Heads up on a good deal :)

[csandfort]

I was under the impression that the two 50 gram weights were "calibration" weights, not check weights. These weights calibrate the scale so it will produce a lot of powder charges in the range we want. These scales may not be exactly precise, we all know that, what I want is consistent loads (+-0.1 grain). MidwayUSA and others sell check weights in case I want to, well, check my weight

 

[smoooth]

Buying check weights, really? Anyone who reloads has all the check weights they could ever use right at their fingertips - BULLETS!

I'll probably be eviscerated with words and fingers tips will bleed from angry typing for the following text (and possibly the preceding), but hey, they are only words and this is free advice so it for what it is worth........

Select ONE bullet reasonably near your charge weight and weigh it (a few times to be sure), if you have 2 or 3 scales or balances, cross check it on the other scales and see if it weighs the same, if it does, great you have a new check weight - MARK IT AS SUCH and keep it with the scale you use most. Mark down the weight of THAT bullet check weight so you can recheck your scale every time you turn it on or recalibrate it (using the calibration weights that came with the scale/balance). That bullet weight is now your reference point.

I know, how do we know the bullet weight is accurate? We don't, we know it weighs what the scale or balance says it weighs, and if said scale/balance repeats consistently then we know that weight is repeatable and stable. How do we know that a $100 set of check weights weighs what they say - we don't, we are taking the mfg's word. I would MUCH sooner trust an AMERICAN MADE bullet weight over some shaped pot metal made in a communist/ 3rd world country.........how about you?

 

[Danattherock]

I read a neat tip here in an old thread about using sharpie marker to write down wt of the pan (on the pan) reflected by negative number on digital scale when pan was removed. An ongoing self check to identify drift as I read it. Pretty clever.

 

[csandfort]

Buying check weights, really? (a lot of good stuff deleted) ........how about you?

I'm with you, Smoooth. That's why I put a smiley at the end of that sentence. I guess it should have been a roll eyes.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah, I just use the known value of the pan. Every time you take it off, you should see the weight in a negative value. no sense in using any other sort of check weight.

 

[asauer]

If I have a known good load that I intend to keep, I'll use a bullet as said above, but I go a step farther and shave lead out of it until I get exactly what the desired powder charge is (according to the scale). I don't "care" if my scale is exactly accurate as far as 50 grains in reality = 50 grains on my scale. It's been proven to be reasonably close when compared to book max vs velocity, etc. Heck I'm actually using an RCBS scale that was made by Ohaus, and it's a metric one at that! I do the conversion every time I want to use it, but it deflects with a single kernel of RL15.

 

[mslman]

michaelnel:

you might want to drop this guy a line and tell him that he's using the wrong scale and doesn't know it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GcDY0S096c

I suspect that it's a case of just an opinion just like mine. I have a chargemaster and it works just fine; not down to the ES/SD he's getting, but I'm not a Nat'l F-Class Record record holder either.

 

[michaelnel]

I didn't say anyone was using the wrong scale. Maybe he got lucky and got a good one.

The Chargemaster didn't produce good results for me. I have moved on to a method that works far better... for ME.

I don't care what you guys want to use. I only took issue with the claim it is accurate. In my experience it was not.

 

[mslman]

that's like saying that because one car manufactured by Ford had an issue; they must all be crap.

 

[cat64]

I didn't say anyone was using the wrong scale. Maybe he got lucky and got a good one.

The Chargemaster didn't produce good results for me. I have moved on to a method that works far better... for ME.

I don't care what you guys want to use. I only took issue with the claim it is accurate. In my experience it was not.

The last post you added is much benign than the previous ones. Your last line is the only noteworthy input as all the prior writing denigrates the effectiveness of the Charger with OPINIONS (yours) and not repeatable/plausible FACTS (but yours). Like the previous post states, you can't and shouldn't judge an entire nation by meeting a few of its citizens. For many of us the Chargemaster works like a "Master". Many of my fellow shooters use the device with much success and consistent repeatability. No point in dissuading others simply because you might have had a negative experience.

 

[DickE]

read post about RCBS customer service. If your Chargemaster is out of warranty(one year), you must throw it away and buy a new one. No repair from them!

 

[cat64]

read post about RCBS customer service. If your Chargemaster is out of warranty(one year), you must throw it away and buy a new one. No repair from them!

I understand that. However, many other products on the American market follow the same script and furthermore this fact has no "influence" on the accuracy/repeatability issue in discussion. One, knowing this in advance can determine if they want to still buy or pass.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

read post about RCBS customer service. If your Chargemaster is out of warranty(one year), you must throw it away and buy a new one. No repair from them!

Thats hilarious! Pretty sure that's how warranties are supposed to work. If they're expired, then theyre not honored. Right???

I got rid of everything that was out of warranty, I wouldnt have much left. Maybe I should do that with everything I own. Appliances, power tools, vehicles, etc... lol

 

[JRS]

read post about RCBS customer service. If your Chargemaster is out of warranty(one year), you must throw it away and buy a new one. No repair from them!

Be sure to do the same with that piece of electronic equipment you are using to post this ;D

 

[Danattherock]

That's funny stuff^^^

Has anyone done any testing that supports a 1/10 gr variation effects groups?

The Houston Warehouse study suggest not.

While I lack a firm opinion, all this critique over scales that calculate the weight of a fart might be fruitless.

 

[csandfort]

I was relieved when I read the Houston Warehouse study. Particularly the part stating that slight powder weight variations are not that important. I don't shoot paper but I do shoot thousands of rounds at squirrels each spring. I get my accuracy during load development and after that the Chargemaster gives me the reloading speed and repeatability I need. So many other things ruin my accuracy like wind, mirages, too much coffee, grass and sticks, giggling and chimping (for those that don't know chimping is ("eww, eww, eww, eww, did you see that") The slight variation from my Chargemaster does not cross my mind.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I agree to a certain point. The effect of variation greatly depends on the cartridge/caliber. A 17 fireball, 20 VarTarg, or other small calibers could feel the effects of .1 or .2gr difference where it may change speed of the bullet and accuracy noticeably. I emphasize the word 'MAY'. Now jump up to a 22-250, 243, 308 or any other large caliber including all magnums, and I doubt that slight variation will ever show up much on the chronograph or target. But again, I bought the RCBS Chargemaster for speed. If I want to be dead sure the charge is right on the money, I have two other electronic scales and a older model RCBS 10/10 that's been tuned to verify it. But for what I will be using the chargemaster for, there is no need for that.

 

[csandfort]

I should provide more detail for my comments, Ledd Slinger. I shoot all small calibers, 17AH, 17FB, 20VT and 204R. I started out checking my powder weight variations with a RCBS 10/10 but decided that I would not be developing loads then shooting squirrels with that method so just went just with the Chargemaster, actually two of them, which could increase the variation, but found all the rifles shot .2s and .3s, occasionally .1s, 5 shot groups and called it good enough for me. In my case, the Chargemasters are pretty darn good using small calibers. There are small speed changes but accuracy remains very good.

I do put my time in on consistent neck tension.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Nice. from the reviews I've read and the videos I've watched, I doubt I'll have to worry about consistency with the couple simple mods discussed here earlier. I neve notice much difference in small powder charge variations anyhow. I used to get so sick of picking out or adding .1 or .2gr of of powder from a measure miss throw, that I just loaded them one time. It was a 20 VT. Shot a 10 shot group at 100 yards and all went into a 1/2" group. Would have been smaller except for a couple I know I pulled on.