Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

[Macmathews]

Got 1 of these for christmas, happy for the present.
Now wish I would have never mentioned it.

IMO - this is no more than an expensive thrower.

Not here to bash , just want to inform other buyers that its accuracy has alot to be desired !.

I have been checking every charge with my RCBS beam scale after its thrown and they are at best withing 2 tenths

For those who think I maybe using it wrong, steps are

Level'd
warm up of 30 min
calibrate
Put back an over or under throws !

The 1500 scale is just not as dead nuts as a beamscale !

Maybe I expected 2 much ?
I don't shoot pistol , mostly benchrest and long range.

Kyle

 

[crowsniper1]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

which rcbs beam scale are you using? maybe it's not as accurate as you think.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

You should rarely get a under throw from the chargemaster. If it is low, push the trickle button till it is right.
Unless you have a scale weight check system you're using, who is to say which scale is correct.
Air flow from a furnace is not this machines freind either.

 

[Macmathews]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

RCBS 502 , it may not be dead nuts accurate .
But I do beleive it to be consistant !
Which the RCBS 1500 scale is not !

Kyle

 

[Macmathews]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Maybe to clarify a little here's the scenario.

Eg.

Weighing charges of 42.2 grains VARGET
Chargemaster says 42.2 almost everytime

When check weighing on RCBS 502 the needle is sometimes bang-on
but alot of times 3/16" or so below the 0 line
Even though every time the digital chargemaster scale says the same thing 42.2

Kyle

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Have you tried weighing the chargemaster check weights on your beam?

Wipe down the chargemaster with a dryer sheet. I keep an eye on the - weight when the pan is not on the scale. If it varies from when I zeroed with the pan I wipe it down. Static really wreaks havoc on the chargemaster.

When the pan weight is off I can hold a dryer sheet between the dispense tube and the scale and it will instantly go to the correct weight.

 

[jagged77]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Kyle, if you are dissatisfied with the accuracy of your Chargemaster why don't you take it up with RCBS? From what I've heard their customer service is top notch and should take care of any faulty equipment (if it is faulty that is).

If you read reviews and comments on this site about the CM you'll see that it is considered a pretty good piece of kit and should be as accurate as your beam scale. You've either got a lemon or are doing something to influence the accuracy, either way take it up with RCBS.

 

[Wylie Custom]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

My chargemaster was one of my best buys. I cant and wouldnt load without it. Save me so much time and accuracy is perfect.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I've been using one for YEARS without complaint...other than a couple electronic issues early on that were promptly remedied by RCBS without issue.

Rather than spending your time wasting bandwidth, try running some of your chargemaster weighed ammo over a chrono and check out the results.

 

[Macmathews]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

This is all good information, and I don't consider it a waste of bandwidth, its an opinion. And I'm getting some solid responses and will try each and every 1 of them.

And if it does end up user error or a lemon or whatever,I'll keep this thread up to date informing every 1

Kyle

 

[Macmathews]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kentucky Jelly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you tried weighing the chargemaster check weights on your beam?

Wipe down the chargemaster with a dryer sheet. I keep an eye on the - weight when the pan is not on the scale. If it varies from when I zeroed with the pan I wipe it down. Static really wreaks havoc on the chargemaster.

When the pan weight is off I can hold a dryer sheet between the dispense tube and the scale and it will instantly go to the correct weight.</div></div>

This is going to be my first process
the minus weight with the pan off does VARY (great input)

Thanks

Kyle

 

[turbo54]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kyle MacDonell</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is all good information, and I don't consider it a waste of bandwidth, its an opinion. And I'm getting some solid responses and will try each and every 1 of them.

And if it does end up user error or a lemon or whatever,I'll keep this thread up to date informing every 1

Kyle </div></div>

Kyle, don't you know that any opinion/thought that differs from conventional "wisdowm" on the 'hide is always wasted bandwith???

 

[crowsniper1]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I have the same scales as you ,rcbs 502 which has always worked well and the chargemaster,so far no complaints with mine.If it dont work right i would send it back though.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kyle MacDonell</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is all good information, and I don't consider it a waste of bandwidth, its an opinion. And I'm getting some solid responses and will try each and every 1 of them.

And if it does end up user error or a lemon or whatever,I'll keep this thread up to date informing every 1

Kyle </div></div>

Kyle, don't you know that any opinion/thought that differs from conventional "wisdowm" on the 'hide is always wasted bandwith??? </div></div>

No, any topic that has been re-hashed ad nauseum or has absolutely ZERO value other than to provide a forum to whine about an inconsequential, insignificant or non-existent "problem" is a waste of bandwidth. Kinda like being an "fanboy" of a crap product to justify a unwise purchase...

 

[Macmathews]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

19 Scout,

I have never read on hear that people aren't happy with their Chargemaster , I have a different view to offer.

Also a great point was made about the scale not being constant with the pan off it !.

I'll try the dryer sheets thing , did not know that could affect it !

BTW - Wake up on the wrong side ?

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Although the search function on this site is not the best, the term chargemaster yields a ton of info, and addresses your complaint numerous times. If you had searched and read what you found you would realize your complaint is far from unique.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Kyle,

Take the good and let the bad roll off your back. You'll encounter many violent keystrokers on here, but that's just what they are, keystrokers with a attitude for anything that strikes them wrong at the time.

I've read alot of complaints same as yours with the Chargemaster. Everytime I think about getting one, I end up seeing several posts like this and it makes me glad I have my 30yr old RCBS 10-10 scale. (And yes, I know its accurate.)

 

[gau17]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

trevor,

If you think your 10-10 is great now, google Scott Parker. I recently had my really old 10-10 tuned by him. A single grain of Varget will throw the balance off.

 

[Slickrick0999]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

There are also ways to reprogram the CM to run a little better.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

HMMM.....I hated my first CM so much I bought a second one.
I regularly use dryer sheets to make sure there is no static and I occasionally check them against my RCBS 10-10 beam scale. BTW, RCBS guarantees the CM + or - .1 grain.
As for perfection, get over it. I load for 6PPC in BR matches at the range with a $250 Harrell's and it isn't as close as the CM.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gau17</div><div class="ubbcode-body">trevor,

If you think your 10-10 is great now, google Scott Parker. I recently had my really old 10-10 tuned by him. A single grain of Varget will throw the balance off.

</div></div>

My AWS Gemini-20 indicates a kernel of Varget weighs .014gr.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gau17</div><div class="ubbcode-body">trevor,

If you think your 10-10 is great now, google Scott Parker. I recently had my really old 10-10 tuned by him. A single grain of Varget will throw the balance off.

</div></div>

My AWS Gemini-20 indicates a kernel of Varget weighs .014gr. </div></div>

Oh come now, I find it very hard to believe that each kernel of Varget in the jug weighs exactly the same. Your Gemini must be fibbing....

 

[dstewart51]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

The RF from near by cell phones can also cause issues with consistency. Florescent lights can cause problems too if they are close by. And as mentioned above static charge on the pan base or door will affect the readings.

None of this is specific to the Chargemaster, many of the electronic scales suffer from these issues.

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gau17</div><div class="ubbcode-body">trevor,

If you think your 10-10 is great now, google Scott Parker. I recently had my really old 10-10 tuned by him. A single grain of Varget will throw the balance off.

</div></div>

My AWS Gemini-20 indicates a kernel of Varget weighs .014gr. </div></div>

Turbo,
I'm not sure what angle your taking here, if it's just stating fact about the weight of a single kernel or if your suggesting that the scale won't detect the weight of a single kernel of Varget or 4350 hitting the pan on a balanced charge. If you have doubt, I'll gladly shoot a quick video if someone will post it on YouTube for me. It's not a significant movement on the beam, but it is certainly noticeable by my eyes. I try to zero my charges as accurately as possible when doing load development. If I go over just a kernel or two, I have a 1.5" 25 gauge hypodermic needle that I'll flick out one or two kernels with if the trickler drops too much. Yes, this is prolly overkill and I don't do it during normal loading, but I do on development.

 

[FALex]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Son of a bitch! I have to remind you folks that I am absolutely new to reloading, bought the "Supreme Deluxe" kit at Cabelas's which includes the CM. While loading ammo, I noticed the scale was not the same weight as when I first zeroed the unit with the pan (about 161.8gr, I believe). It was about 161.5...anyway, ignorance is bliss and all that, so what did I do? Kept loading!

Please shoot me straight, lads, is this is a potentially dangerous situation? Did I just waste a whole shit ton of time loading my first rounds?

Oh damn, am I pissed! I had no idea the scale was so sensitive...also, I thought the damn furnace was making it off too, and this appears to be the case also. Holy shit!!!! <Banging Head Firmly Against Wall>

Well, thank goodness I log onto this damn addiction ever evening, or I probably would have just kept on trucking...thanks for the help guys.

 

[dstewart51]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

@FALex, what load? Charge weight and powder? 3 tenths is a lot to be off for Tightgroup in a 40S&W but not so much with Retumbo in 338RUM.

 

[AtownBcat]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Kyle,

I have a 502 and I did a couple of random tests with it and decided it was not going to work for me long term. I measured out a standard load of retumbo for my 300(77.7g). I then removed it from the scale and slid the powder to the rear of the pan and put it back on the scale. The scale no longer read 77.7. Took the pan back off the scale slid the powder to the front of the pan and got a third different measurement.

I do not believe that the chargemaster is perfect and you do have to watch for static(as mentioned) some have mentioned florecent(sp) lights will give it trouble. Im not sure why but I have heard this. Between your two scales I would trust the 1500 over the 502 JMO.

before I read that static was causing the problems I ran a little test with the pan not weighing exactly the same everytime i placed it back on the scale. I threw 10 loads and poured them in to 10 virgin brass w/primers.

I then used a dryer sheet, calibrated the 1500 and re-zeroed the pan. I then poured each load from the brass back into the pan. Every single one was 77.7. The 1500 resets to zero everytime before it starts a new load and I think this keeps you out of any real trouble. It may not know if the pan is 166.5 or 166.3 but it does know it just kicked out 77.7g of retumbo.

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

When the pan weight is not consistent it is a static issue. When you put the pan back on and it shows 0.0 it is correct. When the pan - weight is not correct hold a dryer sheet between the tube and scale. Likely you will see the - weight go to the correct weight.

I also leave mine on all the time unless I know I am not going to use it for a while. Usually it will hold zero for days at a time. Before I use it ill weight one of the check weights in the pan. If it shows 50g then I start using it. If it doesn't ill wipe it down and calibrate it.

 

[Macmathews]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Well,

I tried all recommended last night and charge weights never got any more consistant.

Maybe , I am just more picky than most.

Oh well, it is good as throwers go

Kyle

 

[Rookie]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Im just thinkin that all of us with a CM are eventually gonna get screwed when the light bulbs above them burn out and we have to switch to floursecent.

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I just purchased 2 of them, and sped up my load time tremendously. I have had no issues with either of mine. Even had a buddy bring his Sartorious over and measured against it. It was dead on 19 out of 29 charges, with one being .1 over. I will keep using them, happily I might add.

Bill

 

[turbo54]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trevor300wsm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Turbo,
I'm not sure what angle your taking here, if it's just stating fact about the weight of a single kernel or if your suggesting that the scale won't detect the weight of a single kernel of Varget or 4350 hitting the pan on a balanced charge. If you have doubt, I'll gladly shoot a quick video if someone will post it on YouTube for me. It's not a significant movement on the beam, but it is certainly noticeable by my eyes. I try to zero my charges as accurately as possible when doing load development. If I go over just a kernel or two, I have a 1.5" 25 gauge hypodermic needle that I'll flick out one or two kernels with if the trickler drops too much. Yes, this is prolly overkill and I don't do it during normal loading, but I do on development. </div></div>

Trevor, I don't doubt you at all! A good balance is an excellent piece of equipment and very sensitive.

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kyle MacDonell</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Well,

I tried all recommended last night and charge weights never got any more consistant.

Maybe , I am just more picky than most.

Oh well, it is good as throwers go

Kyle </div></div>

Call RCBS! It should be accurate enough for even the most picky..

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rookie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im just thinkin that all of us with a CM are eventually gonna get screwed when the light bulbs above them burn out and we have to switch to floursecent. </div></div>

Just how much effect does florescent bulbs have on a CM? I run two 300 watt ones almost directly above the unit when I load.
Some days I'm constantly re-zeroing the thing, some days it just purrs.

 

[dstewart51]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Some types of Florescent lights emit electromagnetic radiation in the same frequency range as to the piezoelectric transducer in the scale. A simplified explanation of how digital scales work. Pressure is applied to a piezoelectric transducer (quartz crystal oscillator). This pressure will change the resonance frequency of the transducer. The transducer frequency is compared to a reference crystal oscillator. The delta frequency is converted to the linear scale in weight.

Both the transducer and reference oscillator drift with temperature and age. But linearity is fairly consistent. This is why the zero will drift as the unit warms up or why a re-cal is needed every so often. Near by static charge will alter the resonance frequency of the transducer by inductive capacitance, hence the displayed weight and zero will change.

The Radio Frequency Radiation from near by cell phones can also impact the analog circuits of electronic scales. Its not a Chargemaster issue. Its the sensitive nature of electronic scales and how they work. Measures can be taken to minimize interference and drift. Using a TCXO (Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator) or OCXO (Oven Stabilized) reference oscillator and a high quality transducer or even stabilizing the the transducer with an oven will effectively eliminate temp drift. RFI shielding and power filtering would also help prevent interference from RF noise (Florescent lights, cell phones, dirty or unstable power source). But that all cost money.

Thank God for the good old balance beam scale. Very little to go wrong with them.

 

[lightman]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I have had a florescent light above my bench forever and have had no problems.Mine is an electronic ballast,but it had a magnetic one in the fixture before I changed it.I have about 66 inches between the fixture and the table top.My CM has proved to be very reliable and trouble free.(knock on wood) Lightman

 

[turbo54]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I don't understand why RCBS uses such a high capacity scale...? Higher capacity=less resolution, and probably less accuracy.

Have any of you ever needed your reloading scale to have 1500gr capacity?

Mine is ~250gr capacity, and I've never wanted/needed more.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

Turbo,
No one is going to argue that logic.

Any one else with lighting issues? I just want to figure out if i need to move mine, or unscrew them when I run the scale.

 

[dstewart51]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Higher capacity=less resolution, and probably less accuracy.
</div></div>

Not necessarily. The Analog to Digital Word length sets the resolution for the scale. Many factors determine the overall accuracy, mainly the stability of the reference clock.

I have found mine to be within + or - 0.1gr of my Redding #2 from 10 to 400gr where I have checked it. No problems with consistency or accuracy over here. But I always use my beam scale and calibration wights as the master reference.

 

[Bill Larson]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

RCBS had lotsa problems with early models....over the last few years they have made improvements....I had one about 5..?? years ago and it would`nt perform to +/- .1 gr..... so I sold it...I believe they guaruntee to +/- .2 grains.
It`s my belief... and a quite common one....for LR shooting powder should be weighed to +/- .01 gr. or less....
bill larson

 

[dstewart51]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

^ thats hard to do when a single kernel of N570 weighs ~.07gr, Retumbo, US869, and even H1000 kernels are all more then ~.05gr. Takes a very nice Lab scale with the wind cover to measure down to .01gr.

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Larson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It`s my belief... and a quite common one....for LR shooting powder should be weighed to +/- .01 gr. or less....
bill larson</div></div>

I don't know how common a belief that is. A kernel of Varget weighs about .015 grains on average. .02 is plenty good. And this is from a guy who bought a GD503.

Back-checking the Chargemaster, the scale itself can be off by as much as .2 grains, but that vast majority of the time, it is within .1 grain. This is far better than a powder thrower with stick powders. I have worked with a thrower plus a scale for a while, and in my experience, you will get variation of .3 grains when your technique is very good.

A tricked out Chargemaster will get you within .15 grains the vast majority of the time, which is plenty good for most shooters. F-class shooters and the extremely anal will want to get a little more exact... but you are limited by the weight of the kernel.

 

[SCOTTx88]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I like my Chargemaster, keep and eye on it with the 10-10 though,which it's been great so far.

 

[X-fan]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I had one of the first Chargemeasters to come out and it was a POS. I sent it back and RCBS sent me a new one...Came back a bit better, but I wasn't really happy so I sold it.
Could not run it under fluorescent lights.
That must have been ten years ago.

I have 2 buddies with newer Chargemasters and theirs all throw just fine. They used my scale (Denver)to verify weight and both were withing 0.14 grains...plenty good for anything outside of a 6mmbr F-classer or Benchrest.

 

[CSS]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I've got a new CM and have only used it for 200 rounds so far.
I read about the Floresent light problem and pulled the one above my bench down and put up a track light.
On my first 50 I loaded I was keeping a good eye on the pan off weight and it stayed dead on. I verified several times with my beam scales. Last 150 I loaded the off pan weight did vary a little, but I did not really pay a lot of attention because when I put the pan back on, it would always go to 0.0 and start the next charge.

If it is going to 0.0 before every charge throw, shouldn't it be an accurate charge?

I'll pull a few and double check with a 502.
Guess I'll get a dryer sheet and lay it back where the check weights are and keep a better eye on it.

 

[DP425]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A tricked out Chargemaster will get you within .15 grains the vast majority of the time, which is plenty good for most shooters.</div></div>

What do you mean by "a tricked out chargemaster"? Are you referring to one that has had the user adjustable parmeters tweaked?



Can anyone confirm if magnetic or electronic ballists are more likely to cause interferance? I have an 8' dual tube 110w HO T-12 fixture in my 5'x12' reloading room and another right next door in my 5'x8'5" ammunition and components storage room. Both have magnetic ballists. Just wondering if I should upgrade to commercial grade electronic. I really don't know that there is a better option- maybe track lighting but it's got a 7" ceiling and I'd rather not have light heads hanging down 6" or more.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DP425</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A tricked out Chargemaster will get you within .15 grains the vast majority of the time, which is plenty good for most shooters.</div></div>

What do you mean by "a tricked out chargemaster"? Are you referring to one that has had the user adjustable parmeters tweaked?



Can anyone confirm if magnetic or electronic ballists are more likely to cause interferance? I have an 8' dual tube 110w HO T-12 fixture in my 5'x12' reloading room and another right next door in my 5'x8'5" ammunition and components storage room. Both have magnetic ballists. Just wondering if I should upgrade to commercial grade electronic. I really don't know that there is a better option- maybe track lighting but it's got a 7" ceiling and I'd rather not have light heads hanging down 6" or more. </div></div>

I use a single table lamp with an incandescent bulb in it and I have plenty of light to do what I need to do. Some of us put our scales on a good power strip, or even a good power supply and this helps.

You can try one, or two, of these lamps on the bench and go from there, so you won't drop a lot of cash on them.

Also, if you're curious, buy a good set of check weights from Lyman, or whomever and just randomly check your scale and then you'll have more confidence.

As I said in another post, my six year old CM1500 will occasionally flutter. I'll calibrate it and it will be slow returning to zero on auto dispense. Sometimes, it won't zero and that's when I start wondering what's up. Usually, I'll just turn it off, unplug the cord for thirty seconds and then recalibrate it and it's fine.

I bought a cheap Chinese weight set and I'm just not real confident. I ended up filing a few of them off to match my CM1500, which reads the two 50gm weights just fine, so that's what you get when you cheap out.

Most of these electronic scales have a resolution of .1 grains, but their accuracy is 'sometimes' listed at +/- .1 of a grain (if we're lucky) so we get get an error of a .2 grain swing.

For <500 yards, this swing probably won't show up on paper, but at those longer ranges, an ES of 50-100 fps will matter.

In the end, we work with what we have and even though we deal in very short distances, very small weights and generally very small tolerances, we're still an imperfect discipline.

Getting out and shooting will pay more dividends than worrying about that Nth degree at the reloading bench, IMO.

Chris

 

[lightman]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

I don't know for sure,which,if either,will affect the CM's.If you convert your HO fixtures to T-8 you will have to change the ends,as HO bulbs have square ends and T-12 and T-8 have round ends.Its not a big deal,just more cost.I would try it before I spent the money.T-8 eight ft bulbs are expensive too,it could be cheaper to replace the whole fixture with a new eight ft tandem fixture that uses four ft bulbs.As I posted above,I have no problems with my T-8 fixture affecting my CM.If your ceiling height is limited,another option may be recessed can lights.Another option could be a couple of clamp-on lights.Hope this helps, Lightman

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

A tricked out Chargemaster will get you within .15 grains the vast majority of the time, which is plenty good for most shooters. F-class shooters and the extremely anal will want to get a little more exact... but you are limited by the weight of the kernel. </div></div>

If you are talking +/- .15 then you have a total spread of 3 tenths. UNACCEPTABLE for my LR shooting.

A granule of Varget predictably and repeatedly moves my Acculab Vic-123 .02 of a grain, or two one hundredths. My LR loads are within two granules of dead nuts on.

A friend of mine is developing a new beam/optical type of scale. He has been experimenting with many consumer reloader grade scales, and is finding the software in them purposely ignores charge weight changes after a certain amount of time has passed after a weight has been indicated the scale feels is sufficient, then ignoring changes in actual weight and holding the displayed value steady.

Scary stuff.

We tend to focus on environment for the electronic device as the big issue, but software appears to be the big contributor according to his research.

No software in beam scales.

 

[DP425]

Re: Chargemaster = Expensive thrower

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lightman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't know for sure,which,if either,will affect the CM's.If you convert your HO fixtures to T-8 you will have to change the ends,as HO bulbs have square ends and T-12 and T-8 have round ends.Its not a big deal,just more cost.I would try it before I spent the money.T-8 eight ft bulbs are expensive too,it could be cheaper to replace the whole fixture with a new eight ft tandem fixture that uses four ft bulbs.As I posted above,I have no problems with my T-8 fixture affecting my CM.If your ceiling height is limited,another option may be recessed can lights.Another option could be a couple of clamp-on lights.Hope this helps, Lightman </div></div>

Thanks for the input- Yeah I've looked into converting to T-8 on the existing fixture (actually for my garage which has 4 of the same fixtures). Problem was, by the time I picked up the ballist, the ends, and two 8' T-8 tubes, I was easily within the cost of just running a new quad 4" T-8 fixture. And when I checked lumen output, those 110w HO T-12's put out a fairly significant more than any combination of T-8 without adding more fixtures. I'd like to save the energy, especially in my garage, but the light output is more important to me than saving a combined 200w... and the cost to do it would take forever to bring returns.

Back to the reloading room, unfortunately, recessed lighting isn't an option either. This area is directly under my front porch slab, which is laid up on 2x6 treated @12" centers. I have R19 fiberglass, vapor barrier, 1" fomular R5 and 7/16" OSB. So even if I could get a fixture small enough to fit, the insulation would have to be totally removed in that area, then I'm running the risk of heat and moisture condensing on the ply the pad sits on. I'm very limited to surface mount lights.

I may very well just replace that single fixture with a T8 fixture running HO lamps. The T12 HO's are SUPER bright in that room, which is nice but may not be required. I'm going to email RCBS and inquire on the fluorescent lighting issue. Of course, worth mentioning is that I have not noticed any problems... but just because I haven't noticed doesn't mean it's not there.