My test of the RCBS Chargemaster Lite

[jackie schmidt]

I was setting up to preload for Sunday’s VFS Match in Lake Charles this Sunday, and thought I would take the time to test the Chargemaster Lite.

I set my Denver Instruments TP-153 up and calibrated it. I did the same with my CM Lite.

I set the CM Lite to throw 35.0 grns of 4198. I then proceeded to throw 50 charges, letting the CM Lite stabilize each time, then transferring the charge to the TP-153. Here are the results.

Now, I am taking for granted that the TP-153 is way past accurate for match loading, so I am assuming it is correct.

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22128&stc=1&d=1552696963

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22129&stc=1&d=1552697040

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22130&stc=1&d=1552697097

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22131&stc=1&d=1552697183

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22132&stc=1&d=1552697232

I compared the weight of a BIB 112 on each, within .02 grn.

It looks like the 50 charges had a spread of 34.96 grn to one charge of 35.03. That’s .07 grn., less than a “tenth”.

 

[jackie schmidt]

I also checked the calibration weights furnished with lite. The 50 gram weight in grns is 771.618

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22133&stc=1&d=1552698088

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22134&stc=1&d=1552698132

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22135&stc=1&d=1552698435

My final thoughts is the CM Lite is pretty darned accurate for match loading, certainly more accurate than any of my various Powder Throwers. It just takes more time, and you have to follow the directions.

 

[alinwa]

wow....

that is MUCH better than I've ever gotten using H322, VV133, 4198, H4350, RL17, Retumbo, 4831SC,

like by a factor if 10!

Thank You for this test.....

 

[retired]

i told ya....

I was setting up to preload for Sunday’s VFS Match in Lake Charles this Sunday, and thought I would take the time to test the Chargemaster Lite.

I set my Denver Instruments TP-153 up and calibrated it. I did the same with my CM Lite.

I set the CM Lite to throw 35.0 grns of 4198. I then proceeded to throw 50 charges, letting the CM Lite stabilize each time, then transferring the charge to the TP-153. Here are the results.

Now, I am taking for granted that the TP-153 is way past accurate for match loading, so I am assuming it is correct.

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22128&stc=1&d=1552696963

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22129&stc=1&d=1552697040

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22130&stc=1&d=1552697097

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22131&stc=1&d=1552697183

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22132&stc=1&d=1552697232

I compared the weight of a BIB 112 on each, within .02 grn.

It looks like the 50 charges had a spread of 34.96 grn to one charge of 35.03. That’s .07 grn., less than a “tenth”.

 

[Kyle Schultz]

I did a similar test 1 month ago

Results not as good. See attached chart.

 

[jackie schmidt]

Results not as good. See attached chart.

Kyle, that is almost a .2 spread. Which is still better than what most can throw with a by volume thrower.

The best I could ever hope for with any of my various powder throwers was +-.2. That is a .4 spread.

Of course, the old question still is, in short range BR, what is good enough. I shot some pretty darned good aggs back in the 2000's with nothing but a Hensler Powder Thrower.

As your chart shows, your spread is ruined by a couple of high and low weights. But even that is less than .2 grn. The problem we always had with volume throwers was what if right in the middle of a great Agg we suddenly got a Charge that was way off. We have no way of telling.

Or then, maybe it didn't even make a difference.

 

[Kyle Schultz]

Kyle, that is almost a .2 spread. Which is still better than what most can throw with a by volume thrower.

The best I could ever hope for with any of my various powder throwers was +-.2. That is a .4 spread.

Of course, the old question still is, in short range BR, what is good enough. I shot some pretty darned good aggs back in the 2000's with nothing but a Hensler Powder Thrower.

As your chart shows, your spread is ruined by a couple of high and low weights. But even that is less than .2 grn. The problem we always had with volume throwers was what if right in the middle of a great Agg we suddenly got a Charge that was way off. We have no way of telling.

Or then, maybe it didn't even make a difference.

Oh I agree 100%. My CM Lite performance is consistent with my expectations for a relatively cheap dispenser and scale. +/- 0.1 grs. A similar chart showing thrown N133, however, is pretty ugly. And this is in a controlled, household environment.

My complaint about the CM Lite is not its precision but rather that it is slow and messy when used in the field. If I'm trying to load anywhere near the firing line, the percussion from the other rifles causes kernels to drip out. Constantly blowing them off the platen with canned air.

Now that I have an Ezell tuner on my 6 PPC now, I'm going to try pre-weighed charges stored in glass vials. Some very accomplished shooters like Durward Wofford are using that strategy.

Good luck to us all!

 

[retired]

may i suggest you check your cal weights.
both of mine were off so when "calibrated" the scale was actually off..
jackie's weigthts were right on.
and then retest and let us know how it goes.

Results not as good. See attached chart.

 

[alinwa]

may i suggest you check your cal weights.
both of mine were off so when "calibrated" the scale was actually off..
jackie's weigthts were right on.
and then retest and let us know how it goes.

Please explain how "calibration being off" can affect consistency of drops.

 

[NezRongero]

For my CM I turned down a 22 barrel drop and inserted in the tube dispenser. The end that went inside was center drill cut to facilitate easier flow, the other end has a lip against the old tube. I think with the reduced ID and coupled with rifling, unintended drops were eliminated, no overcharge.

 

[retired]

not sure on the consistency, but the actual weight.
my tests on the other forum improved when my cal weights were "correct".
if the reading is off by .7 it is really hard to get plus or minus .1

Please explain how "calibration being off" can affect consistency of drops.

 

[alinwa]

For my CM I turned down a 22 barrel drop and inserted in the tube dispenser. The end that went inside was center drill cut to facilitate easier flow, the other end has a lip against the old tube. I think with the reduced ID and coupled with rifling, unintended drops were eliminated, no overcharge.

I thought I'd tried 'em all.

I was wrong

thanks

 

[alinwa]

not sure on the consistency, but the actual weight.
my tests on the other forum improved when my cal weights were "correct".
if the reading is off by .7 it is really hard to get plus or minus .1

So the feedback loop might "work better" if the weight is "correct"??

I've never found any problem with the feedback trickler on my CM....... just every now and then the falling kernel pulls some more with it. I can't imagine it getting better no matter what's done to it, it works fine just varies by 6-8 kernels with the occasional huge landslide throwing 'way over....

I'll try the Neztrick.... and maybe buy a Lite to find out if the trickling feature has been modified somehow.

 

[jackie schmidt]

Al, I am not real sure if the calibration is performed so that the scale will throw consistent charges, or if it is performed so it will throw an accurate weight. I suspect it is the latter.

As you can see in my first post, my weights are pretty close, and the scale on the CM Lite coincided with the actual weight as verified by the Denver TP-153.

The 112 Bullet I weighed was pretty darned close on both scales as well.

I don't know what more I can do. The CM lite has a resolution of .1 grn. The TP-153 goes to .01, and is arguably a much better scale as far as ascertaining the actual weight of something.

I guess we can argue about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but all I can say is the CM Lite is a fairly accurate scale/thrower that if used properly will give good results.

Maybe the real argument is the definition of "good results".

 

[alinwa]

Al, I am not real sure if the calibration is performed so that the scale will throw consistent charges, or if it is performed so it will throw an accurate weight. I suspect it is the latter.

As you can see in my first post, my weights are pretty close, and the scale on the CM Lite coincided with the actual weight as verified by the Denver TP-153.

The 112 Bullet I weighed was pretty darned close on both scales as well.

I don't know what more I can do. The CM lite has a resolution of .1 grn. The TP-153 goes to .01, and is arguably a much better scale as far as ascertaining the actual weight of something.

I guess we can argue about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but all I can say is the CM Lite is a fairly accurate scale/thrower that if used properly will give good results.

Maybe the real argument is the definition of "good results".

This definition agrees with how I view the original chargemaster....... I use it, a lot..... I've just never gotten the results you posted in OP.

I'm not arguing, just commenting.