RCBS Chargemaster or Hornady LOck-nLoad

[jimintheburg]

My RCBS Chargemaster is now non-functional-cuts off while calibrating and zeroing. RCBS can only recommend a 3rd party to repair it and the phone # for this particular 3rd party is now no good. A replacement is > $400. ( Could not find the names of any more 3rd parties on Google that were "good". )
The reviews on the Hornady unit look good although the unit seems to have some idiosyncrasies that the RCBS does not have but easily fixed. Prices range from $159 - $204.
Any one have the Hornady or any one sent their out of warranty unit to a 3 rd party? Any Feedback on either question appreciated.

Thanks

 

[joeintexas]

I have the Hornady powder drop, my second one. First one lasted about 3 years, I called Hornady to see about a repair and they said it would cost as much as a new one so I went that route. It is going on 3 years now too so who knows. As far as accuracy they are very accurate, I cross check mine with a RCBS 505 and they are within .001 gr. of each other. Very easy to use and to calibrate, just allow 15 minutes or so to warm up before dropping powder. Good luck.

 

[torizus]

My RCBS Chargemaster is now non-functional-cuts off while calibrating and zeroing. RCBS can only recommend a 3rd party to repair it and the phone # for this particular 3rd party is now no good. A replacement is > $400. ( Could not find the names of any more 3rd parties on Google that were "good". )
The reviews on the Hornady unit look good although the unit seems to have some idiosyncrasies that the RCBS does not have but easily fixed. Prices range from $159 - $204.
Any one have the Hornady or any one sent their out of warranty unit to a 3 rd party? Any Feedback on either question appreciated.

Thanks

You may have a software issue, do a search on modifications (mods) for the unit,you'll find plenty of sites. Your issue doesn't sound like hardware so maybe a simple reset could get you back in business.
Also check the manual,I cant recall if they address factory reset procedures.

 

[torizus]

I have the Hornady powder drop, my second one. First one lasted about 3 years, I called Hornady to see about a repair and they said it would cost as much as a new one so I went that route. It is going on 3 years now too so who knows. As far as accuracy they are very accurate, I cross check mine with a RCBS 505 and they are within .001 gr. of each other. Very easy to use and to calibrate, just allow 15 minutes or so to warm up before dropping powder. Good luck.

I have both units and although I dont use them much. I found that if you use the procedures you describe with either, they work great. Warm up, back up (2nd scale) and general cleanup will keep it going.

 

[Twoboxer]

There's a couple of things in the OP I don't quite understand, but if you were satisfied with the Chargemaster's performance (I was not), Natchezss.com has it for $199.99. (And the original Chargemaster for $299.99).

I would not expect the Hornady unit's performance to be meaningfully different from the CM. The performance issues with dispenser/scales in this price range are mostly related to the digital scale. And that cannot be improved at this price point. However, you might ask Hornady if they provide repair services after warranty.

As for your current CM, your description leads my first guess to hardware (different keypad buttons used and it "cuts out"). But there's not enough info to firm up that guess, and in any case it probably is not easily repairable these days.

 

[dr. mordo]

I have a LnL drop I'll sell you - I now use a Lee Auto Drum.

PM me if interested.

 

[M1A]

I have used the RCBS 1500 combo for some years now without issue. It loads for my rifles fast enough so I have not messed with the programming at all. Did the straw thing only.
I occasionally check the scale against my Dillon digital.
What a great improvement from trickling each load.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

RCBS CHARGEMASTER

Have used one of these for years and have in fact, have a backup, N.I.B.. My first one got knocked off, long story. and RCBS replaced it, free of charge. There was some sort of snafu and I ended up with two. When I called them I was told to just keep it. Sorry, but years ago I had way too much trouble with a progressive with it's charge drop. Just not worth the trouble in my book. I have consider a Hornady of late but just can't bring myself to get off the money. If I did, it would be Hornady. Still made in the USA.

 

[SMSgt]

Electronics . . . Bah, humbug!

 

[jimintheburg]

Thanks for the responses. I called customer service, I forgot to add in my original post, and the rep could not have been more helpful.Suggested that I try to reset the machine by taking off the bottom of the scale and looking for a switch that would , as he said reset the machine, but My unit does not have one. Still steamed re their inability to repair the machine. As it was explained to me, their supplier prohibits them from repairing the machine. What a crock. At one time, they would repair a unit that was out of warranty for less than $50.00.
I have got a bad taste in my mouth for RCBs products. I hand prime and must have rebuilt their priming tools several times. The result is that now they will not seat the primers as deeply as they would resulting in misfires requiring a second strike.
Think I am going to go with Hornady and not Chargemaster Lite. Have found one at Natchez for $183. which includes shipping