Shoulda bought a charge master.....

[laker415]

So I was just about to start a small run of 223 for a range day on friday, warmed up the hornady auto charge while I organized some stuff, calibrated, poured in my powder, set the charge, pressed dispense.........NOTHING. Tried again...NOTHING....reset, did the whole process over....NOTHING. This happens to be my second unit as the first one did the exact same thing, just stopped working. I sent that one to hornady and received a new one(this current one) and I have literally ran no more than 200 charges through this thing and its already dead. Both times it started giving me fits when I was loading in the 60+ grain range for a 7mm. First time using imr 7828 and the last time using reloader 22. Any who, just wanted to share my experience and frustration with my fellow reloaders or people just starting and wondering what to spend their hard earned money on. Hopefully hornady takes care of me on this second unit.

Before anyone asks, here is my setup.

Sits on my reloading bench tucked in the back corner
Never gets moved
Always plugged in but not left on
Always covered when not in use
Always cleaned after each session
Powder is always removed from the hopper and feed tube
Always allow ample warm up time
Always calibrate with check weights

Chargemaster here I come!!

 

[yodave]

I have been running a lyman DPS 3 for 7 years or so............zero issues

 

[freedomintheskies]

I wonder if the extruded powder is jamming up the dispenser some how? Did you try hitting the dispense button without any powder in the hopper (just to see if the motor would turn?)

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Here's how my Chargemaster works:

- It sits covered on my bench
- when I need it I push the "on" button
- it's alive an ready in about 12 seconds
- I calibrate it
- I use it
- I turn it off
- lather, rinse, repeat

The hornady unit has caused many people all kinds of grief.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. It's a huge pissoff. You won't regret the CM.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I have had zero issues with my Chargemaster, the only thing added was a machined tip to the dispenser for stick powder improvements

 

[SoylentD]

I've used my Hornady for over two years now, I wouldn't want to count how many rounds i've made with it.
I don't keep mine plugged in, perhaps one of the boards gets fried if you do? I haven't really looked up common issues with the unit. Did you get a report stating what was wrong with the unit when you got it back, or does Hornady just send you a new one every time?

 

[BillD]

Only 4 mos Hornady autocharge ownership here, but can report all's well up to this point with ~2k rounds of various (but mostly .38 and 9mm) loads from it to this point. Left unplugged til ready to use too FWIW.

 

[laker415]

I've used my Hornady for over two years now, I wouldn't want to count how many rounds i've made with it.
I don't keep mine plugged in, perhaps one of the boards gets fried if you do? I haven't really looked up common issues with the unit. Did you get a report stating what was wrong with the unit when you got it back, or does Hornady just send you a new one every time?

No report or info was provided when I received the new one. It also doesn't state anywhere to not leave it plugged in when not in use. Pretty poor design if it isn't meant to be left plugged in and the power off when not in use.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

No report or info was provided when I received the new one. It also doesn't state anywhere to not leave it plugged in when not in use. Pretty poor design if it isn't meant to be left plugged in and the power off when not in use.

My chargemaster has been plugged in for 2.5 years.

 

[nowarningshot]

Never owned a Hornady. Love my CM, most important tool on the bench. Not a single problem, out by .1 of a gr once or twice. That after checking many times, have actually stopped checking, never a problem, no mods>>>>just works.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Never owned a Hornady. Love my CM, most important tool on the bench. Not a single problem, out by .1 of a gr once or twice. That after checking many times, have actually stopped checking, never a problem, no mods>>>>just works.

No mods???!!! Not even the programming change???

 

[bsand]

No mods???!!! Not even the programming change???

I couldn't go back to factory settings. Too slow and always over threw. With tweaks I like it so much I'll be getting another one in the future.

 

[SoylentD]

No report or info was provided when I received the new one. It also doesn't state anywhere to not leave it plugged in when not in use. Pretty poor design if it isn't meant to be left plugged in and the power off when not in use.

I'm an electronics guy, I never leave stuff plugged in. Things today are designed to break just after their warranties expire. Power brownouts and short spikes are common so I unplug everything or have them connected to a power bar I can turn off.

 

[laker415]

Soooo, who should I buy the chargemaster from? Cabelas.com or natchez? I can get it from cabelas for $300 us shipped free to a receiving place and have my dad pick it up. Or order from natchez for $279.99 and i have no clue what the landed price to my door would be.....

 

[M16LR.50]

I'm an electronics guy, I never leave stuff plugged in. Things today are designed to break just after their warranties expire. Power brownouts and short spikes are common so I unplug everything or have them connected to a power bar I can turn off.

First thoughts when I read the OP.

 

[Gunneegoogoo]

Soooo, who should I buy the chargemaster from? Cabelas.com or natchez? I can get it from cabelas for $300 us shipped free to a receiving place and have my dad pick it up. Or order from natchez for $279.99 and i have no clue what the landed price to my door would be.....

Someone JUST went through this in another thread.....have a look through and see what they did.

I think you're north of 500$CDN anywhere in Canada....

 

[laker415]

Someone JUST went through this in another thread.....have a look through and see what they did.

I think you're north of 500$CDN anywhere in Canada....

Found it. Going the cabelas route. Saves $50 off the hop and add in the rebate...

 

[bsand]

Would cabelas price match?

 

[laker415]

Would cabelas price match?

I honestly don't know. I suppose I could phone in the order and find out

 

[Kryogen]

Wtf with the chargemaster obsession, like no one can drop and trickle anymore?