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Posted: 12/24/2010 5:26:35 AM EDT
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I've got an older RCBS digital scale and powder dispenser that's been doing fine for the last ~8 years but I'm starting to have some small issues with both units so I've decided to just get a new unit.
The first unit I looked at was the RCBS Chargemaster combo but as I was looking around the web I saw that Hornady also has a powder measure/scale that's a one piece unit vs Hornady's two piece setup. I haven't been able to find anything comparing the two so I'm throwing the question out here. Do any of you have either of these units and what are the pros and cons? Is there another brand that's better that either RCBS or Hornady? Thanks for your input and Merry Christmas to all. |
| I bought a RCBS Chargemaster Combo, and I must say I'm very impressed with it. I check about every 15 loads on my beam scale, and its always right on. The only complaint I really have is changing powders, takes a little time to get all the old powder out. I found that a few puffs of "air in a can" works to get the few remaining grains out. Static was bad when I first got it, but since wiping everything down with drier sheets, and storing a couple of them balled up in the hopper, the static cling has pretty much gone away. I'd buy another one. |
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I bought a RCBS Chargemaster Combo, and I must say I'm very impressed with it. I check about every 15 loads on my beam scale, and its always right on. The only complaint I really have is changing powders, takes a little time to get all the old powder out. I found that a few puffs of "air in a can" works to get the few remaining grains out. Static was bad when I first got it, but since wiping everything down with drier sheets, and storing a couple of them balled up in the hopper, the static cling has pretty much gone away. I'd buy another one. I was wondering about that powder drain plug and how effective it was. Thanks for the tip about the static. |
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Yes it counts. You program the load in, then recall, then hit "Dispense". When its done, it says 001. you put the powder pan on the scale, it zero's, then dispenses, beeps when done, and says 002...... yes..... and the auto dispense feature is priceless! |
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Update: The 1500 Chargemaster arrived yesterday and I just finished rearranging my bench to accommodate it. http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u350/cowboyway54/PowderDispenserScale.jpg?t=1293728847 I've had my Chargemaster 1500 for about a year now. It was the single best upgrade to my reloading operation so far (well, except for the Dillon 550 with pistol ammo). Now, you will find that the 1500 will do well on most loads and powder, but will take it's sweet time dropping some particular loads and powder, BUT, there is a simple solution that drastically improves the performance of the 1500. Do a search for 1500 programming, and you should find a number of sources that explain how to change the settings. If I recall, the 1500 has three speeds of dispensing: fast, medium, and trickle. By changing the parameters, you will be much more happy with the dispensing times. For example, If I am loading 27.0 gr Reloader 15, it will drop a consistent load every 7-8 seconds on average. If you try to go any faster, then you start getting quite a few over and under charges. If you have any questions, email me and I'll give you the settings that I have found that works best for me. I'm usually dropping Varget and Reloader 15. Hope this helps, and enjoy your new toy. J |
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Is the bracket independent of the bench? Otherwise it will probably cause come errors from working the press when loading. I've got mine on a separate stand next to my bench to avoid interference. Yeah, the bracket is independent of the bench. I learned that lesson with my old digital scale and dispenser set up. I used the Chargemaster last night for the first time and damn is it ever an improvement over my old scale and dispenser. |
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Update: The 1500 Chargemaster arrived yesterday and I just finished rearranging my bench to accommodate it. http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u350/cowboyway54/PowderDispenserScale.jpg?t=1293728847 Nice setup. You'll love that dispenser. |
| The RCBS Chargemaster counts and the powder clean out works ok, not great. The clean out works great on stick and ball powders. For flake powder like Bullseye, some of it will stick to the auger body and clean out chute. I use a small paint brush to clean it out better. Sometimes sliding the paint brush into the clean out chute will pull a few extra grains out that would otherwise be missed. |
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The RCBS Chargemaster counts and the powder clean out works ok, not great. The clean out works great on stick and ball powders. For flake powder like Bullseye, some of it will stick to the auger body and clean out chute. I use a small paint brush to clean it out better. Sometimes sliding the paint brush into the clean out chute will pull a few extra grains out that would otherwise be missed. I had 50 45ACP cases prepped and primed so the first charges that I ran through it was 6.5 grains of Unique. The dispensing went great and there was only 1 charge it threw high at 6.6 grains. The cleanout wasn't perfect but was still much better than my old dispenser. Yeah, I'm gonna like this unit. 
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