ok so i was thinking about getting the chargemaster combo by rcbs but wanted to know what you think about it and if there is any other similar products at maybe a cheaper price tag. and for anybody who owns one how accurate are they? and what are the pros n cons ?
the chargemaster
- Thread starter misfits
- Start date
They are great. When I bought mine, I did a head to head vs the lyman product, and the chargemaster was both more accurate, and faster.
The only down side that I have is that you have to wait for the second measurement for the most accurate results. Otherwise some charges will be over by a tenth.
There are also lots of firmware mods of various kinds that you can do.
The only down side that I have is that you have to wait for the second measurement for the most accurate results. Otherwise some charges will be over by a tenth.
There are also lots of firmware mods of various kinds that you can do.
Rcbs cmc
In my opinion there is no comparison having used both the Lyman and the Chargemaster. Go with the Chargemaster. Some people have had issues with them but they are nothing compared to the issues with the Lyman.
There is another thread in here somewhere that has a comparison of three electronic scales/dispensers at another reloading website. The Chargemaster was easily their top pick.
If you do decide to buy one, I would recommend ordering it from Natchez Shooters Supply (http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC98923&src=tpMfg) . They have it for $279.95. With the Canadian dollar on the way up, it is a good deal. Shipping was fast and it is way cheaper than anywhere in Canada that I could find.
Just my $.02 worth.
In my opinion there is no comparison having used both the Lyman and the Chargemaster. Go with the Chargemaster. Some people have had issues with them but they are nothing compared to the issues with the Lyman.
There is another thread in here somewhere that has a comparison of three electronic scales/dispensers at another reloading website. The Chargemaster was easily their top pick.
If you do decide to buy one, I would recommend ordering it from Natchez Shooters Supply (http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC98923&src=tpMfg) . They have it for $279.95. With the Canadian dollar on the way up, it is a good deal. Shipping was fast and it is way cheaper than anywhere in Canada that I could find.
Just my $.02 worth.
Chargemaster is a good buy 
you can play with it and it`s fully re-programmable for different powders and charges, speed, wait time.
the only problems I faced by now is BALL POWDERS (I have consistent 0.1gr overcharge with H335)))
besides that, CM1500 is a great product from RCBS
you can play with it and it`s fully re-programmable for different powders and charges, speed, wait time.the only problems I faced by now is BALL POWDERS (I have consistent 0.1gr overcharge with H335)
))besides that, CM1500 is a great product from RCBS
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Exactly. I did keep my old Lyman powder measure though, and use it for throwing multiple charges loading handgun cartridges. There it is quicker than the ChargeMaster Combo.exellent product and excellent service, I have had one problem with mine and it was fixed quickly by rcbs. the screen would not read 3,6 or 9 when those number were pressed on the key pad. I had to pay for shipping and they replaced the scale (it was well out of the warrenty period).
I went with a PACT dispenser and scale. The dispenser is precise and the scale maintains self zero after calibration. 99 of 100 throws will be exact to 0.1gn using Vihtavuori or other extruded (Varget) powders. Ball powders (H110 et.al.) will throw 98 of 100 charges to the value programed within 0.1gn.
I am unable to compare dispenser speed to competing brands.
I am unable to compare dispenser speed to competing brands.
juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
I did the straw and bullet mods to mine and since then it is virtually 100% accurate throws
h ttp://6mmbr.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2090972&trail=24
h ttp://6mmbr.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2090972&trail=24
Last edited:
I operate mine on a 3cm thick piece of granite (sink cut-out from a granite counter top that I sourced through a local contractor) in the same manner as University and research labs mount 4 decimal place scales - in order to reduce/eliminate vibrations. I have been exceedingly happy with mine. Win 748, WAP, WSF1, WIN 540, Hogdon US869, Win 296, Accurate #2, #5, #7 and #9, IMR 4756 and IMR 800X are all ball powders that have worked well in mine.
Could a cross draft or vibrations (tumbler, air conditioner etc.?) be contributing to the problem?
Exactly what I do too!
The chargemaster seems like a nice solution at first but dissapoints once you use it for a while.
There are some things you can tweak in the default parameters, in particular slowing it down as it gets close to the target weight. That will help stop it from over throwing the weight. Even though the scale claims to be accurate to +-.1 grain it does not reliabley throw loads that are close to within that.
The problem is that many guys find that for the money, they would have been better off to instead get an acculab or sartorius element miligram scale. They are 5 times more accurate for about the same or even a bit less money.
I have both, and have learned not to trust the chargemeaster. I just use it to throw about .5 grain under then do the rest on the sartorius. then loads are dead on.
I only wish someone had suggested this to me before I bought the chargemaster. Now I spent over 600 bucks instead of 300
to me the chargemaster is just an expensive powder scoop.
There are some things you can tweak in the default parameters, in particular slowing it down as it gets close to the target weight. That will help stop it from over throwing the weight. Even though the scale claims to be accurate to +-.1 grain it does not reliabley throw loads that are close to within that.
The problem is that many guys find that for the money, they would have been better off to instead get an acculab or sartorius element miligram scale. They are 5 times more accurate for about the same or even a bit less money.
I have both, and have learned not to trust the chargemeaster. I just use it to throw about .5 grain under then do the rest on the sartorius. then loads are dead on.
I only wish someone had suggested this to me before I bought the chargemaster. Now I spent over 600 bucks instead of 300
to me the chargemaster is just an expensive powder scoop.
I do that, can seat 3 or 4 bullets in the time it takes fill big cases. It probably doesn't take near as long as it feels, it's that "watched pot never boils" thing.I still wouldn't be without it, for everything but volume loading varmint loads.
Someone once posted a set of alternate setting to tweak the bulk fill and trickle setting from the factory default. I wish I had them now.
