Automated RCBS Chargemaster Lite Nice Unit

[Load Master]

The RCBS ChargeMaster Lite. At first I wasn't real sure about the word "Lite" in the name. I didn't know if I should just pay more and get the RCBS ChargeMaste1500 Scale and ChargeMaster Dispenser. I wondered if the Lite implies it was lacking something the full size bigger brother unit has. Here is what I have learned, first off, after breaking the unit in (two pounds of powder ran through it) and allowing it to warm up (plugged in and on for an hour) I was able to achieve the spec tolerance with most of the powder drops after calibrating per the manual. The drops are fairly quick and it is very repeatable on the charge. I'm enjoying using it.



There is an "Auto Start" mode that can be activated. Once the empty pan is placed back on the scale and the it zeros, the unit will automatically start dispensing the powder without the need to hit the GO button.

My only complaint of the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite are the adjustable scale feet. They are made of a very stinky rubber.

All in all I like the small foot print, using less space on my reloading bench. I expect to use this for developing loads for my .308Win and .223Rem. Not too much for pistol. I'll update as I have more time on Chargemaster Lite.



LINK to amazon review.

 

[Demi-human]

Have you used the full featured unit? If so what is the difference between the two? I have been looking at this type of powder measuring system as of late. I would be pleased if it was less money. I don't have a need to save hundreds of different weights.
Thank you for the run through.


Edited by my computer for my lazy phone.

 

[Gtscotty]

I have a Chargemaster Lite as well and really like it. I could have gotten either for not much difference in price, but from reading some, it seemed like the Chargemaster Lite was more of an updated machine with a bit lower price and speed similar to a modified Chargemaster 1500. The only concessions for the Lite title seemed to be a stepped measuring accuracy above something like 1000gr (who cares?) and no memory, which with the auto feature doesn't bother me. I wouldn't be surprised to see the older Chargemaster 1500 eventually get dropped and the future models be one piece units like the Lite.

 

[Jack B.]

The RCBS Chargemaster Lite , Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto Charge Powder Dispenser and the Lyman GEN6 Compact Touch Screen Powder System are all very similar. I've been using the Hornady one for about 5 years now and since I started using it I've covered my mechanical powder measure with a plastic bag, moved it to the back of my bench and haven't touched it since.

 

[Varminterror]

I've had 3 Hornady LNL Auto-Charge dispensers crap out on me in the last ~6yrs. First was after Warranty, so I bought a new one. Second was before Warranty, so Hornady sent me a new one. Third was also within Warranty, and the 4th just sits on my bench, rarely getting used.

Two Chargemaster 1500's sit in front of the Hornady now, both are always on, and throw just as fast and accurate as I could ever ask of them.

 

[jmorris]

I would be curious if the new version has the same "auto zero" electronics the 1500's have.

Can you do a test similar to this?

 

[Gtscotty]

This is the video that makes it sounds like they are kind of floating the Chargemaster Lite out there as a potential eventual replacement for the 1500... A bit of dancing around the gist "The 1500 is still our flagship product, but you're not really giving anything up with the Lite...", "We want to let the consumers choose which unit to go forward with..." ect.



I was incorrect about the step, the accuracy goes from 0.1gr to 0.2gr at 500gr.... Still, I'll never need to measure that much powder, and if one does, does the extra .2gr total spread increase in a 500gr measurement won't matter at all.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Isn't the biggest difference the ability to store some of your favorite loads on the 1500?

 

[Load Master]

I would be curious if the new version has the same "auto zero" electronics the 1500's have.

Can you do a test similar to this?

Mine doesn't do this. You have to manually zero it, my personal preference.

As soon as the weather cooperates I have a .308Win ladder test to chronograph that powder was measured using the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite. I'll report back the results. So far I am really liking the Lite version.

 

[Load Master]

Isn't the biggest difference the ability to store some of your favorite loads on the 1500?

I believe you are correct. I personally don't mind not having the memory. It is quick to punch in the desired weight and with the auto start mode there really isn't much if any time loss.

 

[Load Master]

As I mentioned in my original post, my only complaint is the stinky feet! The four adjust feet are made out of some really smelly rubber. It smells like rubber tires from China.

The rubber foot up close.


All four feet.

 

[glc24]

I also bought the lite version. I've had it for almost 3 months now. Very impressed with it so far. I wanted something specifically for extruded powders. The first powder I measured was Benchmark. I loaded 800 rounds of 5.56 at 25gr, and happy to say that 798 measured exact, while the other 2 measured 25.1gr.

Not that it really mattered to me, but I was curious about time. I did quite a few charges with a stop watch and found the average to be roughly 20 to 30 seconds. I started the time when I put the pan back on the scale. I don't know how that compares to the 1500, but IMHO, I thought it was fairly respectable.

 

[Demi-human]

Excellent information, thank you very kindly. Would these be strictly for an extruded powder?

 

[Load Master]

Excellent information, thank you very kindly. Would these be strictly for an extruded powder?

No, any powder pretty much. For me, I will use it mostly for extruded. I have very low standard deviation with my Lee Auto Drum powder drop for powders for pistol like TiteGroup, CFL, Unique, etc.. It handles flake, round, extruded...

 

[glc24]

Excellent information, thank you very kindly. Would these be strictly for an extruded powder?

As load Master posted, you can use it for any powder. I wanted something very accurate and consistent for extruded powders, as most powder drops are not.

 

[Cheesemaker]

I just saw - you can get a Chargemaster 1500 for $232 on Amazon's Prime Day sale (gotta be a Prime member) and, likely expires today.

I did not know they made a lite version. I do like it for extruded powders, I also use my Redding powder measures for powders where they throw consistent charges.

 

[Load Master]

I mange to spend time at the range today. My overall standard deviation = 12 from the loads made using the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite. I need to load another set and retry this test with 10 rounds each. This test was 5 rounds each. Grouping was becoming tighter at the higher velocities so I'll start somewhere around 44.0 grains.

 

[Gtscotty]

FYI, for anyone looking, the the Lite is on sale at Midway usa for $209:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...ster-lite-powder-scale-and-dispenser-110-volt


I use mine for extruded powders... Which is pretty much all I shoot anyway. The only ball powder I use is Tac, chosen for .223 bulk loads specifically because it meters well through my progressive.

 

[ants]

I own a Chargemaster 1500, the Hornady Auto Charge, Lyman Gen2, and PACT Dispenser Combo.
RCBS is by far the most superior. Lyman ain't bad. Hornady is serviceable. PACT sucks dead moose.
In that order. I've been using them side by side for about 4 years.

My tiny little advice:
If the new Lite series has all the features you need, GO FOR IT !!!.
If you need the extra features of the big RCBS unit, GO FOR IT !!!

If any of you, my brothers, disagree with my tiny little advice, you're still my brothers.
I'm just sharing 4 years of experience with each of the 4 units, side by side.

It's a personal choice, of course I honor anything my brothers and sisters do.
I'm just putting in my 4 cents. (Just about one penny for each unit. )

 

[Load Master]

I own a Chargemaster 1500, the Hornady Auto Charge, Lyman Gen2, and PACT Dispenser Combo.
RCBS is by far the most superior. Lyman ain't bad. Hornady is serviceable. PACT sucks dead moose.
In that order. I've been using them side by side for about 4 years.

My tiny little advice:
If the new Lite series has all the features you need, GO FOR IT !!!.
If you need the extra features of the big RCBS unit, GO FOR IT !!!

If any of you, my brothers, disagree with my tiny little advice, you're still my brothers.
I'm just sharing 4 years of experience with each of the 4 units, side by side.

It's a personal choice, of course I honor anything my brothers and sisters do.
I'm just putting in my 4 cents. (Just about one penny for each unit. )

Thanks for sharing your advice. Ants, do you rely on just the scale calibration or do you perform some other process to validate the proper measure?

 

[jmorris]

I wanted something very accurate and consistent for extruded powders, as most powder drops are not.

That can be done for a lot less than the price of any of the auto dispensers.




Also more repeatable than the two RCBS 1500's I have. The homemade unit repeats to +\- a kernel the RCBS doesn't always make it to the same tenth of a grain.

 

[Demi-human]

I am constantly and consistently amazed by the apparatus you create Mr. Morris.

 

[Load Master]

I would be curious if the new version has the same "auto zero" electronics the 1500's have.

Can you do a test similar to this?

Okay, I revisited this with the RCBA Chargemaster Lite, and if it shows .2gr or less it will take it back to zero on its own. I'm not too sure I like this, but it is what it is.

 

[jmorris]

Yeah, I didn't like that part either. Thanks for letting me know though before I went out and bought one.

 

[ants]

Thanks for sharing your advice. Ants, do you rely on just the scale calibration or do you perform some other process to validate the proper measure?

Check weights. I bought two complete sets, that gives me lots of combinations. I pick a combination close to my target charge weight, every once in a while I set the check weights on the pan to check the indicated weight.