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Weighing bullets (Read 6251 times)

Statesrights Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 441 Location: Virginia Joined: May 3^rd, 2016	Weighing bullets Nov 1^st, 2018 at 7:32pm	Print Post
	I have no faith in my electronic scale for weighing bullets (.32s). A mechanical scale would instill confidence, but way too slow. I’m hoping you all might suggest some brands/models you’ve found satisfactory. I only sort by half grain. Thanks.


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JLouis Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 10625 Joined: Apr 8^th, 2009	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #1 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 8:04pm	Print Post
	I have an RCBS electronic but it's actually made by PACT but I also no longer weigh my bullets due to good casting practice's and years of casting experience. My variation limit is three tenths and it got to the point where weighing was a waste of good time as they all now remain in that same realm by always approaching it the same. The scale has turned out to be a good and will still use it for weighing powder from time to time. What you might want to keep in mind is you also have to leave it plugged in and on and if not it will change until it settles back in. Of which takes about an hour and at times a bit more and then you will need to re-balance it with the weights included and it will then provide very accurate readings from that point forward or until you turn it off or it somehow looses power and then you have to redo it all over again.

	" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
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John Boy Ex Member	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #2 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 8:09pm	Print Post
	(You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) ... Free Shipping! (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Been using this digital for over 5 years to weigh: bullets, smokeless and black powder to 0.02gr. Every once in awhile, I calibrate the digital to my beam balance - dead nuts on. It has the best strain gauge of any digital I've used Max capacity: 50g- Accuracy: 0.001g- Units: g/oz/ozt/ct/dwt/gn- (50g = 771.618 gr) with gr accuracy to 0.02gr A strain gauge (sometimes referred to as a strain gage) is a sensor whose resistance varies with applied force; It converts force, pressure, tension, weight, etc., into a change in electrical resistance which can then be measured.
	« Last Edit: Nov 1^st, 2018 at 8:16pm by »

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Schutzenbob Frequent Elocutionist Offline Rheinisch-Westfälisc hen Sprengstoff-Fabriken Posts: 2282 Location: Nightingale, California Joined: Oct 24^th, 2005	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #3 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 8:51pm	Print Post
	This is the type of scale I use, it seems to be quite accurate;


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bnice Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1964 Location: Iowa Joined: Nov 30^th, 2006	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #4 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 10:01pm	Print Post
	Yep all those California folks have those left over scales from the 1848 gold rush! Nice scale Bob


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JLouis Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 10625 Joined: Apr 8^th, 2009	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #5 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 10:20pm	Print Post
	Damn nice indeed and now to find the Gold to put it to even more use Schuetzen Bob.

	" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
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Schuetzenmiester Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 6707 Location: Cool Wet Side of WA Joined: Apr 27^th, 2008	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #6 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 11:06pm	Print Post
	I have had a Lyman for 25 years or so. Always seems to be accurate to .1 grain. Like John, I don't weigh bullets. They are within +/-.2 grain with most +/- .1.

	"some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
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JerryH Frequent Elocutionist Offline ASSRA Member #10876 Posts: 1327 Location: Easton, CA Joined: Nov 9^th, 2014	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #7 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 11:21pm	Print Post
	Schuetzenmiester wrote on Nov 1^st, 2018 at 11:06pm: Like John, I don't weigh bullets. They are within +/-.2 grain with most +/- .1. Same here. RCBS 1010 scale. Almost always within +/- .1 grain. I gave up weighing bullets years ago. JerryH
	« Last Edit: Nov 1^st, 2018 at 11:28pm by JerryH »
	I'm not a complete idiot, some of my parts are missing.
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Schuetzendave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Retired Ex-Shooter Posts: 4233 Location: St. Albert, Alberta Joined: Jan 28^th, 2005	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #8 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 11:37pm	Print Post
	Match grade bullet tolerances are within 1% of total weight. So a 200 grain bullet is +/- 1.0 grain for a total variation of 2.0 grains or within 1 % variation. I gave up weighing bullets since they are well within Match Grade tolerances and accuracy is not going to be affected. However I precisely weigh powder charges to ensure I tune my barrel vibrations to the exact node since that will affect accuracy.
	« Last Edit: Nov 2^nd, 2018 at 9:31am by Schuetzendave »

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Schuetzenmiester Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 6707 Location: Cool Wet Side of WA Joined: Apr 27^th, 2008	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #9 - Nov 1^st, 2018 at 11:44pm	Print Post
	Schuetzendave wrote on Nov 1^st, 2018 at 11:37pm: Match grade bullet tolearances are within 1% of total weight. So a 200 grain bullet is +/- 1.0 grain for a total variation of 2.0 grains or within 1 % variation. Thanks for that clarification Dave. Now I know why my culls shoor as well as my good bullets

	"some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
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Fogman Full Member Offline Posts: 155 Joined: Mar 10^th, 2016	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #10 - Nov 2^nd, 2018 at 12:42am	Print Post
	OK so what are the main casting techniques for those who are casting consistent bullets? I just started casting my own bullets. I am using 20/1 lead with ladle pour from an RCBS easy pour that has the built in PID. I get several grains variation where I see a lot of others get only a few tenths. I am concerned about voids in the lighter bullets of which there seems to be a lot compared to what others are saying.


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Schuetzenmiester Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 6707 Location: Cool Wet Side of WA Joined: Apr 27^th, 2008	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #11 - Nov 2^nd, 2018 at 2:21am	Print Post
	Lead temp about 800 f. Mold temp consistency is the number one issue IMO. I have a thermocouple on my molds and pour at 410 F for .33 215 gr bullet in my Hoch mold. Leave a nice puddle on top for the bullet to draw from as it starts to cool. Let is harden a few seconds before cutting the sprew off. Best bullets are ladle poured. If you are having problems with bullets fill out, wrinkles and ugly bullets, you may have mold contamination, clean it well. Smoke it with a wooden match or candle or a BBQ lighter. If you can't get it clean and perfect bullets, boil the mold in water for 10 minutes or so to remove stubborn contamination. BTY, there are at least 50 right ways to cast good bullets. More will probably come

	"some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence
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notlwonk Full Member Offline Posts: 166 Location: Coventry CT Joined: Dec 18^th, 2006	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #12 - Nov 2^nd, 2018 at 8:50am	Print Post
	Statesrights Why the lack of confidence? If you weigh the same bullet 10 times do you get the same reading each time? When calibrating scales one of the items is to check is repeatability, which is done by putting the same weight on 10 times. If the reading varies more than 1 increment then that's a problem. One increment would be what ever the smallest unit is on the display, .1 grain on my scale.


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40_Rod Frequent Elocutionist Offline Extremism in the persuit of accuracy is not a vice Posts: 4285 Location: Knoxville, TN Joined: Apr 20^th, 2004	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #13 - Nov 2^nd, 2018 at 10:18am	Print Post
	I have an Aculab scale I got from Sinclair years ago it has served me well over the years. A good scale that you trust is invaluable. If you can't get the same reading on your scale when weighing the same bullet three times its no good. 40 Rod


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 18053 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Weighing bullets Reply #14 - Nov 2^nd, 2018 at 11:14am	Print Post
	I've used visual inspection of bullets as my only means of sorting for decades. Looking at defects in the exterior bullet or bullet base has been plenty good for my uses. If they have no wrinkles and the base has a smooth finish, I use them. If they have any large deformities they go back in the pot. Small issues get loaded and used for plinking or practice.

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