first chargemaster experience

[timelinex]

so I finally received my chargemaster, and I am excited to say it works GREAT. I edited all the throw times so now it works pretty fast, and after 100+ throws I didn't get one overthrow. However, this is with 8208XBR, which is much smaller than something like varget or retumbo/h1000. I will see how it works on those within a week or so. If you load alot of rounds, DO NOT WAIT, get one ASAP! It will be worth it. I don't mind slaving over the beam scale for something like my 338 (have a webcam hooked up to make it exact), but doing it for 223 AR15 rounds was getting old fast.

I am proud to say I made all the rookie mistakes all in my first session. The first time I put the powder in, I didn't close the side knob and it all spilled out onto my table. Good thing I cleaned off my prior powder, or else I would have wasted ALOT of powder. Then, one of the times I put the powder cup back on for a second, I have it on autothrow, and then changed my mind and wanted to do something else. I grabbed it, but a little too late and it started throwing powder all over the scale.

The last mistake was my own fault. I was excited with how fast I just loaded 50 223 rounds, all while priming cases at the same time. Well when I grabbed my second batch of 50 , I grabbed it from the bag with no primers. DOH. I filled them all up, and even seated all the bullets. I start putting the rounds away and notice my holders have alot of powder in them. So now I have to pull all the bullets and start over. What a waste of powder and bullets. Atleast I can reuse the bullets for 'less important' shots.

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: first chargemaster experience

They are a time saver for sure, I had one a few years back and loved it but got into a mindset of wanting to get away from relying on electronics. I sold it and miss it, using a beam scale (for now).

Kirk R

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: first chargemaster experience

You seem highly excitable, tell us of the first time you got laid!

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: first chargemaster experience

I've got 3 of them. 3 things1) keep em unplugged when not using them 2) keep them level 3) use dryer sheets on your hands and surrounding area bc static electricity WILL make them jump all over the place

 

[wIg SpLiTtEr]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You seem highly excitable, tell us of the first time you got laid!

</div></div>

HAHA!

 

[timelinex]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You seem highly excitable, tell us of the first time you got laid!

</div></div>

I'm actually one of the more chill guys you will
meet. I really enjoy shooting but unfortunately none of my friends (until very recently some new ones) care about guns... So I let out all the excitement I have stored up, on the forums

 

[jagged77]

Re: first chargemaster experience

Great piece of kit and one which I'd hate to be without! Keep it away fom strip lights, mobile phones and laptops when in use as they have been known to cause problems, I also let mine warm up for 30 mins so after switching on. I'd ditch your beam scale for the 338 too, I bet the cm will be just as good.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timelinex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I'm actually one of the more chill guys you will
meet. </div></div>

Sorry Linex,
I was hoping you'd elaborate,
There I was with a rock hard ____, face down on the floor with my pants around my ankles
Ahh, forget it.

I have two of them, and a third scale, I like them also.

 

[Thor2j]

Re: first chargemaster experience

I really enjoy my CM. it does however over throw .1-.2 every 1 out of 9 times on average. It's no big deal , I just take a lee dipper and remove 2-3 actual grains and its on. Only adds about 3 seconds to those throws that are out. It does this with Varget and h1000

 

[turbo54]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got 3 of them. 3 things<span style="font-weight: bold">1) keep em unplugged when not using them </span>2) keep them level 3) use dryer sheets on your hands and surrounding area bc static electricity WILL make them jump all over the place </div></div>

Why do you advise keeping them unplugged?

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timelinex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The first time I put the powder in, I didn't close the side knob and it all spilled out onto my table. </div></div>

I remember that first time too. There is now a large message written on the reservoir cap telling me to "Close the effing drain!!!"

If you load a lot of .223 or .308 and want to do it on a progressive like a Dillon 650, yet weigh every charge, get two chargemasters. Install a Lee universal rifle powder die instead of the Dillon auto powder dispenser. Modify a Lee funnel so the primer magazine will clear it.

You can then load about 200 rounds per hour of each, just moving back and forth to the powder charge that is waiting on one of the CM's. Just don't forget to make sure the ram is up when pouring the powder into the case.

 

[capreppy]

Re: first chargemaster experience

I tried mine last night with H335 (yes I could use a powder measure, but I wanted to try it out and needed some 223 rounds). Man that thing is fast. I bought mine used, but the guy I bought it from only used it a few times plus I paid an insanely low price for mine (won't tell you how much).

Going to try it out with Varget this weekend to load some 175gr SMKs for my 308.

 

[2Shots]

Re: first chargemaster experience

When I first got mine I decided to take it to the range to do some "new gun" load testing, it saves trips to the range and time, and decided to leave the powder in the unit. I figured hey its unplugged so just throw it in the back seat of the truck and go. Well, do you know that when you tilt that thing down it will run out of the dispensing tube pretty quick! I didn't figure out what that hissing sound was in the back seat until I was about to the range, had probaly 3/4 lb of varget on the seat and carpet. Still picking it out! lol

 

[varmint slayer]

Re: first chargemaster experience

Yeah having one is nice but running 2 or more at the same time is great. Really cuts the time down.

I also would like to hear why you should leave them unplugged Shen not in use. Hell I leave my two on all the time so they are warmed up and ready at all times.

 

[AtOne]

Re: first chargemaster experience

Great to hear to you like it and couldn't agree more.
As for not having the drain closed all the way I think that's a right of passage for it.

Some other tips are using the cut McDonalds straw for stick powders and if your leaving powder in the dispenser between loadings but load more than one powder especially one's that look similar use a piece of painters tape and write whats in the hopper at that time. That way a week later your not second guessing whats in there.
I have a couple friends that come over and load so for me its not as easy as looking at my load data sheet.

Have fun with it and I'm sure you won't regret ever spending the money for it.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<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: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got 3 of them. 3 things<span style="font-weight: bold">1) keep em unplugged when not using them </span>2) keep them level 3) use dryer sheets on your hands and surrounding area bc static electricity WILL make them jump all over the place </div></div>

Why do you advise keeping them unplugged?</div></div>


Bc the plug in will overheat and over a long period will make the scale "jumpy"

 

[country888]

Re: first chargemaster experience

I love mine. The straw trick works great!

 

[VTSEAL]

Re: first chargemaster experience

If you have room, put your chargemaster on a separate table from your press to adoid disturbing the scale.

+1 for the dryer sheets and straw trick

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><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: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got 3 of them. 3 things<span style="font-weight: bold">1) keep em unplugged when not using them </span>2) keep them level 3) use dryer sheets on your hands and surrounding area bc static electricity WILL make them jump all over the place </div></div>

Why do you advise keeping them unplugged?</div></div>


Bc the plug in will overheat and over a long period will make the scale "jumpy" </div></div>

Disagree. I leave both of mine on all the time. I do have them plugged in to a power strip with surge protection and I do keep them on a seperate bench from my press. Dryer sheets keep down any static. Also, some say they got interference from florescent lighting. I have not had any issue there.
I think everyone who has ever used one makes the same mistake on the side port. Now I keep a butter tub with a notch cut in it underneath the port all the time.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: first chargemaster experience

I use a surge protector as well but was better safe than sorry. Trust me

 

[elfster1234]

Re: first chargemaster experience

doing the same and works great with varget... rather than every other, now i'm more like 10 out of 100. no matter what you do with varget, its a bitch...

now benchmark with straw trick is 0 out of 100.... no probs at all.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: country888</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I love mine. The straw trick works great! </div></div>

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><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: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got 3 of them. 3 things<span style="font-weight: bold">1) keep em unplugged when not using them </span>2) keep them level 3) use dryer sheets on your hands and surrounding area bc static electricity WILL make them jump all over the place </div></div>

Why do you advise keeping them unplugged?</div></div>


Bc the plug in will overheat and over a long period will make the scale "jumpy" </div></div>

Disagree. I leave both of mine on all the time. I do have them plugged in to a power strip with surge protection and I do keep them on a seperate bench from my press. Dryer sheets keep down any static. Also, some say they got interference from florescent lighting. I have not had any issue there.
I think everyone who has ever used one makes the same mistake on the side port. Now I keep a butter tub with a notch cut in it underneath the port all the time. </div></div>

I should have read all this 3 years ago when I bought my Chargemaster. I've had it turned on 24/7/365 since I bought it. With the exception of a power outage or two and when I moved my loading setup, it's never been turned off. As for the "adapter" getting hot, when it's just sitting there it's barely under any load at all. When dispensing powder and the motor is running is when the adapter is under load. Even after all day loading sessions my adapter is at just about room temperature.

I keep wondering why people who are afraid of just about everything are involved in a sport as dangerous as shooting. Perhaps they should consider "Nerf Guns".

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: first chargemaster experience

No advice here, and I'll leave linex alone!

Yesterday I tried two CM's at once, talk about quick, pretty intense for this old fat boy. Did 150 6.5x47 Lapua's in 55 minutes, that's humping.
No time to drink beer at this pace.
Was surprised, one unit did 15 more than the other, both are brand new, might have to do the tune up thing!
I put mine away after use, only because my wife's cat knocked my first one off my table, it sat powered on for 8 months before that, no issues.
Also found out my 600 lb loading table isn't a sturdy as I thought, just the activity caused 15 or so underloads, I might have to redo my setup if I continue to use two!

 

[timelinex]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No advice here, and I'll leave linex alone!

Yesterday I tried two CM's at once, talk about quick, pretty intense for this old fat boy. Did 150 6.5x47 Lapua's in 55 minutes, that's humping.
No time to drink beer at this pace.
Was surprised, one unit did 15 more than the other, both are brand new, might have to do the tune up thing!
I put mine away after use, only because my wife's cat knocked my first one off my table, it sat powered on for 8 months before that, no issues.
Also found out my 600 lb loading table isn't a sturdy as I thought, just the activity caused 15 or so underloads, I might have to redo my setup if I continue to use two! </div></div>

Linex? TimeLineX you mean

Why do you guys leave them on? I understand you probably can with no harm, but whats the advantage Warming it up for 30 min before use, should stabilize all the internal temperatures for sure by then.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: timelinex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Why do you guys leave them on? I understand you probably can with no harm, but whats the advantage Warming it up for 30 min before use, should stabilize all the internal temperatures for sure by then. </div></div>Because I don't have to wait the 30 minutes. I load every day and sometimes I don't have the 30 minutes to waste.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Also found out my 600 lb loading table isn't a sturdy as I thought, just the activity caused 15 or so underloads, I might have to redo my setup if I continue to use two! </div></div>

Find yourself a couple of foam rubber pieces about 3" thick and shaped like the bottom of your chargemaster. Put a matching sized piece of aluminum or steel plate on top, just thick enough to not flex. Then put the chargemasters on top of the plates. If you want, run a ground wire to each plate. For a good ground source, go buy a three prong plug and attach the end of your ground wire to the green screw inside. Tap off the other connectors to avoid accidental contact. Plug into a standard wall socket. This will ground the plates all the way down to the 8' rod driven into the ground near the electrical panel. This works good in apartments where a good "ground" might be several stories away.

I've found that local mattress makers will have some good foam around and will cut the pads for you at either no charge or a minimal one. If you're worried because the setup looks top heavy, just make them wider but don't mount both Chargemasters on the same isolation pad.

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: milo-2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Also found out my 600 lb loading table isn't a sturdy as I thought, just the activity caused 15 or so underloads, I might have to redo my setup if I continue to use two! </div></div>

Find yourself a couple of foam rubber pieces about 3" thick and shaped like the bottom of your chargemaster. Put a matching sized piece of aluminum or steel plate on top, just thick enough to not flex. Then put the chargemasters on top of the plates. If you want, run a ground wire to each plate. For a good ground source, go buy a three prong plug and attach the end of your ground wire to the green screw inside. Tap off the other connectors to avoid accidental contact. Plug into a standard wall socket. This will ground the plates all the way down to the 8' rod driven into the ground near the electrical panel. This works good in apartments where a good "ground" might be several stories away.

I've found that local mattress makers will have some good foam around and will cut the pads for you at either no charge or a minimal one. If you're worried because the setup looks top heavy, just make them wider but don't mount both Chargemasters on the same isolation pad. </div></div>

Deadshot,
Thanks, no doubt it would work.

I think I will just slow down a little. If I followed your advice, I'm sure one of my smartass friends would snap a pic.

Next thing you know, I'd be on the cover of "Redneck Reloader" magazine.

 

[slowyellow]

Re: first chargemaster experience

Man I'd love to have one of these. So you don't have any buyers remorse with it? It doesn't sound like it. They are just a lot of coin, and I have to question wether or not they are truly as accurate as doing it by hand with a beam type scale.

 

[timelinex]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slowyellow</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Man I'd love to have one of these. So you don't have any buyers remorse with it? It doesn't sound like it. They are just a lot of coin, and I have to question wether or not they are truly as accurate as doing it by hand with a beam type scale. </div></div>

With 8202XBR I truly am surprised with how dead on accurate it was compared to my scale. On the other hand I just tried retumbo and it had constant over throws and it was not as consistent. I think I have to play with the settings, I may have turned them down to low.

 

[BullzeyeNJ]

Re: first chargemaster experience

They are a great device to have if you get a good one. I have a good one and its a time saver for sure. As far as overthrows of powder charges, they are now greatly diminished by the "straw" modification. I didnt use a straw, I use a modified laboratory pipette that is the perfect diameter for the chargemaster. Its made of dense plastic vs the soft flimsy plastic of a drinking straw.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BullzeyeNJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are a great device to have if you get a good one. I have a good one and its a time saver for sure. As far as overthrows of powder charges, they are now greatly diminished by the "straw" modification. I didnt use a straw, I use a modified laboratory pipette that is the perfect diameter for the chargemaster. Its made of dense plastic vs the soft flimsy plastic of a drinking straw. </div></div>


Exactly how does the straw thing work???

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: first chargemaster experience

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BullzeyeNJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are a great device to have if you get a good one. I have a good one and its a time saver for sure. As far as overthrows of powder charges, they are now greatly diminished by the "straw" modification. I didnt use a straw, I use a modified laboratory pipette that is the perfect diameter for the chargemaster. Its made of dense plastic vs the soft flimsy plastic of a drinking straw. </div></div>

Exactly how does the straw thing work??? </div></div>
Try this AS.
Hit older entries on page bottom.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/category/reloading/
There is one where they cut it like a crown, seems better.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: first chargemaster experience

Thanks Milo

 

[Luky]

Re: first chargemaster experience

For over throws I made a "spoon" by putting a 90degree bend in the end of a 5" long piece of 0.010" shim stock. So the foot is about 3/8" and I can easily remove grains of powder. 3-5 pieces of Varget is .1 grains...

Also get a pan that has the funnel built in (Lee?) so you can drop right into the case. I can usually seat a bullet and check ogive oal in the time it takes the CM to throw the next load.

 

[mtorment]

Re: first chargemaster experience

Was thinking about ordering one to speed things up. Thanks for the info. Any word on how well it works with varget?

 

[killerwaffles]

Re: first chargemaster experience

I have one and use it with Varget all the time. It honestly does not work very well with varget but i was told to stick a straw in the trickler and ever since then, it works well with varget.