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Posted: 6/22/2012 7:14:09 PM EDT
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Considering picking up a digital scale. How is the RCBS Rangemaster 750? Anything else I should look at instead?
Thanks |
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The two types of balances that are in range for us would be (i) strain gauge and (ii) electromagnetic force compensation. Usually, you're looking at prices of $90-150 for the strain gauge type and the cheapest of the force compensation type is about $700. I think for most shooters, the strain gauge (such as your RCBS 750) is going to be adequate, but if you've ever done any science work or if you plan on precision shooting (bench rest) you may want to look into force compensation. I have a Mettler platform balance which lacks the resolution of my Lyman 1200, but I think it gives me more precision. That is, the Lyman (and your RCBS) give 0.1 grain "accuracy... or resolution," whereas the Mettler gives 0.01 gram accuracy –– or about 0.154 grain accuracy. Nevertheless, the repeatability ("precision") of the Mettler is superior.
If you are not going to do precision reloads, or even if you are going to try to do precision reloads but are not shooting a heavy barreled varmint or bench gun, I'd say the RCBS is probably fine. If you plan to get into bench shooting and weighing out your propellant (and cases and measuring the length of your bullets), well then, maybe something like the A&D Fx2000i might be more appropriate ($679) http://balance.balances.com/scales/204 |
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I had a 750 that was really good, and only had to re-zero every once and a while, but my 1500 scale that came with my chargemaster is the bomb!
Like the poster above said, unless you are going to do precision loads, than go with a high quality scale, otherwise those two scales are just fine. |
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I've been very happy with a $160 Gempro 250. Weighs to .02 grains. Doesn't drift. Any time I drop 40 or 50 grains of check weights on it, it's accurate to within .04 grains (ie it might read 40.04 if I put 40 gr of weights on it).
The only thing I don't really like about it is the plastic pan that comes with it, some powder likes to stick. The aluminum pans I have from other scales are a bit too tall to fit under the shield, but someday I'll find something. I also have a Hornady Autocharge, which works pretty well. But sometimes after using it for a while it gets quirky. Instead of smoothly starting a charge, it goes in fits. Occasionally it'll start way overshooting charges, even on the slow setting, by a .5 - 1 grains (it still shows an accurate weight, it'll just measure out 42.5 instead of 40.0 for example). Cycling the power fixes that. I will say that a pair of these $2 ferrite core / cord clamp accessories are well worth the cost in reducing interference and drift with any digital scale: 
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I watched a video of the RCBS Chargemaster system. That was pretty sweet. I didn't really want to spend that much, but after loading with a powder measure, dribbler, and manual scale for a couple decades now, that thing looks like it would be well worth it if it's accurate and reliable. I'd like to start doing more handloading for my bolt guns so I can shoot them a little more often. That thing would really save me a lot of time. 
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Quoted:
I watched a video of the RCBS Chargemaster system. That was pretty sweet. I didn't really want to spend that much, but after loading with a powder measure, dribbler, and manual scale for a couple decades now, that thing looks like it would be well worth it if it's accurate and reliable. I'd like to start doing more handloading for my bolt guns so I can shoot them a little more often. That thing would really save me a lot of time. You won't regret it. I got one a year, and half ago, and I still don't know how I got along without it. I get about 3-4 over or under charges out of a hundred charges, and that is as bad as it gets. I have been cross checking it every 2 or 3 sessions with my Ohaus beem, and it is right on the money every time so far. I have also read where people have had them go bad on them after using them for quite a few years, and RCBS replaced it for $40 for a new unit. Can't beat that CS. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I watched a video of the RCBS Chargemaster system. That was pretty sweet. I didn't really want to spend that much, but after loading with a powder measure, dribbler, and manual scale for a couple decades now, that thing looks like it would be well worth it if it's accurate and reliable. I'd like to start doing more handloading for my bolt guns so I can shoot them a little more often. That thing would really save me a lot of time. You won't regret it. I got one a year, and half ago, and I still don't know how I got along without it. I get about 3-4 over or under charges out of a hundred charges, and that is as bad as it gets. I have been cross checking it every 2 or 3 sessions with my Ohaus beem, and it is right on the money every time so far. I have also read where people have had them go bad on them after using them for quite a few years, and RCBS replaced it for $40 for a new unit. Can't beat that CS. They did the same for my 750 and very prompt CS. |
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Tried out the Chargemaster for the first time tonight. Wow...
I think it's one of those things where you have to have done it the hard way a lot to fully appreciate it. For about 17 years now I've been throwing charges and running a dribbler over the pan hanging on a beam scale. This thing had the next charge ready to roll before I could even seat a bullet. |
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Quoted:
Tried out the Chargemaster for the first time tonight. Wow... I think it's one of those things where you have to have done it the hard way a lot to fully appreciate it. For about 17 years now I've been throwing charges and running a dribbler over the pan hanging on a beam scale. This thing had the next charge ready to roll before I could even seat a bullet. Money well spent. I love mine. |
Another Chargemaster user checking in here. I was weary of the possibility of inconsistent charges when I first started reloading so I wanted to weigh everyone. Of course I didn't want to do it on a beam scale so I ordered the Chargemaster right off the bat. I've since reloaded thousands of rounds with it and couldn't be happier.
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Quoted:
Another Chargemaster user checking in here. I was weary of the possibility of inconsistent charges when I first started reloading so I wanted to weigh everyone. Of course I didn't want to do it on a beam scale so I ordered the Chargemaster right off the bat. I've since reloaded thousands of rounds with it and couldn't be happier. When loading for my bolt guns I used to always measure each and every charge on a beam scale. And typically the charge did need adjusted, so I did it with good reason. After a few test runs with the auto dispenser coming out dead on with the beam scale, I felt comfortable with it and just let it run. On a side note though, I had two beam scales. One is a higher quality, older beam scale that belongs to my dad. Don't know the make/model offhand. The other was an RCBS beam scale I picked up in a package deal on some used reloading equipment about five years ago. I had never used that scale, but got it out for checking purposes. The older scale and the digital scale were dead on with each other. The RCBS beam scale wasn't even coming close. |
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