Isolation of Chargemaster

[MJY65]

I just ordered an RCBS Chargemaster to add to my reloading bench. In the past, I've always had my powder measure and scale on a separate bench and "batch charged" 50 cases, then took them to the press for seating. With the slower throw time on the Chargemaster, it would be nice to have it located by the press to do one at a time while the next one is trickling. I am concerned with the vibration of the press affecting the accuracy of the scale.

Should the Chargemaster be set up on a separate bench, or is it OK next to the press?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Quigley77]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

Mine is next to my press, and I haven't noticed a problem. I have noticed some issues when I shoot from inside my reloading room. The vibrations cause powder to fall from the trickle tube.

 

[judgedelta]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I would suppose it depends on how sturdy your bench is. I don't seat while CM is working due to shaking the bench. A note to Quigley: I have heard that leaving powder (especially some particular powders) will etch the powder reservoir. I always empty mine as soon as I am through charging the cases. I turn it off and tip it up frontwards to run the powder out of the dispenser tube into the pan. The CM does seem awful slow, but I don't think it is any slower than dumping a short load, then trickling up to weight. For Zombie loads, I would just use my regular dispenser...

 

[varmint slayer]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: judgedelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The CM does seem awful slow, but I don't think it is any slower than dumping a short load, then trickling up to weight. For Zombie loads, I would just use my regular dispenser...</div></div>

You can speed them way up. Just do a search through the custom google search here on the site and there are a few threads about it. I have tweaked mine down to about a 12-14 second throw with 45 grains of H1000 and even a little faster with smaller loads of Varget.

 

[Helter]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I have my entire setup on a crappy staples computer desk, with the Chargemaster on the elevated printer stand. The entire thing shakes more than an epileptic kid watching pokemon.

I haven't had any problems with the CM during actual loading, but when I start a session there's usually a small pile of powder in the tray. I use the same desk for work, so it gets bumped around quite a bit some days. Overall, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[cali_tz]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I have mine also setup near my press... I do not seat while the last grains trickle out or else I run the risk of a couple extra grains falling out and overcharging that load.

I have not tweaked my Chargemaster parameters to speed things up but I am going to try. Pouring 90+ grains for Lapua takes forever

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

Even when speeding up the chargemaster, I think it would bore me to death to batch charge then seat the bullets.

Mine is within about 18 inches of two of my presses.

As long as I've finished seating prior to the last few tenths of a grain there are no issues. Just as I'm placing the completed cartridge back in the block my next charge is ready.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

Years ago, I had an issue living in an apartment with neighbors who objected to my stereo no matter how low I turned down the volume. I resolved the issue by placing a couple of 1" layers of foam rubber on the floor underneath the speaker cabinets. I could still hear the music fine via air transmission, but large amplitude, low frequency sound conduction through the building structure was cut way down.

Nowadays, my RCBS Digital Scale (nearing 2 decades in age) responds to passing trucks, a nearby upright freezer (sitting on a concrete garage pad), and the case cleaning vibrator. I tried the same fix, placing foam rubber pads under the scale, and it helps. Not a cure, but it helps.

Greg

 

[1J04]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I've got mine on the same bench opposite the press. Got the timing down so while the ChargeMaster is still dumping I've got a case and bullet in the press and done before the ChargeMaster goes into trickle mode. The "straw" trick in the trickle tube helps a crap load.

 

[cpatbay]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1J04</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got mine on the same bench opposite the press. Got the timing down so while the ChargeMaster is still dumping I've got a case and bullet in the press and done before the ChargeMaster goes into trickle mode. The "straw" trick in the trickle tube helps a crap load. </div></div>

What is this "straw" trick??

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1kOrBust</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1J04</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got mine on the same bench opposite the press. Got the timing down so while the ChargeMaster is still dumping I've got a case and bullet in the press and done before the ChargeMaster goes into trickle mode. The "straw" trick in the trickle tube helps a crap load. </div></div>

What is this "straw" trick?? </div></div>

Take a straw from McDonalds - the diameter is perfect. Cut it a little shorter than the trickle tube on the charge master and insert it inside the trickle tube, from the front. I like to leave about 1/16" of an inch outside of the tube incase I want to replace it later.

It helps prevent larger extruded kernels of powder (Like Varget) from bridging and over charging regularly.

 

[1J04]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

Use a snug fit straw, add a bit o tape to trickle tube and straw once inserted to keep in place. Cut to length, cut some teeth into the protruding end like a Jack-0-Lantern VVVVVVVVV. This will help the perfect kernel amount to be trickled. Works fantastic.

 

[Ring]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mavrick10_2000</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Even when speeding up the chargemaster, I think it would bore me to death to batch charge then seat the bullets.

Mine is within about 18 inches of two of my presses.

<span style="font-weight: bold">As long as I've finished seating prior to the last few tenths of a grain there are no issues. </span> Just as I'm placing the completed cartridge back in the block my next charge is ready.</div></div>

this....

 

[Ring]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

BTW dont use the straw trick on the hornady... it will WAY over throw every time, like 4 or 5 gr....

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> BTW dont use the straw trick on the hornady... it will WAY over throw every time, like 4 or 5 gr.... </div></div>

Put some shims under the "feet" so the dispenser tube slopes back into the dispenser. This will reduce the amount that "spills" on it's own. Make it work more like the cement trucks where the drum rotates and "lifts" the concrete. When the drum is stopped, it flows back into the rest.

 

[1J04]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

Just for shits here is how I got my little bench set up with the ChargeMaster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF7IZFS5Zgo&feature=share&list=UUJqVIS5tVkyTKzbZk8AMNWQ

 

[FALex]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

my CM is about 6 inches from press. I just timed my bullet seating for when the CM starts to dump each round, that way any vibrations from the seating that cause kernels to fall, only get added to the total. It works everytime!

 

[jerseymike]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I have my chargemaster on the same table right next to my press, i just seat th bullet before the cm trickles the last few grains of powder. Works fine that way.

 

[kansas]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I guess I'm the odd ball here. I still like to visually inspect the batch before seating the bullets. Not saying you all don't inspect your charged cases. It just seems easier to inspect the batch before bullet seating. I've got my CM set up on a shelf away from my bench. Whatever works!

 

[s4b1106]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

My CM is right beside my press, but I built a hell bent for stout reloading table, partly for that very reason. I spent too much on the CM to screw it up by bouncing it with the press. My table is 8'X4' with the top made of 2'X4' glue lam beam with a heavy fire rated solid core door over that. I also have a shelf built under the top that holds military ammo boxes with all of my loaded ammo in them. That table is SOLID! So, I don't worry much about putting the CM beside the press. Of course, your results may vary.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I prep a bunch of cases and then load them with the CM1500 or Lyman1200 (I have both) on the kitchen table while watching TV and spot checking loads on another scale. Once I have a few hundred loaded I move them to the press in the garage and seat them. Point being, I like to have the scale isolated from the press and as much vibration as possible but I also run 'batches' so it's not really an issue anyway.

 

[ctsmith]

Re: Isolation of Chargemaster

I run the Chargemaster concurrent with the press. Don't slam the press handle at the end of the dispensing cycle when the unit is trickling and you should be fine.