Need help with an experiment

[bdbrown66]

So, I've been using an RCBS Chargemaster for several years now, without any apparent issue. However, it was fairly well-used when I got it, and I've had a concern about it dying unexpectedly on me. So, I've kind of been casually keeping an eye on the FA Intellidropper as a possible second unit, if the price was right. Last week I saw that Natchez had them on sale for $169, so I thought I'd take a flyer and see how it is.

After setting it up, I've been running it thru some side-by-side tests against the RCBS, and then comparing those to the beam scale. What I've found so far is that both of them seem to consistently weigh things about .1gr lighter than what the beam says. If the target weight is 41.5gr, what both dispensers say is 41.5gr is more like 41.4gr on the beam. But it's consistent, so that's all that really matters.

I wanted to try weighing some standard weights to see how the two compared with those, and here's where I'm scratching my head. It just so happens that some good candidates are right in my change dish: A nickel, penny, and dime. According to the US Mint, a nickel weighs 5.0 grams, a penny weighs 2.5 grams, and a dime weighs 2.268 grams. Multiply the gram weight by 15.42 to convert to grains. So I have 3 new (not worn) coins, and the nickel and penny weigh just as expected. However, the dime weighs 2.25 grams according to both of my scales, instead of the expected 2.268 grams. I've tried another dime and got the same result. Someone out there please weigh a new dime on your scale and let me know what it says. This has got me perplexed.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[RL338]

Found this on a search , not sure how much stock to put into it. It matches what you are seeing.

 

[bdbrown66]

Found this on a search , not sure how much stock to put into it. It matches what you are seeing.
View attachment 26021

But that agrees with what the US Mint says:

https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coins-and-medals/circulating-coins/coin-specifications

The pic you showed says a dime weighs 2.27 grams (actually 2.268, per the Mint).

And then there are plenty of things like this:

"All U.S. dimes minted since 1965 weigh 2.268 grams..."

https://sdbullion.com/blog/how-much-do-dimes-weigh?srsltid=AfmBOoqIFs-F1wfMmHSurNYfi_hGIrxDa6HCfsaJ_6NWg8645orgA0qm

My scales are coming up with 2.25 grams, so almost .02 grams off.

Since my scales were spot on with the nickel and penny, I can't figure out why they seem to be .018 grams off on the dimes.

 

[KinleyWater]

If you want to check a scale, please use a calibrated weight. You can get them from places like Grainger, and they are made for this purpose. I only harp on this because on this forum, we deal in things that go bang, and (hopefully not) boom.

 

[bdbrown66]

If you want to check a scale, please use a calibrated weight. You can get them from places like Grainger, and they are made for this purpose. I only harp on this because on this forum, we deal in things that go bang, and (hopefully not) boom.

I'm just looking for a sanity check here. If a couple folks do the same as I did with their scales and get similar results, then I'll know it's a reasonable result.

 

[JD338]

We've been short changed by our Govt.

JD338

 

[KinleyWater]

I'm just looking for a sanity check here. If a couple folks do the same as I did with their scales and get similar results, then I'll know it's a reasonable result.

Do all dimes you weight weigh the same? Do you have a selection of different years?

If you have a variety of dates and they all weigh the same, and the difference is all the same from the other scale, then the most likely answer is that the balance scale is providing an erroneous measurement, for whatever reason. As an alternative proxy, you could try weighing grains of rice, which may seem odd, but that will eliminate any bias of having a "known" weight to compare against. In essence, you would be weighing the rice against itself, rather than what the mint claims.

 

[Blkram]

I just read an interesting article on handloading for beginners, that talked about the term "grains" originating from the use of the standard set by the weight of a grain of barley, which consistently measured 7,000 grains per pound.
First time I had heard, or read, about this as being the standard that set the term. Very interesting!
Learn something new every day!

 

[300WSM]

So, I've been using an RCBS Chargemaster for several years now, without any apparent issue. However, it was fairly well-used when I got it, and I've had a concern about it dying unexpectedly on me. So, I've kind of been casually keeping an eye on the FA Intellidropper as a possible second unit, if the price was right. Last week I saw that Natchez had them on sale for $169, so I thought I'd take a flyer and see how it is.

After setting it up, I've been running it thru some side-by-side tests against the RCBS, and then comparing those to the beam scale. What I've found so far is that both of them seem to consistently weigh things about .1gr lighter than what the beam says. If the target weight is 41.5gr, what both dispensers say is 41.5gr is more like 41.4gr on the beam. But it's consistent, so that's all that really matters.

I wanted to try weighing some standard weights to see how the two compared with those, and here's where I'm scratching my head. It just so happens that some good candidates are right in my change dish: A nickel, penny, and dime. According to the US Mint, a nickel weighs 5.0 grams, a penny weighs 2.5 grams, and a dime weighs 2.268 grams. Multiply the gram weight by 15.42 to convert to grains. So I have 3 new (not worn) coins, and the nickel and penny weigh just as expected. However, the dime weighs 2.25 grams according to both of my scales, instead of the expected 2.268 grams. I've tried another dime and got the same result. Someone out there please weigh a new dime on your scale and let me know what it says. This has got me perplexed.

Thanks,
Brian

But that agrees with what the US Mint says:

https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coins-and-medals/circulating-coins/coin-specifications

The pic you showed says a dime weighs 2.27 grams (actually 2.268, per the Mint).

And then there are plenty of things like this:

"All U.S. dimes minted since 1965 weigh 2.268 grams..."

https://sdbullion.com/blog/how-much-do-dimes-weigh?srsltid=AfmBOoqIFs-F1wfMmHSurNYfi_hGIrxDa6HCfsaJ_6NWg8645orgA0qm

My scales are coming up with 2.25 grams, so almost .02 grams off.

Since my scales were spot on with the nickel and penny, I can't figure out why they seem to be .018 grams off on the dimes.

I'm just looking for a sanity check here. If a couple folks do the same as I did with their scales and get similar results, then I'll know it's a reasonable result.

It's very simple and nothing to be perplexed about.

Your scales are going to the tenth of a grain. One decimal place.
No more.

You got two correct readings and a dime was .277 grains off

That tells. me the dime is under weight when made.
.

Seriously brotha..

Charge some ammo with your new toy and go shooting.

 

[bdbrown66]

It's very simple and nothing to be perplexed about.

Your scales are going to the tenth of a grain. One decimal place.
No more.

You got two correct readings and a dime was .277 grains off

That tells. me the dime is under weight when made.
.

Seriously brotha..

Charge some ammo with your new toy and go shooting.

So, to break down what you are saying...

The scales are supposed to be accurate to .1 grain, as you said. And that would appear to be the case, EXCEPT...

Weighing multiple dimes results in a difference of almost .3 grains from the expected value. There's a big difference, in my mind, between .1 gr resolution and .3 gr.

My main concern here is to ensure that there isn't some issue where accuracy is unreliable below some threshold. That would not be good. Again, just looking for other data points for a sanity check.

 

[JD338]

My RCBS Chargemaster Lite came with weights for calibration. Same with my old Ohas 1010.
I'm sure you could find some scale calibration weights on line. This would resolve the issue and ensure that your scale is on the mark and repeatable.

JD338

 

[bdbrown66]

My RCBS Chargemaster Lite came with weights for calibration. Same with my old Ohas 1010.
I'm sure you could find some scale calibration weights on line. This would resolve the issue and ensure that your scale is on the mark and repeatable.

JD338

I have a set of the Lyman weights. Some of them are spot on. Some of them aren't. Reading the reviews online, I've seen others say similar things.

 

[300WSM]

So, to break down what you are saying...

The scales are supposed to be accurate to .1 grain, as you said. And that would appear to be the case, EXCEPT...

Weighing multiple dimes results in a difference of almost .3 grains from the expected value. There's a big difference, in my mind, between .1 gr resolution and .3 gr.

My main concern here is to ensure that there isn't some issue where accuracy is unreliable below some threshold. That would not be good. Again, just looking for other data points for a sanity check.

#1 these scales are only going to the tenth of a grain.
As in one decimal place.
(.1) grain

Number 2....

You have weighed several dimes or so it seems and they are all doing that.
Don't you think that if you keep getting CONSISTENT readings the dimes are not actually 2.268 grans but actually closer to 2.25 gram...
Since you've weighed several and keep getting the same result.

Nickel....spot on.
Penny...spot on.

But the dime....
Oh that pesky dime...
Is off by .018 grams or .2777 grains.

Well which dime?
All of them?
Yep.
All are weighing. 018 less .
Alright then....

Number 3..

Call the U.S. Treasury department and tell them you've been short changed.


If you are that concerned about this...

Understand that both scales are not what the industry would call highly precise, highly sensitive, etc.
Going to one decimal place in grains is fine for us but there are scales out there used by overly frenzied shooters (IMO) ...and you'd probably find several of them in Antwerp. Scales going out to the millionth place in decimal.

That said the scales capable of only reading a tenth are going to be inherently less precise the lower weight being measured.

Some scales won't even register until a minimum weight is placed on the platelet. Obviously a scale going out to several decimal places will weigh something much lighter than a single decimal place scale.



What I don't understand here is that you've weighed multiple dimes and get the same result across several of them...no?

I have degrees in multiple mechanical fields and the very first thing that comes to mind....that would come to any logical mind is that apparently dimes being made these days are a little shy of their advertised weight.
Solidified by the fact you've weighed a nickel and a penny and got the exact advertised listed weight.

Then weighed a dime and got below its listed weight. Then weighed a different dime and got same result.
Then a different dime. Same thing.

Not one scale mind you, but two different scales telling you the same thing.

Again...
Charge some primed cases and go shooting. Rinse and repeat.