Powder scale recomendations?

[Karl Blanchard]

My current powder scale is acting oddly so I am in the market for a new one.

I have one of the older RCBS Chragemaster.  I kinda like it but it is super slow and only drops the correct charge weight 2 or 3 times out of 4 which slows things down even more-i typically have to add or remove 2 to 3 10ths or more when it is off.  Sometimes 5/10s.

Is the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme any better?  If the newer auto drop scales are about the same as my current one I will probably go back to a simple electronic scale.

What others have folks been happy with?

have you ever calibrated yours for faster throwing? Also the old McDonald's straw trick is a big improvement for combating over throw issues.

[Rob]

My current powder scale is acting oddly so I am in the market for a new one.

I have one of the older RCBS Chragemaster.  I kinda like it but it is super slow and only drops the correct charge weight 2 or 3 times out of 4 which slows things down even more-i typically have to add or remove 2 to 3 10ths or more when it is off.  Sometimes 5/10s.

Is the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme any better?  If the newer auto drop scales are about the same as my current one I will probably go back to a simple electronic scale.

What others have folks been happy with?

have you ever calibrated yours for faster throwing? Also the old McDonald's straw trick is a big improvement for combating over throw issues.

I do a calibration before every session - not sure how one calibrates for faster powder throws - do tell!

I put the plastic straw in the tube a year or so ago and that helped smooth things out.

Right now it throws about 15-20 times, then it pours about 1/2 a grain and freezes.  I can only get it to go again by canceling the set and restarting.  It seems to be accurate but I worry this is the beginning of the end for my current autoscale.

[Karl Blanchard]

My current powder scale is acting oddly so I am in the market for a new one.

I have one of the older RCBS Chragemaster.  I kinda like it but it is super slow and only drops the correct charge weight 2 or 3 times out of 4 which slows things down even more-i typically have to add or remove 2 to 3 10ths or more when it is off.  Sometimes 5/10s.

Is the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme any better?  If the newer auto drop scales are about the same as my current one I will probably go back to a simple electronic scale.

What others have folks been happy with?

have you ever calibrated yours for faster throwing? Also the old McDonald's straw trick is a big improvement for combating over throw issues.

I do a calibration before every session - not sure how one calibrates for faster powder throws - do tell!

I put the plastic straw in the tube a year or so ago and that helped smooth things out.

Right now it throws about 15-20 times, then it pours about 1/2 a grain and freezes.  I can only get it to go again by canceling the set and restarting.  It seems to be accurate but I worry this is the beginning of the end for my current autoscale.

sorry calibrate was a poor word choice.  Should have said program. You can program them to be more efficient.  Lots of YouTube videos showing how.

But also, like most all electronics, they definitely have a shelf life. I run a 3 chargemaster setup but I try and sell and replace them at 5 years old so I never end up with electronics that don't work and are worthless. 

[raydog]

My current powder scale is acting oddly so I am in the market for a new one.

I have one of the older RCBS Chragemaster.  I kinda like it but it is super slow and only drops the correct charge weight 2 or 3 times out of 4 which slows things down even more-i typically have to add or remove 2 to 3 10ths or more when it is off.  Sometimes 5/10s.

Is the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme any better?  If the newer auto drop scales are about the same as my current one I will probably go back to a simple electronic scale.

What others have folks been happy with?

have you ever calibrated yours for faster throwing? Also the old McDonald's straw trick is a big improvement for combating over throw issues.

I do a calibration before every session - not sure how one calibrates for faster powder throws - do tell!

I put the plastic straw in the tube a year or so ago and that helped smooth things out.

Right now it throws about 15-20 times, then it pours about 1/2 a grain and freezes.  I can only get it to go again by canceling the set and restarting.  It seems to be accurate but I worry this is the beginning of the end for my current autoscale.

sorry calibrate was a poor word choice.  Should have said program. You can program them to be more efficient.  Lots of YouTube videos showing how.

But also, like most all electronics, they definitely have a shelf life. I run a 3 chargemaster setup but I try and sell and replace them at 5 years old so I never end up with electronics that don't work and are worthless.

So don't buy a used powder measure from Karl

[Karl Blanchard]

  Buy with confidence sir.  I don't sell bad stuff, I just git while the gitten is still good. 

[chukardogs]

Old McDonald's straw trick?

[jamesjett]

Love the RCBS Chargemaster….I have had mine about 10 years now and always accurate.  I would not hesitate to purchase another when/if the time comes.

[Rob]

My current powder scale is acting oddly so I am in the market for a new one.

I have one of the older RCBS Chragemaster.  I kinda like it but it is super slow and only drops the correct charge weight 2 or 3 times out of 4 which slows things down even more-i typically have to add or remove 2 to 3 10ths or more when it is off.  Sometimes 5/10s.

Is the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme any better?  If the newer auto drop scales are about the same as my current one I will probably go back to a simple electronic scale.

What others have folks been happy with?

have you ever calibrated yours for faster throwing? Also the old McDonald's straw trick is a big improvement for combating over throw issues.

I do a calibration before every session - not sure how one calibrates for faster powder throws - do tell!

I put the plastic straw in the tube a year or so ago and that helped smooth things out.

Right now it throws about 15-20 times, then it pours about 1/2 a grain and freezes.  I can only get it to go again by canceling the set and restarting.  It seems to be accurate but I worry this is the beginning of the end for my current autoscale.

sorry calibrate was a poor word choice.  Should have said program. You can program them to be more efficient.  Lots of YouTube videos showing how.

But also, like most all electronics, they definitely have a shelf life. I run a 3 chargemaster setup but I try and sell and replace them at 5 years old so I never end up with electronics that don't work and are worthless.

Interesting.  I will look into that!

[Rob]

Appreciate the feedback on the chargmasters.  I am undecided but that makes me feel better should I go that route

[Rob]

Old McDonald's straw trick?

Did that-definitally helped.

[WoolSocks]

There are three types of scales: balance beam, resistance, and electromagnetic. The question is, which one do you need?

If you want a lot of accuracy (long range shooting, PRS matches, etc), you want electromagnetic. It’s very drift resistant and crazy accurate. The 120i others have mentioned is the most affordable option out there.

Any scale less than $700 is going to be a resistance scale. The technology is prone to drift, so you’ll need to check it a lot. It won’t get you better than 1/10 grain accuracy, no matter how many digits are on the display. I use a hornady auto loader to throw charges, then check each charge with a gempro 300. Generally the anuto-loader is accurate to about +/- .2gr, and the gempro gets to about +\- .1 grain if you keep an eye on it and figure out the “technique” for using it. I find I need to re-calibrate both scales every 10-20 rounds. This process gets me an ES of about 30 fps, which is as good as it gets with any resistance scale. That’s better than factory ammo, and acceptable for shooting 600-800 yards in my book, but not good enough for PRS matches or 1000 yard shooting. It’s also kind of a PITA, but both scales ran me about $100 each so it’s the best system possible for a $200 budget.

I’ve had several balance beam scales, including the “holy grail” RCBS 304. None of them gave me better than .3gr accuracy. Others may be better at using them than I, dunno, I gave up. Will this get you 3-shot groups in one hole at 100 yards? Absolutely. Is it as good as factory ammo? Yep. Will it work for long-range or PRS? Not so much.

[Magnum_Willys]

I used to check my rcbs electronic scale with a balance beam.  Once I got the 120i I realized what a joke that was.  The balance beam is not a .02 gr tool.

[jrebel]

I have not noticed my Chargemaster Supreme drifting near as much as I noticed my older frankfurt arsenal scale.  I consistently get ES's sub 30 fps (granted these are 5-10 shot samples) and have rifles that shoot fantastic.  When loading my rifle / hunting rounds, I am usually only loading 20-50 at a time and seldom have to re-calibrate in the middle of the load process. 

I always calibrate my scale, then place my powder pan on it and make note of the weight of the powder pan.  I then zero the scale....every time I lift the pan and powder off the scale, it should read the weight of the powder pan.  If it doesn't, I dump that load back in the hopper and re-calibrate.  Again, I very seldom have to re-calibrate when loading 20-50 rounds. 

Works really well for me. 

One of these days I will upgrade to a CE products full reloading kit with the 120i, but until then the Chargemaster is great.  I will likely regret not having done it sooner....  

[Rob]

Thought I would give an update.

I went with the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme.  Yesterday I loaded up 500 rounds of 300 blackout, 20 rounds of 257 wby mag, and 200 rounds of 44 rem mag. I am very pleased.

I want to say that perhaps 3 of 720 charges came out over the target weight.  The rest were spot on.

The powder dropped fast enough that by the time I put the cartridge on the press, seated the bullet and verified the OAL the next one was ready.  My prior charge master was much slower.  I was usually able to seat and check length on 3 shells before the charge finished dropping.  And a good 30% of the drops were over or under the target weight.  So this is a massive improvement!

Highly recomend.

[jrebel]

Thought I would give an update.

I went with the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme.  Yesterday I loaded up 500 rounds of 300 blackout, 20 rounds of 257 wby mag, and 200 rounds of 44 rem mag. I am very pleased.

I want to say that perhaps 3 of 720 charges came out over the target weight.  The rest were spot on.

The powder dropped fast enough that by the time I put the cartridge on the press, seated the bullet and verified the OAL the next one was ready.  My prior charge master was much slower.  I was usually able to seat and check length on 3 shells before the charge finished dropping.  And a good 30% of the drops were over or under the target weight.  So this is a massive improvement!

Highly recomend.

Great update......I have had very good luck with mine as well.  I think others could buy with confidence.