Chargemaster Link problem

[Propbndr]

I was given a RCBS Chargemaster Link for Christmas. I thought everything was going great until some 243 ammo I loaded using it was shooting very poorly. This load I had dialed in manually to sub MOA. I disassembled all the rounds to weigh the powder as it was the only possible variable. I discovered that each round was -.1 grain from my desired weight. I follow the instructions exactly, allowing it to “warmup“ to 20 to 30 minutes then performing the calibration. I have a set of Lyman standard weights and compared it against my RCBS M500 balance scale. It agreed 100% with my balance scale. However, whenever I use either auto or manual dispensing it shorts the load by .1 grain but, shows the desired weight. I know it’s accuracy is +/- .1gr but, that it should not be off the exact same amount every time.

I cannot find any web info about problems with this product. Nor, can I find any firmware updates. Has anyone had a similar issue with their Chargemaster? If so, were you able to “fix” it? I know can work around this shortage by simply adding .1gr to my desired load but, I‘d like it to work as designed.

 

[Doom]

I think uou are confusing scale and autoloader accuracy. Because scales only measure to the precision of the display and do not round a 0.1 gn display scale will read 40.1 grains from 40.1 to 40.19 gn. When using the autoloader the scale has to trickle up and has a band in which it will read the weight and accept it as meeting the load and in my 1500 this seems to be ~+/-.05 gn of the setting. Depending on the powder characteristics it may continually come up short or be on both sides of the desired charge.

You have the answer.

 

[M-61]

I follow the instructions exactly, allowing it to “warmup“ to 20 to 30 minutes then performing the calibration.

It was stored in one temperature and then moved to another? Outside to inside for example?

 

[BoydAllen]

If your loads are all exactly .1 grain off, change your setting to compensate and get on with it. Before putting this on the internet, did you contact RCBS? How much did your loads vary in weight? What was the ES of weights?

 

[M-61]

Before putting this on the internet, did you contact RCBS?

YES.

 

[BoydAllen]

YES.

Good, what was their response?

 

[hogpatrol]

I've owned and used one for years. If it's any comfort, have had the same issue intermittently after calibratioin. I double weigh on a good scale. From my experience it's not a precision instrument.

 

[rdb8847]

One tenth of a grain of powder went from sub MOA to shooting poorly? I would also look for addition causes. Just my thoughts

 

[Propbndr]

It was stored in one temperature and then moved to another? Outside to inside for example?

No. I store it in the house and move it to my “game room” after it has been preheated.

 

[Propbndr]

If your loads are all exactly .1 grain off, change your setting to compensate and get on with it. Before putting this on the internet, did you contact RCBS? How much did your loads vary in weight? What was the ES of weights?

No. I have not contacted RCBS yet.

 

[Propbndr]

One tenth of a grain of power went from sun MOA to shooting poorly? I would also look for addition causes. Just my thoughts

By poorly, I mean from 5 shots in a dime sized group at 100 yards to 1.5 to 2 MOA. I am not into competition shooting. I am into hunting and don’t want to accidentally wound a deer because my round did not go where I aimed it.

 

[rdb8847]

Just my .02 cents.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Is the +/- 0.1 grain spec Extreme Spread or Standard Deviation?

 

[M-61]

No. I store it in the house and move it to my “game room” after it has been preheated.

Where in the instructions does it say to let it warm up except for movement into a temperature change?
I’m not saying that’s your problem. I’m asking what page in the instructions does it say anything about a warm up other than what I just mentioned.
As stated by Alan Boyd why wouldn’t you call or email the manufacturer before putting this on the internet which btw is not just this site?
And RCBS does back flips to help customers and I’m aware of their policies regarding electronic devices. Probably not a better company in the world to deal with that I know of and my first purchase was in 1963

 

[M-61]

Good, what was their response?

Misunderstanding
I’m not the OP
I am saying YES to YOUR post.
Man o man read up
This guy never contacted the manufacturer

 

[M-61]

What hunting rifle and cartridge are you shooting that one tenth of a grain made a difference?

 

[hogpatrol]

What hunting rifle and cartridge are you shooting that one tenth of a grain made a difference?

First post, he said .243

 

[M-61]

First post, he said .243

Thanks, missed it.

 

[hogpatrol]

I was given a RCBS Chargemaster Link for Christmas. I thought everything was going great until some 243 ammo I loaded using it was shooting very poorly. This load I had dialed in manually to sub MOA. I disassembled all the rounds to weigh the powder as it was the only possible variable. I discovered that each round was -.1 grain from my desired weight. I follow the instructions exactly, allowing it to “warmup“ to 20 to 30 minutes then performing the calibration. I have a set of Lyman standard weights and compared it against my RCBS M500 balance scale. It agreed 100% with my balance scale. However, whenever I use either auto or manual dispensing it shorts the load by .1 grain but, shows the desired weight. I know it’s accuracy is +/- .1gr but, that it should not be off the exact same amount every time.

I cannot find any web info about problems with this product. Nor, can I find any firmware updates. Has anyone had a similar issue with their Chargemaster? If so, were you able to “fix” it? I know can work around this shortage by simply adding .1gr to my desired load but, I‘d like it to work as designed.

Have to ask, how many rounds, what type of hunting? The reason I ask is, a bud took his .243 to the range and it shot for crap. Said it always shot good with this load. Asked him when was the last time he used it. He said, prairie dog hunt in the either N or S Dakota. Said good luck, end of conversation.

 

[Propbndr]

Have to ask, how many rounds, what type of hunting? The reason I ask is, a bud took his .243 to the range and it shot for crap. Said it always shot good with this load. Asked him when was the last time he used it. He said, prairie dog hunt in the either N or S Dakota. Said good luck, end of conversation.

Whitetail deer hunting. My first loads was 10 rounds. All loaded with manual powder drop. The last were 20 rounds made with the Chargemaster. That was all the bullets I had. The powder, and primers were all from the same lots. Used the same R-P brass (All processed as I usually do). So the only variation was the fact that the powder load was -.1gr. I am still scratching my head on how the groups went from great to lousy with that little of a powder variation.