Secondary scale for checking RCBS Chargemaster Lite

[LostInTranslation]

I am getting into reloading game. I just ordered RCBS Chargemaster Lite but read reports of incorrect loads caught by secondary scale. My question

1. In order to detect inaccurate loads - do I NEED second scale or is it sufficient to weigh calibration weights every few loads + make sure scale returns to zero?
2. If secondary scale is to be used - can I use cheapest one (e.g. Lee) after confirming its accuracy using known weights (e.g. RCBS calibration weights) or should I invest into higher quality scale and if so - which one?
3. Any other approaches?

Thank you

 

[proff49]

I throw with a lite and fine tune with a fx 120i.

 

[NCHillbilly]

I use a chargemaster 1500 and double check with a beam.

 

[Drvred]

I have been using a RCBS M500 to check behind my CM Lite, and was pulling my hair out.
I would get 5-6 charges that matched perfectly on the beam, then start showing a little light. A grain or so. But I could put ii back on the CM and weigh correct.
Then it dawned on me, that both will only be within .1 so getting both to show the same every charge was asking too much.
So I just randomly check now.

 

[Sykes]

I set my charge master .1-.2 grs below my target weight then trickle up to my desired weight on a RCBS 10-10 beam scale. My SD has tightened up significantly.

 

[supercorndogs]

I use a charge master. Pour it in the case and seat bullets.

 

[needham]

fx 120i

you'll spend more time and money chasing it by using 2 scales confirming etc etc.
save your pennies if you have to, but get the fx120 asap and you'll never regret it.

 

[never_summer]

Are you noticing bad es/sd with the chargemaster lite? I checked mine against my fx120i and it was a lot closer than I thought it would have been.

 

[wil_pt]

fx 120i

you'll spend more time and money chasing it buy using 2 scales confirming etc etc.
save your pennies if you have to, but get the fx120 asap and you'll never forget it.

This. I used to double check all my charges. Not anymore.

 

[straightshooter1]

I am getting into reloading game. I just ordered RCBS Chargemaster Lite but read reports of incorrect loads caught by secondary scale. My question

1. In order to detect inaccurate loads - do I NEED second scale or is it sufficient to weigh calibration weights every few loads + make sure scale returns to zero?

Yes, depending on what level of accuracy you're after. The more accuracy you want, the more $$$$ you'll need to dish out.

If secondary scale is to be used - can I use cheapest one (e.g. Lee) after confirming its accuracy using known weights (e.g. RCBS calibration weights) or should I invest into higher quality scale and if so - which one?

Accuracy is closely related to the cost for it. It's hard to find a "cheap" scale that's "accurate", if one is expecting "accuracy" to be something like +/- .02 gr.

But, just how accurate do you really need? That depends on the level of shooting you do or want. Sometimes, spending a lot of money on a very accurate scale doesn't really help unless your shooting is about splitting hairs.

If you're just a casual shooter, a good functioning ChargeMaster does very well and can get your hand loads to produce SD's in the mid teens and ES's in the mid 20's (or a little better).

Any other approaches?

First decide what kind of shooting you intend to do. For example: if your shooting requires .3 MOA or less, you'll what a very accurate scale that can detect the difference of a single kernel of powder; but if you're just shooting steel and just under 1MOA is all you need, then a scale like the ChargeMaster is more than sufficient.

Here's a comparison I recently did to see how accurate my ChargeMater is along with my other "cheap" scales (GemPro-250 and Frankford Arsenal DS-750) comparing them to the very accurate FX-120i:

 

[AManWearingAHat]

My first chargemaster lite had an issue with the electronics and would not hold a decent zero. RCBS replaced it no questions asked, my second one has been bullet proof and has produced good loads out of my 6.5CM with SD's less than 25FPS.

That said, when I can afford a 120i, I will be purchasing one!

 

[proff49]

The results above are about what I see between my CM lite and fx 120. I adjust each one to be between target weight and +.04. Might not be worth it but only takes me about a minute per round and I'm ok with that.