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Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

B

bodywerks

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 19, 2010
1,683
67
50
Tucson,Arizona
#1
I am fairly new to reloading, but I have already shot about a hundred rounds through a chrony and am seeing the fruits of my labors, in particular, being super picky about charge weights. I am currently using an RCBS 750 digital scale and a LEE perfect powder measure for the rough weight. So if I want, say, 43.9 grains I will throw about 43.6-43.8 with the Lee. Then I will trickle one granual at a time, about 5 seconds in between, until the scale just barely teters over to 43.9 and then I stop. That is what I call 43.9 grains, but the scale itself will stay at 43.9 even after adding 3-4 more granules. It seems to me like that would affect consistency, no?
So my question is this. Am I being too anal here? This method obviously takes a TON of time, and I'd rather spend more time shooting. I would like to get an automatic powder thrower like the chargemaster, but not at the expense of accuracy/inconsistent velocities...
So is the RCBS Chargemaster GTG for the precision-minded handloader?
 
#2
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

I love mine and it throws very consistant charges. While mine is slow even after tuning it up I still enjoy using it. so much that I do loading over at my FIL's house sometimes so I got him one for X-mas figured it was a worthwhile purchase.

There is a post running around here somewhere on how to speed that bad boy up. Mine is still slow but the one I got my FIL is pretty speedy. I think when I head OOC I am gonna get him to send mine back to RCBS for a checkup.

Worth $300 depends on how much you reload. Mine came with a kit I got from Cabela's, my FIL's was $295 shipped from midway.
Since being home from Iraq in Jan I have loaded about 2k rounds with it.
 
#4
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

Charge-Master is good to go...
(Of course it is no Prometheus though.)

Once it is setup and tweaked, you can get charges consistently to a tenth of a grain.
(Three granules of RL15)
If you do load development around the OCW / Ladder method, this should be adequate.

Here is background on this load development method.
http://www.6mmbr.com/laddertest.html
http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com

Be prepared to go down the slippery slope of chasing perfection.
It can get expensive in a hurry.
smile.gif
 
#5
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

The Chargemaster works great. A lot of match shooters use the chargemaster. You can tune them up. With mine tune up and before the tune up. I get single digit SDs on my loads. Chargemaster is GTG.
 
#7
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Chargemaster works great. A lot of match shooters use the chargemaster. You can tune them up. With mine tune up and before the tune up. I get single digit SDs on my loads. Chargemaster is GTG.</div></div>

What do you mean "tune them up". Other than setting a specific load drop, is there something else you do?
 
#11
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Leaddog</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Chargemaster works great. A lot of match shooters use the chargemaster. You can tune them up. With mine tune up and before the tune up. I get single digit SDs on my loads. Chargemaster is GTG.</div></div>

What do you mean "tune them up". Other than setting a specific load drop, is there something else you do?

</div></div> there is a reprogramming thread on the hide you should check out http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1626683&page=1
 
#12
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

+1 for the Chargemaster tune-up linky.
I thought I liked it before, but now it throws quicker & more often to the 1/10th grain each time. Just did almost 1K rounds for a p-doggin' trip with only the Chargemaster & a solo Rockchucker. A couple hours here & there over the course of a few days was as close to enjoyable reloading as I think I'lll ever get. Short of a full blown progressive, of course...

Both the Chargemaster & RCBS Case Prep Center are invaluable tools, IMHO...
 
#14
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Natchez usually has them for around 279. </div></div>

I got mine from Natchez in early '06, after they acquired 750 of them for the holiday season. $239.99 plus shipping. Natchez hates Midway and will beat their prices all day long. I picked up the TrimMate at the same time and they beat Midway's 'sale' price of $90, by knocking off $5.

My CM-1500 has been one of the good ones from a time when they had the keypad issues and units were dropping like flies around here.

It's not the fastest machine and sometimes it decides to fluctuate, but unplugging the tranny for 30 seconds and letting it 'reboot' usually works.

Always recalibrate it before every session and if you load in the morning and go back at night, recalibrate it again. Also, let it warm up a good 30 minutes, plug it into a surge protector, don't use it below flourescent lights and don't be yakking on a cell phone, or cordless phone while using it.

I haven't felt the need to 'speed it up', but it's not the fastest dispensor around. Still, using it is faster than dumping a charge, throwing it onto the pan, trickling up and going that route, IME.

Chris

 
#15
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

I just bought one a few months ago and wondered why it wasnt one of the first reloading tools I ever bought. My Chargemaster actually throws more accurate loads than I could by hand (probably due to my impatience). I havent felt the need either to do the high speed reloads because a load is always dumped by the time Im ready for the next round..
 
#16
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

"Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?"

Well, it's a good (but expensive) way of getting reasonably precise charges quickly and without skill. But, "precision handloading" requires a LOT more than precison charges. In fact, that may be one of the least important factors.
 
#17
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?"

Well, it's a good (but expensive) way of getting reasonably precise charges quickly and without skill. But, "precision handloading" requires a LOT more than precison charges. In fact, that may be one of the least important factors. </div></div>

I've done the whole 'beam scale/trickler' method for many years and I've found that the CM-1500 and its ilk are much faster than the old method. I got pretty fast with my beam scale, but it is slower and I've not even felt the need to 'speed' up my CM-1500.

Chris
 
#18
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?"

Well, it's a good (but expensive) way of getting reasonably precise charges quickly and without skill. But, "precision handloading" requires a LOT more than precison charges. In fact, that may be one of the least important factors. </div></div>

Don't tell that to the guys that run the Prometheus's. Their heads might explode and tell you that to shoot in the .01s with a tactical rifle you need one. Cause you know the 1 kernal will make you win or lose a match....
 
#19
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

Shooting long range (600+) will require wind reading skills that will be much more important than if your set up is throwing within a .1 or .2 gr variation. Shoot more and learn to read wind.

If you are a 100 yd, bullseye type group shooter, yes, maybe the .1 or .2 variation will make a small difference, but not much. We are all shooting .308's, right?

Don't worry, be happy.
 
#20
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

One little trick is to put a small piece of a straw inside the dispensing tube. Helps line up the kernels behind each other and dispense the right amount of power. McDonald's straw is what I used due to its size.
 
#21
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308zone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One little trick is to put a small piece of a straw inside the dispensing tube. Helps line up the kernels behind each other and dispense the right amount of power. McDonald's straw is what I used due to its size.
</div></div>

Yes, you absolutely have to add about 3/4" of a McDonalds straw.
 
#22
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

Bacarrat: " Cause you know the 1 kernal will make you win or lose a match...."

Yeah? Oh, yeeeah, sure, sure!
wink.gif
 
#23
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

While we are on the McDonald's straw trick...I've tried all the fast food outlets around here, including McD's, and none of the straws fit the spout on my Chargemaster. What am I missing?
 
#24
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

The McDonald's straw is the only one that will fit properly. I tried along time ago to use different straws but end up with McDonald's straw. 3/4"
The Chargmaster can be tune up and it will throw powder a lot faster. It is a proven product.
 
#25
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The McDonald's straw is the only one that will fit properly. I tried along time ago to use different straws but end up with McDonald's straw. 3/4"
The Chargmaster can be tune up and it will throw powder a lot faster. It is a proven product. </div></div>

Where does the straw get place again? Near the tip/end or just forward of the pickup slot, on the side closest to the end?

Chris
 
#28
Re: Chargemaster 1500 ideal for precision handloading?

I teach classes on this machine. The results are positive and predictable when environmental variables are reduced. Not everyone is going to buy a Prometheus. However, most will buy a CM.
 
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