OzFclass

Hello all,

Does anybody in NSW, near Sydney have a scale to weigh their rifles? What brand is it and where to get it? Can I borrow/use it once?

My rifle is apparently over by 280 grams for the FTR and before I go and buy a 800 gram, $240 bipod, I just wanted to get a second opinion on my rifle weight.

And just for accuracy of the scale I am using, the last time I used it, it said the rifle was 8.20 KG now it is 8.53 KG.

PM Sent

I'd be temped to buy a section of steel that weights 8.50kg and use that as a test weight on your home scales.

A round or square solid mild steel section should run with a density of 7850kg/m3 and you can get a machine shop to cut to an exact length. Small I-beam would be easier to pick-up by hand and steel supplies will have the section weights by length to do calculations on.

Keep it lightly oiled, protected from the elements, and don't drop or chip it and you will have a test weight for life, that should be accurate enough for your home scales. Regardless of what the scales decide to display on the day with the test weight, just as long as they repeatable.

You can use other materials of course (e.g. brass, aluminium, stainless steel etc.), just as long as you know its density (or more correctly its specific gravity - temperature independent) or their section mass/unit length. Obviously avoid hydroscopic materials or protect them with a sealer coating.

Even 8.5 litres of clean tap water in a thin plastic bag, sealed with a zip tie will give you an idea if your scales are in the ball-park...just take out the gold fish first.

I did manage to take off a part of the bipod which weighed 1.415 KG and bring it down to 1.055 KG. Hopefully, this missing part will not effect the stability of the bipod too much. It does not feel like it effects the stability too much during my dry fires. I will find out at the Queens then.

And for the record, I have been weighing in my rifle in "pieces".

Stock : 1.585 KG
Barrel: 5.110 KG (Includes scope)
Bolt : 0.405 KG
Bipod: 1.055 KG
Total: 8.155 KG

Does anyone know if there exists anywhere in the NRAA or member associations some accurately calibrated weights? I have occasionally seen electronic scales at Queens events, but never weights. They can be expensive, but if specified appropriately, are quite reasonable, and should ideally be available as a check whenever scale readings are used to enforce the rules.

a lighter scope, such as a sightron would save a few hundred grams

macguru wrote:a lighter scope, such as a sightron would save a few hundred grams

Unfortunately, I had already invested in Nightforce, which resulted in having to get heavy rings (I tried light rings but the scope was moving all over the place).

If this goes on, I may have to change calibres, or, even the discipline, at some point.

If the rail is good quality, then Leupold QRWs won't move and they're definitely lighter, not sure by how much. The NF rings should sell okay in the tactical market. Is your rail steel or aluminium? What is the action?

I wanted an accurate weight for my rifle so I asked at the post office and they didn't mind weighing it, I did weigh the bolt and spare scope separately (May depend where you live)

I used to have an accommodating butcher.

Weighting everything separately can bring in accumulative error.

Most budget scales weigh best in a narrow range and trying to weigh light and heavy objects outside that range you may find a fair amount of drift.

All shop or post scales should be calibrated for "trade" use.

JohnK - Thanks for the idea. I have a butcher friend who works in the local mall. Maybe I should try that.

TimN - The last time I tried to send some empty cases to a buyer, my local post office employees tried to empty their cash registers into my pocket so I have stopped going there.

Alan - I am using the Leupold rings/ the QRW Quick release were heavier than the PRW standard/permanent ones marginally so I opted for the PRW. The rails are steel ones by Warne. The action is Savage Model 12 with AccuTrigger with a 30" factory barrel.

BATattack wrote:Weighting everything separately can bring in accumulative error.

Most budget scales weigh best in a narrow range and trying to weigh light and heavy objects outside that range you may find a fair amount of drift.

All shop or post scales should be calibrated for "trade" use.

This is the type of scale I am using (and isn't it funny it's showing 8.25 KG?) I tried weighing the whole setup after putting in a bag but apparently I am not strong enough and kept shaking while trying to lift everything up.

Maxed out at 8.25??

Suspend it from the clothesline or something?