New scale from frankford arsenal?

[ar10ar15man]

it has been replaced with the chargemaster lite.

maybe they learned over time...but there are lots of full size chargemasters used at short range bench rest matches...so most work well at the 0.1 range.

I have an RCBS Chargemaster and I do not trust it at all. I use it, but don't trust it, I've had it for about two years now. ONCE I get the scale set, it will drop accurately, however I cannot calibrate the scale according to the manual, it simply will not zero out in the calibration mode. I've read where there was a problem with the scales when the scales first came out, but I believe that I have one of the newer ones. Presently if I were in the market to buy an electronic press it wouldn't be the Chargemaster, and from reading these forums I know that a lot of reloaders like them.

 

[Axl]

it has been replaced with the chargemaster lite.

maybe they learned over time...but there are lots of full size chargemasters used at short range bench rest matches...so most work well at the 0.1 range.

When? I called RCBS a couple weeks ago to order a power supply for my CM 1500 and was told the "current production CM 1500 power supply was different than my older model"
They are still listed on their web site
They are new ones for sale on Midway etc.
They did disco. the 1500 scale awhile back

 

[Lrbc65]

Idk how fast the chargemaster or lite really are, but the I picked up one of the Franklin's from Cabelas the other week. It threw 25.0 grains of Varget so fast I couldn't keep up with it.

 

[Alibiiv]

Idk how fast the chargemaster or lite really are, but the I picked up one of the Franklin's from Cabelas the other week. It threw 25.0 grains of Varget so fast I couldn't keep up with it.

My Chargemaster is very slow, it takes me the same amount of time to drop loads from powder measure 1/2 a grain below my desired charge and trickle the load up to where I want to be. From everything you have written here maybe I am thinking of buying a Frankford Arsenal Intellidroper for $200.

 

[26Reload]

Running my chargemaster lite...then pouring into brass, and loading bullet.....timing is excellent...no rush to keep up.....if I put the powder to the 10/10 for a second weighing and more precise to .00 it would be much faster than me.....all depends on loading procedure...
Tweek your method to the time available between powder drops....

 

[Lrbc65]

My Chargemaster is very slow, it takes me the same amount of time to drop loads from powder measure 1/2 a grain below my desired charge and trickle the load up to where I want to be. From everything you have written here maybe I am thinking of buying a Frankford Arsenal Intellidroper for $200.

The app is really cool too. It helps to store all load data without writing anything down, group size and a picture, velo, atm conditions can all be filled out.

Worked some creedmoor last night, 40.3 grains of 4350 in less than 20 seconds

 

[whirlwindjml]

Saw the frankford has a new press out too. The patent on the forester must have expired.

Product #: 835282 midway

 

[newmexkid]

Saw the frankford has a new press out too. The patent on the forester must have expired.

Product #: 835282 midway

Check out the date on this!! Oops. Won't let me post the picture of a Frankford Arsenal press from 1886!

 

[cajun]

A&D FX 300i with Auto throw and Auto trickler.

This right here. I've tried a bunch of the cheaper electronic scales. They are all strain gauges and will drift. They may be .10 accurate but if it's +-.1 then your looking at .2 before you factor in the drift. The magnetic force balance is the way to go. Otherwise throw ball,sperical powders and you'll be .1 range or throw short and trickle on a balance beam for extruded powders.

 

[ar10ar15man]

well it is is great scale BUT
IT IS NOT IN THE AREA OF THIS DISCUSSION.
the fx120i works well for a lot less but is is still way outside the
$200 window that is being discussed.

This right here. I've tried a bunch of the cheaper electronic scales. They are all strain gauges and will drift. They may be .10 accurate but if it's +-.1 then your looking at .2 before you factor in the drift. The magnetic force balance is the way to go. Otherwise throw ball,sperical powders and you'll be .1 range or throw short and trickle on a balance beam for extruded powders.

 

[cajun]

The point is unless you want to spend big bucks on a mfr scale your wasting your money. A $200 strain gauge is still a strain gauge and subject to all the issues the cheaper ones have.

 

[ar10ar15man]

wrong.
i have the chargemaster lite( i also have a fx120i to test it with)
it is a steal for the money.
like all tools it is up to the user to get the best out of them.
while your basic statement about strain gauges is true it appears technology is catching up.
tests on my lite shows good results.
not excellent with large powders, but it will tell you when it fails.

big bucks was not the object of this discussion

The point is unless you want to spend big bucks on a mfr scale your wasting your money. A $200 strain gauge is still a strain gauge and subject to all the issues the cheaper ones have.

 

[cajun]

The object of the discussion is what is the opinion of this scale. My opinion is all the electronic scales in this price range are not worth the money because they all use the same technology. It is an opinion the op needs to hear.

 

[Dean2]

I have an RCBS Chargemaster and I do not trust it at all. I use it, but don't trust it, I've had it for about two years now. ONCE I get the scale set, it will drop accurately, however I cannot calibrate the scale according to the manual, it simply will not zero out in the calibration mode. I've read where there was a problem with the scales when the scales first came out, but I believe that I have one of the newer ones. Presently if I were in the market to buy an electronic press it wouldn't be the Chargemaster, and from reading these forums I know that a lot of reloaders like them.

The scale is defective. Send it back to RCBS and get them to fix it. I cannot believe people put up with these kinds of isssues and just think it is normal.

To the OP., I tried all of the auto dispenser models but not the one you are looking at. I can throw charges with a powder thrower much faster and just about as accurately. For longer granule powder I throw onto a manual scale and trickle the rest, accurate and just as fast. I however charge all cases then seat, if I charged then seated each case the auto thrower would work fine because it will throw the next charge while you seat the last one. Of the ones I tried the one I liked best was the Lyman, but I eventually sold it, the RCBS and the Hornady because I never used them.