|
|
Post by Babaganoush on Jun 30, 2013 15:28:27 GMT -8
I have been arguing with my RCBS Chargemaster 1500 for a couple years, trying to convince it to give reliable, consistent throws. (I'd also tried the Hornady product, but it was no better.) Depending on which powder I used, I would get varying results, but none would give me the "as seen on TV" type of performance. I'd done all the things recommended by RCBS, as well as some tips I'd read about online. (Leveling, separate bench, no fluorescent lights near, static sheets, etc.). Performance varied from one in four over throws, to as few as one in twenty, but nothing consistent. I'd also considered adjusting the parameters that control the motor speeds, but I really don't see how it would help, as the overthrows are invariably occurring at the slowest trickle speed.
Recently, I'd read somewhere that a fellow reloader had had some luck by placing a segment of a McDonald's straw in the discharge tube. This week, I tried it. Holy crap, it works! On two separate batches, I almost managed a perfect run. 30 straight throws on one run, and 47 of 50 on the other (I think I affected it with an accidental tap). That amounts to 77 perfect throws!
I simply used a one inch section, inserted about half way, and it's like watching an RCBS commercial. Far cheaper than a box of dryer sheets, and too easy.
Anyway, I thought I'd pass this one on, as it goes a long way to reduce the aggravation level (especially now that the garage is over 95'f until after 10 p.m.)
David
|
|
|
|
Post by GLSHOOTER on Jun 30, 2013 15:48:09 GMT -8
I had heard that tip before with good reviews. I've been using a PACT for several years and it does very well for me. The finer the powder the better it does. Those big old pieces that look like cordite don't do well in anything but I don't laod that anyway.  Greg |
|
|
|
Post by clyancey on Jul 9, 2013 17:20:27 GMT -8
I'm really looking forward to trying this.....really hope it works!
Cheyenne
|
|
|
|
Post by Babaganoush on Jul 11, 2013 19:32:36 GMT -8
I'm really looking forward to trying this.....really hope it works! Cheyenne I'm sure it will improve your results. Let us know how it goes. David |
|
|
|
Post by clyancey on Oct 13, 2013 20:21:48 GMT -8
Well, I can finally second the straw trick! A definite improvement in hitting the charge weight. Still not perfect, but close. Thanks for the tip guys.
|
|
|
|
Post by GLSHOOTER on Oct 13, 2013 20:39:20 GMT -8
Well, I can finally second the straw trick! A definite improvement in hitting the charge weight. Still not perfect, but close. Thanks for the tip guys. I have been using a PACT for several years. No straws and very consistent. What is the dispensing speed on something like 29 grains of 4895 with the RCBS rig? Greg |
|
|
|
Post by Babaganoush on Oct 15, 2013 14:23:09 GMT -8
Well, I can finally second the straw trick! A definite improvement in hitting the charge weight. Still not perfect, but close. Thanks for the tip guys. I have been using a PACT for several years. No straws and very consistent. What is the dispensing speed on something like 29 grains of 4895 with the RCBS rig? Greg Greg, I don't load 4895, but I ran some 8208 today, at 29 grains. Best case was 13.5 seconds, worst was 19. Average for 5 loads was 15 seconds. If I was concerned about time, I could adjust the parameters of the ChargeMaster to stay in high speed mode for longer, before dropping down to either low speed or trickle, as I'm sure you're already aware. As it is, I can load at ~3 rounds/minute, with no rushing or undue waiting. I have IMR4064, Varget, H322, and TAC available, as well. If you can tell me which of these are closest in consistency, I can repeat with one of them. Cheers, David |
|
|
|
Post by GLSHOOTER on Oct 15, 2013 15:17:29 GMT -8
Thanks for the info. I have never even seen an RCBS unit run in person. Sounds like the speed is certainly there.
Greg
|
|
|
|
Post by Old Desert Rat on May 28, 2015 11:11:39 GMT -8
New to this thread, but I've used a 1500 for many years. Yes, the soda straw works very well.
I load mainly Varget. HUGE granules - we're talking 3 or 4 granules per tenth grain, here!
With the naked feed tube and its interior 'screw thread', those huge granules don't flow gently down the bottom of the feed tube, like water in a lazy creek. They tumble like king-sized sheets in the clothes dryer. When you get to the end of the 1500's cycle load, when it's jogging an eighth of a turn at a time, sometimes you can watch those puppies build up in the end of the tube like a log jam over three or four jogs, and then sploosh, you get four to seven granules (more than .2 grains!) dumping out instead of the one or two granules you need. The soda straw is slipperier, and lets the granules flow like a river so they drop out one or two at a time.
To get sub-tenth consistency, lately I've been setting the Chargemaster to a tenth less than the charge I want, then I use a teaspoon to drop one granule at a time (no more than four to bring it up a full tenth) until the 1500 juuuust clicks over to the desired weight. (I can confirm by pulling out one granule with needle noses, watching the weight readout drop, and then putting it back. So for the rest of you OCD types who think a tenth is a coarse measurement, that's how to do it with the Chargemaster.
By the way, I live on the desert. With or without the soda straw, with or without dryer sheet rubdown of the hopper, I find the Chargemaster useless for fine ball powders like 2230 (which I love with medium-heavy bullets in 223). I can throw a charge, carefully and quickly lift the pan out and pour it, but three or four seconds later, by the time I've gotten the pan back, there are several granules in the 1500's plastic support the pan sits on. Damn powder is literally (yes, I mean that literally!) jumping out of the tube and onto the pan support. I can pull the pan and watch it happen! I figure if my hearing was better, I'd be able to hear little squeaky, joyful shouts of "I'm freeeeee!" as they leap out of the tube.
It's bizarre. Clearly there's some static charge going on that I just can't solve. Maybe I'll see if I can't find a small humidifier, or take some measurements and turn my own pan holder out of aluminum.
|
|
|
|
Post by gaberelli on May 28, 2015 16:50:18 GMT -8
This is I helpful video. Describes how to reprogram to speed up the process as well. youtu.be/p-DRJCL0D3A |
|
