also, I'm going to reload for my dad's 45-70, and the hodgdon site said that the H4198 would work for it. But I can't find any data for it in either of my books (speers and hornady) anyone know where else to look? Last edited by semi_problomatic; October 13, 2009 at 07:22 PM.

October 13, 2009, 08:47 PM	#12
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	H4198 seems a bit fast for .45-70. That may be the reason you can only find info on the Hodgdon site. Moving to a slower burning powder would probably increase the data available. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 13, 2009, 10:40 PM	#15
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	please do. I'm using Speer #14 and it has data for the H4895, the hornady 7th edition has it for the H4198, but under the 1895 marlin and no 300g bullets under the ruger #1 section, which is what I think my dad's using. He wants to use the 300g rounds (which should be fine with the stronger action) but I've SEEN "should be fine" be not fine at all. It sounds like a dumb green-behind-the-ears question because it is. but I'd rather look dumb and be safe than be a smartass and blow up a perfectly good gun that I could inherit some day (besides I kinda like my dad)

October 13, 2009, 11:05 PM	#17
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	Sierra Manual Specifies... .45-70 Government...Loads for the Model 1895 Marlin, Ruger #1 and Ruger #3, and Siamese Mauser bolt action. .458" 300 grain HP/FN...C.O.A.L. 2.525" 22" Barrel START LOAD___H4198___48.9 grains___1900 FPS H4198___49.8 grains___1950 FPS H4198___50.7 grains___2000 FPS H4198___51.6 grains___2050 FPS H4198___52.5 grains___2100 FPS H4198___53.4 grains___2150 FPS MAX LOAD___H4198___54.3 grains___2200 FPS Last edited by Christchild; October 13, 2009 at 11:13 PM.

October 13, 2009, 11:18 PM	#19
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	Barnes Manual #4 .45-70 Government 1895 Marlin 400 grain Original FNSP (lead core/copper jacket) C.O.A.L. 2.515" 24" Barrel START LOAD___H4198___42.5 grains___1847 FPS MAX LOAD___H4198___45.5 grains___1981 FPS Last edited by Christchild; October 13, 2009 at 11:24 PM.

October 12, 2009, 10:41 PM	#1
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	powder scale wont zero? Just bought the rock chucker supreme press kit (man thats a long name!) pulled it out the box and started putting together parts and I get to the scale (the 5-0-5)... and can't get it to zeroize. The directions said just push all calibrator weights whatever to zero and it should sit close to the 0 mark. Well it doesn't and I'm not sure whats going on. I've gone through the whole spectrum of height adjustment too (even though its on my coffee table!) Anyone have this problem before? Anything I can do aside from taking my dremel to the copper vane on the end? Any help would be great. Thanks.

October 12, 2009, 11:04 PM	#2
Tony R Junior Member Join Date: September 18, 2009 Location: Vancouver Wa Posts: 13	If it is like my rock chucker scale you can take some of the lead weights out of the powder cup side. Did you screw the base support up or down to adjust the scale? Make sure it is sitting properly on the balance point as well. your pointer isn't touching the scale is it?

October 13, 2009, 12:05 AM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Do not remove weight from the pan rest. It is calibrated (including those weights) before leaving the O-haus factory. Do not take your dremel to the copper vein. It dampens the 'jumping' of the scale, and won't do you any good to alter. Taking your dremel to the thing will void your warranty. Make sure the adjustments are made so you are in the detents. Also make sure you have the powder pan on the rest, on the balance beam. Gently clean the pivot point and bearing suface with a lint free cloth. Turn the fan off. Get the scale away from heating/AC vents. Make sure the surface is level in both dimensions. Reinspect the scale, to make sure you assembled it correctly. (Without damaging it.) If it still doesn't work; send it back to RCBS. It may have been damaged in shipping. The 5-0-5 is the scale by which all others in its class are judged. RCBS will cover it, if you don't alter it. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 13, 2009, 12:33 AM	#5
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	+1 on the ceiling fan! Same for ANY wind source, no matter how little. As they say, a little goes a long way.

October 13, 2009, 06:53 AM	#6
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	Did you forget to put the brass powder pan on the scale???

October 13, 2009, 08:34 AM	#8
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Jector has it - use the white knob to set your final adjustment for a zero. If your platform for your scale is not perfectly level, you may have to really use that knob for adjusting

October 13, 2009, 01:23 PM	#9
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	With the scale set to 0 use the wheel to center the scale.If you move it to another place be sure to do it again,cuz it will be different.Good Luck

October 13, 2009, 07:26 PM	#11
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	Try getting a Lyman book 49 edition. They should have it in there.

October 13, 2009, 09:12 PM	#13
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	It isn't a bad powder to use, here is a page that is for the 45-70 and includes some loading info for H4198. http://www.reloadammo.com/4570load.htm

October 13, 2009, 09:37 PM	#14
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	I have load data for 45/70 1895 Marlin and 45/70 Ruger #1 using H4198 in the Barnes #4 Manual, using 300 grain and 400 grain bullets. 45/70 Gov. in Sierra 5th Edition 4th Printing using H4198 and 300 grain bullets. Let me know if You'd like me to post this data.

October 13, 2009, 10:51 PM	#16
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	semi problomatic - a forum suggestion. Most members will think this thread continues to be about your scale probloms ( ). When you completely change subjects, it is usually best to start a new thread for the new topic. Otherwise you may not get all the eyes reading your question that you would with a new thread. Do you want me to split out the .308 loading posts from the scale posts and make a new thread for you?

October 13, 2009, 11:13 PM	#18
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	Barnes Manual #4 .45-70 Government 1895 Marlin 300 grain Original FNSP (lead core/copper jacket) C.O.A.L. 2.515" 24" Barrel START LOAD___H4198___49.5 grains___2254 FPS MAX LOAD___H4198___53.5 grains___2428 FPS

October 13, 2009, 11:23 PM	#20
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	Barnes Manual #4 .45-70 Government Ruger #1 300 grain TSX FB___Flat Base, NOT Flat Nose C.O.A.L. 2.770" 24" Barrel START LOAD___H4198___52.5 grains___2394 FPS MAX LOAD___H4198___57.5 grains___2569 FPS

October 13, 2009, 11:30 PM	#21
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	Barnes Manual #4 .45-70 Government Ruger #1 400 grain Original FNSP (lead core/copper jacket) C.O.A.L. 2.515" 24" Barrel START LOAD___H4198___46.0 grains___2009 FPS MAX LOAD___H4198___50.0 grains___2162 FPS

October 13, 2009, 11:36 PM	#22
Christchild Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2009 Location: Loadbenchville, Bolt 02770 Posts: 544	All my entries of Load Data posted are EXACTLY as stated in the Manuals specified. Use this Data at Your own risk. You can possibly go to the websites of the Manufacturers and check this data, along with data from Bullet Manufacturers and Powder Manufacturers. I hope this helps.....and as always, start low and work Your way up.