Scales & Powder Measures

[stinsonbeach]

I'm probably gonna' get booted from here, but maybe I can get some info before the mods "find out"!

I wanted to put this into the XBR guy's section, so here I am.

If anyone knows answers to this, it's you!

I need to buy a serious scale & powder measure.

I do NOT have a progressive - everything done x hand.

I hear all kind of "stuff" about how they - scales & pwd. measures - don't hold up, become inaccurate, etc.

I want to buy it once & use it for the duration.

I don't have the money to buy one every couple of years.

Redding? RCBS? Hornady? Other?

Recommendations & info, please.

Thanks.

-jb

[BayouSlide]

Loading 50 or more rifle rounds is much less painful since I picked up a RCBS ChargeMaster Powder 1500 Scale/Dispenser Combo. Extremely happy with it. It automatically trickles to a set weight, but will warn you if it goes over. No problems thus far and programming tweaks are available (check snipershide.com) to adjust flow rate, etc.

Curtis

[stinsonbeach]

Loading 50 or more rifle rounds is much less painful since I picked up a RCBS ChargeMaster Powder 1500 Scale/Dispenser Combo. Extremely happy with it. It automatically trickles to a set weight, but will warn you if it goes over. No problems thus far and programming tweaks are available (check snipershide.com) to adjust flow rate, etc.

Curtis

That, in fact, was what I was thinking about.

Few questions:

- how long've you had it?

- does it have real keys or those membrane things?

- I just saw it on sale for $280 - good price?

Any other info appreciated.

Thanks.

-jb

Edited November 14, 2010 by stinsonbeach

[BayouSlide]

• Had it now or a few months...loaded a couple hundred .308s on it. My buddy's been running one for nearly a year. No problems with either.

• Membrane type keys, but with decent feel/feedback.

• Good price: you may also still be able to get a rebate from RCBS...they've been offering rebates off and on this year.

I coveted this thing since my buddy got one. I load .308 on a single stage press and would buy another one in a heartbeat if anything happened to it...tedious does not adequately describe trickling the last few grains of powder for 50+ rounds of .308 by hand onto my Dillon electronic scale. Like the fact that if my Dillon ever goes goes belly up, I can utilize the scale portion of the RCBS to check pistol rounds as well.

If you get one, check out the mods mentioned on snipershide.com. Using a McDonald's straw in the powder tube allows the powder to trickle more consistently. Reprogramming the speed parameters allow you to tweak it for how you like to roll.

Curtis

[stinsonbeach]

• Had it now or a few months...loaded a couple hundred .308s on it. My buddy's been running one for nearly a year. No problems with either.

• Membrane type keys, but with decent feel/feedback.

• Good price: you may also still be able to get a rebate from RCBS...they've been offering rebates off and on this year.

I coveted this thing since my buddy got one. I load .308 on a single stage press and would buy another one in a heartbeat if anything happened to it...tedious does not adequately describe trickling the last few grains of powder for 50+ rounds of .308 by hand onto my Dillon electronic scale. Like the fact that if my Dillon ever goes goes belly up, I can utilize the scale portion of the RCBS to check pistol rounds as well.

If you get one, check out the mods mentioned on snipershide.com. Using a McDonald's straw in the powder tube allows the powder to trickle more consistently. Reprogramming the speed parameters allow you to tweak it for how you like to roll.

Curtis

I'm this // close...

I can get one for $280 w/ scale; $180 w/o.

Wha'do'ya'think?

-jb

[Bullzeye]

Just get one Curt. Buy once, cry once. Its a great machine.

[stinsonbeach]

Just get one Curt. Buy once, cry once. Its a great machine.

I don't know about "Curt", but I think I will get it.

Only problem is I really don't have enough info yet.

-jb

[Bill M]

I have the Hornady Auto Charge. I used to have the RCBS charge master. The Chargemaster work great up until the fire, my house not the machine. I got the Hornady simply because of price and it works. If you want the absolute best talk to Brand Cole and get a Prometheus it is faster and more accurate. The only drawback to the Prometheus, other than price, is you'll have to know which powders you'll be using and get the proper feed plates.

[Tom Freeman]

If you want the absolute best talk to Brand Cole and get a Prometheus it is faster and more accurate. The only drawback to the Prometheus, other than price, is you'll have to know which powders you'll be using and get the proper feed plates.

The other drawback is you do not "buy" a Prometheus, you lease it.

A simply awesome machine.

[427Cobra]

I wish I had a Gen2 but this will work until then

Edited December 26, 2010 by 427Cobra