Tech question : RCBS Chargemaster - how does it work?

Kayser · February 22, 2011, 10:06 PM

Just picked up one of these from Natchez, and am extremely excited. My first real upgrade in the process since starting reloading 5 or 6 years ago. Based on what I'm reading, I'm thinking I'll cut actual charging and seating times in half.

I have a question though - how exactly does the thing work in terms of knowing how to gauge the charge?

Looking at the thing, a little common sense suggests that the scale and the dispenser are connected so that there's feedback from the scale. But I haven't disassembled it to verify that that the little connector-looking thingie on the bottom is actually what it looks like.

I figure it's unlikely that it magically knows how to spin the trickler just so to get accurate throws, but I figured I'd ask.

Thanks!

rg1 · February 22, 2011, 10:11 PM

Don't have one myself but here's 3 good articles on the powder dispensers comparing the RCBS with Pact and Lyman's. Has some good info. Just use a set of check weights to assure yourself that the scale and dispenser is accurate. In these articles RCBS comes out on top in most comparisons.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/categ...=all#thumb_nav

Brian Pfleuger · February 22, 2011, 10:34 PM

They are connected. It's not magic.

It's is almost magical though... the thing seems to "learn" how the powder behaves. It will often over-shoot or take forever getting to the charge the first time but seems to "know" how to do it each time thereafter.

Wait until you actually use it.... it's like a religious experience. The sky opens, a light shines down and the angels sings ALLELUIA!

jeepster11 · February 22, 2011, 10:37 PM

amazing dispenser i love mine

Kayser · February 22, 2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Wait until you actually use it.... it's like a religious experience. The sky opens, a light shines down and the angels sings ALLELUIA!

I spent the week furiously cleaning my garage to get my reloading area back up to snuff after I ordered the thing. My large backlog of brass has been tumbling for days now

That'll Do · February 23, 2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peetzakilla

Wait until you actually use it.... it's like a religious experience. The sky opens, a light shines down and the angels sings ALLELUIA!

What he said.

It REALLY is THAT good!

snuffy · February 23, 2011, 01:29 PM

Don't have a chargemaster, but do have the pact. I suspect they all work the same. It "learns" the powder density. The first time it is calibrated for a certain powder, it turns the 2 dispenser tubes at 2 different speeds for a precise duration of time. It then reads how much powder by weight it just dispensed. The scale sends that info to the computer inside the dispenser.

When you punch in the amount of powder you want, it knows if it turns the big tube at high speed for X amount of time, then slows it down for X seconds, then starts the small tube to finish, it will arrive at your designated powder charge. The scale then verifies it's "guess".

My pact will normally be dead on, a few end up a tenth or 2 short, seldom over. Drawback of the pact, is it has no way to store different powder densities, it has to be calibrated to the powder you're using each time. Unplug the power pack or shut off the power, it has to be re-calibrated.

Doodlebugger45 · February 23, 2011, 01:52 PM

Wow. What a great product evaluation mentioned above.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-...sers-part-one/

http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-...sers-part-two/

Saltydog235 · February 23, 2011, 02:02 PM

Its a truely heavenly experience. The best thing you can do it to read the instructions and get busy. Warn your wife or loved ones though, you won't want to leave your new love. Cuts time by a factor of at least 3X for me and I was pretty fast with the hand measure. Charges are really consistant too. I keep the little powder spoon handy for when it goes over and get very consistant charges.

Hell, I got a fresh order of powder last night and foresee a big time of 7mm Mag loading, then some 30'06. Might even buy another caliber gun just to expand the ammo collection.

rottieman33 · February 23, 2011, 03:02 PM

I have a rcbs charge master a little trick i read on here is to stick about 1/4" of a McDonalds stray in the end of the despeansing tube to help the powder not build up on the end. just make sure straw is flush with end of tube.

Tuzo · February 23, 2011, 04:40 PM

My ChargeMaster has been dispensing and weighing for more than two years. I used to check every 10 rounds with a beam scale but have switched to checking the fisrt two drops and maybe the last two. The accuracy and speed for rifle reloads is great. Efficient rod powder (IMR 4895) metering is the best feature of the ChargeMaster because, as in a standard powder measure, there is no cutting of the rods by the dispenser mechanism.

By all means read the instructions carefully.

Shadowstalker · February 23, 2011, 06:43 PM

Mine is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I cant wait

Jim243 · February 23, 2011, 09:21 PM

I know this may sound smart butt. But, there is a manual that came with it, please read it.

After you calibrate the scale with the two weights that came with it 50 grams and another 50 grams (it asks for 0, 50 & 100) then set it and take the weights off. it will go to 0. Put the pan on the scale and press the zero button on the bottom, it will re 0 the scale. Use the key pad on the upper portion and enter in your load (say 23.6) and press despense.

Then the majic happens, it will despense 23.6 grains of powder, take the powder and put it in a case. Place the pan back on the scale and it will go back to 0 and start all over again dispensing 23.6 grains each time you do that.

Good Luck
Jim

PS: They are a great tool.

AS with any scale - Keep it out of any draft and keep it OFF your bench.

February 22, 2011, 10:06 PM	#1
Kayser Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2002 Location: Illinois :( Posts: 550	Tech question : RCBS Chargemaster - how does it work? Just picked up one of these from Natchez, and am extremely excited. My first real upgrade in the process since starting reloading 5 or 6 years ago. Based on what I'm reading, I'm thinking I'll cut actual charging and seating times in half. I have a question though - how exactly does the thing work in terms of knowing how to gauge the charge? Looking at the thing, a little common sense suggests that the scale and the dispenser are connected so that there's feedback from the scale. But I haven't disassembled it to verify that that the little connector-looking thingie on the bottom is actually what it looks like. I figure it's unlikely that it magically knows how to spin the trickler just so to get accurate throws, but I figured I'd ask. Thanks! __________________ ----------------- Box Of Truth Afficionado! Last edited by Kayser; February 22, 2011 at 10:51 PM.

February 22, 2011, 10:34 PM	#3
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	They are connected. It's not magic. It's is almost magical though... the thing seems to "learn" how the powder behaves. It will often over-shoot or take forever getting to the charge the first time but seems to "know" how to do it each time thereafter. Wait until you actually use it.... it's like a religious experience. The sky opens, a light shines down and the angels sings ALLELUIA! __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 22, 2011, 10:37 PM	#4
jeepster11 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2008 Location: fairborn ohio Posts: 175	its an amazing dispenser i love mine

February 23, 2011, 01:29 PM	#7
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Don't have a chargemaster, but do have the pact. I suspect they all work the same. It "learns" the powder density. The first time it is calibrated for a certain powder, it turns the 2 dispenser tubes at 2 different speeds for a precise duration of time. It then reads how much powder by weight it just dispensed. The scale sends that info to the computer inside the dispenser. When you punch in the amount of powder you want, it knows if it turns the big tube at high speed for X amount of time, then slows it down for X seconds, then starts the small tube to finish, it will arrive at your designated powder charge. The scale then verifies it's "guess". My pact will normally be dead on, a few end up a tenth or 2 short, seldom over. Drawback of the pact, is it has no way to store different powder densities, it has to be calibrated to the powder you're using each time. Unplug the power pack or shut off the power, it has to be re-calibrated. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

February 23, 2011, 03:02 PM	#10
rottieman33 Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 223	I have a rcbs charge master a little trick i read on here is to stick about 1/4" of a McDonalds stray in the end of the despeansing tube to help the powder not build up on the end. just make sure straw is flush with end of tube. Last edited by rottieman33; March 3, 2011 at 04:53 PM.

February 22, 2011, 10:11 PM	#2
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Don't have one myself but here's 3 good articles on the powder dispensers comparing the RCBS with Pact and Lyman's. Has some good info. Just use a set of check weights to assure yourself that the scale and dispenser is accurate. In these articles RCBS comes out on top in most comparisons. http://www.accurateshooter.com/categ...=all#thumb_nav

February 23, 2011, 01:52 PM	#8
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	Wow. What a great product evaluation mentioned above. http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-...sers-part-one/ http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-...sers-part-two/

February 23, 2011, 02:02 PM	#9
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	Its a truely heavenly experience. The best thing you can do it to read the instructions and get busy. Warn your wife or loved ones though, you won't want to leave your new love. Cuts time by a factor of at least 3X for me and I was pretty fast with the hand measure. Charges are really consistant too. I keep the little powder spoon handy for when it goes over and get very consistant charges. Hell, I got a fresh order of powder last night and foresee a big time of 7mm Mag loading, then some 30'06. Might even buy another caliber gun just to expand the ammo collection.

February 23, 2011, 04:40 PM	#11
Tuzo Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 797	My ChargeMaster has been dispensing and weighing for more than two years. I used to check every 10 rounds with a beam scale but have switched to checking the fisrt two drops and maybe the last two. The accuracy and speed for rifle reloads is great. Efficient rod powder (IMR 4895) metering is the best feature of the ChargeMaster because, as in a standard powder measure, there is no cutting of the rods by the dispenser mechanism. By all means read the instructions carefully.

February 23, 2011, 06:43 PM	#12
Shadowstalker Member Join Date: April 2, 2010 Location: Tualatin, OR Posts: 30	Mine is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I cant wait

February 23, 2011, 09:21 PM	#13
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	I know this may sound smart butt. But, there is a manual that came with it, please read it. After you calibrate the scale with the two weights that came with it 50 grams and another 50 grams (it asks for 0, 50 & 100) then set it and take the weights off. it will go to 0. Put the pan on the scale and press the zero button on the bottom, it will re 0 the scale. Use the key pad on the upper portion and enter in your load (say 23.6) and press despense. Then the majic happens, it will despense 23.6 grains of powder, take the powder and put it in a case. Place the pan back on the scale and it will go back to 0 and start all over again dispensing 23.6 grains each time you do that. Good Luck Jim PS: They are a great tool. AS with any scale - Keep it out of any draft and keep it OFF your bench. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum Last edited by Jim243; February 23, 2011 at 09:31 PM.