RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Measure/Scale Combo

SingleShotLover

Having recently had an unexpected windfall from a couple of investments, my wife insisted (without any real resistance from me) that I use part of it to treat myself to a couple things I have wanted for years but kept putting off. One of these items is a S&W 629 with 5" barrel and the other is an RCBS ChargeMaster auto powder dispenser/scale combination. I'll pick up the Smith this week, but the RCBS I have had for 48 hours and have fallen in love.

I have been reloading for over 45 years and though I enjoy the case prep (trimming, neck-turning, primer pocket uniforming and etc.) in preparation of match quality ammo, the tedious task of throwing, hand weighing and case charging necessary for the most accurate ammunition has always been a bore. I had eyed the new generations of automatic dispenser/scale units for a long time but balked at the prices. This product was high on my "want" list. When it arrived I was excited to see if the various reviewers knew what they were talking about. After unpacking, plugging in and reading the somewhat scant directions, I was ready to begin.

First up was ammunition for my .17 Remington. Using CFE223 ( a very fine spherical powder) and in the process of throwing 40 charges I found NO variation from the set charge when tested against my beam-scale and two different electronic scales. Set on Auto, dispensing time was fast enough that most of the time by the time I had seated a bullet in a case, the next charge was beeping at me.

Next were loads for .223 Remington. Using AA 2200, another spherical powder, similar results were obtained with only 2 charges off by a mere .1 grain.

Finally a true test in the form of loading 22/250 Remington cases using IMR 4064, an extruded type of powder that has always been erratic when throwing from a measure due to its "stick" type of shape. Though dispensing took longer per load as a result of the powder shape and volume of charge, accuracy was astounding with variations again no more than +-.1 grain for any given charge.

When in Auto mode, the charge dispensing starts when the pan is placed on the platen. At this time the motor is running relatively fast and then drops off to a much slower speed as the charge approaches the target weight. This was quite pronounced with the IMR powder. The unit would run the weight up close to goal and then drop to the trickle speed and then finally run very slowly as it dropped as little as one powder grain at a time until the charge was complete.

Programming and operation is fairly straight forward, but I haven't tried anything fancier than pre-programing favorite loads as of yet. Changing powders can be a bit of a challenge with some of the spherical powders due to their tendency to cling to plastic sides, but can be managed fairly simply. It's a good idea to make a note to close the drain spout after cleaning and before dumping the next power into the hopper - guess how I discovered that little hint.

If things continue as well as they started, I am going to be a very happy loader.

Donut Slayer

I have the hornady scale and powder dispencer. I dont know how I did without it for so long. Now with ball powder, I still use my lee perfect powder measure, but stick, I use the hornady.

wiersy111

I love my chargemaster, it's the best thing I ever bought myself. As you use it you will find certain powders that tend to throw on the high side. There are simple solutions to a few different percieved problems out there. One mod I did was to use a straw from McDonalds to allow less powder into the tube and cut small wedges out of the dispensing end. That really increased the accuracy with all powders. After getting used to mine for over a year I also found the correct numbers to speed it up and still retain the accuracy. When you get ready just google Chargemaster modifications.

SingleShotLover

Good tip, thanks. With the powders I have tried to date (AA2200, AA2700, H322, CFE223 and IMR 4064) the accuracy has been phenomenal. It's nice to know there tweaks for other issues. Thanks again.

acssa

I have a chargemaster and I am not impressed. Its not accurate!
I bought a AnD scale to check it. You can see the powder bucket mass change at times...etc.

I would go for a Harrel and AnD scale combo

SingleShotLover

Some love them and some don't. So far mine checks out fine when compared to various electronic and mechanical scales.

Grey_Wolf · Member Joined: Aug 06, 2015 Posts: 186

I have had mine for almost a year and love it. At first I checked loads on the beam every time and found no discrepancy. Now I will spot check a few here and there. Didn't know that it would run on auto, tried the MacDonalds straw trick and it works good. I'm going to google the mods now.

SingleShotLover

Welcome. It just happens that I finished loading 100 cartridges of various calibers today. I spot-checked about every 10 rounds. Guess what? None of them varied by any more than +/-.1 grain. Glad you are having good luck.

Elvis

that sounds plurry awesome.

SingleShotLover

Elvis wrote:

that sounds plurry awesome.

It is. Since I enjoy chasing that mythical 5-shot, single bullet hole group, all of my loads are weighed. Using a more traditional powder measure entails throwing the charge, weighing it and then transferring it into the case for bullet seating. Making the process even more tedious is using "stick" powder such as IMR4064 due to the tendency for the rotary drum in a measure to stick on or cut granules. Standing cases in a loading block for filling usually results in powder spilled into the block's holes over time.

Using the ChargeMaster, I just choose the stored load (or enter new weights), tell it to start and loading begins. I have it comfortably located on my bench so that reaching is kept to a minimum. My prepped cases are standing in a loading block and I take each one in hand with a funnel. As each load is measured, I remove the pan from the measure, dump the powder into the case, return the pan to the measure and proceed to seat the bullet. By the time I seat the bullet and return the completed cartridge to the loading block the measure is "beeping" at me that the next charge is done. There may be a short wait as the measure trickles the last tiny amount out to hit the exact weight, but it never is very long. Besides, if a person is in that big of a hurry, they probably shouldn't be loading!

It's fascinating to watch the unit dump the main load quickly and then, as the weight approaches the target, slow to trickling the powder. In some cases this ends with trickling as little as a few granules at a time. Kind of fun to watch.

I know there are people that have nothing but problems with it, whether it be mechanical, technique, set up or what have you, but I really like mine and will replace it if it dies for some reason.

chambered221

Wife got me the Hornady for Christmas a few years back..... love it the same !!!

MacD

I used a bit of graphite to reduce cling in my powder measures. I don't know if it is safe for an electronic measure. I suppose, after awhile graphite from the powder would do the same thing.