RCBS Chargemaster 1500 - Reviews?

[CRO MAGNON]

Hello yall,

I just finished my reloading room (or should I say pantry closet) - Hey, It's all the ol' ball and chain would give me....anyways, I am making upgrades to my RCBS reloading equipment. I am considering in buying the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. I only have a single stage press so I'm not trying to set a land speed record or anything. However, I am interested in loading very precise, match grade ammo. I was looking for anyone who owns one to give me thier thoughts or reviews on it.

The questions I have are
#1: Is it worth the money?
#2: How precise and accurate is it?
#3: Can you store several different charges for different powders and recipes in its computer?
#4: Is it consistent?

If you have one please let me know....cause if it's not worth it I'll just buy a nice RCBS digital scale and a better case trimmer or something. Thanks for your help!

Any other "gotta have" RCBS products?

Mike

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Almost all my equipment is RCBS. As to the Chargemaster 1500, I have one, it is precise, consistent and convenient. It does store loads on its computer (30 IIRC) and is, per most reviews, the best of its type on the market.

http://www.6mmbr.com/powderdispensers01.html

FH

 

[clone]

I have one that has served me well. It is very accurate, and yes its consistent. It will store loads but I normally don't bother with that, it just as easy to check my load data log and enter the load.

It has some interesting features, mainly that it can be setup to automatically throw a charge once the pan is placed on the scale. Its a time saver and piece of mind knowing that each charge is accurate.

One other note is that when measuring light pistol charges it will take it a few throws for it to learn the proper speed at which to dispense at, meaning it will throw the first 2 or 3 over. After that it throws fine.

Its worth is up to you. I found it on sale at Cabela's and used a coupon + RCBS was running a rebate at the time, so I ended up paying around $225 or so. So to me it was worth it.

 

[subman47]

I bought one , no regrets and is very consistent

 

[dwood]

I own one and love it!

A little history is in order, however. RCBS had a run of defective ChargeMasters in the past, they admit it. Bad circuit boards or something.

The first one I purchased 11-4-08 from Cabelas worked great for several months in a marathon reloading session until all my empties were reloaded. Then it sat unused for over a year. When I fired it up again, it would not work properly. I called RCBS. They said send it in along with $40.

It had a defective circuit board. It was out of warranty but they sent me a brand new ChargeMaster anyway on 8-23-10. All I was out was the cost of returning my original one to them plus the $40.

The second one lasted less than a month. This time RCBS sent a UPS pickup tag [their dime] and then sent me another brand new one which I received on 9-17-10.

This third one also failed in less than 2 months. RCBS sent another UPS return tag and I received my 4th brand new ChargeMaster from them on 11-22-10.

With this 4th one I decided to test it enough so that if it was going to give me problems I would know sooner rather than later. I turned it on, weighed things, left it on for a week. Turned it off. Turned it back on, ran through the calibration procedure, left it on another week. I have continued this off-and-on since.

I have used this last one extensively for reloading and have had no problems what-so-ever. As I said, I love it. It is accurate, consistant, fast.

When I purchased my first one it was the first electronic scale I had ever owned. I didn't trust it so was always comparing its results with my Ohaus beam scale. It was always right-on. I no longer bother with the Ohaus.

BTW, when the previous scales failed, they never gave bad readings. They just wouldn't work at all.

I own lots of RCBS reloading gear. I think they are top-notch. My experience with their ChargeMasters is unique. They admitted the problem and, other than the inconvenience, corrected the problem at their expense. Customer service at its best!

I think you can now buy with confidence. After all . . . I think I got the last of the defective units <grin>.

DON

 

[Tim the student]

#1: Is it worth the money?

It may not be worth it to everybody. It was to me, but it didn't change my life or anything - just made it more convenient, which is something that I will pay for to a certain degree. If you only load for one rifle, and one load for that one rifle, it may not be. But, I have rifles that like different loads depending on the bullet used.

#2: How precise and accurate is it?

It is both. I use a beam scale to verify on occasion, and it has never led me astray. I always calibrate it before use, and zero it. Some guys have gotten problems with over charges (by a tenth or two, IIRC) if they don't do the straw trick. For some reason, it will meter a bit better of you cut off a drinking straw and put that inside the tube. I do it, and it works well.

#3: Can you store several different charges for different powders and recipes in its computer?

IIRC, yes. You can program it as you want. This isn't a feature I use.

#4: Is it consistent?

Mine is. I've read they can drift, but I haven't had that happen to me. I do check every now and then if I'm at it for a while, just to be sure. So far, no issue at all.

I would buy one again. It isn't super quick, but it isn't slow. Usually, by the time it is finished, I have already seated a bullet on top of the last charge it threw, and will need to wait a few seconds on it. If you are only doing a few, it is fine, but if you are trying to load up a few hundred rounds, the wait is annoying.

Know anyone that has one?

 

[918v]

Yes on all counts. I have owned one for several years and it is just awesome.

 

[jb27]

How does the chargemaster work with stick powders like Varget?

 

[dsm]

I had to modify my chargemaster with a McDonald's straw in the trickle tube and taped off 1/3 of the trickler tube opening to run Varget accurately. The straw trick allows the powder to flow smoothly rather than clumping in the threads of the trickle tube and throwing an over charge.

Other than that, the cm has been working pretty good. It's easy to set up and use and throws consistent charges.

I leave mine on all the time if I know I'll be loading throughout the week. The keeps it warmed up and seems to be much more consistent. Also, make sure you put a reminder not on the machine to close the powder drain gate.

 

[dsm]

I added pictures of the straw trick in the 'discovered' sticky thread above. Hope its helpful to some that never heard of the trick.

 

[Miata Mike]

I love my Chargemaster 1500 and need to post a reminder to close the powder drain gate also! I didn't think I ever would be so dumb.....

I need to add the McDonalds straw, but otherwise drops a very accurate load including the tough Unique powder....

 

[jrdavidson]

RCBS Chargemaster

I got the RCBS Chargemaster to assure accurate, repeatable powder drops, and I am really impressed. I am particularly impressed with the automatic refill capability on the CM. Just when you finish seating a bullet in a charged case and crimp, the CM beeps with a ready charge for the next case. It helps me set a consistent pace throughout the process.

Obviously, this is most useful for single-stage (or in my case a turret running as a single stage) reloaders. I'm not sure how a progressive reloader would use the CM except as a highly accurate and reliable check tool for manually or mechanically dropped powder. Its pretty expensive just to use it that way. if that's your application, just get a digital scale to complement your balance beam.

I use ball powders which meter well in the CM, but if I do stick powders I'll have to remember the straw/tape fix mentioned here. great tip.

 

[Tim the student]

One thing I forgot to mention - I only like it for rifles. I tried using it for .40, and I didn't like it. It was too slow.

 

[kelbro]

Great for working up load developments where you are increasing by .2 or .3 grains.

 

[amlevin]

I've had my chargemaster about a year now. Just recently adjusted the time it runs at high speed to speed the overall performance and it now works great.

I enter the charge desired, wait for the first charge to drop. Then pour it in a case, put the pan back on the scale. While the chargemaster is dropping the next charge I seat the bullet. When I remove the finished cartridge from the press and place it in the loading block, the chargemaster is finished dropping the next load. I've used Varget, 2495BR, H4350, IMR-4064, HS-6, Power Pistol, AA2230, and VV 3N37 with no issues on accuracy or performance.

If your bench is not solid, any vibration from operating your press or someone walking across the floor nearby might cause a couple of extra grains to fall giving a heavy load. That's not really the scales fault. Keep it level and on a solid surface, the loads will be more than accurate and consistent.

My loading bench is made from 4x4's and cabinet grade particle board with bulk bullets, cases, and finished ammo stored on the lower shelf for stability. The bench, without the storage weighs over 500# so it's solid. I don't have the problems many describe with theirs and I don't even have a "McDonalds Straw".

Accuracy is checked at the beginning of every session by calibrating and then using the RCBS Check Weights. I also leave it turned on between sessions. Only turn it off if I'm not going to load for a week or so.

For some it may be an extravagance but then there are some that think Lee Dippers are too expensive.

 

[trapper500]

RCBS Chargemaster

I had the Chargemaster & it done really well if youre thinking about getting one let me throw this at ya first .I ordered a Smartreloader iSD Scale & Despencer & it does just about everything that theChargemaster The SR has more memory for your favorite load it has 50 slots where the Chargemaster hsa 30 here is the thing the Chargemaster runs around $339.00 it has a year warranty & the SR iSD unit costs 164.99 + S&H it carries a 2 yr warranty on /www.natchezss.com/ . I wouldn't turn around for the difference between the two except for the prices . The choice is yours sir check out Natchez's they may have the Chargemaster cheaper if its the one your'e going to buy

 

[Zak Smith]

I load all my precision rifle ammo on a Chargemaster 1500.

The only trick I've found that's required is to wait until the unit beeps, the display shows the load number, and then wait for it to go back to the weight. Sometimes it will be under or over the set weight. If so, either tap the powder trickler or pick a granule or three out of the pan until it's right on.

 

[MCMXI]

I have a couple of the CM1500s and have only good things to say about them. Like others, I use them for rifle cartridges only and simply won't be without one ... that's why I have two. The CM1500 makes reloading so much more enjoyable.

 

[AverAGE JOE REVIEW]

The RCBS Charge master is the machine to own. I load several powders on this unit and they all have metered well. H322, Varget, RL15, Rl 20 etc. If you add up the cost of a uniflow, a powder trickler, a set of good scales, a powder funnel, a micrometer adjusting unit etc you will have equaled the cost of a 1500. Natchez sells then for $279.00 all day long. Great deal. Buy it you will not be dissapointed!!

 

[skyfire1]

I am very please with mine. It was worth the price and I got a $50 rebate back too.