How are you using your RCBS Chargemaster

[Peter Laurvick]

I think I have a unique setup but am running into some issues and would like to know how others use their RCBS Chargemaster or similar systems.

I have one reloading bench and am using a Hornady Lock N Load Progressive for the press. Then on my Precision Ammo I am using an RCBS Chargemaster to drop my powder, dump into cases on a tray, before putting the powdered case in the press and seating bullets. Problem I’m getting is when I cam-over the Ram, it sends my Chargemaster haywire, and I get all kinds of random amounts of powder charges (which I correct but it takes more time).

Question is: Are you using your Chargemaster on the same bench or different location? Are you doing all powder first before seating bullets, basically one step at a time? Any recommendations to fix this on my end?

 

[Jimgal62]

I think I have a unique setup but am running into some issues and would like to know how others use their RCBS Chargemaster or similar systems.

I have one reloading bench and am using a Hornady Lock N Load Progressive for the press. Then on my Precision Ammo I am using an RCBS Chargemaster to drop my powder, dump into cases on a tray, before putting the powdered case in the press and seating bullets. Problem I’m getting is when I cam-over the Ram, it sends my Chargemaster haywire, and I get all kinds of random amounts of powder charges (which I correct but it takes more time).

Question is: Are you using your Chargemaster on the same bench or different location? Are you doing all powder first before seating bullets, basically one step at a time? Any recommendations to fix this on my end?

My Chargemaster is on a different bench.

 

[Huskydriver]

Chargemaster is absolutely on a separate bench with a filtered power supply.

 

[Barryd]

Definitely on a separate bench for me.

 

[Precision Underground]

Yea you can’t disturb the bench when an electronic scale is calculating. Try stepping on an electronic scale without being still and see what happens.

 

[black5.3]

Mine is on a separate bench as well and it needs to be for proper function. What i have seen before with a chargemaster is to mount a shelf right above your bench on the wall and run it right there.. its still in perfect reach and plenty steady.

 

[spife7980]

I use mine on the same one, my coffee table. And I seat while powder is throwing. If you’re jerking the handle exactly when the scales finishing them you’ll have issues. Finish up fast so it’s still running and able to stabilize for a few seconds or wait until it’s done and you’ll end up fine.

That could be skewed by my table being solid and heavy. I assume all reloading tables are though. My bullets also seat nicely. If it’s tough and causing your press resistance that you are forced to overcome I think you need to work on your brass prep more as well as a more solid bench.

 

[Precision Underground]

I use mine on the same one, my coffee table. And I seat while powder is throwing. If you’re jerking the handle exactly when the scales finishing them you’ll have issues. Finish up fast so it’s still running and able to stabilize for a few seconds or wait until it’s done and you’ll end up fine.

That could be skewed by my table being solid and heavy. I assume all reloading tables are though. My bullets also seat nicely. If it’s tough and causing your press resistance that you are forced to overcome I think you need to work on your brass prep more as well as a more solid bench.

I do this as well. Except for the coffee table. How the hell do you reload on a coffee table?

 

[Supersubes]

Why not just charge cases then seat bullets?

Mine are on the same bench, and I don’t have much of a problem when I seat at the same time. Have you ever checked to see that the feet of the chargmaster are properly stabilizing the scale? Could be teetering a bit, like a stool with one short leg? That would jive with what your describing.

 

[Sniper266]

My scale is on the same bench. I timethe cam-ing of my press to disturb the bench while the scale is rapidly throwing powder. I do not touch my press or bench for that matter durring the moment that my scale is starting and finishing the thrown charge.

 

[spife7980]

I do this as well. Except for the coffee table. How the hell do you reload on a coffee table?

It’s a 1 1/4” slab of solid oak off the ranch with a base made of 1” pipe. It’s stout. It will, of course, teeter if i put my body weight on it but for seating, it doesn’t wiggle unless I make it do so. Mount my press on it with wing nuts, take it off when I’m done. I don’t notice the four 3/8” holes. I set all my crap on the counter against the wall when it’s not in use and keep the space clear. Something about cleanliness and god

 

[ZEROGUY]

I have mine setup on same bench as press. Never been an issue for me, my chargemaster overthrows maybe 0-3 out of every 50 but it’s not related to seating bullets.

My bench is pretty heavy duty though, made of 4x4’s at all corners and 4x4’s under the table top where the press is mounted. No wiggle or flex at all.

Also my seating die is screwed if far enough where my press doesn’t cam over, my shell holders always bottom out on the seating die. When seating I don’t need tons of force, just slow consistent force.

 

[Peter Laurvick]

I use mine on the same one, my coffee table. And I seat while powder is throwing. If you’re jerking the handle exactly when the scales finishing them you’ll have issues. Finish up fast so it’s still running and able to stabilize for a few seconds or wait until it’s done and you’ll end up fine.

That could be skewed by my table being solid and heavy. I assume all reloading tables are though. My bullets also seat nicely. If it’s tough and causing your press resistance that you are forced to overcome I think you need to work on your brass prep more as well as a more solid bench.

My bench is solid, but it is on carpet which does play against it a lot, it weighs upwards of 400-500lbs and has casters on the bottom to help level it. But my ram still shakes it pretty good when seating.

Why not just charge cases then seat bullets?

Mine are on the same bench, and I don’t have much of a problem when I seat at the same time. Have you ever checked to see that the feet of the chargmaster are properly stabilizing the scale? Could be teetering a bit, like a stool with one short leg? That would jive with what your describing.

I did a small test to do all powder charges first, then seat all the bullets, screwed it up and double threw twice in 12 cases, obviously I’m new to that method but it scared me enough to stop and do them one at a time again. That’s been working for me at least and I trust it.

My Chargemaster was slightly offset but I came up with some shims to make sure it sat solid. I am leaning towards having to do a shelf though after hearing everyone say that.

My scale is on the same bench. I timethe cam-ing of my press to disturb the bench while the scale is rapidly throwing powder. I do not touch my press or bench for that matter durring the moment that my scale is starting and finishing the thrown charge.

If I rushed I use to be able to beat the powder, I just did the reprogramming on it and did the McDonald’s straw trick because I was getting a ton of overthrows. And now it didn’t overthrow at all in 50 charges, but it did under throw when I would try and beat it with the ram and seating bullets.

I think with all this advise I’m just going to find a way to stick a shelf next to my bench. Now I need to figure out how to make it removable and leveling ?.

 

[Supersubes]

The chargemaster has leveling feet. Shouldn’t have to shim anything. Also, after you charge a case, move the funnel to the next empty, then set a bullet in the neck of the case you just charged while the chargemaster is throwing.

 

[Peter Laurvick]

The chargemaster has leveling feet. Shouldn’t have to shim anything. Also, after you charge a case, move the funnel to the next empty, then set a bullet in the neck of the case you just charged while the chargemaster is throwing.

I’m using VMax flat base bullets so they don’t sit in the mouth ?. If I had boat tails I would for sure cause I’ve seen that system and seems very easy to do and keep track of.

 

[Huskydriver]

I like to leave all my cases open so I can shine a light over the tray after I charge and before I seat just to add a double check that I did not under or double charge a case. Mainly a huge concern for me because I load a ton of subsonic's where it is really easy to double charge a case and not have powder come up to the shoulder. The visual that the powder level in all cases is close to the same adds a layer of safety for my mind.

 

[Pinmaster]

My CM is on the same bench as everything else. I do load all of the cases before seating them and I do double check each load on separate scale. Everything that plugs in to an AC outlet has an EMI filter attached to it like these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E5E5IY4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Bradu]

I have mine on the same bench but I run two and dump all my powder first. Then I check with a light to make sure I didn't skip one, then seat the bullet. I have the ferrite choke, an anti static mat, bushing reducers and still overthrow about every other charge on both machines. I haven't been impressed with them at all, not sure what else to do. I even reprogrammed the speeds on them trying to improve it.

 

[Peter Laurvick]

My CM is on the same bench as everything else. I do load all of the cases before seating them and I do double check each load on separate scale. Everything that plugs in to an AC outlet has an EMI filter attached to it like these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E5E5IY4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is electric interface that big a deal? I’m not getting any jumping or drifting around when it’s just sitting there, just when I move the ram.

I have mine on the same bench but I run two and dump all my powder first. Then I check with a light to make sure I didn't skip one, then seat the bullet. I have the ferrite choke, an anti static mat, bushing reducers and still overthrow about every other charge on both machines. I haven't been impressed with them at all, not sure what else to do. I even reprogrammed the speeds on them trying to improve it.

Wow, that’s horrible. I’d say check for static and wipe with a dryer sheet but assuming you already know that trick id probably ditch them if I got that bad of accuracy. I love mine just unsure of best ways to use it so far

 

[Bradu]

Is electric interface that big a deal? I’m not getting any jumping or drifting around when it’s just sitting there, just when I move the ram.


Wow, that’s horrible. I’d say check for static and wipe with a dryer sheet but assuming you already know that trick id probably ditch them if I got that bad of accuracy. I love mine just unsure of best ways to use it so far

There is still static because I have some kernels stuck to the hopper. I've tried static sheets and it didn't help. It's usually only a tenth over, sometimes two tenths. Usually I will use the ones over by a tenth and dump the ones off more than that. Rather frustrating for what I've spent but oh well. I've considered going back to a beam scale and hand trickling them.

 

[Peter Laurvick]

There is still static because I have some kernels stuck to the hopper. I've tried static sheets and it didn't help. It's usually only a tenth over, sometimes two tenths. Usually I will use the ones over by a tenth and dump the ones off more than that. Rather frustrating for what I've spent but oh well. I've considered going back to a beam scale and hand trickling them.

That’s crazy. I can get that accuracy out of my case activated powder drop... you’ve got to have something wrong with yours. That just ain’t right.

 

[Bradu]

That’s crazy. I can get that accuracy out of my case activated powder drop... you’ve got to have something wrong with yours. That just ain’t right.

The thing is I have two of them, one is slightly better than the other but not by much. I have tried everything that people recommend trying and I have learned to accept it.

 

[kylec]

Either it takes you ALOT more force to seat bullets, or my bench/desk is more sturdy than I thought.

I couldn't imagine seating of a bullet causing my CM to mess up. I check it with a beam quite often while using it. It's one of my best purchases

 

[CBeck]

On the same bench but it’s a big sturdy bench. I seat while it’s dispensing the next round.

 

[Mordamer]

The thing is I have two of them, one is slightly better than the other but not by much. I have tried everything that people recommend trying and I have learned to accept it.

Set your charge weight a tenth or two under your desired charge. When it over throws it will be right on what you really want, and when it throws on the set point just tap the top of the auger lightly with a finger and about a tenth of a grain will fall out. This is super fast once you get the hang of it.

 

[Bradu]

Set your charge weight a tenth or two under your desired charge. When it over throws it will be right on what you really want, and when it throws on the set point just tap the top of the auger lightly with a finger and about a tenth of a grain will fall out. This is super fast once you get the hang of it.

That's pretty much what I do except I use a pair of tweezers to drop about 3 kernels in when I'm a tenth low.

 

[Peter Laurvick]

Either it takes you ALOT more force to seat bullets, or my bench/desk is more sturdy than I thought.

I couldn't imagine seating of a bullet causing my CM to mess up. I check it with a beam quite often while using it. It's one of my best purchases

My bench being on carpet is probably the biggest factor, it was rock solid on concrete before. It’s a progressive and I like to get a little cam-over when seating. I can do it really gentle but it doesn’t ever seat consistently when I do that.

 

[eklarsen]

As said plenty, I have to either measure powder or seat, cant do both due to the vibration

 

[OzzyO20]

I throw within .2 grains of my goal and trickle up with my Chargemaster. Cuts errors down to almost none, but its slow. I powder all my cases, then move on seating. If I'm getting really bored I'll powder 50, seat 50, then go back to powdering 50, seat 50, etc. to break up the monotony.

Edit: All on the same bench. Break it up to avoid issues.

 

[Chevynbow]

I use mine on the same one, my coffee table. And I seat while powder is throwing. If you’re jerking the handle exactly when the scales finishing them you’ll have issues. Finish up fast so it’s still running and able to stabilize for a few seconds or wait until it’s done and you’ll end up fine.

That could be skewed by my table being solid and heavy. I assume all reloading tables are though. My bullets also seat nicely. If it’s tough and causing your press resistance that you are forced to overcome I think you need to work on your brass prep more as well as a more solid bench.

Ditto on same bench as press...I probably subconsciously don’t press/seat as my A&D (Chargemaster previously) is finishing up. Either way, my swing of the press at seating is controlled to ensure consistentency. Additionally, my neck tension is minimal enough that my bench doesn’t move at seating...

 

[lightman]

I use mine set up on the same bench as my press. I'll seat the bullet while the Chargemaster is throwing the next charge. The top of my bench is made of 2 X 10's bolted to a steel frame and also bolted to the wall. I seat the bullets slow and easy and hardly ever have a charge overthrown.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Question is: Are you using your Chargemaster on the same bench or different location? Are you doing all powder first before seating bullets, basically one step at a time? Any recommendations to fix this on my end?

I have my 2 on a shelf mounted to the wall behind the bench. For this reason, my bench is only 24" wide to the wall. I drop a charge, dump it in the case, start that chargemaster, seat a bullet, pull the handle.

 

[Peter Laurvick]

I have my 2 on a shelf mounted to the wall behind the bench. For this reason, my bench is only 24" wide to the wall. I drop a charge, dump it in the case, start that chargemaster, seat a bullet, pull the handle.

Good idea. Follow up question since he brings it up: Are you using the manual it auto setting to drop powder? Is one more accurate than the other (in your experience).

 

[Darkside-Six]

Mine is on the same bench but I drop all my powder before I seat my bullets so there is no other disturbance on the bench

 

[Skimafia]

I dump and seat while my next charge is being thrown. I usually have it seated as it kicks down and brings to trickle. It sounds like a lot of people are doing it that way

 

[poeman446]

I used to do what some of the guys above did. I could seat the bullet when he chargemaster was bulk throwing powder at its top speed and it wouldn’t over throw or under throw. If I seat the bullet when t was trickling, I could sometimes make it work if the bullets would seat super smooth. Otherwise, forget about it and put it on a separate bench. Also, pro tip: after throwing powder, set a bullet on top of the case. It will stop any spilled powder from getting into that case if you accidentally hit the loading tray, spill powder, etc. I did that at 2 AM while loading for a PRS match the next day, and that tip would have saved me a lot of time.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Good idea. Follow up question since he brings it up: Are you using the manual it auto setting to drop powder? Is one more accurate than the other (in your experience).

I'm not sure I follow manual or auto. I set the charge weight on each and drop. One of mine is from 2004 and it doesn't have the ability to change programming. So I didn't bother messing with the other, newer. I don't have any issues one vs. the other. I will say they both seem to overthrow the finer the powder is, like 8208 xbr or 2000 MR.

 

[Strykervet]

Been using one for 13 years or so and no problems with it.

Mine is on the same bench in between the rock chucker and the 650, which gets used most. The BFR is on the other end. The rock chucker only gets used for oddball jobs now or maybe later if I have to load a round I don't use enough to warrant a 650 setup. The 650 is mounted to their bracket and the table is a 8x4 double thick plywood top on 6x6 frame w/joists all w/metal brackets, 4x4 legs and a thick plywood bottom shelf on 6x6 frame and joists. Then there's probably several hundred pounds of components and parts on the bottom shelf and all the stuff up top. It doesn't move. At all. Probably weighs a ton, table and stuff. Sits balanced on concrete. Even the .50 press when stuck won't knock over brass standing up or move anything around. I have a vice on one corner and have hammered things and no movement. SOLID. That's key.

So when I load 7.62 with RE15 (because I have to use the scale with stick powder, Dillon only measures ball powders) I guess I don't really think about it. I dump it in the brass and put a bullet on it and load it and keep on going. Most time I guess I have this done before it trickles but sometimes I measure random rounds, fill boxes, whatever, or work the press during the trickle stage. No problems.

In fact, only problem I've had is that I needed to cut "feathers' into the end of a McDonald's straw and cut that off about half and inch or so and insert it in the end of the dispenser so it wouldn't over throw as much. That fixed it, now I have an overthrow about once every 100 rounds or so. Before I had a lot more throwbacks because it just knocks more into it without the straw fix. Bumping it for sure would do the same thing. Using the RE15 powder or other stick powders it's worse. I don't have a magnetic conditioner though I thought I had one around the house somewhere I couldn't find it. So I stapled the wire to my bench underneath so it wouldn't be seen, and then plugged it into a power strip. I think it's a surge protector. No problems.

I always calibrate it when I turn it on, always, and I try not to move it. I tried my best to make sure all 8 feet were touching the table at all times. I've just never had the problems a lot of you speak of and I'm thankful. It tests against the beam scale too and is spot on. I have an older one, I guess I bought this in 2004-2005 at latest. I have had to take apart the dispenser because it locked up and wouldn't work. It was amazingly simple inside and I had it fixed in no time and it's worked fine ever since. It's a good, robust and simple piece of equipment. Just make sure it's on something that doesn't move and that your floor also doesn't shake or move because it's very sensitive.

Good luck!

 

[raider1v1]

I run two of them slightly tweaked per the many YouTube videos. They sit on a different table than the press. I calibrate each time they are used.

 

[oldnmkid]

I use bushing dies to size my cases. My CM is about 2' from my press. I can seat bullets anytime the CM is running and not disturb anything. The top of my bench is regular 3/4" plywood. I can't imagine needing the press to cam over to seat a bullet.

 

[TexasTightwad]

It’s a 1 1/4” slab of solid oak off the ranch with a base made of 1” pipe. It’s stout. It will, of course, teeter if i put my body weight on it but for seating, it doesn’t wiggle unless I make it do so. Mount my press on it with wing nuts, take it off when I’m done. I don’t notice the four 3/8” holes. I set all my crap on the counter against the wall when it’s not in use and keep the space clear. Something about cleanliness and god
View attachment 6943399

What kind of press is that?

 

[spife7980]

What kind of press is that?

Forster coax. It’s nice because the handle is right at chest height on the couch, a press with it mounted under the press would be down at the ground without something to raise it up like an inline mount.