Author Topic: Beam Scale?? (Read 587 times)

quickdtoo · « **on:** July 15, 2004, 02:53:54 PM »

Ok fellas, you guys got me interested in handloading, first it was just for a .45-70, now BBF has me buying his .357 Maxi, so I guess I'm hooked real good! I'm makin a list and checkin it twice....got an old beam powder scale that I bought at a flea market long ago, it's a Pacific Gunsight Co, "Improved Deluxe Scale" model #M9-L29....I used to used it for weighting round balls. Now, I may just use it for handloading, it seems to be accurate and very sensitive. It has a well in it for liquid dampening, what liquid "should" I be using in it? I've been using motor oil and it seems to work fine, but thought I would ask for your opinions and experience with this or similar scales. Thanks, Tim
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JPH45 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2004, 03:29:06 PM »

I am not positive, but it seems to me that the oil should be somehing lighter, more like 3 in 1. I don't know that Pacific is still in business, but they were a reputable maker of reloading equipment, though again I doubt that they made that scale (it is possible, somehow I think though unlikely) I would suggest contacting RCBS firstand finding out what they may tell you. I would then look to Toledo Scale. Also, do a web search for Pacific. If no satisfaction from those sources, write one or more of the gun rags. Someone out there knows for sure.

Instinctivly, I would be concerned about the oil weight as there is a lot of difference between a round ball that may weigh 200 grais or so and a powder charge of only 25 grains (an order of 80 - 85%) Keep us posted, JP

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2004, 04:00:28 PM »

I did a google search before I posted this, found only references to the company, nothing specific. I have the box that the scale came in, it is definately made by/for them, it looks like new except the box looks old. The scale has a label on it, "Pacific". I have a scale check set on my wish list at Midway, will check it for accuracy before I use it. Thanks, Tim

JPH45 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2004, 04:27:45 PM »

A scale check set.....a very good plan :wink:

Paul5388 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2004, 07:01:52 PM »

I believe Pacific was bought out by someone, but don't remember who. Maybe Hornady.

The scale will work without any oil in it. It just won't dampen properly, which may not be too bad. The dampening affects the sensitivity of the scale, which means how much additional weight it takes to make the pointer overcome the resistance of the dampening medium. The weight of oil used will affect the resistance, because of viscosity differences. Light machine oil is normally 10 wt, but a 5w30 multi viscosity oil may be a better choice. As long as the scale doesn't yoyo up and down and you get acceptable movement to small changes, you should be good to go.

Of course, it needs to be checked against a set of weights for accuracy or an electronic scale that is calibrated against a weight.

Robert_L · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2004, 07:11:43 PM »

Hornady bullets merged with Pacific reloading tools sometime in the 70's I think and moved their facility that was located in Lincoln NE to Grand Island NE. They continued to manucacture fine reloading tools right next to the Hornady plant. Sometime in the 90's (I think) they (Pacific) incorporated with Hornady and became Hornady. Similar story with Frontier Bullets and police 3D bullets. Not sure of all the legalese but you get the picture. Been a long time since I lived in GI Nebraska.
Robert_L

Paul5388 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2004, 07:15:25 PM »

Thanks Robert! Now I know I haven't completely lost my memory to Old Timers Disease.