polaris man
Member
Is anyone using the chargemaster rcbs. How accurate is it compared to beam scale.
Rcbs chargemaster
- Thread starter polaris man
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NeuseRvrRat
Member
I believe that there is a previous thread on this issue in this forum. Nevertheless, I have been using one from shortly after they came out. They are accurate, and they measure powder consistently. In my opinion they are light years beyond a balance beam scale. The usefulness to you depends largely on how much you reload.
Do the search and I'm sure that you will find all kinds of information on the RCBS.
Do the search and I'm sure that you will find all kinds of information on the RCBS.
RainDodger
Member
I've used a Chargemaster for years - mine is the earliest version made by Pact and marketed by RCBS. I had them do their upgrade to speed it up, so it's likely very similar to the newest RCBS ones.
I only use it for precision rifle loads when I'm not in a hurry. It's generally faster to use a regular powder mill, set the pan on the scale and trickle to your final weight.
As for accuracy, it works quite well in conjunction with the scale.
I only use it for precision rifle loads when I'm not in a hurry. It's generally faster to use a regular powder mill, set the pan on the scale and trickle to your final weight.
As for accuracy, it works quite well in conjunction with the scale.
polaris man
Member
Thanks for info
thump_rrr
Member
I will echo the faster than a beam scale sentiment.
I know that if I want 43.7gr all I have to do is punch it in once I have zeroed the scale.
The Chargemaster will start fast and slow down as it gets closer to the weight and beep when it is complete.
If for some reason there is an overcharge or undercharge it is even indicated in the display.
I found with stick powders such as Varget it sometimes overcharges but the McDonalds straw mod virtually eliminates that.
It has cut down my reloading time for precision ammo quite a bit.
I know that if I want 43.7gr all I have to do is punch it in once I have zeroed the scale.
The Chargemaster will start fast and slow down as it gets closer to the weight and beep when it is complete.
If for some reason there is an overcharge or undercharge it is even indicated in the display.
I found with stick powders such as Varget it sometimes overcharges but the McDonalds straw mod virtually eliminates that.
It has cut down my reloading time for precision ammo quite a bit.
polaris man
Member
Tried one today worked ok. But when I put in macdonalds straw and pulled pan out to unload the powder trickled down making mess. That's with h414. Any help for that. Other than that gonna buy it. Almost seemed like static.
Captaingyro
Member
The McDonald's straw modification smooths out the powder drop from the feed tube into the pan.
With certain powders, mostly stick powders, you tend to get uneven dispersal in the tube, with the powder bunching at certain points. As you near the end of a measuring sequence, the Chargemaster enters trickle mode, where it will start and stop, trickling one or two particles of powder at a time. Just as you reach the correct weight, one of these little clumps drops and puts you over by a couple of tenths.
Cutting off about a quarter of an inch of a McDonalds straw and inserting it into the feed tube seems to eliminate this bunching and allows the Chargemaster to trickle much more accurately. Why? I believe it's because the straw is nearly frictionless, as opposed to the inside of the feed tube, which has a slight texture. Also, the individual particles of powder have to make a little "jump" up into the length of straw, and this tends to disperse them quite nicely.
Why a McDonalds straw? Simply because it's exactly the right diameter to fit inside the feed tube and be held in place by friction alone.
With certain powders, mostly stick powders, you tend to get uneven dispersal in the tube, with the powder bunching at certain points. As you near the end of a measuring sequence, the Chargemaster enters trickle mode, where it will start and stop, trickling one or two particles of powder at a time. Just as you reach the correct weight, one of these little clumps drops and puts you over by a couple of tenths.
Cutting off about a quarter of an inch of a McDonalds straw and inserting it into the feed tube seems to eliminate this bunching and allows the Chargemaster to trickle much more accurately. Why? I believe it's because the straw is nearly frictionless, as opposed to the inside of the feed tube, which has a slight texture. Also, the individual particles of powder have to make a little "jump" up into the length of straw, and this tends to disperse them quite nicely.
Why a McDonalds straw? Simply because it's exactly the right diameter to fit inside the feed tube and be held in place by friction alone.
thomis
Member
I love the chargemaster. Wish I had gotten it a long time ago. My intention was to use it just for mass loading my plinking pistol rounds but its accurate enough for my rifle rounds too.
Here is a video I made a couple weeks ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWXJubFWkBY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M09F-3nwlE0
Here is a video I made a couple weeks ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWXJubFWkBY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M09F-3nwlE0
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It has made load development much faster, saving valuable time at the loading bench. Because I load most of my own ammunition for classes I attend, I demand that everything be precise, leaving nothing to guess. The RCBS line has always done well for my load development, although I also like Dillon for bulk production.
AlliedArmory
Member
I have never owned a beam scale. When I 1st started reloading I went straight to the Chargemaster and never looked back.
From everything I have read, it is super accurate.
From everything I have read, it is super accurate.
briang7511
Member
I have had problems with 4064 in the chargemaster, i will try the straw. When it overthrows the charge by one or two tenths that is about 3 to 4 granules of powder. Anyone ever measure how much 3 to 4 granules or lets say 2 tenths overcharge adds to the FPS? Loading 43 grains of 4064 in .308.
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