RCBS DIGITAL SCALE/DISPENSER USERS--MEETING PLEASE

[Citadelgrad87]

I got this thing after lusting for several years. My main reloading beef is it takes too long to throw and weigh every charge, so this seemed like a speedy way to get it done.

I know stick powder is not ideal for suh a measure, but I've got 7.99 lbs of 4064, so that's what I'm using.

THis thing throws over on every charge. Seriously, I get the desired weight about 1 for 5-6 throws, everything else is a mix of about 2/3 being .1-.2 over, the remainder even more over, and about 1 of 10 is a whole gr over.

I spent an hour last night and only got 20 useable throws. I finally reset the machine to throw .5 UNDER, then I used the trickle button to finish it.

It's calibrated correctly according to the instr, it's warmed up, and I close the cover for every throw.

ANyone else have any tips for this maddening problem?

[halifax]

Wow, I sometimes get 0.1 over at ~50gr but nothing like you're experiencing. Yes, stick powder is harder to weigh but something ain't right. Is it plugged-in to a surge protector/line-filter? If not, maybe try that. Drop the wind-shield unless you really need it.

[What Just Happened?]

I get some +/- 1.0 grn fluctuations on the readings of my electronic scale for my 4.2 grn measures. I should try the surge protector thing.

[xrMike]

I can't speak to the stick powder issue, I use only ball with mine, but I've never had any problem like that either. Mine is dead-on, all the time.

I was going to suggest the use of a line conditioner device too. Not a surge protector -- those only prevent spikes -- but an actual line conditioner that protects against spikes AND dips (basically, a voltage regulator).

I have one made by APC (http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=67, the LE600, you can find the lowest cost from pricegrabber.com).

I also turn the conditioner and scale on for at least an hour before I use it, to let everything warm up and stabilize.

[MrNiceGuy]

Try doing a test in a "controlled environment" all scientific-ish like.
Atmospheric pressure, electro-magnetic interference, your dog humping the leg of the table, etc can all affect a piece of sensitive equipment.

I'd take the measure and put it smack dab in the middle of my back yard in a big box where no wind can get to it, away from all things radio/cell/electric/etc and throw some charges to see if it'll throw some more accurate charges.

If it does, then figure out what in the environment is messing it up.
If it doesn't, well......no comment....:P

[Citadelgrad87]

Wow, I sometimes get 0.1 over at ~50gr but nothing like you're experiencing. Yes, stick powder is harder to weigh but something ain't right. Is it plugged-in to a surge protector/line-filter? If not, maybe try that. Drop the wind-shield unless you really need it.

I should mention that I am only throwing 25.5 gr, for 204 Ruger. Maybe the fact that the charge is so small, I'm getting a larger margin of error?

[halifax]

I should mention that I am only throwing 25.5 gr, for 204 Ruger. Maybe the fact that the charge is so small, I'm getting a larger margin of error?

Even at 11gr on my 30 carbine reloads, it's still 0.1 at worst.

[Army GI]

You might want to try running a full hopper of powder through the machine first to disperse any static. Dispensers tend to throw progressively heavier charges if their insides haven't been discharged of electricity and coated with powder.

[Pthfndr]

Are you using a Chargemaster 1500? If so, read this thread. The fix is simple and works wonders.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/6mmbr/vpost?id=2243435&trail=8

All I use is stick powders and after doing this it rarely throws over.

As fas as static goes. Do the full hopper thing. But first wipe the inside and outside with one of those Swiffer dust cloths.

[Gappmast]

If it seem to be to slow call RCBS. Have the unit in front of you and turned on they will help you make changes in the program to speed it up.

Dave

[BallisticTech]

I use the Lyman 1200 powder dispenser. It works well as long as the surrounding temperature is constant. If it's not, then it will vary as much as
.2 grains.

From what I have heard, the RCBS is better (less effected by temp changes).