Rcbs chargemaster

LongRangebugler · #1 01-11-2015, 01:37 PM

Was just wondering if guys on here have had trouble with the scale calibrating properly ? For the past while ... While reloading, pretty well every second load has been wrong, I'm loading 59.2 grains and every second or third time it goes over a couple points I then started to inspect my scale and I dumped all of the powder out and gave the scale a little shake and it seems that there is powder inside the unit somehow... Do you think that this could be affecting it ?

twofifty · #2 01-11-2015, 01:41 PM

That's the thing about many electronic gizmos...we never really do know.

Sorry, that doesn't help you right now. Lots of guys like their Chargemasters so the right answer will be along soon.

elkhunter11 · #3 01-11-2015, 01:52 PM

Some powders do not meter as well, and are prone to overcharging. A properly cut drinking straw inserted into the dispensing tube can greatly reduce this.
As well, you must have a very sturdy bench, and have no drafts where the unit is operating.
Lastly, are you warming up the scale before using it?

JCP · #4 01-11-2015, 03:22 PM

X2 on a straw inserted into the dispensing tube, a mcdonalds one was a good diameter for me. Also tge feet of the unit are adjustable for slightly unlevel surfaces. Make sure the unit is level and not leaning forward allowing too many grains to fall during the trickling. Some powders just dont meter well

norwestalta · #5 01-11-2015, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Some powders do not meter as well, and are prone to overcharging. A properly cut drinking straw inserted into the dispensing tube can greatly reduce this.
As well, you must have a very sturdy bench, and have no drafts where the unit is operating.
Lastly, are you warming up the scale before using it?

Don't understand the properly cut straw? Can you enlighten me please?

elkhunter11 · #6 01-11-2015, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norwestalta

Don't understand the properly cut straw? Can you enlighten me please?

Cowtown guy · #7 01-11-2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I'm assuming this will keep too many grains from trickling/tumbling at a time and overcharging?????

elkhunter11 · #8 01-11-2015, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowtown guy

I'm assuming this will keep too many grains from trickling/tumbling at a time and overcharging?????

The smooth surface of the straw, and the pattern cut into the end, does help to prevent multiple kernels of powder from falling at one time. It actually works quite well.

Smokinyotes · #9 01-11-2015, 06:14 PM

I find the coarser the powder the more often mine will throw over.

LongRangebugler · #10 01-11-2015, 07:25 PM

Pretty well only loading imr4831. Is that a course powder ? What about the powder inside the unit ? What's with that ? The manual says if powder should get inside the unit to stop operation and do not use scale ... I just found the manual lol. I guess il hafta take it in .

CheeseBurger · #11 01-11-2015, 07:30 PM

Call RCBS. They have great customer service.

elkhunter11 · #12 01-11-2015, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongRangebugler

Pretty well only loading imr4831. Is that a course powder ? What about the powder inside the unit ? What's with that ? The manual says if powder should get inside the unit to stop operation and do not use scale ... I just found the manual lol. I guess il hafta take it in .

Did you actually open up the scale to see if what sounds like powder in the scale is actually powder? If it is powder, I would be curious as to just how it made it's way into the scale.

norwestalta · #13 01-11-2015, 07:35 PM

Thanks elkhunter. I use imr4831 mostly and it seems the odd powder charge is 2/10 ths over once and a while.

LongRangebugler · #14 01-11-2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Did you actually open up the scale to see if what sounds like powder in the scale is actually powder? If it is powder, I would be curious as to just how it made it's way into the scale.

No I never opened it up I didn't wanna screw with anything yah know .... Your right though maybe it isn't powder , I don't know . Il call rcbs and talk to them tommorow .

LongRangebugler · #15 01-11-2015, 07:51 PM

Also thanks for the tip elk hunter about the straw !

twofifty · #16 01-11-2015, 09:54 PM

yes LongRangebugler, IMR-4831 is coarse stick powder.
The sticks are not all the same length.

IMR-4831 also has a tendency to 'bridge'
when being dispensed, which can lead to a low charge followed by a
possible overcharge.

urcayuse · #17 01-11-2015, 10:44 PM

I once dumped a butt load of powder,with no pan ,on the scale of my charge master. I just turned it over and gently shook til it all came out. Was easier to get out than you'd expect.

Big Sky · #18 01-11-2015, 11:54 PM

Been thinking of getting one.
How long do you guys let it warm up for?

Nice tip on the straw mod. AO guys helping each other!!

xring_assassin · #19 01-12-2015, 11:49 PM

I find the straw mod works better with the teeth pointed inwards and that a McDonald's straw seems to fit more snugly than any other....

I've also "speed tweaked" mine. A quick search on Google will find the directions.

MadMarty911 · #20 01-13-2015, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Sky

Been thinking of getting one.
How long do you guys let it warm up for?

Nice tip on the straw mod. AO guys helping each other!!

Give it 15-30 min.

Lefty-Canuck · #21 01-13-2015, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMarty911

Give it 15-30 min.

In addition plug into the wall direct and do not use a power bar.

LC

DaleJ · #22 01-13-2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

In addition plug into the wall direct and do not use a power bar.

LC

I have mine plugged into a power bar, have florescent lighting, and it sits between 2 computers. It works fine parked where it is. When I need to weight something I turn it on and use the scale as soon as its powered up, no problem. Only use the CM for development. My Harrell's powder measure works faster even with weighing each charge on an RCBS 10-10 scale.

Lefty-Canuck · #23 01-13-2015, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleJ

I have mine plugged into a power bar, have florescent lighting, and it sits between 2 computers. It works fine parked where it is. When I need to weight something I turn it on and use the scale as soon as its powered up, no problem. Only use the CM for development. My Harrell's powder measure works faster even with weighing each charge on an RCBS 10-10 scale.

I just know with certain pieces of precision equipment and certain balances that el cheapo power bars can effect things...we have used EATON power monitors to look for irregularities in certain peices of equipment and seen drifting with poor UPS and power bars, if your setup works then keep rolling with it. When trouble shooting a variance issue it is worth considering all variables.

LC

bulletman · #24 01-13-2015, 08:24 AM

I have the most difficulty with IMR 4350. Spherical powder like H414 and Superformance run a charge in half the time. I really enjoy the RCBS CHARGEMASTER. I guess I should go to McDonalds though.

Lefty-Canuck · #25 01-13-2015, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twofifty

That's the thing about many electronic gizmos...we never really do know.

Sorry, that doesn't help you right now. Lots of guys like their Chargemasters so the right answer will be along soon.

Using a set of independent calibration check weights is a good way to "really know". I use the Lyman set and my Chargemaster is always bang on.

Calibrate your scale and then use a set of check weights to test precision and accuracy.

LC