RCBS 10-10 scale

[Bullett Sass 19707]

I have an RCBS 10-10 scale I have been using for about 15 years.  I was having issues getting consistent readings and the measurements were changing each time I remeasured the same load.  If I poured it in fast I would get a measure then poured slow and get a different measure.  Then the recoil became a little more in my guns.  I finally bought an electronic scale and found my charges were half a grain more using the 10-10 than the electronic scale.  In my cowboy loads I have a little room to spare with an increased in powder but I shoot other shooting sports.  In my 9mm I was over the max load.  Has anyone else had something like this happen?  Bullett

[Muggins]

I trust a beam scale over digital. Did you try placing a check (known) weight on both the digital and beam scale to see which one was correct?

[Widder, SASS #59054]

I use an Ohaus 10-10 since around 1975.   Its a beam scale and I've had zero issues.   I reload a lot of stuff also.

 

I got an RCBS digital that is good, but its accuracy doesn't seem to be any better or different than my Ohaus.

 

..........Widder

 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Take a Q-tip with silicone spray on it and clean the pivot points the arm and where they fit on the scale body. 

You want them clean and smooth when you run your fingers over them

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Make sure to cover the scale with it's factory plastic cover to keep dust and dirt off the scale when not using it.  ALWAYS use a check weight or two that cover the range of weights you will throw.   Tare at zero, check weigh the heavy side weight, check weigh the light side, then check that tare is still zero.    I don't want anything on the agate pivot sockets - that attracts dust.  I blow clean with a compressed air can.

 

No drafts in the room, fans, etc., unless you PROVE to yourself that it is not affecting your check weight results.  Level solid surface where you set the scale, vibration free.  All this should help you "make  weight."   Good luck, GJ

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Good Grief.  I am certainly glad I don't have need to weigh anything I load that fine.  I have used the same beam scale for probably 45 years.  It sits on a shelf nailed to the wall out in the open.  Never been covered.  Every now and then I do "zero" it but that's all.  It's also the same scale I used for competitive Bench Rest. 

[Cholla]

I could not get mine to zero a few years ago until I thoroughly cleaned it. Dust will impact the accuracy of the scale. I keep it covered and wash it occasionally. 

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

A zero (setting the tare of the pan) is not enough for any scale.  You have to check the heavy end of the scale, as the OP has found out by practical experience that beam balance allowing too-heavy a load to be thrown at a "normal" scaled weight.  GJ 

[Von Dutch, SASS # 7995]

7 hours ago, Widder, SASS #59054 said:

I use an Ohaus 10-10 since around 1975.   Its a beam scale and I've had zero issues.   I reload a lot of stuff also.

 

I got an RCBS digital that is good, but its accuracy doesn't seem to be any better or different than my Ohaus.

 

..........Widder

 

The RCBS 10-10 was made by Ohaus I keep the pivot point clean on my RCBS 10-10 and I have never had a problem got mine about 1975 too.

[Griff]

16 hours ago, Bullett Sass 19707 said:

I have an RCBS 10-10 scale I have been using for about 15 years.  I was having issues getting consistent readings and the measurements were changing each time I remeasured the same load.  If I poured it in fast I would get a measure then poured slow and get a different measure.  Then the recoil became a little more in my guns.  I finally bought an electronic scale and found my charges were half a grain more using the 10-10 than the electronic scale.  In my cowboy loads I have a little room to spare with an increased in powder but I shoot other shooting sports.  In my 9mm I was over the max load.  Has anyone else had something like this happen?  Bullett

About 9 or 10 years ago I started having trouble with a RCBS 5-10-5 scale I bought new in early 1974.  I contacted RCBS and they told me to send it to them... If they could fix it, they would, if not, they'd replace it.  And since they no longer offered that model, they'd replace it with the next best model they currently produce.  They replaced it with a 10-10.   I trust a balance beam scale more than a digital.  My new 10-10 came with a set of check weights.  I would contact RCBS.  A balance beam scale doesn't require electricity to operate.  I also have an electronic scale, but prefer the 10-10.

[Dapper Dave]

On 8/16/2025 at 10:00 PM, Bullett Sass 19707 said:

I have an RCBS 10-10 scale I have been using for about 15 years.  I was having issues getting consistent readings and the measurements were changing each time I remeasured the same load.  If I poured it in fast I would get a measure then poured slow and get a different measure.  Then the recoil became a little more in my guns.  I finally bought an electronic scale and found my charges were half a grain more using the 10-10 than the electronic scale.  In my cowboy loads I have a little room to spare with an increased in powder but I shoot other shooting sports.  In my 9mm I was over the max load.  Has anyone else had something like this happen?  Bullett

I had a 505 and felt it was time to move into the big leagues, so i sold it and bought a 10-10. It was the worst scale I ever used in my life. I lucked into another 505, (so old it's marked Ohaus!), and sold off that white elephant as fast as I could. 

Edit to add, I bought a set of check weights at Sportsman's Warehouse years ago, literally on the spur of the moment, and quickly figured out how indispensable they are!

[Widder, SASS #59054]

12 hours ago, Dapper Dave said:

Edit to add, I bought a set of check weights at Sportsman's Warehouse years ago, literally on the spur of the moment, and quickly figured out how indispensable they are!

 

Check weights are valuable and comforting to know our scales are doing their job correctly.

 

I use my 250 grain 'test weight' on my digital to verify the accuracy of my Ohaus 10-10.    Dead on the money accurate.

 

..........Widder