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Have any of you folks used the RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser? I’ve been looking at automatic dispensers for several years and I read a review the other day on the RCBS that was very positive. The author was pleased with both the accuracy and speed of the system.

My understanding was the combo’s were always pretty accurate, but the speed was a problem, it just took to long to throw a charge. One guy said he would use his powder measure to throw ~80% of the final load, and let the automatic dispenser finish the task.

But the review I read implied the speed has been increased to the point that would no longer be necessary.

I’m thinking of using it for rifle, primarily 223, 243, and 308. I have some fairly accurate rifles in those calibers that show the benefit of very accurate reloading. For my other weapons, the powder measure throws an accurate enough charge. For example, my Mini 14 really doesn’t benefit from very accurate loads .

Any advice you folks can give me would be greatly appreciated!

I have used one for my handgun loading and some rifle stuff its great for loading 223 and 308 to be used in a Semi-Auto rifle .

the only down size is its doesn't like long stick powders .



300shooter

Thanks 300!

How about speed? How much time does it take to throw 30-40 grains of powder?

For the longer extruded powders, does it jam up or chew up the powder?

it takes about 25 sec's to get 85 to 90% and another 10 to get it all.

on the long sticks its slows it way down like abut 45 sec to get to the 80%
and another 20to complete it . and it seems to be aways about 0.2+/- off
that's why I stopped using it for loading rifle rounds for accuracy.


300shooter

Thanks, sounds like I'll pass and stick with my current manual system. Based on those times, it's just as fast and it sounds more accurate then the automatic.

I have the Dillon 550 press / powder measure. I have found it to be pretty consistent. I do want my powder charge to be accurate what is everyones thoughts on this in relation to reloading Rifles for accuracy.
Thanks

jhutto wrote:I have the Dillon 550 press / powder measure. I have found it to be pretty consistent. I do want my powder charge to be accurate what is everyones thoughts on this in relation to reloading Rifles for accuracy.
Thanks

I too find the Dillon powder measures to be pretty good, along with RCBS and Lyman. But it's been my experience they are not good enough for those really accurate loads. If I'm using a ball or flake poweder, they're not bad, but the accuracy starts to slide considerably when I start using extruded powders.

When I am reloading rifle I adjust each charge to the exact target weight, ie: +/- 0.
The best I have used for extruded powders is the Redding 3BR. It's a little pricey but it I have found that when dropping Varget or Reloader 15 with it I only have to adjust 1 or 2 out of every 10. If I use a long extruded powder such as IMR 4064 then I have to adjust almost all of the drops.

Houston1944 wrote:When I am reloading rifle I adjust each charge to the exact target weight, ie: +/- 0.
The best I have used for extruded powders is the Redding 3BR. It's a little pricey but it I have found that when dropping Varget or Reloader 15 with it I only have to adjust 1 or 2 out of every 10. If I use a long extruded powder such as IMR 4064 then I have to adjust almost all of the drops.

Yea, Varget goes through the measures pretty good and I use it a lot for 223 and 243. But as you stated, go to the longer extruded powders and all bets are off on accuracy.

Thanks for the tip on the Redding 3BR. I've never used one but you feel they're better then the average RCBS or Lyman for powders like Varget? If so, maybe I'll have to give one a try!

Prior to the 3BR I was using an RCBS with standard cylinder and it was doing a very poor job with anything other than ball powders. I got my 3BR when they were around 90, I think they are running about 120 now. I do believe the 3BR was worth the extra bucks. Adjusting 2 out of 10 is wonderful compared to 10 of 10. Most of my rifle loads now use Reloader 15, 19 and Varget, all of which meter very good in the 3BR. I consider myself lucky that that these powders gave me the most accurate loads in my rifles and I now seldom load with any of the IMR powders.


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Sounds like the general consensus is that it is a nogo for large rifle charges. Bummer, I thought it would be the hot thing to simplify reloading for me.

I usually load the following:
25-06 w/ H4831
7mm-08 w/ IMR-4064
375 H&H w/ IMR-4064 (these are ~70-80 gr charges)

I'm currently using RCBS measure w/ the large cylinder and use a trickler for hunting loads to bring them within 0.1 grain. So, 300shooter, would you say that for me the auto combo would be a poor choice?

gmckinl, well I wold have to say that the way you are doing it now is the best way I have found to load rifle rounds ,I use a Harrell PREMIUM Culver and get it with in 1.5 to 2.5 grs and trickle up to my load.

I load a lot of 300 Win Mag and 458 Lott so i do a large powder dump.


as for pistol I use a Dillion 650 and it works great .

300shooter

300shooter wrote:
as for pistol I use a Dillion 650 and it works great .

300shooter

Couldn't agree more! I reload a lot of 45ACP and the 650 makes it a breeze. Kind of wonder how I got along without it all those years