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Thread: Ultra rare RCBS scale

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Ultra rare RCBS scale

    I've just spotted this ULTRA RARE RCBS 1967 scale on ebay. According to the description this model was never offered to the public for sale.

    My guess is, and it's only a guess, is that this scale looks like it has some sort of mechanical damper. I believe this was just about the time when the first magnetic damped reloading scales made an appearance. With the magnetic damping being such a game changer I'm thinking that RCBS decided not to go ahead with something that would become obsolete almost overnight.
    Last edited by Pressman; 05-09-2020 at 06:43 PM.

  2. #2
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    This is the scale offered on eBay, this one is in my collection. I had to take the eBay link out of 1066's post as it's against the rules. Though what he found is very interesting. The seller is in MO and asking 1000.00 for the scale, NIB.

    These scales are scarce, they were offered for sale but for a very short period. There are no records of how many actually were sold, but the number is tiny, probably less than 50.
    This is RCBS's first attempt at a commercial scale and why they chose this design is beyond me as the design is not viable. It's appearance indicates that it would work, but reality is not appearance. Redding's first scale used this design in 1947, it was offered for sale for about 9 months then pulled.
    These scales have no dampening so getting the arm to stop swinging is near impossible. They are difficult to set for weight and difficult to weigh charges with.

    My picture is bad, I apologize for that. I took it 12 years ago when I first got the scale using my sort of state of the art camera. I need to take a better picture.


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    Last edited by Pressman; 05-09-2020 at 07:08 PM.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
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    when I saw the post the first thought was "pressman needs that for his collection", guess I should have known he already had it.
    if you are ever being chased by a taxidermist, don't play dead

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks for tidying up my post Pressman and thanks for the extra information. A rare beast indeed.

  5. #5
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    Newer pictures. Showing left and right side along with a close-up of the adjustments.

    The knife's are steel rod, sharpened. There is a simple flip up cover over the knife's.

    The round wheel is an additional weight to add capacity as the scale only covers 0-300 grains.

    These scales are super sensitive, they will react to a single powder granule.

    The last picture is Grace, she is my photographer's assistant. Taking a break from working too hard.


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  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    That is rare, when I read the title I thought it would be an RCBS 304. Not as rare but hard to come by.


  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    I can see why that design is sensitive - In the instruction sheet it refers to the strip over the knife edges as being a "mechanical damper". Is that sprung so it can be held down to restrict the oscillations of the beam?

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    I know value is subjective, but what is the approximate value of one of those Pressman ?

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

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    cool, thanks for posting

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Few people can appreciate the tremendous sensitivity of an undamped balance scale until they're tried one!

  11. #11
    Boolit Man
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    Are those scales also sold marked Ohaus. I have used a the similar Ohaus scale for over thirty years. The guru's will tell you this scales needs calibrating every few years. I have not gotten around to that yet.

  12. #12
    Boolit Man
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    Ohaus made most of the scales marketed by RCBS.

  13. #13
    Boolit Man
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    I had a scale years ago that was water damped. Don't remember the make. Maybe it was oil damped.
    Last edited by Ken; 11-02-2020 at 01:18 AM.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check