electronic powder measurers

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  • Last Post 04 November 2022
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Ross Smith posted this 01 November 2022

I bought an RCBS chargemaster.At first I really liked it but now I am having some questions about its .1 grain accuracy. First, how do you warm up the contraption when it shuts its self off all the time? And yes it does wander a couple 10ths. My old rcbs powder measure is more constant. This is checked against my balance beam scale. Also isn't -.1 to +.1 grains an accuracy of .2 grains not .1?

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David Reiss posted this 01 November 2022

I have read all about warming them up for 30 minutes, keeping them away from fluorescent lights and using regulated linear power supplies, but for me that are not needed. I purchased my first electronic powder measure this year, the Frankford Arsenal unit. It works from the minute I turn it on using the supplied power cord. I do have LED lighting and not fluorescent, so I can't speak to that. 

I have checked it many times with two balance beam scales and it is always accurate to within .1 grain. 

Mine also doesn't shut off unless I do ir, so I also don't know of how yours works. 

Just my 2 cents for what's it worth.

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
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Eutectic posted this 01 November 2022

With any kind of electronic wizardry, you MUST have a physical standard. The standard should be checked before use and after each run or a set time. 

My RCBS electronic balance has been accurate and dependable for years. The weight standard set is right next to it. It does not wander even 0.1 grain. Yours may be faulty.

Yes 0.1 grain accuracy is + or -  0.05.

My Mitutoyo electronic caliper worked perfectly for 4 years. Last week it said the standard was 0.003 larger. I tried again, same result. Put in a fresh battery, which was not indicated as needed. Same result, it is toast.

Trust but verify.

Steve

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Wm Cook posted this 01 November 2022

Same opinion as others. I’ve had my RCBS for a bunch of years and use it for powder dispensing and weighing bullets. All sessions are periodically cross checked with the provided standard weights and with weights previously weighed. I’m comfortable enough with it that I can tell if the bullet I’m weighing is in that twilight zone of 212.45 and 212.55. No it will not weigh to the hundredths but mine holds to the nearest tenth.

For range work I’ve tried at least 4 >$70 electronic scales and my experience is that they are true junk. They’ll drift within as few as 4/5 weights.

But anyone can produce a bad product so I’d give them a call. Still not sure about it shutting down on itself. Good luck, Bill.

A “Measured Response” is as effective as tongue lashing a stuck door.

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Ross Smith posted this 01 November 2022

The shutting down might be in accurate. It goes to sleep like your computer does if not in actual use. So, is it warming up" while in the sleep mode? Mine is plugged in all the time.

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Wm Cook posted this 01 November 2022

Ross I can’t speak for anyone else but I plug mine in and before i can add powder it’ll be ready to go. I can walk away and come back in an hour and it’s still powered up ready to roll.

It never goes into a sleep mode.

So for me it’s pretty much near zero time to warm up and it never dozes off. Shop stays around 70 degrees.

As a standard practice (and just for the heck of it), I’ll zero it and verify with the check weight. I have never found it out of wack.

Maybe give RCBS a call and ask for the technical side and they’ll be happy to help. I believe the disclaimer on the sale specifies that you deal directly anyway. Good luck.

Does anyone else wish for a scale the same quality as the Frankfort, RCBS but half the size. Little compact model with the same quality but more portable for loading at the range.

Oh. Maybe they have. We used to call it a Culver. I am so spoiled with what’s available today. Take care, Bill.

A “Measured Response” is as effective as tongue lashing a stuck door.

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Ross Smith posted this 02 November 2022

I'm putting the measure on the back burner for now. Going back to my old way. Thanks all.

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Wm Cook posted this 02 November 2022

Ross I’m sorry to hear that you’re backing off for now. It’s a handy tool that’s ton’s more accurate and consistent than the small electronic scales on the market. Good luck to you.

A “Measured Response” is as effective as tongue lashing a stuck door.

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Sevenfan posted this 04 November 2022

Ross I can’t speak for anyone else but I plug mine in and before i can add powder it’ll be ready to go. I can walk away and come back in an hour and it’s still powered up ready to roll. It never goes into a sleep mode. So for me it’s pretty much near zero time to warm up and it never dozes off.

Mine works the same and have never seen it go into sleep mode (didn't know there was one).

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