Difference Between RCBS Chargemaster and Lyman DPS III

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Bringsteen

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My main question concerns speed. Lyman maintains that their DPS III is the fastest dispenser on the market. Has anyone compared these two products for speed? What about other characteristics (accuracy, fit and finish, et cetera)?

Bringsteen
 
Everyone Googles! I am familiar with those two sources. The problem is that the 6mmbr.com article tests a DPS II as opposed to a DPS III, and the longrangehunting.com thread just isn't particularly informative.

I was just hoping for some expert advice.

Thanks though.
 
Note that the 6mmb4 article is copywrited 2005 !

I picked up the RCBS combo last Spring and it is a lot faster than my Pact combo which dates to 2006. Don't know how it compares to the Lyman.


regards....roger
 
I have no idea about the Lyman but I'm very pleased with the ChargeMaster 1500. I wish I could adjust the volume of the beeper (or even mute it) since the wife is starting to complain when I'm reloading in the early hours of the morning. As for accuracy in dispensing, so far I've made up loads using RL15, RL22, IMR4895, N130, W231, Trail Boss and H110 with very good results. The N130 meters the best as do other "fine" powders. I made up 80 loads of .45-70 (using N130) with only one going back in the hopper. The long, extruded powders are the worst at metering and I have to throw a few more of those back in the hopper but that's not a big deal. I think IMR4895 has metered the worst so far with four (out of 30) going back in the hopper because they were over. Changing powders is fairly quick and easy but I would have preferred a quick change hopper system (if that were possible). I don't use the memory functions at all. The overall quality of the CM1500 is very good to excellent and it has definitely improved the reloading experience.

:)
 
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I've borrowed a friends CM1500 and I liked it. (You can mute the beeper, I forget how right now though -- I had to do it for the same reasons you stated.) I've heard good things about the Lyman DPSIII, but have no personal experience with it.
 
Hey Bringsteen,

I have worked with both and have come to the conclusion that the Lyman with the speed upgrade is a bit faster than the RCBS Chargemaster combo BUT the RCBS is more accurate.

LGB.
 
kragluver said:
(You can mute the beeper, I forget how right now though -- I had to do it for the same reasons you stated.)
Click to expand...

I can't see how to do it in the instruction manual from RCBS ... :(
 
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DPS III is nearly identical to the DPS II. Still needs to warm up, still difficult to clean and change powders... and will still drift. But it is a lot cheaper than the Charge Master in Europe..
 
From LGB:

"I have worked with both and have come to the conclusion that the Lyman with the speed upgrade is a bit faster than the RCBS Chargemaster combo BUT the RCBS is more accurate."

Thanks for the info.

With the RCBS being more accurate, I don't know what to do. My Redding powder measure throws charges pretty accurately now. And of course it is fast, as are most powder measures, at least relative to a digital dispenser.
 
I've never used the RCBS, but recently upgraded my DPS II to DPS III. It's faster, but I can't say twice as fast.

As to accuracy, my DPS is absolutely rock solid and completely accurate.....after the warm-up. I have noticed that it is slower to reach the set charge as the powder level drops in the reservoir.
 
I can't speak about the DPS but I love my charge master.
I find it to be very accurate and it is very fast. I have had it for around 3 years now, Trouble free :D
 
RCBS Charge Master

I have used the 1500 for about three years. I love the thing. The key pad quit working and when i called RCBS they said send it in. In about three weeks I got a new one. I don't know how Lyman would be but you can't beat the service form RCBS
 
I had a RCBS Powder Master, :barf: then I got the new Charge Master :D. WOW SO much nicer!!! You don't have to calibrate every different power, just put it in and go. The Charge Master is so much faster, I would say ~10 sec or less for ~36 gn Varget. It's done "trickling" by the time I have the last round's bullet seated and have put it down to grab another cartridge.

There is a way to shut off the sound...just don't remember how to right now. I will look when I get back home.
 
I have an old RCBS Powder master also. I am just waiting for it to die to get something faster but it just keep plugging along so I keep using it. You guys are making me interested in a new on though.
 
Well, the wife and kids surprised me with a Lyman DPS 3 for Christmas, so now I guess I'll be able to give you a RCBS vs Lyman evaluation.

Based on the few minutes I've been playing with it, I'd rate it equivalent to the RCBS machine. I'm currently loading .45 ACP with 4.8 gr of Bullseye. With this powder, the Lyman works a bit quicker than the RCBS. I've had no accuracy issues so far. Keep in mind that I've only got about an hour on the machine though! The functions seem basically the same as the RCBS so far as charge memory, etc is concerned.
 
PACT has sped up their combo....I have the CM1500 and have no issues with the speed. I only use it for extruded powder powders. TAC measures like water.
Bringsteen if you are in the Metro go to the Gunstop and talk with John Walton he is a good resource.
 
I've now spent a few more hours with the Lyman and here's how I'd rate it. I included my RCBS Uniflow manual powder measure as a "baseline" comparison:

Dispenser>> RCSB 1500 Lyman DPS 3 RCBS Uniflow (baseline)
Accuracy A A B
Speed B A A
Cleanup A B A
Ease of Use A A B
Price Highest Less than RCBS Lowest

As you can see, the only significant ding I'd give the Lyman is in the cleanup as compared to the RCBS product. It is not a huge issue and I think it will get easier the more I use it.
 
Well I finally looked in the manual for the Charge Master. To turn the sound off, press and hold the "Zero" button until the display shows "audio of" or "audio on"
 
Gofaster454 said:
Well I finally looked in the manual for the Charge Master. To turn the sound off, press and hold the "Zero" button until the display shows "audio of" or "audio on"
Click to expand...

Gofaster454, that's GREAT!! Thanks so much for the tip ... my wife will be a lot happier!

:)
 
Press the "Beep" button. There are three settings, off, quiet and loud. I like the "quiet" setting myself. Not too loud to wake the kids.
 
I tried holding the "Zero" button down on the RCBS Chargemaster and it does nothing. Held it for like 5 minutes and it does not toggle the beep at all.
Does not say "Beep off" or Audio off" or anything.
Does this only work on older Chargemasters?
 
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