I have been using the 505 scale and am thinking of upgrading to one of the electronic scales because i am doing a lot of load development with different powders. Which scale is the best value between lyman, rcbs, hornady, and smartreloader? Is the electronic scales as accurate as the beam? What do you feel to be the most accurate way of measuring a charge? I am not after benchrest results of plus or minus 1 fps but if i shoot my 308 1000 yards eventually i don't want my charges to be the reason i miss.
Electronic scale and powder dispenser.
- Thread starter layback04
- Start date
Layback,
The RCBS Chargemasters are really nice, and by the way, Gander Mountain has them on sale for $199.95. But since I don't load any ammo that requires 1500 grs, I use the RCBS Rangemaster 750's that sell for anywhere from $125 - #145 depending on the seller. For me, I still don't need a 750 gr gr load capacity, but have found my two 750's to be quite adequate for anything I have thats 60 grs. There are a couple of things you have to be aware of with digital scales to avoid drifting and other issues that some have encountered. I'd be happy to share what I do that has proven to be useful to combat issues that drive some reloader nuts when it comes to electronic digital scales. PM me of you want further.
The RCBS Chargemasters are really nice, and by the way, Gander Mountain has them on sale for $199.95. But since I don't load any ammo that requires 1500 grs, I use the RCBS Rangemaster 750's that sell for anywhere from $125 - #145 depending on the seller. For me, I still don't need a 750 gr gr load capacity, but have found my two 750's to be quite adequate for anything I have thats 60 grs. There are a couple of things you have to be aware of with digital scales to avoid drifting and other issues that some have encountered. I'd be happy to share what I do that has proven to be useful to combat issues that drive some reloader nuts when it comes to electronic digital scales. PM me of you want further.
After getting my Hornady auto charge I can't ever see me going back to a beam! I still have my beam just for back up but it has done nothing but collect dust. Most elec. scales have a +/-.01gr and I know that won't affect any rounds that I shoot so I don't mind.
The one thing I wish the Hornady had was a way to adjust the vol. the beeps can get old after awhile.
The one thing I wish the Hornady had was a way to adjust the vol. the beeps can get old after awhile.
I loved my Hornady powder dispenser, until about a month ago. It started randomly shutting off and freezing up with funny characters on the screen. I emailed them about it, and they said to call em up, return it, and they would give me a brand new one.
We will see how the next one works out.....
We will see how the next one works out.....
I went from a Lee Perfect Powder Measure, RCBS 505 using a Redding trickler to purchasing a RCBS Chargemaster 1500 recently.
From my experience, I think I can dump a charge faster and trickler faster performing my old manual way that the RCBS and dump a measured charge with the re-programmed settings. The jury is still out for me.
As for accuracy on the Chargemaster, it is usually within 1/10th of a grain but there is the occasional over charge....Maybe 1 in 40 dumps.
If going with the Chargemaster, place a McDonalds straw in the threaded portion of the dispenser....It performs more accurate throws by not allowing the powder to clump up when tricking.
From my experience, I think I can dump a charge faster and trickler faster performing my old manual way that the RCBS and dump a measured charge with the re-programmed settings. The jury is still out for me.
As for accuracy on the Chargemaster, it is usually within 1/10th of a grain but there is the occasional over charge....Maybe 1 in 40 dumps.
If going with the Chargemaster, place a McDonalds straw in the threaded portion of the dispenser....It performs more accurate throws by not allowing the powder to clump up when tricking.
2muchgun
New member
I use the Chargemaster combo also. It occasionally throws a bad charge, but i can tell when it does because the scale will read differently when the powder pan is lifted.
You can throw charges faster with a good powder dipenser, but I like to seat my bullets while the charges are being weighed out. Often checking for runout at this time also. It works well.
MOF, I'm about to go stuff some 204 cartridges right now.....
You can throw charges faster with a good powder dipenser, but I like to seat my bullets while the charges are being weighed out. Often checking for runout at this time also. It works well.
MOF, I'm about to go stuff some 204 cartridges right now.....
UtahShooter
Active member
Originally Posted By: ShynlocoLayback,
The RCBS Chargemasters are really nice, and by the way, Gander Mountain has them on sale for $199.95.
Is that for he combo price?
The RCBS Chargemasters are really nice, and by the way, Gander Mountain has them on sale for $199.95.
Is that for he combo price?
UtahShooter
Active member
They are a bit touchy with Varget. Not much though.
jim87formula
Member
Originally Posted By: dmpowderAfter getting my Hornady auto charge I can't ever see me going back to a beam!
The one thing I wish the Hornady had was a way to adjust the vol. the beeps can get old after awhile.
+1 Love mine, I still use my Lee powder dispenser when loading up 9mm and that BEEP your talking about, my old lady hates it! LOL...
The one thing I wish the Hornady had was a way to adjust the vol. the beeps can get old after awhile.
+1 Love mine, I still use my Lee powder dispenser when loading up 9mm and that BEEP your talking about, my old lady hates it! LOL...
UtahShooter
Active member
I do believe there is a way to get rid of it. The beep that is.
Originally Posted By: UtahShooterI do believe there is a way to get rid of it. The beep that is.
Yeah you hold the zero button down and then it will only beep when it overcharges!
To the guy that had to send his in I kept getting ERR when trying to cal. it still read fine just wouldn't cal. Sent it in and they shipped me a brand new one also took about 1 week with the weekend.
Yeah you hold the zero button down and then it will only beep when it overcharges!
To the guy that had to send his in I kept getting ERR when trying to cal. it still read fine just wouldn't cal. Sent it in and they shipped me a brand new one also took about 1 week with the weekend.
jim87formula
Member
Originally Posted By: UtahShooterI do believe there is a way to get rid of it. The beep that is.
LOL, yeah just tell her to deal with always works, hahaha..
Originally Posted By: dmpowder Yeah you hold the zero button down and then it will only beep when it overcharges!
To the guy that had to send his in I kept getting ERR when trying to cal. it still read fine just wouldn't cal. Sent it in and they shipped me a brand new one also took about 1 week with the weekend.
Yeah I will have to give that try, least it will make the little lady happy
.... Mine sometimes freezes up but I just unplug it and zero back it in, don't really have much problems with mine, it will throw +.1 out sometimes but no biggie...
LOL, yeah just tell her to deal with always works, hahaha..
Originally Posted By: dmpowder Yeah you hold the zero button down and then it will only beep when it overcharges!
To the guy that had to send his in I kept getting ERR when trying to cal. it still read fine just wouldn't cal. Sent it in and they shipped me a brand new one also took about 1 week with the weekend.
Yeah I will have to give that try, least it will make the little lady happy
dzlfarmboy
New member
I use the RCBS chargmaster and it's pretty sweet, im usually seating one bullet as it's measuring the next one. Pretty efficent setup