Questions on Mechanical scales and check weights

[Luked]

For you guys with the Mechanical beam scales.
Do you use the check weights that some of the companies like RCBS have to verify your scales?
If so how often have you ever noticed an issue with the scale being off?

Reason for asking is I keep thinking that my RCBS M500 is off but I don't have any of the check weights to be sure or not and am thinking about getting some to check it.

Was just curious if any of you have ever had any issues doing this.

 

[wind gypsy]

yes, for any scale really.

Kits are cheap insurance.

Amazon.com

 

[Castle Rock]

Just weigh a couple of bullets, they mostly are close enough to the stated weight to let you know if there is a problem

 

[RagnCajn]

Yes. Get a set. I probably have to adjust the scales more often than not to match the check weight so they definitely have some utility.

 

[wapitibob]

yes, always, but unless I move the scale a bunch it's within a 1/10

 

[EdP]

I set my beam scale on the bench and adjust the screw foot until the beam pointer is at zero, then don't move it until I am finished. The scale came with a 400 gr weight that I have checked it against and found it to be on. Even if it is a bit off, I don't see why it matters as long as I use the same scale properly zeroed to measure to the loads I developed. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't think so. An electronic scale I would not trust w/o checking every time it is fired up. Note: you can add or remove lead shot from the pan hanger bottom if your scale is off. If you have already developed loads using it and do add/remove weight from the hanger, you will need to update your load data.