Powder Dispenser/Scale

desjardo

desjardo

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Wilkie SK
I am leaning towards RCBS.

I see they now have a lite version

Curious who is using what and how they work. Not interested in the Hornaday due too poor reviews.

Merry Xmas
 
Morning desjardo,

You have perfect timing. I was just doing "tests" over last few days between my ChargeMaster 1500 and A&D FX-120i scale to see how accurate is CM1500 right out of the box. Keep in mind that every machine is different, for an example the unit I am testing has 0.0 drift while my older machine has anywhere between 0.2 and 0.4 drift when i leave it over night. Both scale were set up and leveled in accordance to the instruction manual.

ChargeMaster 1500 (not reprogrammed)
Standard room light
Standard temperature
Units are located in the area where there are no fans/exhaust heat ducts.
No - Noise Suppressor EMI RFI Clip Choke
Plugged directly into the wall and not into backup battery
I used - Stainless Steel Calibration Weight - 100g. ASTM Class 7 for calibration*

Zeroed with Powder Pan on top of it (both CM1500 & A&D)
Added 44.00gr to the pan.

A&D: 44.00gr CM 01) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 02) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 03) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 04) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 05) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 06) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 07) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 08) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 09) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 10) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 11) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 12) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 13) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 14) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 15) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 16) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 17) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 18) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 19) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 20) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 21) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 22) 44.2
A&D: 44.00gr CM 22) 44.2
A&D: 44.00gr CM 23) 44.2
A&D: 44.00gr CM 24) 44.2
A&D: 44.00gr CM 25) 44.2

Powder dumped:
Powder Pan put back on the machine:
Weight reading with a Pan on it: A&D: 00.00 CM: 00.2 (it should be 00.0)

I have done this test approximately 20 times (500 measurements in blocks of 25) and this is what I seen. This machine will start floating (+00.1) at around 9-11th measurement, and then at 19-21st (+00.1).

What I found very interesting was this.

When I did the same test over 40 times with re-zeroing every 10th load this is what I got.

Zeroed with Powder Pan on top of it (both CM1500 & A&D)
Added 44.00gr to the pan.

A&D: 44.00gr CM 01) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 02) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 03) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 04) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 05) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 06) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 07) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 08) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 09) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 10) 44.0

Powder dumped:
Powder Pan put back on the machine:
Weight reading with a Pan on it: A&D: 00.00 CM: 00.0 (it should be 00.0)
Rezero

A&D: 44.00gr CM 01) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 02) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 03) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 04) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 05) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 06) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 07) 43.9
A&D: 44.00gr CM 08) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 09) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 10) 44.0

Powder dumped:
Powder Pan put back on the machine:
Weight reading with a Pan on it: A&D: 00.00 CM: 00.0 (it should be 00.0)
Rezero

A&D: 44.00gr CM 01) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 02) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 03) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 04) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 05) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 06) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 07) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 08) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 09) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 10) 44.0

Powder dumped:
Powder Pan put back on the machine:
Weight reading with a Pan on it: A&D: 00.00 CM: 00.0 (it should be 00.0)
Rezero

A&D: 44.00gr CM 01) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 02) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 03) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 04) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 05) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 06) 44.1
A&D: 44.00gr CM 07) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 08) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 09) 44.0
A&D: 44.00gr CM 10) 44.0

Powder dumped:
Powder Pan put back on the machine:
Weight reading with a Pan on it: A&D: 00.00 CM: 00.0 (it should be 00.0)
Rezero

Based on the little testing I have done I think the easiest thing you can do to make ChargeMaster 1500 more accurate is to dump the powder and re-zero your empty pan every 10 measurements. Second thing is to actually buy two certified 50g weight that you will use to calibrate the machine before any session.

Once "Are our current regulations impeding criminals from accessing firearms?" discussion slows down or gets locked, I will do some more "tests" on how CM1500 handles low end powder ex; 2.8-5.0gr measurements and measurements that are in the XX.5X, XX.2X and XX.7X range.

Cheers,
 
Last edited:
I have the new Chargemaster light. According to the manufacturers instructions, in order for long term measurement consistency the unit MUST warm up for at least 20 minutes to be this stable and calibration must follow the warm-up. Only used it for 100 x .223 rounds so far but it seems to run well and consistently. I also have a very high end scale to check on what it is doing. Bottom line is that it works within +0.0 to 0.1gr most of the time. Very occasionally several grains manage to bunch up (running it with H4895) and drop out of the tube suddenly giving a +0.15gr bump. It is pretty decent as compared to the original 1500, and the measurements seem to be consistent over long time periods.
 
Rifle loading? Pistol? Precision? Hunting? Paper?

There are different options for different shooters who have different standards.
 
Avoid the Hornady G2 1500... I had the Gen 1 unit and it began rapidly fluctuating over a 5.0 grain span and would not rezero, even though it passed calibration every time. I bought the G2 and it worked flawlessly for a couple weeks, and then began jumping weight, only 0.2-0.4 grains at first and then over a 2.0 grain range, it rezeros, but you have to watch the reading carefully as you trickle to spot a 0.2 grain spike... long story short; "I can't trust it." Looking at new digital options for single pull loading.
 
hoytcanon said:
Avoid the Hornady G2 1500... I had the Gen 1 unit and it began rapidly fluctuating over a 5.0 grain span and would not rezero, even though it passed calibration every time. I bought the G2 and it worked flawlessly for a couple weeks, and then began jumping weight, only 0.2-0.4 grains at first and then over a 2.0 grain range, it rezeros, but you have to watch the reading carefully as you trickle to spot a 0.2 grain spike... long story short; "I can't trust it." Looking at new digital options for single pull loading.
Click to expand...

I bought a G2 1500 on sale from WSS and it has been completely unuseable. It passes cal every time but drifts all over. It won't sit still for more than a few seconds. Sent it back for warranty and the replacement is exactly the same. Wanders all over. Tried new batteries, turning off lights, 15 minute warm ups. Its in a room with no fan, no drafts, no temp fluctuations. Its not safe or even logical to try reloading with it.
 
My Chargemaster 1500 works quite well
I know the pan weighs 145.3gr and I use this to detect when it needs recalibrated.
This usually happens about once every 50 throws.
 
Wow great info.

GreenBob that's amazing work. Now I need to read this thread.

I ordered the combo and for my purposes it should be adequate.

I load 223/6.5 on a Lee loadmaster but measure my loads for every one many.

And I use a Lee classic for 7mm Rem Mag/308

Merry Xmas.
 
supernova said:
I bought a G2 1500 on sale from WSS and it has been completely unuseable. It passes cal every time but drifts all over. It won't sit still for more than a few seconds. Sent it back for warranty and the replacement is exactly the same. Wanders all over. Tried new batteries, turning off lights, 15 minute warm ups. Its in a room with no fan, no drafts, no temp fluctuations. Its not safe or even logical to try reloading with it.
Click to expand...

Been there, done that... same result as you. Completely untrustworthy unit.
 
Greenbob,

thanks for the data from your tests. Just to clarify:

Are you saying that every charge after the 10th charge or so your Chargemaster dumped out an extra 0.1 of a grain while displaying correctly (checked against your FX120)?
And that simply hitting zero reset the Chargemaster to the correct weight for the next 10 charges?
 
Well I ordered the 1500 Combo.

And this morning my wife sends me a pic of a wheeler scope mount kit and a Lyman Gen 6 saying Merry Xmas.

Not sure if I should try the Lyman or return it.
 
warrenb said:
Greenbob,

thanks for the data from your tests. Just to clarify:

Are you saying that every charge after the 10th charge or so your Chargemaster dumped out an extra 0.1 of a grain while displaying correctly (checked against your FX120)?
And that simply hitting zero reset the Chargemaster to the correct weight for the next 10 charges?
Click to expand...

No issues - My CM1500 is measuring 44.1gr charge when it is actually a 44.00gr charge.

Correct, hitting zero reset with an empty powder pan on it corrects the weight measurements for the next 10 charges.

I hope this make sense now - sorry for any confusion.

Cheers,


Brianma65 said:
Hey there Bob,
Do you have the auto trickler that goes with your A&D?

If so, how do you like it?
Click to expand...

I have both autotrickler and autodroppper.

As much as I wanted to find something wrong with the system because of the price - I was blown away! Amazing combination. It takes about 10 seconds to drop 44.00gr of powder and over 892 loads the most I seen it go over is 44.03gr.

For gun nuts who are not aware of the price difference. CM1500 unit can be purchased for anywhere between $400-$800 (new/used) and upgraded A&D system was about $1400 after U.S exchange rate. (this will fluctuate depending on Can dollar)

Not sure how fair is the comparison, when you can buy 3 CM1500 for a price of 1 upgraded A&D system.
 
Last edited:
Desjardo,
If not taking the wife into consideration ;) I would keep the ChargeMaster.

Bear in mind I have never read "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus" and have no intention of reading it. ;)

EDIT: Thank for making that clear Bob.
 
desjardo said:
Well I ordered the 1500 Combo.

And this morning my wife sends me a pic of a wheeler scope mount kit and a Lyman Gen 6 saying Merry Xmas.

Not sure if I should try the Lyman or return it.
Click to expand...

So, how do you like it?
What did you keep CM or Lyman?

Cheers,
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom