chargemaster consistently reads half a grain high

[KotKotofeich]

I just realized my chargemaster reads .5 gr high. It is consistent about it - I can check back the next day and will get the same reading. I don't see much drift - it stays on for days at a time, I just re-zero it before using. When re-checking on a balance scale, the actual reading is .5 gr below what the chargemaster shows. Anyone else see something like this before? I zero it using the included weights - wonder if they are off?

 

[adamg]

I'm confused. How can you be sure your balance scale is on? The only way to know if any scale is accurate is with calibrated weights. The first and most important question here is, which calibrated weights do you have, and do you trust them?

 

[b72471]

I find the Charge Master and my balance DO read different. I put my trust in the balance scale, so for competive shooting I set the CM about .1 or .2 grains lite and top up using the balance scale. Works for me. Hunting loads I use the charge master works fine.

 

[Seagull]

I think you need some check weights before making any conclusions or try someone else's scale as well.

 

[stubblejumper]

What does your balance scale read with the calibration weights that came wit the Chargemaster?

 

[Kelly Timoffee]

What does your balance scale read with the calibration weights that came wit the Chargemaster?

Aren't those weights too heavy for the capacity of a beam scale?

 

[stubblejumper]

Aren't those weights too heavy for the capacity of a beam scale?

Some beam sales like the RCBS 1010 can weigh over 1000 grams.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Have you tried the Chargemaster mod, I would start there..

 

[rick357]

I just realized my chargemaster reads .5 gr high. It is consistent about it - I can check back the next day and will get the same reading. I don't see much drift - it stays on for days at a time, I just re-zero it before using. When re-checking on a balance scale, the actual reading is .5 gr below what the chargemaster shows. Anyone else see something like this before? I zero it using the included weights - wonder if they are off?

Maybe the subject should read balance scale consistently reads half a grain low?

---> Precision check weights. Go an amazon ca. Paste this into the Amazon search bar:
Al-Business Calibration Gram Scale
or
Borogo Calibration Weight

They are not top of the line NIST traceable calibrated stuff, but will do the job.

 

[chrismc]

If it were me, I would:
Level (haha calibrate!) the beam scale so that it reads dead centre with the calibration weight (very important!) 20g should read exactly 20g.
Level then Calibrate the CM with supplied weights as per the book - do it twice

Then check again if they are off.

 

[KotKotofeich]

What does your balance scale read with the calibration weights that came wit the Chargemaster?

As others mentioned - too heavy.

I probably should get some precision check weights then I was using light bullets - they should _average_ to the expected weight and they do on the balance scale.

 

[Seagull]

The good news here is you noticed the inconsistency before you ran into trouble.

 

[hawk-i]

As long as your load shoots good and isn't over pressured does it really matter?

 

[VinnyQC]

Hmm, all you know is that your 2 scales are not reading the same weight. You don't know which one is off (or maybe both are off).

What you need is actual calibration weight that are in the same ballpark as your load. I've described how to do that reliably in previous post, do a search.

 

[titch--]

My CM reads just a little bit more heavier then my 505 does. I dont really care as long as they keep reading the same is all that matters to me.

 

[adamg]

As long as your load shoots good and isn't over pressured does it really matter?

It ruins his process because he is using both scales to measure the same thing. So getting different readings is a game stopper in this scenario.

 

[Tom Morrison]

You need a set of check weights to determine what scale is out. As long as the issue is consistent, then you can deal with it unless you are obsessive compulsive.

 

[BigRobb]

It ruins his process because he is using both scales to measure the same thing. So getting different readings is a game stopper in this scenario.

This is true.
I’ve stopped using the auto dumpers for this reason. I can drop a load and trickle much faster and accurately than most of them. Run a digital and a beam, or a pair of digitals to cross check. Waiting for a charge master and then trickling just seems counterproductive.
A second powder pan that weighs exactly the same is a big advantage as well.

 

[Chilly807]

Threads like this one remind me of why I dislike electronic scales. At least this one is more or less consistent.

There are inexpensive ones. There are also very good ones, I don't doubt either of those two statements.

Are there very good inexpensive ones?

I'd rather use a $50 (bought used) 505 (as an example), and not worry a bit about what's gone astray with the electronics THIS time.

 

[Magellann]

Leveling the beam scale is very important to get proper accurate readings. Once calibrated don't move the scale around your bench, leave it in the same spot while using it. I found this out after checking some powder loads on two of my beam scales and the digital scale.
They would read close to the same, but not exactly. After some careful adjustment all three will read the same. I like having more than one scale to be able to verify my measurements sometimes.