RCBS Chargemaster Lite accuracy?

[dc9mm]

I reload rifle. Mostly 223 rem. I have been using my RCBS balance beam that I bought 30 years ago. ( i used to reload handgun years ago, still had scale)
I decided to try something NEW> The RCBS Chargemast Lite. Now I was using Varget powder loading 26.1 grains . I was checking every powder drop with my balance beam. After about 20 rounds I noticed my balance beam showed the charge was light. I re-calibrated and chargemaster and was back to correct. But after another 5 drops again it was light. NOT by much about 3 to 4 kernels of Varget. I didn't re-way on balance beam just tricked by hand 3 to four kernels to bring it to line up on balance beam. BUT did recheck on Chargmaster AFTER I dropped 3 to 4 kernelswhich still said 26.1 .

So I could see that it was off on balance beam by 3 to 4 kernels BUT not on the Chargemaster. Am I expecting too much from this. I thought these new electronic scales were supposed to be BETTER. Deciding if I will return it or not.

What I was doing for power measure was to use the lee auto drum powder dump, then check every dump which the Lee drum got about 1/3 of drops right on, then I would hand drop a few kernels to get it right on balance beam.

 

[AJC1]

The lite I dont believe is as accurate as the 1500. The newest version is supposed to be more accurate for way more money. If its within .2 I believe it meets their standards. Charges will almost always be on the lite side for saftey reasons. The lyman is reviewed at being worse. The fx scale and trickle system is good to something insane like .02 grains and runs 850 ish. I dont know if your loading to a node and or how wide your node is, to provide more information.

 

[Skgreen]

Mine works best after I let it warm up for 30 min w/1 weight on it.
Everyone has different shooting skills, but mine aren't good enough to notice 3 or 4 kernels.
As always, YMMV

 

[Blue68f100]

3-4 kernels = ~0.1 gr with Varget. How long did you have the scales on before you started using it. I have the 1500 CM and I have mine on for at a min of 30 min before I start. If I know I will be using it, a lot of times I will turn it on the day before. Otherwise the zero has a tendency to drift. I always watch where the tare goes too before the pan it placed back on. You can pick up the drift by that. The scales only have a ± 0.1gr accuracy so your within specs of the scales.

 

[rg1]

When I got my Chargemaster Lite I compared every charge on a Gempro 250 and a Pact Precision just to gain confidence with the Lite. On my Pact if the charge weighed for instance 6.0 grains it showed the same on the Pact. On the Gempro 250 which weighs to the second decimal if a 6.0 grain on the Lite it always showed minus .02 to a maximum of 6.04 grains. So less than a tenth grain variation. Let it warm up for a good time and use check weights then watch the numbers when the pan and powder are removed. Mine doesn't drift but I keep an eye on it. Pleased with mine.

 

[LiveLife]

For verifying accuracy with any scale, I highly recommend use of check weights.

$12 aluminum check weights that will go down to 10 mg (.15 gr) - https://www.amazon.com/Bekith-Preci...+calibration+weight+set&qid=1580746989&sr=8-2

$72 Ohaus ASTM Class 6 stainless steel check weights that will go down to 1 mg (.015 gr) - https://www.zoro.com/ohaus-weight-k..._medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed

 

[dc9mm]

I did let the scale warm up about 40 minutes. The first time I did redo this test this time I left the scale on over night. It was better. No drifting after loading 40 rounds. Iam slow so 40 rounds takes me a while. I did get one over throw the scale showed at 26.2 and i measured on balance beam clearly over. Then I did get 2 drops that said 26.1 of varget but needed 3 kernels more according to my balance beam. I then put that back on chargemaster still showed 26.1 . Chargemaster couldn't see the difference with 3 kernels added. Now with my Balance beam I see 1/10 a grain as 6 kernels of varget. The beam scale can see down to 2 kernels. If I put one kernel on balance beam I cant see any movement but 2 kernels will just slightly move the pointer on balance beam. Its a RCBS 502. I did read online else were guys saying they just leave the chargemaster on all the time. Not sure if that would prematurely wear it out? But I will just leave it on over night if I know iam loading the next day. Seems harmless enough. So after another 40 rounds iam satisfied with the results and will keep it. Thanks for everyone's input. If I want better I need to spend the big bucks. I just have to check each load on balance beam BUT since most were dead on its pretty quick.

Oh I do have check weights from Lyman. the chargemaster did agree with those check weights, that was the first thing I did with the scale before trying to drop powder. These https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012866166

 

[scissorhands]

I just upgraded from my trusty 505 beam scale to the charge master lite. Wouldn't you know it, my beam scale has been reading light by 2-3gn. all this time.

 

[AJC1]

I just upgraded from my trusty 505 beam scale to the charge master lite. Wouldn't you know it, my beam scale has been reading light by 2-3gn. all this time.

Check weights work on all scales

 

[Laphroaig]

I started using a new chargemaster lite a couple of months ago. I've only used mine for 2 batches of ammo, but the throws I've checked with a Gempro 250 have all been right on. My only complaint is that it is sooooo slow. But I'll take that for the consistency it gives me.

I've found electronic scales to be sensitive to environmental factors, like fluorescent lights and other magnetic fields. Cooler temperatures can also affect the load cell. In addition, I have a RCBS 10-10 beam scale that I can't trust anymore. Its about 40 years old and I think the bearings are worn or something.

So yes, let the chargemaster warm up and use your check weights to confirm what your scales are telling you.

 

[dc9mm]

I have heard a lot about Gempro 250 BUT they dont seem to make it anymore. I wouldn't mind another digital scale to confirm. BUT would wat better than 1/10 a grain accuracy Only ones i could find are $500 or more for that much might as well get the RCBS Matchmaster The beam scale works pretty good as I can see 3 kernels of varget which I calculate at 1/2 of 1./10 a grain. Just for fun I had the chargemaster throw 1 grain charges them confirmed those on balance beam then counted the kernels. I got 61, 60, 63 for three throws so average of 61 kernels per 1 grain of varget so 1/10 would be about 6 kernels so when the scale is off by 3 kernels its 1/2 of 1/10 a grain. that's pretty darn close. So from what I see it needs to warm up much longer than 20 minutes.

 

[Aannddrreeww]

My chargemaster lite consistently throws light charges too. I'm going to just leave it on and see if that helps.