RCBS.CHARGEMASTER.

[garyw]

just toying with buying a RCBS chargemaster i have read back through the post regarding this bit of kit and read up on the comparison test v. other electric powder throwers.
my main concern is if the early problems with these models have been ironed out-or is the jury still out.
would i be best buying a REDDING BR30 type powder dispenser.
the eventual purchase will be to load .17-.22br-6br cal.
any thoughts or pointers to tell me NOT what to buy.
atb garyw

 

[Jeff A]

I don't know about 'early problems' but I am really enjoying my Chargemaster 1500. A valuable addition to my bench.

 

[Travelor]

I got in early with the ChargeMaster and have had 4 of them as they progressed through their development. This last one is wonderful and I would not ever want to be without it. One thing to remember is that it uses a trickle system to throw the powder and some granular sizes trickle better than others - not a design error, it just how the powder is made. Some have found putting a soda straw helps but I use it as is.

I highly recommend it especially if you are loading for high power shooting where you have to load a lot at a time. Just tap in the weight and let it automatically dispense and then recheck itself.

George

 

[Waskawood]

I started loading over 40 years ago. I made a big mistake 10 years ago and sold all my stuff during a move. 2 years ago I got back into the hobby and purchased a 1500. I really like it. I have only reloaded about 500 rounds. I have only had one charge that was over weight. It may not be the fastest way to reload but I use reloading to make my Minnesota winters go faster so I am in no hurry. If you weigh and then seat the bullet while the next charge is dispensing the whole process would go faster. I would never go back to my old Lyman 55.

 

[tome]

had mine 6mo..wondered why i waited so long..great !!!

 

[Sighter]

I have an 8 month old Chargemaster and my high end powder measures are getting cobwebs now.

There is a small learning curve,at least for me) on setting up and saving the load data. I just keep my manual handy but pretty much have it down now and am up to 10 saved pet loads.

Powder trickling has always been the biggest pain of the reloading process for me and I can rest easy that my finished rounds are within a tenth of a grain, something I can not do with a +$200 powder measure. I would not waste money on another scale or powder thrower, granted a BR measure may be needed for loading at the range, but for the home, the Chargemaster is simply awesome.

 

[Rustystud]

I have had my Charge Master for over a year. Without doubt is is the best investment I have made in my reloading room with regard to precision reloading. I am considering buying a second to have one at each of my presses.
Nat Lambeth

 

[DukeDuke]

I remember reading about some code you punch in to make it even faster. Is there such a thing for real?

 

[Glocksig]

Someone did a rather extensive article on settings that can be tweeked to make it run faster. Most of it comes from not having it slow down until it gets closer to the charge weight. You can probably come up with it on a google search. Foreign fellow worked it out I believe.

Either way this thing is the cat's meow, hands down worth every penny and that's saying something.

 

[GentleBen]

I bought my RCBS Chargemaster 1500 combo about three years ago and my Redding BR30 sometime last year,thinking it would speed things up). Hate to say it, but I think I wasted my money on the BR30. It drops accurate loads of ball powder, but it can't hang with the Chargemaster on Varget and other extruded powders, not even a race, and its not as accurate.

Now I only drop TAC, AA2230 and 748 in my BR30 -- and sometimes H322,short extruded) for loading my .223s. But the Vargets and Vhita Vouris go straight to the Chargemaster.

And, like one poster mentioned, learn to seat your bullet while the Chargemaster drops and weighs and you'll find yourself trailing and it having to wait on you.

Can't wait to see how they're going to improve on this unit, and see who else gets in the race to beat it. It'll take a heckuva a machine to beat it.

Don't waste your time, buy the combo unit and enjoy accurate reloading.,Can you tell I like it?)

Oh, yeah, and I caught it on sale at Midsouth Shooters for $249. I should have bought two of them.

 

[garyw]

sooooo-looks like i will order one then thanks guys-for helping me spend my money
garyw

 

[eddyverhoeven]

I waited a while before buying the chargemaster as they cost an arm and a leg here in Europe,+/- $ 600.-), but I finally went ahead and ordered one. Looking forwards to it.

Eddy

 

[garyw]

eddy where did you order yours from ?im still looking for the best prices dont know wether to order one from the U.S.A or here in the
UK.
GARY-W

 

[eddyverhoeven]

Hi Gary,

Check pm.

eddy

 

[EugeneW]

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this forum. I have been lurking for a day or so and have got a lot of good info. I was curious if anyone has used the Chargemaster with IMR 4895 powder. I load a lot of 4895 and would like to buy the chargemaster if it does a good job with that powder.
A couple of years ago I bought a similar product made by another company and it did not do a good job with 4895 and it was really bad with IMR 5010. It finally croaked when I kept feeding it the 5010. The Chargemaster would be a lot of help if it will work with 4895.

Thanks in advance
Eugene

 

[Travelor]

Eugene, I just completed loading 150 223 Rem cartridges with 24.5 grains of H4895. The ChargeMaster threw charges at or within +.2 grains on every charge with probably 95% being exactly at 24.5 grains. The remainder were only about 5 granules of powder off the desired load and just a very small pinch removed the overage from the pan and adjusted the weight to the desired amount.

So I would say that it works great with IMR 4895 also.

George

 

[EugeneW]

Travelor,Thanks for the info. I will be getting one soon.
Eugene

 

[Gearheadpyro]

I've loaded 4895 from my chargemaster as well, didn't notice any issues with it. Also loaded imr 4064, varget, imr 4320, and imr 4756,flake). No issues with any of it.
Every once in a while some of the powder does clump at the end of the drop tube, sometimes a bunch will fall at once and cause an overcharge of .1 to .2 grains as previously mentioned. Just a quick pinch takes care of this problem.
I love mine, works fantastico! wouldn't hesitate to buy it again, although I would spend more time looking for a sale. Saw it in a Midway flyer two days ago for $299

 

[alesar]

Hi everybody. I´m new to this very insightful forum. I have been lurking here for a while and finally decided to register.
I have a question mainly for european shooters regarding the Chargemaster Combo. What´s the differnce between the 110V and the 220V models?. Is it just the power supply adaptor?. If that´s the case, then you can purchase the 110V model and use a transformer in Europe, right?.
The reason for this is that I´ve found a good price on the 110V model and none on the 220V.
Thanks a lot for your time and take care.

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

Hi everybody. I´m new to this very insightful forum. I have been lurking here for a while and finally decided to register.
I have a question mainly for european shooters regarding the Chargemaster Combo. What´s the differnce between the 110V and the 220V models?. Is it just the power supply adaptor?. If that´s the case, then you can purchase the 110V model and use a transformer in Europe, right?.
The reason for this is that I´ve found a good price on the 110V model and none on the 220V.
Thanks a lot for your time and take care.

Yeah you can buy the 110V version and use it in any country. It requires a 1A, 9V DC unregulated power supply you can buy in whatever country you live in. I bought a 2A, 12V regulated plug pack power supply,switchmode)in order to gain a little extra line filtering.

Just a little tech note here for those that dont know: A 9V unregulated power pack outputs around 12V DC,lightly loaded) and a 12V DC regulated supply puts out a steady 12V DC under rated load.

This has been discussed on this thread: http://ozfclass.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2090

It requires the same size and polarity DC output plug that comes with the USA power supply. You wont have any problems finding a power pack in any country you live in for the Chargemaster.