Accuracy of RCBS 502 & Little Dandy

awaveritt · January 27, 2009, 10:13 PM

Bought a RCBS 502 which seems to calibrate well when weighing bullets of known nominal weight.

Bought RCBS Little Dandy and rotors #5 & #6

According to the 502 scale, my #5 rotor is only throwing 3 grains of Bullseye when the chart says 3.5 grains. The #6 rotor throws 3.6 grains when the chart says 3.7 grains (That one is close enough for the girls I go with)

Do I need to check the accuracy of my scale and can the rcbs #5 rotor be off by that much?

The little dandy is throwing Very consistent charges, just not what I expected from the #5 rotor.

Any advice?

dlb435 · January 28, 2009, 09:56 AM

What is published is just a guide. Your results may vary. The 502 is a very good scale so I would trust the reading. I've had a few fixed cylinder powder measures and they are usually fairly consistant. You may want to move up to the Uniflow to get better control.

LHB1 · January 28, 2009, 01:33 PM

I would trust a calibrated beam scale for charge weight. Charts for scoops and predrilled inserts/rotors/etc. are notorious for being off. None of those I tried over the years were correct but were usually close enough to be workable. ALWAYS use a scale to test/select an insert close to your desired charge weight.

January 27, 2009, 10:13 PM	#1
awaveritt Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 259	Accuracy of RCBS 502 & Little Dandy Bought a RCBS 502 which seems to calibrate well when weighing bullets of known nominal weight. Bought RCBS Little Dandy and rotors #5 & #6 According to the 502 scale, my #5 rotor is only throwing 3 grains of Bullseye when the chart says 3.5 grains. The #6 rotor throws 3.6 grains when the chart says 3.7 grains (That one is close enough for the girls I go with) Do I need to check the accuracy of my scale and can the rcbs #5 rotor be off by that much? The little dandy is throwing Very consistent charges, just not what I expected from the #5 rotor. Any advice?

January 28, 2009, 01:33 PM	#3
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	I would trust a calibrated beam scale for charge weight. Charts for scoops and predrilled inserts/rotors/etc. are notorious for being off. None of those I tried over the years were correct but were usually close enough to be workable. ALWAYS use a scale to test/select an insert close to your desired charge weight. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

January 28, 2009, 09:56 AM	#2
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	What is published is just a guide. Your results may vary. The 502 is a very good scale so I would trust the reading. I've had a few fixed cylinder powder measures and they are usually fairly consistant. You may want to move up to the Uniflow to get better control.