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.

[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,

[ssgross]

drift during my session of 200 rds and just tossed them back in

You probably already know this, but if you hit the cancel button only once, you can then zero without losing your count or settings. Pressing it twice wipes the count. Pressing zero without hitting cancel can cause it to auto-dispense with no pan under the nozzle. Don't ask me how I know.
One thing I don't like in the programming is there is no way to cancel the count of a load that went over and you "dump". would be nice to have an "undo" button that cancels the last drop counted.

[browningautorifle]

an "undo" button

I'm not that wrapped up in it, I know how many I have because I'll have so many primers out or a box of bullets... I think mine drifted because I did too long of session before checking zero. I also tried their statement about no electronics in the area and had my laptop at the far end of the workbench, about 8 feet away...started a movie and immediately was wandering up/down two or three tenths. Took it away again and zeroed and was fine again.

All these things you learn talking with other guys about the machines. Reading the complaints about the machines just confirms that these other guys did all the things we agree we shouldn't.

[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...