How to speed up charging rate

[mikecr]

I was initially inclined to recommend Prometheus. But then he said PD shooting, and with that a ChargeMaster does all he needs. He doesn't need a separate scale,, he doesn't need a separate trickler,, he has it all in the CM.
If he can accurately seat and confirm CBTO between CM charges then he's going as accurate -as that speed provides- for anyone.

 

[Erik Cortina]

If you want more speed and one kernel accuracy, get a Prometheus Gen II. Throw a charge on a piece of brass and by the time you seat the bullet another charge is ready to throw.

 

[carlsbad]

As Eric said, a magnetic restoration balance will work much better and faster than a strain gauge type (gempro) for trickling since it will follow the weight rather than needing a bump to re-measure (like a bathroom scale). I use an older sartorius lab scale.

Instead of the RCBS chargemaster, I use an old Uniflow slot machine lever style powder throw that gets me withing 1/2 grain or so and is very fast.

--Jerry

 

[Ledd Slinger]

And when you buy the Prometheus, I am willing to take that horribly inaccurate Chargemaster off of your hands...Free of charge! ;D

 

[timeout]

How to get a little faster at charging my ammo.
I use a RCBS Charge Master 1500 then to a Gem Pro 250 with a battery operated trickler and then I put every charge on the beam scale just to confirm the electronic scale never lies to me.
I would sure like to have a system that is faster but just as accurate.
Or is charging just a slow process???

Chargemaster to Gempro. Use a Redding hand trickler for under charges and a plastic tweezer for overs. The Gempro requires you to lift and reset the pan back onto the scale with each adjustment of powder. Also keep a close eye on the scale weight reading when the pan is lifted off. The Gempro can and will screw up on occasion. if the Chargemaster throws a clump into the pan (which it will sometimes, McDonald's straw or not) resulting in an overcharge, dump the powder back in the top and go again. Forget rechecking on the beam scale. My old Redding hand throw powder charger is not very consistent, despite my best attempts to use the same motions. This is especially true when using long kernel powders. I would not rely on it without weighing to check. I'm guessing the Promethus (spelling?) is out of your price range, as it is mine. If you want to go with a new system, get the magnetic restoration balance and trickle up, or a tuned beam scale and do the same. IMHO there is nothing wrong with using the Chargemaster over a hand powder charger. I very much prefer the Chargemaster. Just ditch the third scale!

 

[amlevin]

I'm guessing the Promethus (spelling?) is out of your price range, as it is mine.

Probably is unless you don't mind spending about 6 "new car" payments on one.

 

[mikecr]

The CM is not a Prometheus for sure, but it is more practical. I can just dial in various charges(for load development) and hit the button for each. I can change powders easy. I can use the scale for other reloading(H20 caps, etc).
Like many scales, the CM can be tuned, and if you watch & work with it, you can learn how to use it best.

I was an early adopter and spent a lot of time comparing readings with an Acculab scale. It was clear right off the bat that RCBS had used a programming scheme to indicate desired charge regardless of actual. So to get a real measure the pan needs to be disturbed after charging completion. I wish they hadn't done that, but with it known that's just what you do(like a Gempro). Also watch and learn the averaging going on to click off tenths. This is useful to know when you're within a kernel of desired.

My first mod put an adjustment to the final jogging speed, so that I could dial in single kernel drops from that stage. This is the most effective improvement we can apply, even above programming changes and a straw. With common powders I use(~4350) I can dial it right in with a single practice charge. And with each charge completion I lightly disturb the pan and watch carefully the averaging going on as the scale settles to final reading. If I get the feeling that it could use another kernel, or one less, I dump the charge back in and dispense another. I'll do this once in a while, no big deal.
Eventually I didn't need the Acculab & sold it off(terrible for reloading in general).

Now had I not put efforts into this, just pulled it out of the box and used it as it was,, I could be one to suggest the CM is not very accurate or practical. But instead I'm suggesting that it can be. If a kernel cutting/sorting process is developed to bump potential accuracy in charging(better than to the full kernel), well then I would be compelled by my sickness to start again and follow that path.. But for now, I'm very happy with my CM.

 

[coford]

Bench,

The best advice I can give you for quickly loading lots of ammo is to develop your loads with ball powders like 2460 or H380. Set up your powder measure to the right weight and hand throw the charges. With fine ball powders throwing within .1 is fairly easy and the prairie dog doesn't know the difference.

If you want to use extruded powders just reprogram you Chargemaster, add a straw and load straight from it. Most shots on prairie dogs are not over 300 yards so ultra accuracy is not warranted - just minute of prairie dog.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I'm guessing the Promethus (spelling?) is out of your price range, as it is mine.

Probably is unless you don't mind spending about 6 "new car" payments on one.

It's easy, just get rid of the new car and it's payments.

 

[jimcasey01]

I'm guessing the Promethus (spelling?) is out of your price range, as it is mine.

Probably is unless you don't mind spending about 6 "new car" payments on one.

It's easy, just get rid of the new car and it's payments.

Sacrilege Erik! Are you suggesting that people can get around in something other than a new vehicle, or that they should live debt free by paying "in full" as needs arise? Your method of thinking will never catch on. (This reply is spoken in pure sarcasm)

By the way, I use an old Ohaus TS120, $100.00 cost, which will show single kernel differences.

 

[Switchbarrel]

Maybe he should just sell off what he has and get a Prometheus (after a year or more of waiting 8))

The wait supposedly isn't that bad anymore. I spoke to Brand in early March. Placed my order and he thought I should have it by the "end of summer". Looking forward to it.

-Rick

 

[CharlieNC]

I dont have an auto dispenser but if I did the charge would be consistent enough for the application, or I would not have it. I dump a charge with the $25 Lee in two seconds, usually within .2gr, then trickle on tuned beam. Maybe the next gen autos will be close enough.

 

[1066]

This looks a pretty slick set-up - looks faster than a chargemaster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmFdmrz7njg

 

[Webster]

You didn't mention the caliber. Did you ever try a very fine grain powder or ball powder that's suitable for your caliber. Load ten cases directly from the powder measure and see what the results are. Make sure you are not near max load for your rifle. I know it's against precision loading trends but sometime you will be surprised at the results. I have shot small groups shooting ladder test that covered over one grain of powder spread. Sometimes it's worth giving up a little accuracy to reload a lot of cases.

 

[amlevin]

I'm guessing the Promethus (spelling?) is out of your price range, as it is mine.

Probably is unless you don't mind spending about 6 "new car" payments on one.

It's easy, just get rid of the new car and it's payments.

Sacrilege Erik! Are you suggesting that people can get around in something other than a new vehicle, or that they should live debt free by paying "in full" as needs arise? Your method of thinking will never catch on. (This reply is spoken in pure sarcasm)

By the way, I use an old Ohaus TS120, $100.00 cost, which will show single kernel differences.

I've been doing just that for years. I'm one of those that buys a new vehicle then drives the wheels off it. The idea of a car payment brings chills to my backbone. For that matter I even hate the idea of a house payment and one of these days I'll just pay it off. The interest on the money in the bank sucks so why not.

I realize that being "Debt Free" is totally Un-American but I'll just have to live with it 8)

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Anymore suggestions on the subject perhaps? We understand all yalls financial advice, but pretty sure nobody comes to this forum for that. Usually folks without money are the ones talking about it in public. No offense, but this is not a financial planning discussion.

 

[Martin52]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl_tvHXLCK8

this is a good set up and shows how the MFR scale responds.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Anymore suggestions on the subject perhaps? We understand all yalls financial advice, but pretty sure nobody comes to this forum for that. Usually folks without money are the ones talking about it in public. No offense, but this is not a financial planning discussion.

Sure it is. If money was no object, we would all have the best equipment out there.

 

[amlevin]

Anymore suggestions on the subject perhaps? We understand all yalls financial advice, but pretty sure nobody comes to this forum for that. Usually folks without money are the ones talking about it in public. No offense, but this is not a financial planning discussion.

Sure it is. If money was no object, we would all have the best equipment out there.

But would we shoot any better?

 

[Erik Cortina]

Anymore suggestions on the subject perhaps? We understand all yalls financial advice, but pretty sure nobody comes to this forum for that. Usually folks without money are the ones talking about it in public. No offense, but this is not a financial planning discussion.

Sure it is. If money was no object, we would all have the best equipment out there.

But would we shoot any better?

Very likely because you would be able to shoot a lot more.