ChargeMaster scale inconsistent

[DanMan]

My ChargeMaster electronic powder measure and scale has been a little inconsistent lately. For example a load that I use 68 grains frequently ends up 68.2 or so. I closely watch as it trickles out the last few kernels of powder and even though it stops and beeps at the programmed 68.0 grains, after flashing the round count the weight returns at something like 68.2 or so. It seems like this happens about 2 or 3 times out of 10.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Dan

 

[105Coues]

Look up the straw mod. You can also change the parameters to make it throw faster with better accuracy. Did both and it has worked wonders. There are videos on YouTube

 

[105Coues]

Better consistency. Not accuracy. Thought about how I worded that pre-coffee....

 

[JAYgs8163]

It's very common. Program load charge to stop before desired load and use a manual trickler to finish. Also make sure it's level.

 

[squawberryman]

That kinda defeats buying a 300 dollar scale.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Not if you want as precise a load you can get. Certain powders dump much differently than others. Using the RCBS manual trickler along with it makes for very precise loads. God forbid we spend a extra 10 seconds.

 

[squawberryman]

If I'm looking for 60 grains and my RCBS says 60 grains when it beeps, why do I need to trickle? Why bring God into this?

 

[Earnhardt]

If I'm looking for 60 grains and my RCBS says 60 grains when it beeps, why do I need to trickle? Why bring God into this?

Huh?..

 

[Earnhardt]

It's very common. Program load charge to stop before desired load and use a manual trickler to finish. Also make sure it's level.

x2...Buy the straw...

Or get used to "pinching" out a few cornels here and there, to drop the weight charge...

 

[rem.xp100]

Three things have given me erratic readings with all the electronic scales I have used.

One is static - get some drier towels and wipe down the pan and funnel.

Second is fluorescent lighting near the scale or overhead.

Third is cell phone. Don't even have it in the same room.

 

[wvelk huntr]

Try these, seem to remedy the issue to about 9 out of 10. But I always let it beep then check the displayed weight again and adjust if needed.

https://www.mkmachining.com/product-category/reloading-accessories/powder-tube-inserts/

 

[yogibearmech]

Helpful is the straw. I also allow mine to warm up for about 30 minutes before I every touch it. Plug it in turn on set timer. After 20 to 30 minutes calibrate. Good to go. I will turn mine on during brass prep or before actually going in to load.

 

[P7M13]

Temperature, static, electronic interference, whether or not your let it "warm up", day of the week, whether your dog was nearby or not -- so many things seem to affect these. If you're in the path of the air register blowing air on it, add that to the list.

My RCBS (gen 1) grew more inconsistent with time. On mine, you could program the weight below final setting where it would slow to trickle. Made a world of difference on long stick powders. Still, it kept becoming more inconsistent. Gave it away.
I replaced it with a Hornady LnL You could customize the dispense settings on the Hornady too, but it would lose them and return to default when you powered it off. It wasn't much better.What I absolutely *hated* about the Hornady is if it threw over, it would beep, then within a second, switch the display to the target weight. Problem was, sometimes the beep meant .3gr over, sometimes 1gr over.
I got sick of it and sold it.
Now I throw manually with an antique Belding & Mull powder drop and check it with a US Solid electronic check scale -- exact every time and with bottleneck cases, easily 2-3x faster.

 

[epoletna]

All the precautions above about outside influences are good -- neon lights, a fan in the room, fluctuation in line current, breathing on the scale. They all affect the final result. I leave mine turned on all the time, so there is no warmup time, but I still got fluctuation.

About a year ago I went to throwing charges two-tenths below and trickling up on a balance beam scale.

Just last month I bought an electronic scale off Temu on the internet. Tiny thing, and I figured it was a poor use of $6 when it arrived (yes, $6 -- shipped!) but I put the battery in and thought I'd give it a try. It turns out I get far more accurate results (based on results with check weights) than either the Chargemaster or the balance beam. Hard to believe the cheap Chinese scale could beat a balance beam, but it was consistently more accurate to about 0.2 grain. It is a lot slower, but for long range or bench rest loads, of which I only shoot less than 100 rounds at a time, I am not troubled by the few extra minutes it takes.