Automatic powder measure

[NiteQwill]

Ingenuity Precision (hybrid)

Or

Printed Precision (PP) Trickler

 

[Andy Work]

For what it's worth, my Chargemaster Link performs much better than the videos results.

Mine does too.

 

[Doom]

On a different take, I have the original Chargemaster 1500 and it is a very good machine. But I will add that these lower end machines have some compromises in terms of accuracy versus speed. All of the single feed tube machines utilize the same tube for fast filling to a point and then slow down to trickle. Having the same tube do both is what creates the over/underthrows and contributes to the variations in charge weights between throws and charge time variation between throughs.

Basically, a standard powder measure, a powder trickier, and a good scale can typically charge a case in about 20 seconds. In my case that makes them about a wash in terms of speed. I can load more precise weights manually but not enough to be an issue for me.

The higher end machines are different animals geared towards shooter needing Precision and Speed use two feed mechanisms and fast response scales.

 

[Krogen]

I have a hunch that RCBS revised the Chargemaster Lite/Link firmware over the years. It appears that most people don't have the trouble I do. Or if they do, they don't realize it

Mine's an early one and it lies to me. Yep, it's a confounded LIAR. Whatever do I mean? Set it to a charge weight, say 25.0 gr. It will trickle up quickly, slow down as it approaches its setpoint, then stop and beep when it hits the setpoint. Seems fine, right?

Nope!

The problem is, it will sometimes go over and not tell you. It shows 25.0 gr, but weigh that charge and you may find it went over, sometimes as high as +0.3 gr. 25.3 gr and not "fessing up" is unacceptable in my book. If it read 25.3 gr, I'd grumble about it's precision, but just tell me for cryin' out loud!

For me the the Chargemaster LIte is nothing better than a slow, bulk thrower. I wind up setting it low and finishing the charge with a Dandy Trickler. It's quicker doing this process with my Redding powder measure instead ofnthe Chargemaster.

The icing on the cake is another disturbing defect. The Chargemaster and my electronic scale don't get along with each other unless they're separated by about a foot. I'm an electrical engineer and have dealt with many EMC issues on aircraft - Electro-Magnetic Compatibility. Some of this stuff was at such a high level you couldn't be in the test chamber. Like living in microwave oven. The scale and the Chargemaster aren't compatible at all. Not even in the benign environment on my loading bench. Is it the scale or the Chargemaster? Doesn't matter, really. They don't get along. One has high emissions and the other is highly susceptible; or both.

 

[SteveOak]

For years I have been using a ChargeMaster. From time to time it would seem to drift, enough that I lost confidence in it.

I got an A&D 120i and started verifying the dispensed charges which confirmed my concerns.

A V4 trickler arrived Saturday.

Strain gauge scales are probably sufficient for pistols and for hunting ammo but not for precision. The more expensive strain gauge scales use correction schemes that make them APPEAR to be more accurate but the physical technology has its limits.