Powder thrower - CM 1500, Lite, others?

[patriot07]

Buddy has a Chargemaster 1500, which I have used and really like a lot. I've heard the Chargemaster Lite is good but doesn't have as big of a powder range (only up to 300 gr). If that's true, it would work equally as well for my needs. Two questions:

• Are there any other differences between the CM 1500 and CM Lite than the load range?
• Are there any other powder throwers out there that I should consider?

Not looking to spend $500+. If it's significantly more expensive than the CM Lite, it's out of my budget. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Dooby]

You should consider the Auto-Throw and AUto-Trickler

http://www.autotrickler.com/auto-trickler.html

it is pricey, but depends on valuable your time is to you. The whole combo (Auto-Throw, Auto-Trickler, A&D FX120i programmed) is about $1000-$1200. Instructions are provided on how to pgm the A&D FX120i and that can save you $100-$200.

The big difference is the SPEED. The A&D FX120i is a lab-grade scale/balance and uses Magnetic Force Restoration (I think).

I also recommend you get the Area 419 V2 base for the Auto-Trickler. Also, a 100gram Class 1 calibration check weight (~$100, used-$30-$60)

I don't have a Charge Master, but i DO have the LITE version. And although it works well, it's painfully slow. However, i think there are ways to speed it up. That said, the scale itself is not very precise, it can and will overthrow and have incorrect readouts, you'll have to almost constantly re-calibrate it.

 

[Precision Underground]

You should consider the Auto-Throw and AUto-Trickler

http://www.autotrickler.com/auto-trickler.html

it is pricey, but depends on valuable your time is to you. The whole combo (Auto-Throw, Auto-Trickler, A&D FX120i programmed) is about $1000-$1200. Instructions are provided on how to pgm the A&D FX120i and that can save you $100-$200.

The big difference is the SPEED. The A&D FX120i is a lab-grade scale/balance and uses Magnetic Force Restoration (I think).

I also recommend you get the Area 419 V2 base for the Auto-Trickler. Also, a 100gram Class 1 calibration check weight (~$100, used-$30-$60)

I don't have a Charge Master, but i DO have the LITE version. And although it works well, it's painfully slow. However, i think there are ways to speed it up. That said, the scale itself is not very precise, it can and will overthrow and have incorrect readouts, you'll have to almost constantly re-calibrate it.

Not looking to spend $500+. If it's significantly more expensive than the CM Lite, it's out of my budget. Thanks in advance for the help.

OP my chargemaster works great. It is a little slow but it doesn't slow me down much. I go ahead and charge 1/3 of the cases without seating and then start seating while still charging and usually end up not having to wait on it at all.

 

[patriot07]

Me: I currently ride a bike to work. It's a short drive and it's fine, but I'm thinking about a Civic or an Accord to save a few minutes.

DDRH: Dude, a Ferrari would be awesome.

Me:

Only kidding around. That's definitely out of my budget though. And I don't shoot enough to justify anything like that. I even loaded some pistol with the chargemaster 1500 and it was way faster than manually scooping powder onto the beam scale and adding/subtracting to get it right. The chargemaster is less than half the time in comparison, and that's more than enough speed for me. The only reason I'd be willing to spend more is to get better accuracy so I don't have to use the CM to throw .1 grains low and then trickle on the beam for my long range rifle loads.

 

[patriot07]

OP my chargemaster works great. It is a little slow but it doesn't slow me down much. I go ahead and charge 1/3 of the cases without seating and then start seating while still charging and usually end up not having to wait on it at all.

Do you have the 1500 or Lite?

 

[Precision Underground]

Me: I currently ride a bike to work. It's a short drive and it's fine, but I'm thinking about a Civic or an Accord to save a few minutes.

DDRH: Dude, a Ferrari would be awesome.

Me:

Only kidding around. That's definitely out of my budget though. And I don't shoot enough to justify anything like that. I even loaded some pistol with the chargemaster 1500 and it was way faster than manually scooping powder onto the beam scale and adding/subtracting to get it right. The chargemaster is less than half the time in comparison, and that's more than enough speed for me. The only reason I'd be willing to spend more is to get better accuracy so I don't have to use the CM to throw .1 grains low and then trickle on the beam for my long range rifle loads.

CM is plenty accurate. I have a beam and weigh 6-8 charges when I start to make sure it is “on” and then I trust it. It can be a tiny bit finicky but once you use it for a bit you learn what a bad charge looks like. Example: when mine dumps a little too much as it’s trickling up it will show the target weight very quickly and signal that it’s done much quicker than usual. I always drop that one on the beam to check it and it’s usually a little over. No big deal pick 3 kernals out and keep going. I would not load without a CM now that I have one.

 

[Precision Underground]

Do you have the 1500 or Lite?

1500.

 

[Dooby]

Me: I currently ride a bike to work. It's a short drive and it's fine, but I'm thinking about a Civic or an Accord to save a few minutes.

DDRH: Dude, a Ferrari would be awesome.

Me:

Only kidding around. That's definitely out of my budget though. And I don't shoot enough to justify anything like that. I even loaded some pistol with the chargemaster 1500 and it was way faster than manually scooping powder onto the beam scale and adding/subtracting to get it right. The chargemaster is less than half the time in comparison, and that's more than enough speed for me. The only reason I'd be willing to spend more is to get better accuracy so I don't have to use the CM to throw .1 grains low and then trickle on the beam for my long range rifle loads.

ahaha my bad, missed that part.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/rcbs-charge-master-settings.6893349/

link of a thread about the CM, the same attachment is on that thread too. some settings to make your CM go faster. Hope this helps if you decide to go this route.

 

[patriot07]

Thanks!

 

[Sig Marine]

I have run a 1500 for a while and have no issues with getting very good ES and SD numbers with it. I would recommend that you get the 2 inserts available from one of our Hide members and leave the settings alone until you become more familiar with the unit. Some guys have experienced inconsistent throws after messing with the factory settings.

 

[Precision Underground]

I have run a 1500 for a while and have no issues with getting very good ES and SD numbers with it. I would recommend that you get the 2 inserts available from one of our Hide members and leave the settings alone until you become more familiar with the unit. Some guys have experienced inconsistent throws after messing with the factory settings.

All you are doing is changing how close to the target weight it goes from full speed to slow speed to trickle. I think as long as you don't set your slow and trickle settings too close to your target weight there wont be an issue. I moved mine and it def sped it up and is still very accurate. Prob depends on the powder you are using as well. If it tends to meter well you could set it a bit more ambitious.

 

[kriller134]

I’m using the chargemaster lite and for the price it works well for me. It’s a bit slow, but I’m charging and seating at the same time. It’s been really accurate for me and I think it’s a great product.

 

[Cbostick]

Hey Sig Marine ,my unit's going show up tomorrow what are the inserts you're talking about.

 

[Sig Marine]

He goes by MDM. Hopefully this link will work

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/chargemaster-reducing-insert.6254583/

 

[Pvt.Donut]

I have both the 1500 and the lite. I'd say they both throw about as accurately. I use them side by side to speed up the process. Individually both give me very similar SD's and ES. Only thing I hate about the Lite is it's rather easy to bump the On/Off button in the middle of loading.

 

[Cbostick]

Thank you Sig Marine.