RCBS Chargemaster 1500

[Atticus Thraxx]

Is on sale incredibly cheap at Natchez and I just finally broke down and bought one. With shipping and tax it's $372 total. That's still $50 cheaper than the next lower seller online lists it before tax and shipping. I have no attachment to RCBS or Natchez, that's just a good dang deal.

RCBS Chargemaster Dispenser and Scale - 110 Volt | Natchez

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[browningautorifle]

Yes, a friend of mine bought one and it was a bit more but that's CDN...I got a Lyman and another of us got the Frankfurt Arsenal... My point being we finally took a step forward in our reloading gear after 40 years of using a balance beam scale. It was time. I also bought the Frankfurt Arsenal wet tumbler and couldn't be happier. I didn't mind spending the money as they were both super additions to the equipment.

[MAUSER88]

I have one and use it for making Factory duplication Federal Gold Medal Match .308 ammo for my Remmy 700. Pretty incredible that it meters fright down to 1 grain of powder.

[browningautorifle]

Agreed, if you read the comments after one of the tutorials you'll see all manner of complaints. If you read what the company warns against doing you can almost see between the complaints that is exactly what the complainers did to make them unhappy. Have patience starting, zero the computer and work within the parameters the companies have laid out. All will be well.

[Micheal Doyne]

I wish those prices where available in the uk! I am still using a lee balance beam and volume measure... results are better than factory but still not ideal.

[browningautorifle]

those prices

I ended up paying $427CDN delivered for my Lyman but don't regret it, sure took the time and misery out of loading conical powder for target work. I had no upgrade on my equipment in 40 years...

[Micheal Doyne]

I had no upgrade on my equipment in 40 years...

Hmm given my set up is only three years old, maybe I will stubborn out a couple more years of volumetric measurements...

I also need a larger tumbler and powered case trimming...

[browningautorifle]

maybe I will stubborn out a couple more years of volumetric measurements

I understand but if you have to do a large batch you'll wish after to get a computer measurement scale you'd had one before. I did...

a larger tumbler and powered case trimming

I've been using trim dies but have a rotary. My tumbler went from rotary with jewler's rouge to vibrating with corncob green to now a Frankfurt Arsenal rotary with stainless steel pins and water. It cleans them completely and though more work than a simple vibra tumbler it's so worth it to me. So much better product after...

[ssgross]

I've had the OP's RCBS scale for over a year now. I bought it because my Hornady powder drop sucked with stick powders, like varget or 4064.
I have checked mine against a lab 0.001g scale, and it does well within its reported limit of +-0.1gr. (mine usually measures +- 0.06 gr., with some variation in there).
As for the scale part - vibration will throw it off. I originally positioned it next to my press - but realized that top stroke caused some table vibration and messed with the scale. now it sits on a stool and no issues. It is important to turn it on and let it "settle" for a few minutes, then calibrate before use at each session. I also periodically re-zero to avoid any "drift" which is pretty normal in electronic scales (I re-zero every 50 rounds or so during an extended loading session). As for the trickler, it does pretty well but you have to pay attention to it. If it comes up on the limit too quick, it abruptly stops, then beeps like it's done, then shows +.2 or more over your limit. This happens maybe once every 15 rounds, but less often with spherical or flaked powders. Lesson here is don't go pick up just because it beeped. wait for it to show the weight again after it shows the count.
Overall - great investment. My previous setup was to use a Hornady drop measure, try to get just a couple tenths grains under weight, then use a trickler to come up to my target. Very time consuming when loading a bunch of different weights for testing - screwing with the drop after every 5-10rds.

[browningautorifle]

I re-zero every 50 rounds or so during an extended loading session

That sounds like a good idea, I had a bit of drift during my session of 200 rds and just tossed them back in.

my Hornady powder drop sucked with stick powders, like varget or 4064.

That's why I scaled for 40 years...no more though. I have a Lyman 55 powder measure. Great for ball but not for conical or extruded,