Posting this on a couple sites hoping for expert advice.

Anybody using the RCBS Chargemaster Combo with small charges of Red Dot, like 4.5gr. I am thinking of purchasing one and all the reviews seem talk about how it does with large throws of slow rifle powder but I cannot find anything reference small charges of flake and ball powders for pistol.

While we are at it, is it significantly better than the Hornady and Lyman offerings?

Thanks for any help.

WILDPIG

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I ain't from around here.

I don't use Red Dot but Bullseye, Unique, & 231 have metered fine for me. It's tosses loads around 5gr with no problems.

Mine works fine with Red Dot, Bullseye & Unique also. In fact 4.5 grains of Red Dot under my home cast 225 grainers is my 325NG favorite range load. But for some reason, my chargemaster combo refuses to throw consistent loads with 231. I spent a couple of days a week, over a few weeks earlier this year talking to RCBS about it and never came up with a solution. YMMV.

Other than the issue mine has with 231, I have been very happy with it with all the other powders I use.

Cheers,

Rick

Most people recommend the McDonald's straw trick with the Chargemaster to improve the throws.

novalty,

Thanks for reminding me about this trick! I now remember reading about it a while back, but had forgot it. I just googled it and I think I will be giving it a try. Maybe it will help with 231 for me.

Thanks again!

Rick

Janitor and Rick, thanks for your replies.

Some flakes just give me headaches. I don't even seem capable of dipping accurately with Lee dippers. So, I am about to take the plunge into the RCBS, Hornady, or Lyman auto charging/weighing system.

WILDPIG

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I ain't from around here.

novalty,

I will have to file that straw trick into my memory banks. Thanks.

WILDPIG

__________________
I ain't from around here.

Well, my experience is different. I used Unique rather than Red Dot, but it was in the same gr. loading as you asked about. My experience is that it will work, but not nearly as well as it works with rifle powders (especially longer grains) where it clearly excels. My understanding is that it is based on the tuning of the unit. And I haven't tried to change mine, I do understand it is possible to change the programming and thus the tuning. It just has to do with how the unit goes into max speed before it backs down to the trickle rate. It just doesn't handle the low grain loadings very will based on my experience with it.

I love mine for heavier loads of rifle powder which is why I bought it. Not so much for the light loads of flake handgun powders. Probably 80% turned out Ok, but at least 20% were outside the normal acceptance range of +/- .1 gr.

And my particular unit works much better without the straw insert. Maybe my unit is just different than some others????

I like my Hornady Auto charge but any flake powder can sometimes get flakes stacking up until at the last second you get a small clump that falls and puts you over the limit. To me that's just what you have to put up with when loading with flake powder. But it doesn't matter if you are dropping heavy or light loads as it always happens in that last few seconds.

Mine throws bullseye without a hitch. 3.5 125gr LRN 9mm

Well, I rolled the dice and ordered Lyman's newest example, the Gen5.

I'll find out, soon, whether or not I made a good choice. I will report back. Fingers and toes crossed.

WILDPIG

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I ain't from around here.

Loaded 50 rounds of 4.5grs. Red Dot today with the new Lyman. I was able to cut my loading time in more than half with it. So far, I am pleased.

WILDPIG

__________________
I ain't from around here.