Does anyone know of a standard scale for weighing rifles?

I've thought of one of those fishing scales that are supposed to be accurate to the ounce, but would that be acceptable? The days of asking someone at the post office to weigh my rifle are long gone, so where else do people have access to a certified scale?

On that same thought, where do match directors get their scales certified? I used to run matches in CA, and I had NRA trigger weights I'd use to check the relative accuracy of the scale. I suppose someone could have protested that my taking 2 sets of weights to come up with 10 pounds wasn't a certification, but no one ever did. How do we know that the scale at a match we travel a long way to has been certified or is reading correctly? Someone posted that a person with a rifle previously certified had to remove stickers from the stock to make weight on a different scale; it would really bite for someone to be told they're not legal if the fault is with the scale.

Dont even bother to post the "build it with a margin of error" argument; that's not the point of my question.

Tom

I've used some of the "One Stop" mail stores from time to time... They don't seem to get as nervous as USPS workers... Go figure. I'd always go in empty handed first and ask if it was alright... was never told no. Curiousity is a wonderful thing...

Great idea. A friend's wife manages one, and he's a competitive shooter too. Maybe I can schedule something so I'm not a pain.

Anyone know of one worth buying?

I bought one of the shipping scales off of eBay. I think it weighs accurately to the tenth of an ounce up to 35lbs. Then I made a series of test weights that I checked on a certified scale at a shipping center for 1lb, 2lbs (with a hook to test triggers with), 5lbs, and 10lbs. I made the "test weights" using empty bottles that I added lead shot to until they got to the right weight. You could also buy a set of real test weights, of course, but they cost more than the scale. Now using my scale and my cheapo test weights, I can be sure my scale's right. I keep my scale packed in its original box to protect it, which I think helps preserve accuracy. It has worked so far for a few years, and has the added benefit of being handy to use for weighing scopes, rings, and actually shipping stuff. The scale they used at tech for the Conard Cup this year weighed my rifle at the same weight my scale does, btw. I don't know that this is an elegant enough solution for tech at a big match, but it works for me and for weighing the rifles of those who ask at local matches. We don't actually do an official tech inspection at the local matches, though.

Mine is very similar to this one on eBay, same brand and all:
35/36 LB Pound Digital Postal Postage Shipping Scale

Seems to me the easiest answer would be to have a balance scale and get the weights checked anywhere you wanted to. Just don't make the weights look like a gun.

As one that works in accrediataion to NVLAP/NIST/ISO and other MRA standards, I can say that there are a number of scales out there availabe to a reasonable resolution (ie 1/100th of lb), the calibration set of weights for the scale would become more of an issue if you are worried about that degree of precision.
Most states have a metrology lab and laws that require places that sell by weight (ie produce, meat etc.) to be calibrated to a standard, (usually NIST). So in short, get a decent resolution scale and buy/make a set of weights that you can have the local grocery store/meat market check for you, then calibrate your scale to the weights. And yes, painting, corrosion, dents etc will alter the accuracy of the weights.

Mary

Looks like my server connection went down as I was answering this AM. Send a PM to PPKNY and he can tell you where we got ours, it was real inexpensive and works great.

Try; www.oldwillknottscales.com

I bought a MyWeigh Ultraship 55 that was a discontinued model for less then $25 shipped and it has held it's accuracy for the past 5 years. The current model is a little more. I made check weights like Jason and check them at the PO and the meat market of my local IGA and the local feed and seed. I trade with all those folks and they are always willing to help me out as long as the sanitation inspector isn't around.

I bought a postal/food scale from Amazon for 25 bucks. It has 0.1 ounce resolution, so it is pretty accurate. For the gasoline and travel time to borrow a scale, it was worth buying one. Mine came with a calibration standard.
You can also test trigger weight with it. Simply add lead shot to a hook/bag attached to the trigger until it snaps, and then weigh the hook/bag unit.

http://www.amazon.com/Escali-Primo-Digi ... pd_sim_k_2