Powder Dispenser doesn't like W231

[sps282]

My RCBS Chargemaster won't dispense 231 with any consistancy, same problem with HP38. It will vary from 2 to 8 tenths over on every charge. Is there something wrong....the unit works accurately with all the other powders I use. Anyone have a suggestion.

 

[john16443]

What are "all the other powders" you are referring to? I'm guessing that there may need to be a speed adjustment for this pistol powder, especially if all the other powders are rifle powders. I'm thinking it's the machine set up for this powder.

I've not heard of anyone having trouble metering W231/HP38 in anything, much less the Chargemaster.

 

[sps282]

The other powders I use are Unique, Universal, Power Pistol, Bullseye, Blue Dot, HS6, 296, H110, AA5, 2400, SR4756, IMR4160, Power Pistol. All these powders work good and seldom go over the set charge amount. The 231 and HP38 consistanly run over.

 

[ncbengal]

I assume you are using the small size chamber and not the one that usually comes with RCBS measures. I had to order one from RCBS before I could do anything with small charges.

 

[TSQUARED]

W-231/HP-38 is one of the most consistent measurig powders. I would suspect a problem with your machine and contact RCBS.

 

[medalguy]

I agree. If you can meter Unique you should be able to consistently dispense anything. 231 should be an extremely consistent powder in any measure. It isn't clumping is it?

 

[Alk8944]

My RCBS Chargemaster won't dispense 231 with any consistancy, same problem with HP38. It will vary from 2 to 8 tenths over on every charge. Is there something wrong....the unit works accurately with all the other powders I use. Anyone have a suggestion.

As others have remarked, 231/HP-38 are the same powder according to Hodgdon, which is the distributor for both.

I too suspect that you are using the large rotor in the powder measure. Buy a small rotor and see what happens. With the possible exception of some of the "benchrest" measures the RCBS is considered as good as the best and better than most. If it measures other propellants consistently there is no logical explanation for what you describe except for using the wrong rotor.

 

[ohiococonut]

Is your machine slowing down to trickle? The only powder I had problems with were the large extruded powders. Try cutting a short piece of drinking straw and insert it in the end of the tube. It cured my problems. It allows the kernels to slide a little more so they don't clump.

The Chargemaster is the auto dispenser. It doesn't have rotors that can be changed.

 

[rck281]

Most of you are refering to a powder measure, this is a powder dispenser. The early dispenser required calibration for the specific powder. Does this one have a calibration process? If so, did you try it? It sounds like it is running on fast speed too long.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If your measure will meter W296 well there's no reason it shouldn't meter W231 well too. I'm guessing some of the suggestions above should be tried, especially the small rotor.

 

[EricInAZ]

231 & Bullseye are finer granulation powders than Unique, so there could very well be a problem in dispensing them thru your Chargemaster. Also, have you properly calibrated your scale? Go over the instructions to be certain & try again.

I recently set up a new Chargemaster Combo for use with extruded rifle powder & it's dead on. I've also read on-line that there are software tweaks & twiddles you can do with the dispenser software so it runs faster. I would imagine that you could also tweak the fine rotation to make it go a little slower in order to dispense fewer powder flakes & give a more precise dispense.

I also detached the swingaway wind cover, since it seems to affect zero & I haven't the motivation to spend time troubleshooting it when it just snaps off. Also, does your scale maintain zero OK? If not, maybe you need a sturdier workbench for it. Also, avoid leaning on the worksurface the Chargemaster is sitting on.

Personally, I use an old Lyman #55 that is permanently set up for WW231 & it dispenses my 5.5 gr charge with 100% accuracy.

The electronic/automatic dispenser for use with light weight & small volume powder charges is technological overkill. You may want to simplify your operation by going back to something like the Lyman or RCBS powder measure for your light charges & save the Chargmaster for heavier grain rifle powder applications.

 

[sps282]

Thanks for all the suggestions.....I was not aware the tube could be changed on the Chargemaster combo or that it could be reprogramed. As far as calibration all that seems to be fine and I check it often.

 

[oldRoger]

I have an electronic powder dispenser, but it never occurred to me to use it for small pistol charges.
As Eric says it would seem to me to be the wrong tool for the job.
It is much faster to use a good powder measure with the proper size rotor especially with powder that meters well and 231 certainly fits that category.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

You sure it's not something like static causing clumping? Try rubbing the inside of the powder resevoir with a dryer sheet to minimize static buildup. W231 is right up there with the most consistent metering powder I've found.

 

[Rule3]

Call, e mail RCBS they are most helpful.

 

[Red Cent]

Tape a $15.00 fish aerator to the powder drop and plug it in.

 

[sps282]

"Red Cent"

You'll have to explain that one to me...cause I don't have a clue!

 

[Maximumbob54]

He means the air pumps sold in pet stores for aquariums. They vibrate and will help to settle or shake up the powder in the reservoir so it doesn't bridge, clog, or whatever to drop squib loads and then dump a double charge. If you don't have one in a powder measure type, you could also try adding a baffle to the weight of the powder stays more uniform as the level changes. But a powder dispenser shouldn't need one. I'm not thinking the scale would like the air pump vibration one bit though if you mean to add one to a Chargemaster....

 

[Rule3]

Seems like it would create havoc with a electronic scale and electronic powder measure, A diaphragm pump runs off a small electronic magnet to move the rubber diaphragm That plus the movement would distort the sensitive scale.