I'm looking at those made for reloaders and they are about $40, but other places sell test weights for jewelry and hobbies for about $8. I would think weights are weights but I could be wrong. Any reason to spend the extra money for the ones specifically made for reloaders?
Scale Test Weights
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TonyL
Member
Cabela's online in the tools and scales section of reloading.
Your post got me poking around and I found this:
17 Piece Calibration Weight Set
EDIT: THE ABOVE SCALE IS IN GRAMS. MY MISTAKE.
I know nothing about it, but I might order it for myself.
17 Piece Calibration Weight Set
EDIT: THE ABOVE SCALE IS IN GRAMS. MY MISTAKE.
I know nothing about it, but I might order it for myself.
Last edited:
I bought a set of RCBS test weights from Midway for around $22.00; they were on sale. For test weights to be truely accurate, they should be certified and certified test weights are expensive. For our purposes in reloading these test weights are sufficient. If you can get weights for less, go for it. I'd check them against multiple scales, if you can, for agreement of the lists weights and adjust from there. I've accumulated three scales during my reloading life and, using the RCBS weights, adjusted them all to agree. They might be all wrong but if they are, they are all wrong together.
I've been using my old RCBS scale for about 30 years.Never dropped or damaged,never checked it with weights either.Probably too late now [emoji1]
4barrel
Member
I have 4 RCBS & a Reding & they check against each other. I just bought them in garage sales & put on the shelf. I bought an electronic & gave it to my wife. Too much trouble.
LostintheOzone
US Veteran
I now have 2 sets of weights. I threw my old scale in the garbage as it was acting up but I kept the weights. I had no idea they would be that expensive to buy separately. With the mass produced slap-it-together scales being sold these days the weights are probably the most expensive part to make.
eo1bart
Member
I use a new dime, works fine.
• Cent (since 1983) - 2.500 grams = 38.58 grains
• Nickel (since 1866) - 5.000 grams = 77.16 grains
• Dime (since 1965) - 2.268 grams = 35.00 grains
• Quarter (since 1965)- 5.670 grams = 87.50 grains
• Cent (since 1983) - 2.500 grams = 38.58 grains
• Nickel (since 1866) - 5.000 grams = 77.16 grains
• Dime (since 1965) - 2.268 grams = 35.00 grains
• Quarter (since 1965)- 5.670 grams = 87.50 grains
Why would you want check weights in Grams??
For the OP get the RCBS or Lyman weights at Midway , they are more than sufficient
We deal in 1/10th of grains, anything more than that is a waste.
Calibrate your scale to as close to the desired weight you want. Most good scales once zeroed will be fine.
Lyman Shooter's Weight Check Set
Mikeinkaty
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Yeah, me too. New coins will be accurate to 0.1 grains.
Collo Rosso
Member
I got the RCBS set on sale for I think under $20, but that was a few years ago now. Worth having. I have the Hornady electronic bench scale and a cheap $20 MTM pocket electronic. Amazes me that the $20 cheap scale is every bit as accurate as the Hornady.
Collo Rosso
Member
I got the RCBS set on sale for I think under $20, but that was a few years ago now. Worth having. I have the Hornady electronic bench scale and a cheap $20 MTM pocket electronic. Amazes me that the $20 cheap scale is every bit as accurate as the Hornady.
Using a weight set in grams wouldn't be a problem as most electronic scales will switch between grains, grams and other units. You didn't mention what kind of scale your using.
Using a weight set in grams wouldn't be a problem as most electronic scales will switch between grains, grams and other units. You didn't mention what kind of scale your using.
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
I have a old Hornady M beam scale that I bought new about 1975. Finally acquired check weights last year and it was about .1, one tenth, grain off. I left it alone.
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
My test weights ....
22 cal 52g speer bullet
25 cal 117g bullet
35 cal 200g bullet
348 cal 250g bullet
cheap and readily available.
charlie
22 cal 52g speer bullet
25 cal 117g bullet
35 cal 200g bullet
348 cal 250g bullet
cheap and readily available.
charlie
Having purchased a balance beam scale in the early 00's that weighed about 1-1,5 gr lighter than the Lee scale i was using @ 45 grains I would not be without one. There is no need to use it often but if you go between electronic and BB scales or work up to a new scale they are invaluable.
As was stated you don't care a lot about accuracy, your scale might be 2 tenths heavy or light with no problems. That is why you work up a load. What you must have is repeatability, knowing your scale weighs the same today as it did three years ago when you last loaded the combination you are set to use today. Weights are cheap insurance of that.
As was stated you don't care a lot about accuracy, your scale might be 2 tenths heavy or light with no problems. That is why you work up a load. What you must have is repeatability, knowing your scale weighs the same today as it did three years ago when you last loaded the combination you are set to use today. Weights are cheap insurance of that.
Decided to check mine with a quarter and a dime.Quarter weighed 87 grains-hmmm,tried a dime-35 grains.Tried a different quarter-87.5 grains.Close enough
You can make your own, provided you can check them on a certified scale. Keep in mind that you will need very light ones, (several copies of) .5 gr, .1 gr, 1.0 gr. 2.0 gr, 5.0 gr, 10.0 gr, 20.0 gr.
As long as you have several of each, so that you can make 3.6 gr, 15.8 gr, etc combinations. A combination of small nails or screws may work well.
As long as you have several of each, so that you can make 3.6 gr, 15.8 gr, etc combinations. A combination of small nails or screws may work well.
Collo Rosso
Member
They are both made in the same place in China!
I'm sure they are. Met a guy that does calibrations on various industrial equipment and scales was something he calibrates or uses to calibrate. I mentioned my digital loading scales and he said cheap, accurate strain gauges are common now and was not surprised a $20 scale was so good. Just in case I have an old Lyman M5 beam standing by.
