I'm toying with buying a RCBS ChargeMaster. Anyone out there using one? Great concept, but are they worth the money? Thanks.
There are people who complain the unit is slow. Poppycock. Funnel a charge into a case. Hit "dispense." While you seat a bullet, the next charge will run. By the time you drop the loaded round into a box, the next charge is ready.
You'll never go back to anything else again - unless you're forced to load in a cave with no power.
Anyone out there using one? Great concept, but are they worth the money? Thanks.
YES to both. I have it set up so that it automatically throws another charge when I replace the pan. A fresh charge is usually waiting on me.
RH
Is this what you are using? (the link is to grafs) I am thinking of getting a new powder dispenser and scale.
That is it. If you are patient, it usually goes on sale for under $300 after the hunting seasons start.
RH
I have had my CM for about 3 years and love it. It has another charge ready by them time I get a bullet seated.
I wouldn't buy one unless you plan on loading more than a few loads at a time. If I'm just going to load for load development or just a box of 20, I'll use my 1010 most of the time.
loder
The new one's are OK - I've had the older verision (seperate scale and dispenser) and the current model.
The current one is pretty good and faster than the old one. The only issue I don't like is that you have to watch the scale read out, 1 out of 20 loads will be off - the scale shows it, but the thing beeps when it's done dispensing.
Spot
A while back I did the load work up for my ex-son-in-law's ne rifle using IMR-4831. The first batch took a long time using he RCBS Uniflow which isn't too happy when working with those powders shaped like redwood logs. Well, it turns out were were on the right track with his loads and now it was time to do the fine tuning of the loads. As it turned out, I had to go to Sportsman's Warehouse to get more bullets. (This was beofre the Obama the Ursurper hoarding rush.) and I picked up a couple boxes of the bullets and primers needed. As I wa slooking to see if there might be something else to add to the basket, I pointed out the RCBS 1500 Chargemaster to my wife saying that would make this load work up a lot easier. She said, "Why not just get it right now as long as you're here?"
Gotta love that woman. Best investment I've ever made when it comes to reloading tools.
Look at it this wy. Adjusting the Uniflow and weiging and trickling charges for 5 rounds of each load took over 4 hours. I'm very careful weighing charges when doing preliminary load work up and those log type powders just flat suck in normal measures. Using the Chargemaster, I loaded just as many weighed test loads as the pevious day in just under an hour. Ain't no way you're gonna beat that with any kind of stick.
Paul B.
For those using the Chargemaster, there are software tweaks available on line to make the unit faster/more reliable. IIRC, these tweaks/upgrades originated from an RCBS technican and were as a result of customer complaints of the unit sometimes being slow and/or inconsistant...
Recently I was at a friend's house, and tried to reload without my trusted Chargemaster. I almost pulled my hair out! As it's been stated: Buy one, and you'll never use anything else.
As a side note, a friend bought the Lyman Digital Powder Measue, and had a very difficult time getting it to feed Ball powders. I've never any problems with the RCBS unit.
Pete -
Where are those tweaks - got a link?