New RCBS Uniflo corrosion

[ADKWOODSMAN]

I am a die hard RCBS user. However my latest little dandy rotors have a new finish and they tend to lightly rust. I noticed the same type of finish on my Remington 750 35 Whelen bolt. I must watch that like a hawk even after cleaning as a light rust forms.

 

[modlaw]

I was thinking today. Am I going to have to take the Uniflow apart ever couple of weeks to check on this corrosion? My answer to myself was, no. I am going to order a new RCBS Chargemaster 1500 and never look back. There is no cast metal inside a chargemaster. When I get the replacement parts from RCBS, I will sell it on Gunbroker as 'like new.' Problem solved.

 

[rcmodel]

It isn't a problem.

Nobody on THR had ever seen anything like it with any brand of powder measure.
I have some over 50 years old with no corrosion yet.

RCBS explained to you it was a pretty rare casting flaw with trapped casting mold sand that caused it.

What more do you expect?

You are much more likely to have problems in the foreseeable future with a 'consumer electronics' digital powder measure that craps out every few years.

rc

 

[GW Staar]

It isn't a problem.

Nobody on THR had ever seen anything like it with any brand of powder measure.
I have some over 50 years old with no corrosion yet.

RCBS explained to you it was a pretty rare casting flaw with trapped casting mold sand that caused it.

What more do you expect?

You are much more likely to have problems in the foreseeable future with a 'consumer electronics' digital powder measure that craps out every few years.

rc

Exactly! Somebody is going to get a steal. Brand new Uniflow! Most powders throw as accurate and repeatable as the scale....the exception being Varget and a few others with similar kernal shapes. The wax and a baffle will do wonders for those as well.

 

[cfullgraf]

I was thinking today. Am I going to have to take the Uniflow apart ever couple of weeks to check on this corrosion? My answer to myself was, no. I am going to order a new RCBS Chargemaster 1500 and never look back. There is no cast metal inside a chargemaster. When I get the replacement parts from RCBS, I will sell it on Gunbroker as 'like new.' Problem solved.

Buy the Chargemaster if you want but I would keep the Uniflow. Who am I to recommend not buying another powder measure as I have 11 different powder measures including a Pact electronic. I also have two Uniflows, 34 and 2 years old.

Except for changing the metering cavity, I never disassemble my powder measures.

The Pact is the only powder measure that I have that has required replacement parts, the scale quit. Not a cheap repair.

Current manufacture RCBS Chargemasters may be ore robust than my aging Pact, but the load cell in the scale is still a definite weak point. Not to mention buttons wearing out due to repeated use.

I find the electronic powder measures are too slow for me. The electronic is useful for working up loads as it is quick to re-adjust to a new charge, just punch a few buttons. But of late, I have been using a Harrell Precision Custom 90 with its click adjustment in the metering cavity when adjusting powder for new loads.

Casting sand is not corrosion, it is a result of poor manufacturing. It is a rarity as both THR members and RCBS rarely, if ever, have seen the problem.

When you get the new parts or measure from RCBS, look inside and it will be pristine.

Don't worry, be happy.

 

[modlaw]

Exactly! Somebody is going to get a steal. Brand new Uniflow! Most powders throw as accurate and repeatable as the scale....the exception being Varget and a few others with similar kernal shapes. The wax and a baffle will do wonders for those as well.

Maybe so, but I find comfort in pressing buttons, seeing numerals on an LCD screen and hearing beeps. To date, I have been triple weighing my charges. 1) Throw the powder (which is always off, maybe because of the corrosion); 2) weigh it on my little electronic scale, and; 3) check every third one on the 505. Three operations cut to one. I like order and precision.

 

[Rule3]

The electronic version only has a 1 year warranty. It's electric. It will fail at some time. My Uniflow is over 20 years old. Still under warranty.

 

[modlaw]

Just received Chargemaster 1500 today

It works great. My son-in-law came over and we loaded his 50 rds of 308 as fast as we could dump the powder in the brass. Technology is great when it works, so I will keep the Uniflow for emergencies.

 

[modlaw]

Last update and disappointment

Ok, I received my replacement parts from RCBS yesterday. I was happy because I was going to take the Uniflow to Florida for the winter as I did not want to buy a second Chargemaster. I noticed the plastic hopper was slightly ajar so I rapped it on a piece of wood to properly seat. To my surprise, flakes of rush/corrosion fell out on my bench. I examined the new unit and noticed it had obviously been used. There were powder stains on the upper cast area just below the plastic hopper. With a flashlight, I noticed the same type of corrosion in the lower area that had occurred in my original, only not quite as bad. I don't know what to think. I am new to this hobby. I do know that I don't want this crap in my powder flow. Would the folks that are using a Uniflow please tell me if the inside of their unit is still slick and green? Am I being anal about this? My first thought is that there is something systemic going on with the Uniflow. I will gladly accept flaming if it helps me learn.

 

[JohnM]

Too weird! We definately need some comments from recent Uniflow buyers.
Around here where I live the Uniflow is by far the most common measure, everybody has at least one.
I've never heard of such things happening.