vonn
US Veteran
RCBS charge master compared to charge master lite. Any and all thoughts welcomed.
Powder dispenser
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Erich
Member
I loved my Chargemaster (bought, what? 15 years ago?) until the cheap membrane key pad went funky. There's NO WAY I've gotten my money out of it, but the usually great RCBS customer service has been pretty useless on this one. I'm getting to the point where I'm going to take it out and shoot it, and post the video on their Facebook page.
They have just introduced a new one with an LCD touch screen. My advice (given my experience) is that you don't even think about buying one of the older variants (like the two you mentioned).
They have just introduced a new one with an LCD touch screen. My advice (given my experience) is that you don't even think about buying one of the older variants (like the two you mentioned).
DWalt
Member
No experience with the RCBS Charge Master. But for the last 12 years, I have been using the Lyman 1200 DPSII, which seems to do the same things as the RCBS. No idea if that, or later versions, are still available.
All our medications are weighed on electronic scales, paint mix scales are all electronic, electronic scales work and work well at this point. The question here is should one trust one for just a couple hundred bucks when a "good" scale tends to be a lot more money.
I suppose I'd trust it to make fair to very good ammo but would want a better scale if I were shooting at a high level at longer ranges.
I owned whatever they called the predecessor to the Chargemaster and found it slower and more annoying to use than a volume-type powder dispenser and manual trickle for most things where I was making more than just a few cartridges.
I'm sure they have improved but I don't know they have improved that much. On the other hand, while it was slower it was also less work since I could push the button and watch it do the work. Overall I found it not worth the bench space and was happy to see the back of it.
Helpful for load development and low-volume fairly-accurate charges. Not much use for bulk reloading.
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Think about a good quality non-electronic measure like a Redding. Very dependable. I've been using four for some time; the newest is more than thirty years old.
My experience with anything electronic (other than a light) on the loading bench was short lived. To get a measure, scale, or anything else electronic that compares with the reliability of a non-electronic counterpart probably will require an expenditure far greater than most handloaders would even consider.
My experience with anything electronic (other than a light) on the loading bench was short lived. To get a measure, scale, or anything else electronic that compares with the reliability of a non-electronic counterpart probably will require an expenditure far greater than most handloaders would even consider.
I use the charge master lite. Weighs dead on with every powder I use, unique, varget, h335, 2400,etc.
Only time the weight is ever off is if I jar the scale somehow, ie shake the table or move the table. These are sensitive scales so any movement throws it off.
Other than the above, no issue whatsoever. It’s easy to use, and I’m a caveman when it comes to electronics.
Only time the weight is ever off is if I jar the scale somehow, ie shake the table or move the table. These are sensitive scales so any movement throws it off.
Other than the above, no issue whatsoever. It’s easy to use, and I’m a caveman when it comes to electronics.
I have never used either one. I have the Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper and it works great. The phone app is a plus also.
Hasbeen1945
Absent Comrade
I started with the Pact scale and dispenser. Worked OK. But the Chargemaster is a big time improvement over it. Like anything you need check it to make sure it’s working properly. I usually use a bullet to check the scale. I find one near the weight i am loading and use it periodically to check the electronic scale.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
The cost of getting powder out of the can and the proper amount into the case just keeps going up!
A good quality powder measure is a $150-$300 and you will need a scale to adjust it! The two I currently use are a Redding BR-30 and the Lyman 55 Black Powder variant. All Lyman 55's are currently discontinued, but there are still new old stock and a couple hundred thousand used ones. It is THE BEST "all round" powder drop out there, barr none!! The Redding BR-30 is more specialized for cases in the 223 volume (which is 26 grains +/- in most of the normal powders in that round. The BR-30 was engineered to be about perfect at 30 grains of the typical Bench Rest powders, it will go about 20 grains both ways, but the further away from 30 grains you get the larger your "+ and -" get. I is great from 223 to 308. For huge cases, I set it for a grain short on a double charge the weigh and trickle charge to the exact charge (this is for my 338 Lapua and 378 H&H mag.) That is still much faster than my 22 year old electronic dispenser by RCBS!
An inexpensive electronic scale is sold by Hornady in the $40-50 range. Go to the "Head Shop" and the same or better scale is about $25-35, I like these for field loading. Use one AA battery, remove when not in use. Store in a protective box that wont let it be pressed on! (same for all digital scales)
Ivan
A good quality powder measure is a $150-$300 and you will need a scale to adjust it! The two I currently use are a Redding BR-30 and the Lyman 55 Black Powder variant. All Lyman 55's are currently discontinued, but there are still new old stock and a couple hundred thousand used ones. It is THE BEST "all round" powder drop out there, barr none!! The Redding BR-30 is more specialized for cases in the 223 volume (which is 26 grains +/- in most of the normal powders in that round. The BR-30 was engineered to be about perfect at 30 grains of the typical Bench Rest powders, it will go about 20 grains both ways, but the further away from 30 grains you get the larger your "+ and -" get. I is great from 223 to 308. For huge cases, I set it for a grain short on a double charge the weigh and trickle charge to the exact charge (this is for my 338 Lapua and 378 H&H mag.) That is still much faster than my 22 year old electronic dispenser by RCBS!
An inexpensive electronic scale is sold by Hornady in the $40-50 range. Go to the "Head Shop" and the same or better scale is about $25-35, I like these for field loading. Use one AA battery, remove when not in use. Store in a protective box that wont let it be pressed on! (same for all digital scales)
Ivan
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I never used an electronic powder dispenser but after a report like that, you might consider another. A friend uses a Hornady Auto Charge Pro and he has never complained about it. Again, no first hand experience so do more research.
DWalt
Member
As I earlier mentioned, the Lyman 1200 DPSII has worked fine for me for the last 12 years, but I do not know if it is still made and available. The weight thrown has always been dead-on, and I've never had any doubts about its accuracy. Even so, I will typically check-weigh the charges it throws on my beam balance (Redding) every 10-15 rounds just to be sure. I do not use it for handgun loads (too slow), and usually use my Lyman 55 powder measure (I have two of them). But for CF rifle use, especially if I am loading 50 or more rounds, I always plug in the Lyman 1200. The only problem I ever had was early on, when the AC power supply quit working. I contacted Lyman and they sent me a replacement right away.
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ChargeMaster 1500
I've had my ChargeMaster 1500 for almost (7) years now & it's the only dispenser I've used since I bought it.
Before CV-19 I consistently loaded 200-300 handgun rounds a week with it.
Frequently I'm doing load development trying different powder charge combinations with a new bullet.
I love being able to key in a new charge weight on the fly & it's been a big time saver in that regard.
Change to a different powder & just key in the new weight. Easy done.
By the time I dump the dispensed powder in a case, set the pan back on the dispenser, seat the bullet & visually check it, the next powder charge is usually ready to be dumped.
I've not had any issues with the keypad.
On occasion I've had it lock-up & had to power cycle it to continue. No biggie.
I randomly double check the CM1500's dispensed power charge against my Lyman M5 & if it drifts any I reset/re-calibrate it but generally it stays steady.
I always thought the cord on the power supply looked flimsy but I don't man-handle it & it's not been a problem.
People have reported that RCBS gives no support on scales that fail outside of warranty which is a shame because RCBS has always been more than fair whenever I've had issues with other items of theirs.
.
After a thorough out-of-the-box inspection by my assistant it's been good to go.
.
I've had my ChargeMaster 1500 for almost (7) years now & it's the only dispenser I've used since I bought it.
Before CV-19 I consistently loaded 200-300 handgun rounds a week with it.
Frequently I'm doing load development trying different powder charge combinations with a new bullet.
I love being able to key in a new charge weight on the fly & it's been a big time saver in that regard.
Change to a different powder & just key in the new weight. Easy done.
By the time I dump the dispensed powder in a case, set the pan back on the dispenser, seat the bullet & visually check it, the next powder charge is usually ready to be dumped.
I've not had any issues with the keypad.
On occasion I've had it lock-up & had to power cycle it to continue. No biggie.
I randomly double check the CM1500's dispensed power charge against my Lyman M5 & if it drifts any I reset/re-calibrate it but generally it stays steady.
I always thought the cord on the power supply looked flimsy but I don't man-handle it & it's not been a problem.
People have reported that RCBS gives no support on scales that fail outside of warranty which is a shame because RCBS has always been more than fair whenever I've had issues with other items of theirs.
.
After a thorough out-of-the-box inspection by my assistant it's been good to go.
.
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twodog max
Member
Being an old fudd that is retired and have no time demands or at least none that are pressing I will stick with my old RCBS balance beam scale and uniflow measure. I completely enjoy reloading so why do i need to hurry up and finish the process. I sold my progressive press for that reason. I continue on with my single stage RCBS press as well.
However if I was younger with time constraints I would be all over the high speed electronic stuff. Since most of it is actually Chinese manufactured I would say any of it is just a product with a self destruct time built in. You pays your money and you takes your chances.IMO
However if I was younger with time constraints I would be all over the high speed electronic stuff. Since most of it is actually Chinese manufactured I would say any of it is just a product with a self destruct time built in. You pays your money and you takes your chances.IMO
sourdough44
Member
I’m content with the Uniflow and ‘little dandy’ with the adjustable rotor. Once I set them up the drop is consistent, check every once in a while.
I have and use a Hornady Auto Charge Pro and it works very well and accurate as I check and verify against 2 other scales. Also, my original one started acting up and would not calibrate with the 50g weight giving me an ERR code. Called Hornady, they sent me a shipping label on their dime, and then sent me a brand new model on their dime as well. Superb customer service. And my old unit was 4 years old!
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It should tell folks something about reliability when they have to use another scale (usually a dependable balance beam scale) to verify calibration and accuracy on the device they use for measuring powder charges.
From my experience in 18 years working R&D in an analytical lab for industry... good, reliable electronic scales cost thousands, upwards to 10K.They need calibrated often across the range of weight. A scale that weighs a measured charge for less than $1000? Not for me! You get what you pay for.
Been using the Redding balance beam scale my Dad started out with in the 1960s. I'm comfortable using it and confident of the charges thrown by any of my volumetric powder measures. 'Course I'm not loading for a small army, just me.
John
Been using the Redding balance beam scale my Dad started out with in the 1960s. I'm comfortable using it and confident of the charges thrown by any of my volumetric powder measures. 'Course I'm not loading for a small army, just me.
John
