powder measure options for match loads

[Exodus343]

Should I save up for a RCBS Charge master?

or get a RCBS 750 range master scale and use a powder trickle??

what are the advantages and disadvantages for both?
discuss!

[BigBronco]

While a 750 and a trickler will do the job the Charge will speed things up a bit as you can seat your bullet while the next charge is measuring out. It also has memory so you can program your favorite loads into memory and recall for different calibers of bullet weights.
It is also a great Ooh Ah to other reloaders.

[milotrain]

It depends on what sort of accuracy you are trying to get to and what powder you are using. I can be within .08gr with 8208 and my Dillon powder measure. I can be easily as close with short grain powder in my cheep lee perfect powder measure. Long stick like varget have more trouble and may need to be weighed individually.

A number of benchrest shooters don't weigh charges, they just throw from a harrells.

[milotrain]

It depends on what sort of accuracy you are trying to get to and what powder you are using. I can be within .08gr with 8208 and my Dillon powder measure. I can be easily as close with short grain powder in my cheep lee perfect powder measure. Long stick like varget have more trouble and may need to be weighed individually.

A number of benchrest shooters don't weigh charges, they just throw from a harrells.

[ExtremeX]

Personally I would go straight for the Charge Master…

I don’t do a very large volume per session when loading match ammo… and I trickle into a beam scale but don’t really mind it. Actually kind of enjoy it at times in smaller batches.

I wouldn’t get a 750 to essentially do the same thing… might as well go all the way and get the Charge Master; it would be a nice luxury item on the bench.

I can’t see it throwing a better charge than I am doing now, but I’m sure I would be able to make a lot more ammo in the time I have.

[Exodus343]

I'll be using Varget and IMR 4064/4895 powders

will the Chargemaster throw consistently?

[ExtremeX]

I don’t think it really matters what type of powder you will be using… the system isn’t based on volume like a powder thrower; it trickles the charge and goes by weight.

Lots of people love the system, but IMO it’s a luxury item, one I wouldn’t mind owning. Since I don’t have much firsthand experience with it, can’t tell you for sure if it’s actually going to be a better job than sitting in front of a beam scale and getting it right every single time, but I can see it doing a better job than throwing straight out of powder thrower like a Hornady or RCBS Uniflow.

I think it’s also dependent on how fast you ask the system to throw the charge… which I understand is adjustable.

[Raralith]

I'll be using Varget and IMR 4064/4895 powders

will the Chargemaster throw consistently?

The Charge Master doesn't throw, it pours until it is within a grain or so, and starts to trickle until you get the exact amount. Throwing on the other hand is "calibrated," but doesn't guarantee an exact amount.

My only recommendation is based off of how anal you get, whether you are happy with your current setup, and if you don't mind forking out the $300+ for the speed and convenience of a Chargemaster. If what you are doing is not good enough, you want to do it easily, and you have the money, get the Chargemaster. If you are happy now or can do it more slowly, save the dough.

[deac777]

I'll be using Varget and IMR 4064/4895 powders

will the Chargemaster throw consistently?

Yes, I use my Chargemaster for the three powders you listed and it works great. Make sure you do the McDonalds straw modification.

[Enfield47]

I used a friend's chargemaster with IMR 4064 and it was trickling the powder pretty accurately most of the time. Once it's done though, wait for the second weight reading to appear. That day the powder was clinging together a bit so the last trickle would sometimes drop several granuals at once and the charge would be overweight. I just dumped it back in the hopper and let it trickle another charge. We loaded up 50 rounds in pretty short order and it was much easier than dipping and trickling like I usually do.

As ExtremeX said, it is a luxury item that isn't necessary but it was ever so sweet to use. Natchez has them on sale now for $289.

[Exodus343]

thanks for all the input guys, I plan on saving for one for around the holiday season

I just barely got my 308 bolt gun set up (waiting for a stockpack to finish up the project) and just started taking my reloading religiously

right now I'm using a generic electronic scale and weighing each charge using the powder scoop LEE dies come with and trickling with my index finger tapping on the scoop LOL

[ExtremeX]

right now I'm using a generic electronic scale and weighing each charge using the powder scoop LEE dies come with and trickling with my index finger tapping on the scoop LOL

Honestly a nice beam scale like an RCBS 505 and a powder trickler is a lot nicer than people give it credit for.

I generally throw just a little short with my RCBS Uniflow, throw it on the scale, and just trickle the rest until I hit my mark.

Its still pretty quick, and very accurate way of going about it, and prefer it over using a digital for a hand trickle since it gets a little finicky when trying to distinguish adding so little at a time.

[LynnJr]

Prometheus

[ExtremeX]

[Exodus343]

looks like a nice set up, but I really prefer digital scales

sorry lol my generation is the ADD generation