Anyone have any good or bad things to say about the RCBS Chargemaster or the new Hornady Auto-Charge? Is one much better than the other? I know the Hornady is about $100 less, is it equal to the Chargemaster? Thanks.

My opinion on these auto chargers/dispensers is that they are too slow.

I use a Uniflow powder measure to throw the charge just under the desired weight (.5gr +or-), then use the trickler to get it perfect. It's so much faster it's not even close.

Have you seen how long it takes for the machine to "trickle" the charge out when you are loading 80 grains of powder. I throw it with the flick of a wrist. I can throw 5 before it trickles one.

I have the RCBS Chargemaster and frankly, I love it. My ex-son-in-law who is also my hunting partner has the Lyman and frankly, he he loves his. Your choice. I can't speak for the speed of the Lyman and I've not watched him use it, but with mine, I let it do the charge in the pan, pour the charge into the case and while it's throwing the next charge, use the time to seat the bullet and inspect the final product. Works just fine for me, and I do load some large powder charges in the .404 Jeffery and .416 Rigby.
Paul B.

I have Lyman 200 DPS. As stated above I use it to despense a charge about.5 less than I want ant then on a beam I trickle to finish. Very fast convenient, and accurate.

Both methods mentioned above are too slow IMO.
I throw right from the powder measure directly into the case.
If it's good enough for the BR shooters it is surely good enough for the critter shooters.

I like my RCBS Chargemaster.

It is true that dispensing/weighing via an electronic device is slower than measuring (possibly combined with trickling and and weighing). So I have had to work in different ways to fill up time between charges are ready. Typically, I combine charging with preparing another batch of cases.

- mike

i have the rcbs & its OK but like paul says its so slow it very seldomly used. while it is handy sometimes i consider it a waste of $$

They are great for weight sorting brass and things of that nature. Just don't buy the Lyman, very inconsistant readings.

How is the Lyman inconsistant? I've had mine for several years and it's right on with a Ohaus 10/10.
It had one spell where it was throwing out really strange numbers and a call to the factory told me to wipe it down with a static cling sheet. Like you put in the dryer. That fixed it right up.

My Lyman wanders something terrible. I have to recalibrate it every few minutes. It's especially bad with a powder trickler. Lets say you are a 1/10 of a grain low, it might take 7/10's for it to raise that last 1/10 of a grain. Then it will be 6/10's off on the next charge measured.

I have two of the Lymans and like 'em fine. Have the faster add-on on one. These things are sensitive. Can't have the ceiling fan on 20 feet away sensitive. My buddy has the RCBS and I think I like mine better. Just my opinion.

God Bless, Louis

I've had a Lyman for several years, upgraded it with the DPS 3 speed kit when they came out a couple years ago, mine works perfect, love it!! Read the Lyman DPS 1200 FAQs if you're having problems.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/l.../scales-measures.php

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
My opinion on these auto chargers/dispensers is that they are too slow.

Once again, wrong rc!

The trick is to set your loading block up and seat a bullet while the dispenser is dispensing the load. By the time you are through dispensing powder you are also through seating the bullets.

Personally I love the RCBS 1500 and would not be without it. If it broke I would probably go down and buy anothe one while I sent the one in for repair.

But in several years it has not even beeped wrong. I kept the balance beam around to check for awhile but it is not even out on the bench anymore. I keep it plugged in but off and when I turn it on to load, I calibrate it first and after calibration the pan always weighs 155.0 grs. After dispensing and I pick up the pan to dump the powder the display always reads -155.0 grs. Essentially it is a constant check on calibration.

I remember I had loaded a bunch of 338RUM with 96 gr powder and got some brass flow on the case head so I decided to pull the bullets. I would pull the bullet and dump the powder in the pan and fish out a small spoonful of powder to get 94 gr. When I dumped the powder in the pan, every one of them weighed exactly 96 gr.

One of these days you are going to break down and buy one, hopefully the RCBS 1500 because it is the best, and after using it you need to look me up and say "You were right woods!" Till then you are in the BWADT (Baling Wire and Duct Tape) groups with HC.

Maybe I'm the only guy here that is satisfied to merely set a powder measure and just dump loads. Yes, it's not accurate to .1 grain.....but it don't have to be!

I need - Zero - electricity to dispense and weigh Powder.(But the Electric Lights let me see what I'm a dooin'!)

"Anyone" using electricity to drop and weigh Powder is surely trying to Kill the Earth. - (should have been said by) algore!!!(from his - 0.5MegaW house)
-----

Duct Tape is excellent for picking-up small amounts of spilled Powder.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
Maybe I'm the only guy here that is satisfied to merely set a powder measure and just dump loads. Yes, it's not accurate to .1 grain.....but it don't have to be!

Works just fine for me.

I have the Lyman 1200 and wouldn't take a farm in Georgia for it. I also have two of the old Lyman Autoscales, each set up with one powder that I shoot frequently. I use the 1200 to shuttle different powders through when working up new loads. By the time I do all my own loading and that of family and friends, I find these tools very usefull and time saving. Good shooting.

Hey Woods, using the powder pan as an ongoing check on your dispencer is a great idea. I wisht I'd thought of it before but you never get too old to learn.

Isn't electricity and indoor plumbing great. Too bad some poor benighted souls have to do without.

For those people that own the RCBS Chargemaster, you may find the following information useful. I didn’t write the following, I copied it off the Internet a number of years ago and I don’t remember the site or the guy’s name.

----------------------------------------------

A while ago a friend of mine phoned me regarding his RCBS Chargemaster combo scale. Up to then I have not taken much notice of my own scale, but he informed me that his scale was charging extremely slow. I timed mine and found that mine was running a lot faster then his. This set me on a journey to find out why there was a difference. The outcome however was that his scale was defective, but it gave us insightful information about the working of these scales.

After doing some research on the Internet I was able to determine that these little green scales are fully re-programmable. I sent an e-mail to RCBS on which I received no reply, and eventually telephoned them. They were very helpful and gave me their instructions on how to change the programming on this scale.

This has made a tremendous difference in my reloading experience with this scale. The scale is fully adjustable and there are many settings and that you can change. To enter the program modes press EDIT MEM and ENTER at the same time. After making an adjustment press ENTER to go to the next option. After the last setting the scale will reset and countdown. If you passed a setting you have to start from the beginning, there is no back button.

This is the list of settings that you can make to your scale, for some of the functions I do not have detailed instructions as to what they do, and would recommend that you do not change them:
HSB_A1 (15.68) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for low weight
HSB_B1 (3.42) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed low weight
BSP_C1 (1.08) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed low weight

MSP_A2 (39.20) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for medium weight
MSP_B2 (8.55) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed medium weight
MSP_C2 (2.25) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed medium weight

SSP_A3 (196.00) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed for heavy weight

SSP_B3 (42.75) Grains under target weight to go from high to slow speed heavy weight
SSP_C3 (11.32) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed heavy weight


SEL (065) ???
F_A (050) Grains for a Heavy Charge
M_A (035) Grains for a Medium charge
S_A (006) Grains for a slow charge
W_F (200) Rotation for Full speed
W_M (100) Rotation for Medium speed
W_S (036) Rotation for slowest speed

S_F (012) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s fast speed
S_M (024) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s medium speed
S_S (128) Scale sensitivity timeout time in m/s slow speed.

FR1 (040)?
FS1 (016)?
FR2 (080)?
SR1 (032)?
SS1 (008)?
SR2 (040)?
DEC (000)?
AT (000)?


I have to advise you to only make changes to your scale if you are confident to do so, and remember that there is not a “return to default” setting in the scale. If all else fails return your scale to the default settings listed above in brackets.
I am now able to throw 56 grains of S365 in less than 18 seconds (average of 15 charges), and with very few overthrows.

Another problem I experienced with the scale was that there were continued overthrows. The RCBS employee advised me to take a McDonnell's straw (because it is thicker than a normal straw), cut off about a half-inch piece and put it into the tube where the powder exits. This caused the last part of an extruded powder to clutter less, and reduced the amount of overthrows dramatically.

That's interesting. With my 1200, it seems that some weights of powder just want to over-run by a tenth. What I do is set the charge at 1/10th less and when it stops, I tap the powder snout a light tap with a pencil and that shakes down the last tenth.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
Hey Woods, using the powder pan as an ongoing check on your dispencer is a great idea. I wisht I'd thought of it before but you never get too old to learn.

Isn't electricity and indoor plumbing great. Too bad some poor benighted souls have to do without.

I'm with you beeman. I have seen very very few who used the RCBS 1500 who have anything bad to say about it. And when you think about all the users of the RCBS 1500 used a BWADT balance beam before, so how is it that a vast majority of the RCBS 1500 users (who have experience with both methods) swear by them and the vast majority of the non-users who denigrate their use haven't used them?

This make sense to anybody?

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/...n_this_thing_is_nice

Hey Mick, Once you make the Software Changes, do you need a Cement Mixer size Hopper to keep up with the speed???

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
Hey Mick, Once you make the Software Changes, do you need a Cement Mixer size Hopper to keep up with the speed???

I wish that was the case. My unit is about as fast as the guy I quoted above. If I were to sit down and just charge a tray of cases only, say 7mm Rem or 300 Win, my uniflow, trickler, and scales are faster. The Chargemaster is only faster if I complete other tasks while it’s doing its thing, like double checking powder levels and seating bullets.

After using the Chargemaster for 4 years now, I enjoy charging cases more, it’s a little more laid-back without all the “busy work” involved with using a drop measurer. Most of the powders I use are extruded, IMR 3031, 4064, 4350, and 4831. I have a lot less trouble with these powders in the Chargemaster than I do in my uniflow.

I am on the same page as PaulB. Using the Chargemaster gives me enough time to load a bullet while the next charge is being dispensed. If I need to go any faster I would contemplate a progressive system.

I also have the Lyman 1200 DPS (one of the newer ones).

It's absolutely great. It is plenty fast for me (I set the charge, turn on auto-repeat, and when the charge is ready, pour it straight into a case. Set the pan back on the scale to start the next charge measuring while I seat the bullet on the case just charged).

I've had no issues with accuracy - I've checked/calibrated several times. On rare occasion (1 or 2 out of 100 throws), it will throw an oddly heavy charge with some powders (.5 a grain or more high). But, it's always accurately read the weight - for those, I just throw them back in the hopper instead of a case and let it throw another charge).

The few seconds for those odd ones is no big deal at all; I just got into the habit of READING the weight before using the charge - don't just grab and pour when you hear the beep.

I'd buy another one. Not cheap, but well worth it.

If you need a precise powder drop, the scale/dispensers are faster from start to finish, especially since any volumetric dispenser besides the Harrell offerings need to be checked frequently, again especially if using powders that tend to be inconsistent from grain to grain. For plinking--like some folks mentioned--who needs to waste electricity?

That being said, I'll mention that I used a borrowed RCBS unit for a week and bought a PACT scale/dispenser.So far, after a few years use, the only powder that gives my PACT system fits is IMR 8028 XBR, but it seems to be worth the effort.

quote:

My opinion on these auto chargers/dispensers is that they are too slow.

There always seem to be speed freak reloaders.
One trick that works is use 2 of the auto dispensers if they are not fast enough.
I have 3 but the most I have ever used is two at a time for large loads. Mostly I get by with one running.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
...
One trick that works is use 2 of the auto dispensers if they are not fast enough.
I have 3 but the most I have ever used is two at a time for large loads. Mostly I get by with one running.

Aaah-Haaa! There is the answer, multiple electric Powder Measures.

I can see Mr. Woods setting up a Doughnut shaped Reloading Bench, with 12 electrical Powder Measures at 1 through 12 O'Clock. 12 Presses, a dozen Thingys at each set-up. And him sitting on an "electric" rotating chair in the Doughnut Hole - just Loading away.

That must be why he has the 1Meg Generac. I thought it was a bit more than needed for a residental situation, but I just hadn't see the "potential need" for running Reloading equipment. (Nuclear Plant Icon)

Do you really have a set-up like that, Woods?? OMG, you're my hero.

BTW, why should Al Gore get all the electricity?? Even if he did invent the internet?

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
My opinion on these auto chargers/dispensers is that they are too slow.

I use a Uniflow powder measure to throw the charge just under the desired weight (.5gr +or-), then use the trickler to get it perfect. It's so much faster it's not even close.

Have you seen how long it takes for the machine to "trickle" the charge out when you are loading 80 grains of powder. I throw it with the flick of a wrist. I can throw 5 before it trickles one.

So how long exactly does it take you to throw, then trickle, then seat the bullet? I'll guess you take more than 5 seconds.
The RCBS takes just about as long to dispense a load as I take to seat a bullet into the previous case & pick up the next one to load.
There's also a very simple way to speed up heavier loads when using it.

I don't multi-task well. So rather than run the risk of a cartridge with no charge or one with two, I tune into some kewl shit-kicking station on the radio and chill whilst the pan is filling. Then, when I've finished charging a block of cases, I can look into them under a strong light, checking for uniformity before I seat my bullets.
How fast or slow this is compared to dumping and trickling, I don't have the slightest idea. I'm not in a race. I do know that either way you can finish an amazing amount of ammo over the course of an evening. Especially compared to a Lee Loader which is how I started.
And, FWIW, if my 1200 were to break, I'd get another one.

quote:

Originally posted by woods:

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
My opinion on these auto chargers/dispensers is that they are too slow.

Once again, wrong rc!

The trick is to set your loading block up and seat a bullet while the dispenser is dispensing the load. By the time you are through dispensing powder you are also through seating the bullets.

Personally I love the RCBS 1500 and would not be without it. If it broke I would probably go down and buy anothe one while I sent the one in for repair.

But in several years it has not even beeped wrong. I kept the balance beam around to check for awhile but it is not even out on the bench anymore. I keep it plugged in but off and when I turn it on to load, I calibrate it first and after calibration the pan always weighs 155.0 grs. After dispensing and I pick up the pan to dump the powder the display always reads -155.0 grs. Essentially it is a constant check on calibration.

I remember I had loaded a bunch of 338RUM with 96 gr powder and got some brass flow on the case head so I decided to pull the bullets. I would pull the bullet and dump the powder in the pan and fish out a small spoonful of powder to get 94 gr. When I dumped the powder in the pan, every one of them weighed exactly 96 gr.

One of these days you are going to break down and buy one, hopefully the RCBS 1500 because it is the best, and after using it you need to look me up and say "You were right woods!" Till then you are in the BWADT (Baling Wire and Duct Tape) groups with HC.

Am I the only one who charges all of the cases in the block and when done then begins seating bullets?

I throw the charge about 1/2 a grain below my desired weight, then using the RCBS 750, trickle to the exact weight; about 1 to 2 twists. I venture to say this is quicker. I'm not retired.

I do have issues with the RCBS 750 wandering. I have to -0- it fairly often. As you say woods, your pan on and off the scale never wavering doesn't happen with mine. I use a balance beam as a comparator about every 10 charged cases.


P.S.

wasbeeman is becoming an expert at texting symbols!

Hey woods,

Check out this video of your famous, superduper, lightning-fast, Chargemaster taking 33 seconds to dispense a 50 grain charge of powder! From mark 1:42 to 2:15


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwGrlzrVAC8

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
Hey woods,

Check out this video of your famous, superduper, lightning-fast, Chargemaster taking 33 seconds to dispense a 50 grain charge of powder! From mark 1:42 to 2:15


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwGrlzrVAC8

I noticed that right next to this electronic marvel is a powder measure that will do the same job in about two seconds flat!

quote:

Originally posted by rcamuglia:
Hey woods,

Check out this video of your famous, superduper, lightning-fast, Chargemaster taking 33 seconds to dispense a 50 grain charge of powder! From mark 1:42 to 2:15


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwGrlzrVAC8

That’s not unusual. There is no “lighting fast” machine that can drop a charge weight within .01 grains, 50 grain + charge under 30 seconds. If people want to fool around with the programming of the RCBS, they may speed it up but I doubt if anyone well fine nirvana.

I have no dog in this hunt, if you find no value in a dispensing machine like the Lyman or RCBS, no problem.

How long would it take you too charge a tray of cases making sure the weight was within .01-grains or even .02?

An answer like “I don’t weight each and every charge” is the wrong reply. The Chargemaster does it everytime.

I think people need to time their own reloading and see how much of their time goes up into the BS zone.

The point is that weighing a 50gr charge to the nearest .01gr isn't required. Even for the BR shooters who measure winning and losing by thousandths of an inch.
Let alone the hunter or target shooter using a factory rifle.

Throw and go, just like the BR guys do.

quote:

Originally posted by nsaqam:
The point is that weighing a 50gr charge to the nearest .01gr isn't required. Even for the BR shooters who measure winning and losing by thousandths of an inch.
Let alone the hunter or target shooter using a factory rifle.

Throw and go, just like the BR guys do.

You get an "F". you didn't answer the question. The question wasn’t about what other people do or don’t do.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
...
One trick that works is use 2 of the auto dispensers if they are not fast enough.
I have 3 but the most I have ever used is two at a time for large loads. Mostly I get by with one running.

Aaah-Haaa! There is the answer, multiple electric Powder Measures.

I can see Mr. Woods setting up a Doughnut shaped Reloading Bench, with 12 electrical Powder Measures at 1 through 12 O'Clock. 12 Presses, a dozen Thingys at each set-up. And him sitting on an "electric" rotating chair in the Doughnut Hole - just Loading away.

That must be why he has the 1Meg Generac. I thought it was a bit more than needed for a residental situation, but I just hadn't see the "potential need" for running Reloading equipment. (Nuclear Plant Icon)

You talking about my little gnerator?



with the 22.5 KW surge it will carry the load of almost all my reloading toys!

You get a system and get in a rhythm and it is quicker. Starting with a set of 20 to 50 cases in a loading block and the appropriate amount of powder in the dispenser after it has been calibrated and rezeroed:

1. Dispense the first 2 or 3 loads while you are threading in your seating die, you want about 3 charged cases so your fat fingers have room to work without the funnel getting in the way

2. Pick up the first charged case, look inside to check the powder level, place in shell holder with bullet on top

3. Hit dispense and seat the bullet while dispenser is running. I usually seat partway, rotate, seat partway, rotate and lightly finish seating

3. Put the loaded round in the box or in another loading block

4. Pick up the next charged case, check powder level and place bullet on top

5. If you are fast, you are not measuring with a comparator or you are charging over 70 gr or so then the machine has beeped. Wait 5 seconds and it will show exactly how much is in the pan. If it is .1 or .2 gr light, nudge some granules off the end of the dispenser with a sharp object or take a Lee dipper and take out some if .1 gr over.

6. Swirl the powder in, tap the top of the funnel, pick the funnel up and tilt toward you to check for powder bridging

7. Place the funnel on the next case and replace pan on platen

8. Hit the dispense

9. Seat the bullet

10. Place in box

11. Check powder level on next case

12. Place in shell holder

13. Dispense charge

14. Funnel into case

15. Check powder bridging

16. Move funnel and replace pan

yada, yada, yada.

When you are finished charging, 3 bullet seatings later you are finished.

One of these day rc you will understand.

Do me a favor, take one of your loads that you think you know what charge you loaded, pull the bullet (hopefully you won't have to do it with one of BWADT kinetic pullers ) and measure the powder with your scale. See for yourself. Before I got the 1500 I would occasionally have to do that and it was frustrating and discouraging to watch that scale be off. There were several other anomalies that happened with the scale that I don't have to put up with anymore.

Then try weight sorting cases or bullets with your scale!

quote:

Originally posted by nsaqam:
The point is that weighing a 50gr charge to the nearest .01gr isn't required. Even for the BR shooters who measure winning and losing by thousandths of an inch.
Let alone the hunter or target shooter using a factory rifle.

Throw and go, just like the BR guys do.

This is the question.

How long would it take you too charge a tray of cases making sure the weight was within .01-grains or even .02?

Do you have a real answer? Make it quick I need to go to bed.

quote:

Originally posted by MickinColo:

quote:

Originally posted by nsaqam:
The point is that weighing a 50gr charge to the nearest .01gr isn't required. Even for the BR shooters who measure winning and losing by thousandths of an inch.
Let alone the hunter or target shooter using a factory rifle.

Throw and go, just like the BR guys do.

This is the question.

How long would it take you too charge a tray of cases making sure the weight was within .01-grains or even .02?

Do you have a real answer? Make it quick I need to go to bed.

With the 1500 making sure that all the cases were exactly the charge wanted, probably about 30 minutes.

Go to bed.