Thread: electronic powder measures

I was looking at the RCBS Chargemaster...the combo with the scale and dispenser. My only electronic scale experience is a store brand that did not repeat well. Right now to check my progressive I have a balance scale but I want to do some other calibers and a couple of them are extruded instead of granular powder. The rcbs has decent reviews but what about the lyman 1200 dPS? Looking for actual after use reports on the rcbs and its competitors....
Thanks in advance

I have the Lyman, and it works unless a fan motor is running in the room, the fan motor causes scale drift.
I was going to buy the RCBS unit but I fell into a steal of a deal on the Lyman. I honestly believe both units are good products but the reviews favor the RCBS. Don't cheat the warmup period!

Willie,

I have had an RCBS Chargemaster Combo for a few years now. I love it, it speeds up reloading hugely over weighing on a set of balance scales. You MUST calibrate each time you use it, any draughts will affect the reading and apparently they can be sensitive to electrical interference, although I haven't had any problems.

When the Chargemaster dispenses a load & reaches the set weight, it beeps. You must wait until the weight reappears on screen, as then you will see if it has gone over.

If mine broke I would get another one.

Originally Posted by crusty66

Willie,

I have had an RCBS Chargemaster Combo for a few years now. I love it, it speeds up reloading hugely over weighing on a set of balance scales. You MUST calibrate each time you use it, any draughts will affect the reading and apparently they can be sensitive to electrical interference, although I haven't had any problems.

When the Chargemaster dispenses a load & reaches the set weight, it beeps. You must wait until the weight reappears on screen, as then you will see if it has gone over.

If mine broke I would get another one.

+1 on the waiting for the weight to appear. about 25% of the time with mine the weight is off.

Been using the RCBS for about a year now. Took a little while to get used to it's idiosyncrasies but has proven to be a real asset. One thing that helped speed up the process was to get a second drop pan making sure they weight the exactly same. While one is getting the powder dropped I dump the other previously filled pan a seat the bullet. This seems to cut down on a lot of wait time.

I have the RCBS and it is +- .1, ie within .2 compared to my Acculab milligram scale. That is as accurate as the RCBS scale is. If that works for you it's okay and you can fiddle with the software to speed it up considerably, just search on the web and add the McDonalds straw as well, you will find out what I mean, it all helps!!

I hear good things about the PACT unit, and it's actually made in the USA.

I have been using the chargemaster for about three years and dont really have any complaints. It is probalby the best of the lot.

I have used RCBS Chargemaster but currently I am using USA made PACT unit which is best and reliable with accurate measurements.

Looking for actual after use reports on the rcbs and its competitors....

Google to find comparisons between the different measures but the RCBS is always top pick. It seems fast to me but that may be because I'm so slow at the rest of the process. Nice measure & well worth the money IMO.

I have read some tests that a guy who works for Sierra has done, one was on cryo treating barrels. He does blind tests. It would be neat if he did one on these "weigh and trickle every charge" systems against a good volumetric measure(or even a belding and mull), and see if there was any statistical accuracy advantage. I already know the answer, there IS NOT for closer ranges, maybe as ranges go out to 600 and past a tiny one will show up.

Bill

The RCBS unit is, by far, the best I've used. Had a Lyman, but found it to be way tooo finicky with a large percentage of inaccurate drops. Just my 2¢..........

Johnny V
NRA Life Member 1976

I'm using the Hornady, and its working great for me with Varget and 4895. The odd time it acts up, but I'm pretty happy with it. Set it up somewhere there is no vibration or breeze and let it warm up. No problem running it at highest speed with stick powders.

I have had the Pact scale and measure for many years. Very satisfied with absolutely flawless performance.
Mike

An old benchrester told me in the past....."electronic scales are good, but check every 5th charge on a beam scale" to check for accuracy. Not sure but I do it

Originally Posted by keydiverfla

An old benchrester told me in the past....."electronic scales are good, but check every 5th charge on a beam scale" to check for accuracy. Not sure but I do it

You sound old and skeptical, like myself... I've learned to trust today's electronics, but I still check about every tenth round.......... I also look into every case and do an eyeball measure to make sure there are no double charges or any missed cases......

Just my 2¢

Johnny V
NRA Life Member 1976

There is more to the RCBS than just the plastic straw trick. Programming adjustments can tweak dump/trickle cycles to reduce wait time too, and online sources I've found explain all.

Originally Posted by Johnny V

You sound old and skeptical, like myself... I've learned to trust today's electronics, but I still check about every tenth round.......... I also look into every case and do an eyeball measure to make sure there are no double charges or any missed cases......

Just my 2¢

Johnny V
NRA Life Member 1976

Who you calling old damn whupper snapper

Originally Posted by keydiverfla

Who you calling old damn whupper snapper

WHOA.... and feisty too..... LOL........

Originally Posted by Flintlock

I have been using the chargemaster for about three years and dont really have any complaints. It is probalby the best of the lot.

Which type of chargemaster you have used? Can you tell the brand name?

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