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Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

Oneshotkill

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 12, 2010
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North Georgia
I can't afford a prometheus so I was curious if anyone has read any reviews comparing the Gempro 250 scale and the RCBS Chargemaster scale. Or maybe someone has some personal experience. What say you pro reloaders.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I don't have personal experience with the GemPro but a quick lookup shows that is only accurate to .02 of a grain. I think I would be looking for a scale that holds to at least .01, the Chargemaster is advertised to .01 resolution, which I have confirmed with my laboratory scales that are accurate to .0001 of a grain.

Hopefully some useful info.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

Excellent advice fish301. I was looking for something digital that may be a "step up" in accuracy from the Chargemaster but not quite in the Prometheus price range.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I totally get that, and I am a fan of digital scales. I would probably just do a google search for digital scales accurate to whatever would suit you, and kind of go from there.

Denver Instruments makes good stuff, and also AccuLab is pretty good also.

Good luck
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

Chargemaster is accurate to +\- .1 gr

Gempro250 is accurate to +\-.02 gr

.02 grains is probably better than any of us can shoot and 5x the capability of the chargemaster. You are going to be spending a lot more if you want to get to .01 accuracy.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I have a Gempro 250 and it preforms great. Do a"Google" on it reviews for it, I think you'll find unless you want to spend far more $$ (don't know why) it's pretty hard to beat. Plus and it's a big plus, LifeTime Warranty.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: texasleftychef</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chargemaster is accurate to +\- .1 gr

Gempro250 is accurate to +\-.02 gr

.02 grains is probably better than any of us can shoot and 5x the capability of the chargemaster. You are going to be spending a lot more if you want to get to .01 accuracy. </div></div>

That is correct, excuse my misreading of the accuracy range of the Gempro, it is .02 vs .1

good catch!
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

They are not even comparable. Not only does the Gempro have 5x more resolution, it will hold zero much better and float less.

The chargemaster will straight up lie to you. It will float to its zero, and it will float to its desired charge weight. The scale on it is crap. Scales of the same quality sell for $25 on amazon and ebay all day long when they are not labeled RCBS gunpowder scales.

Don't get me wrong, the Gempro is certainly no lab-grade balance, but you will spend close to $1000 for one of those and you may have a hard time justifying the cost of that. My A&D balance has the same resolution as my Gempro, but it is more consistent and floats less. It is also about 14 inches square and weighs nearly 6 lbs with a 5" weighing pan that doesn't care where you put the weight. In fast mode you can watch the display and see a kernal of 4350 hit the pan as opposed to waiting for the scale to refresh every .5 to 1 seconds.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ScottNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a Gempro 250 and it preforms great. Do a"Google" on it reviews for it, I think you'll find unless you want to spend far more $$ (don't know why) it's pretty hard to beat. Plus and it's a big plus, LifeTime Warranty. </div></div>

That's what I have been reading Scott. Thanks for the info! It sounds like a good scale.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

Great Customer Service
and I agree, no reason to even put a battery in the thing, you might forget they are there and have a problem down the line with leaks.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oneshotkill</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can't afford a prometheus so I was curious if anyone has read any reviews comparing the Gempro 250 scale and the RCBS Chargemaster scale. Or maybe someone has some personal experience. What say you pro reloaders. </div></div>

I used to use a Acculab VIC-123, which is good to 0.02 grains. However, the drifting drove me nuts.

I replaced it with the cheaper Gempro 250, which like the other posters said, is much more stable. Plus you can also calibrate its linearity by using two different calibration weights (20gm and 50gm).

My only complaint is that it is so light that it's easy to bump into it and knock it around.

My scores at 1000yds have not changed after I switched to the Gempro so it's at least as good as the Acculab for my purposes.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

"I don't have personal experience with the GemPro but a quick lookup shows that is only accurate to .02 of a grain. I think I would be looking for a scale that holds to at least .01, the Chargemaster is advertised to .01 resolution, which I have confirmed with my laboratory scales that are accurate to .0001 of a grain."
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/images/icons/default/confused.gif

only .02? come on, if you've got lab scales that accurate, you know how accurate .02 is...and I assume you don't have a ChargeMaster either, give the guy a break, just saying!
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

the Chargemaster is .01 gram not grain. It is advertised at .1 grain accuracy. The GemPro is more accurate. I've had both and sold the Chargemester.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I use my chargemaster to throw under my desired charge and then use the GemPro to trickle up to the proper weight. I have found that the Chargemaster will vary in weights up to .2 of a grain.

DS
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: desertshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use my chargemaster to throw under my desired charge and then use the GemPro to trickle up to the proper weight. I have found that the Chargemaster will vary in weights up to .2 of a grain.

DS </div></div>

+1 same experiance.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

This is what I have decided to do. I am a new reloader and the chargemaster was a gift so I am going to keep it. But I did just order a Gempro 250 to double check my charges and I also own a RCBS 505 beam scale so I think for a newbie I am very well off with the scale thing.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I appreciate all the comments. I love to hear the different opinions from the more experienced reloaders on the Hide. Thanks to all.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I like the Gempro 500 but I assume the 250 is good too.

Keep up with the paperwork on the Gempro. They don't last forever but do have a lifetime warranty.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1lnbrdg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the Gempro 500 but I assume the 250 is good too.

Keep up with the paperwork on the Gempro. They don't last forever but do have a lifetime warranty. </div></div>

Thats good advice. Will do.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I cannot believe that I read this thread...and bought a Gempro 250. No doubt the Chargemaster is super convenient, but it does only get 'so close' (I check it against a 505).

It really comes down to how far down the rabbit hole you want to go.

I do like the idea of using the Chargemaster for quickly and easily dialing in weights when doing load development, and then trickling up with the Gempro for precision rounds. For 5.56 plinkers and 30-30...I'll probably just stick with the Chargemaster for the ease of use.
 
Re: Gempro 250 versus RCBS Chargemaster....

I know! I'm thinking how can you go wrong for an extra $150 or so to complement the Chargemaster. That was my school of thought as well. Seems like several are using that setup and lovin it.