Test Weights

vega · April 13, 2002, 09:34 AM

Where can I get some test weights? Any link?

Thanks,

vega

Shoney · April 13, 2002, 11:20 AM

vega:

Could you be a little more specific.

What kind of test weights? For testing the accuracy of your powder scale, I would presume?

If so, RCBS makes two sets of "Scale Check Weights", available at most dealers or on line, from around $20 and $37 respectively.

Regards, Shoney

vega · April 13, 2002, 03:29 PM

Sorry about that. Yes, I will use it for checking my scale. I have the Lee Safety Scale. I think the one made by RCBS is a little heavier. The maximum load for Lee is only 110 gr. Anyways, I will check RCBS. Thanks.

vega

vega · April 13, 2002, 04:02 PM

I checked RCBS and they are even more costly then my scale. $44 bucks. My scale only cost me $29. Oh, they do have the 60.5 gr powder check. Is there any place cheaper?

vega

burrhead · April 13, 2002, 09:04 PM

If you're using quality bullets, use them for a scale check weight. Weigh five or ten, one at a time, and see how they average out. Should be close enough for most purposes.
Have fun.

burrhead · April 13, 2002, 09:07 PM

Oops, just reread your post that states your scale maxs out at 110 gr. Use .224 bullets. Get a better scale.

WESHOOT2 · April 13, 2002, 09:15 PM

Just get the 60-g set, and use it religiously.

Safety first.

kindlyoldcoach · April 13, 2002, 09:17 PM

Try a laboratory instrument supply house, like Fisher Scientific. They may sell them individually.

'coach

Nanaimo Barr · April 15, 2002, 12:55 AM

do a web search on Check weights, I got a RCBS set (.5 to 5) for about $12.00 last year at a (semi) local Sporting goods store

Khornet · April 17, 2002, 06:29 AM

Check out Brownells (www.brownells.com). If they don't have it, you don't need it.

444 · April 17, 2002, 07:21 AM

I agree with WESHOOT2. The cost of the weights compared to the cost of your scale means nothing. Just bite the bullet and buy the check weights. How much is peace of mind worth ?

Of course if you can't or won't spend the money there are ways around it. One easy way would be to measure some objects on someone elses scale that you know is accurate and then go home and measure it on your scale. I remember reading a thread about this within the last year where some good suggestions were made.

Here are some ballpark numbers from my Redding scale. If you are within 1/10 grain or so you should be fine.

Dime 34 9/10
Penny 38 5/10
Nickel 76 3/10
Quarter 87 4 /10

**Mike Irwin** · April 17, 2002, 11:31 AM

I THINK that Midway sells both full and "mini" sets.

Quite frankly, I'd get a better scale while you're at it. I'm NOT at all impressed with the Lee Safety Scale.

**Mal H** · April 17, 2002, 12:09 PM

The cheapest set of check weights you can get is free - make your own set. I own several lab quality scales (Mettler), so I weighed a a small washer and several different bullets of varying weights and engraved the weight on each. You need check weights to check the accuracy and consistency from day to day of your scale. It isn't important that the weights be in even increments for that purpose.

If you don't have access to a high quality scale, you can usually go to a local pharmacy, hospital, college, high school, etc. and coerce someone in the lab to weigh the objects for you. The results will most likely be in grams, so you'll have to convert to grains.

Here's a handy on-line converter: http://www.convertit.com/Go/Bioresea.../Converter.ASP

vega · April 17, 2002, 06:11 PM

Took different coins and weighed it at buddy's dillon. So far we both got same results. I'll just use that as my test weights.

vega

April 13, 2002, 09:34 AM	#1
vega Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 1999 Location: SoCal Posts: 348	Test Weights Where can I get some test weights? Any link? Thanks, vega

April 13, 2002, 09:04 PM	#5
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	If you're using quality bullets, use them for a scale check weight. Weigh five or ten, one at a time, and see how they average out. Should be close enough for most purposes. Have fun. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

April 13, 2002, 09:07 PM	#6
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	Oops, just reread your post that states your scale maxs out at 110 gr. Use .224 bullets. Get a better scale. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

April 13, 2002, 09:15 PM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Just get the 60-g set, and use it religiously. Safety first. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

April 15, 2002, 12:55 AM	#9
Nanaimo Barr Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Location: North Idaho Posts: 1,024	do a web search on Check weights, I got a RCBS set (.5 to 5) for about $12.00 last year at a (semi) local Sporting goods store __________________ "Question that Regulation, you might be suprised to find out it's Illegal"

April 13, 2002, 11:20 AM	#2
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	vega: Could you be a little more specific. What kind of test weights? For testing the accuracy of your powder scale, I would presume? If so, RCBS makes two sets of "Scale Check Weights", available at most dealers or on line, from around $20 and $37 respectively. Regards, Shoney

April 13, 2002, 03:29 PM	#3
vega Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 1999 Location: SoCal Posts: 348	Sorry about that. Yes, I will use it for checking my scale. I have the Lee Safety Scale. I think the one made by RCBS is a little heavier. The maximum load for Lee is only 110 gr. Anyways, I will check RCBS. Thanks. vega

April 13, 2002, 04:02 PM	#4
vega Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 1999 Location: SoCal Posts: 348	I checked RCBS and they are even more costly then my scale. $44 bucks. My scale only cost me $29. Oh, they do have the 60.5 gr powder check. Is there any place cheaper? vega

April 13, 2002, 09:17 PM	#8
kindlyoldcoach Member Join Date: April 3, 2002 Posts: 82	Try a laboratory instrument supply house, like Fisher Scientific. They may sell them individually. 'coach

April 17, 2002, 06:29 AM	#10
Khornet Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2001 Location: NH Posts: 585	Test weights Check out Brownells (www.brownells.com). If they don't have it, you don't need it. __________________ The M1 does MY talking!

April 17, 2002, 07:21 AM	#11
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I agree with WESHOOT2. The cost of the weights compared to the cost of your scale means nothing. Just bite the bullet and buy the check weights. How much is peace of mind worth ? Of course if you can't or won't spend the money there are ways around it. One easy way would be to measure some objects on someone elses scale that you know is accurate and then go home and measure it on your scale. I remember reading a thread about this within the last year where some good suggestions were made. Here are some ballpark numbers from my Redding scale. If you are within 1/10 grain or so you should be fine. Dime 34 9/10 Penny 38 5/10 Nickel 76 3/10 Quarter 87 4 /10 __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

April 17, 2002, 11:31 AM	#12
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	I THINK that Midway sells both full and "mini" sets. Quite frankly, I'd get a better scale while you're at it. I'm NOT at all impressed with the Lee Safety Scale. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 17, 2002, 12:09 PM	#13
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	The cheapest set of check weights you can get is free - make your own set. I own several lab quality scales (Mettler), so I weighed a a small washer and several different bullets of varying weights and engraved the weight on each. You need check weights to check the accuracy and consistency from day to day of your scale. It isn't important that the weights be in even increments for that purpose. If you don't have access to a high quality scale, you can usually go to a local pharmacy, hospital, college, high school, etc. and coerce someone in the lab to weigh the objects for you. The results will most likely be in grams, so you'll have to convert to grains. Here's a handy on-line converter: http://www.convertit.com/Go/Bioresea.../Converter.ASP

April 17, 2002, 06:11 PM	#14
vega Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 1999 Location: SoCal Posts: 348	Thanks for all the replies.. Took different coins and weighed it at buddy's dillon. So far we both got same results. I'll just use that as my test weights. vega