The RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 electronic powder scale and dispenser is the most popular product of its

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The RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 electronic powder scale and dispenser is the most popular product of its kind on the market. In our original Electronic Powder Dispenser Comparison Test , the ChargeMaster normally dispensed most kinds of powder faster than competitive 338a units from Lyman and PACT. However, after the initial release of the ChargeMaster 1500, RCBS “tweaked” the software a bit to achieve more consistent charge-throws. This slowed down the process somewhat. Some owners have wanted to speed up their ChargeMaster. This IS possible with a relatively simple reprogramming. Most of the internal parameters of the Chargemaster can be modified, under guidance from the tech staff at RCBS.
Gunsmith and Forum member NAT Lambeth reports: “I thought My RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Combo was fast enough. But I still called RCBS and asked for the programing 338a changes to see if I could speed it up. It was a lot easier than I thought. My 1500 Combo was taking from 15-30 seconds to dispense the powder to the tenth of a grain. I reprogrammed the numbers and now it takes between 7 and 15 seconds to dispense to a tenth. This effectively doubled my loading speed. I only changed the HSB_A1, HSB_B1, and BSP_C1 settings.”
Key ChargeMaster 338a Parameters with Default Settings HSB_A1 (15.68) Grains under target weight to go from full to high speed HSB_B1 (3.42) Grains 338a under target weight to go from high to slow speed BSP_C1 (1.08) Grains under target weight to go from slow to final trickle speed
Nat cautions that you should talk to a RCBS tech before attempting to re-program your ChargeMaster: “You will benefit from talking to the RCBS tech. I have now gone back and played with the numbers a couple of times. (The numbers given to me by the tech at RCBS were still a little conservative.) I think each machine may have its own likes and dislikes. If you get too aggresive with lowering your numbers it will over-throw your intended load. ”
Source for ALL the Parameters There is an extensive discussion of RCBS ChargeMaster programming on the South Africa Hunting Rifle Shooting Assn. (SAJSV) Forum. In this SAJSV Forum ARTICLE , Jaco Brink lists virtually all the programming codes. Importantly, Jaco also provides the default values for various parameters. This is very important, because the ChargeMaster 338a does not have a “return to default” option. Once you change 338a any value, if you want to return to the original value you must enter it manually.
Jaco cautions: “I have to advise you to only make changes to your scale if you are confident to do so, and remember that there is not a ‘return to default’ setting in the scale. If all else fails return your scale to the default settings [I have listed].”
Use a McDonald’s Straw to Reduce “Over-Throws” Jaco Brink provided another useful tip to avoid “over-throws” (excess charge weight): “The RCBS employee advised me to take a McDonnell’s straw (because it is thicker than a normal straw), cut off about a half inch piece and put it into the tube where the powder exits. This caused the last part of an extruded powder to clutter less, and reduced the amount 338a of overthrows dramatically.”
CLICK 338a HERE for more ChargeMaster 1500 optimization TIPS . Similar Posts: Hot-Rodding the RCBS ChargeMaster Powder Dispenser ChargeMaster Hacks — How to Optimize Your Green Machine More RCBS ChargeMaster Optimization 338a Tips Hornady LnL AutoCharge Powder Dispenser on Sale for $195.00 Hornady Auto Charge Powder Dispenser On Sale for $184.46
This works well. What I’ve also done is to wrap paper around a 3/16″ rod to create a reducer. 338a Different reduction diameters work better for different powders 338a Once I tune this, you can see the individual grain of powder that puts it over. Takes me around 338a 28 seconds (for ~45 grains Varget, N550, RL-17), but the results are extremely accurate.
I recently called RCBS, Oroville, CA (1-800-533-5000, Monday through 338a Thursday only) to speed up my Charge Master 1500. If you call RCBS, the person to speak to is Don Legg. Don’s the programmer and is the one you must speak with. I’ve been told that Customer Service Reps have asked for a script to assist customers with the reprogramming but as yet have not received one. You have to speak to Don. After reprogramming my wait time was greatly reduced.
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