NEW: RCBS Chargemaster Supreme (Hands-On)

[@ericabig3471]

Dear Gavin, I received my RCBS Chargemaster Supreme 11/12/21. It worked great for about the first 100 rounds. Then I started to experience a mass discrepancy with my verification scale. I called RCBS customer support 02/09/22, second contact from a 1.5 month previous email contact on the same matter. The problem was with dispensed charges reading 5.4 gn, then noticing that it wasn’t agreeing with my verification scale. I then would take the dispensing pan(5.4 gn) off the platten and and place it back onto the platten. This reading was now 4.9 gn. The RCBS Representative stated that he did not have experience with this model. He personally uses the 1500 model. I told him that something is not working with the load cell. He stated that static electrical charge in the case body will case this problem and he recommended using a drier sheet to wipe down the dispenser body. I did that today and it worked perfectly, no more measurement inconsistencies! I stated that the RCBS Product Instructions did not mention this corrective action, and he agreed that was not in this document. I wanted to share my experience so other hand loaders will not have to suffer thru this problem.

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

Thanks for the info. Is the Chargemaster Supreme still working? I am skeptical about its long term reliability.

[@ericabig3471]

Yes it is working perfect. I now have dispensed about 600 9mm Luger rounds with not further problems. I have had about 4 over charges during that time frame, very low failure rate. This typically happened at the begininning of a dispensing session. I use the learn mode, and will not happen again for that session. Hope this helps, I would buy again.

[@mr.horseshoe2301]

@@ericabig3471 Thanks, you just sold me on the device :)

[@ericabig3471]

Mr. horse shoe, Thanks for your feedback, I hope you love your new purchase as I have! Just a side note, I bought this dispenser 11/21 at $400. Now most WEB retail sights are now showing a purchase price of $430. So the price has increased about 7.5% since my purchase date. If I remember right, Midway USA had a recent sale price for this dispenser (about 2 weeks ago) for $400 with free shipping. Probably no longer available. Best of luck on finding a good purchase price. It appears this dispenser is selling well because their high end “Match Master” dispenser (about $900) has not gone up in price.

[@ericabig3471]

I have only used this dispenser for my 9mm Luger handloading using CFE Pistol Powder. I will be using my dispenser for my M1A Springfield (.308 Win) and M1 Garand (DCM, 30-06 Springfield) handloads within the next year. I used IMR 4895 powder since 1987 for my M1A. The IMR 4895 powder is “stick” powder and I have not used this dispenser with this powder yet. Just wanted to let you know my experience with this RCBS dispenser.

[@dishpointer]

You forgot to put the pan back on at 8:50 when you continued. I don't know what it changes but you might want to check. Thanks for doing these comparisons.

[@RobActiveShooterEngh]

Saw that too, I'd redo calibration which is pretty quick

[@rosscarr2598]

I just bought this new Supreme and am very impressed with it. I also checked it against my known good scale and it threw dead on. It's my first electronic powder dispenser and it is a great addition to my kit. Thanks Gavin for the review! Your Alaskan subscriber

[@ljhranicka1207]

Just got the CM Supreme the other day very impressed. Had the older RCBS Pro scale and Pro dispenser that died after 20 plus years. Used it with IMR 7828 SS cut - ran flawlessly loading .338 Lapua Mag ladder for testing. Like the learn/mem/auto - watched your video prior to my purchase - helped me make my decision, thank you!

[@stevenpope9304]

I just got this scale in the mail today. A few years ago I got a used charge master. I checked it against some check weights my wife brought home from her lab. It was spot on from the lightest we could get to read, through the heaviest. I will check this scale also, but I suspect it will be just as accurate.

[@redemptionhunting]

Just bought this one. Watching this video makes me glad I did! Thanks!

[@tenwalls2428]

I don't know what your personal motivation is for producing all these videos but the "gun/reloading" industry should be paying you. Whatever the reasons, thanks for all the information.

[@ssspencerjr]

Hint, they are.

[@davidbarnett7145]

Thanks for producing this viedo. I was very impressed with the Chargemaster Supreme. Looks to be very accurate for the price point. I'm going to order one for my buddy who is the reloaded in our shooting group.

[@steffen707-]

Way to support the guy. =)

[@Sanus180]

The reloaded? And the juicy🤣👌🏻 Yep set him up.

[@ericpa69]

The "learn" cycle should be run when changing different powders. It makes the unit run more efficiently.

[@stuartgrimm6048]

You had me at Drain Alarm!

[@TheOnlyTrueYeti]

Nice to see the precise scale coming out. I would still like to see the testing you did some years ago where you put a series of measured loads in a spreadsheet and calculated SD, extreme spread and so on. But anyway thank you for listening to our comments 👍

[@drubradley8821]

Thank you for taking the time to show case these and the other units of the past. I am still using the RCBS balance beam scale that my grandfather had from some 30 to 40 years ago. I really would like one of these digital units, but, they are so far out of my price range. Please note, I am not saying that they are not worth it, but rather, I can't afford something like this that new. I new I should have purchased one at my local big box shooting supply store of a year or two older model that was new in box just old stock for $175 bucks, but, I failed myself on that deal. One of the digital scales is on my list of things I want or need. with in the next 6 to 8 months. Working on laser range bino's, Kestrel 5700 w/link, Vortex spotting scope, and a few other items that are not so costly like the big ticket items are. A digital powder scale will soon after those items, as I can still load with my 40 year old RCBS Aviordupios manual balance beam scale. But I sure do want one of the digital programmable units so bad that I can taste it. I'll get there.

[@timandrews4722]

I still enjoy my old RCBS Chargemaster that I bought for $200

[@Sanus180]

Nothing wrong with the original loogie master

[@danbasham9207]

Thanks, you definitely shortened my learning curve.

[@duckslayer11000]

It cracks me up that people always say "if your loading for benchrest" all the short range BR shooters I have been around throw charges and NEVER check weight. They are tuning a rifle and not concerned what the weight is, only how it shoots during the next group.

[@SGPrecision]

Actually most benchrest shooters today use a Chargemaster 1500 for all their rifle tuning and competition. Keep'em Small, Speedy Gonzalez

[@duckslayer11000]

@@SGPrecision thanks for the lesson, I stand corrected. Thank you

[@jamesmooney5348]

Thanks Gavin

[@fredhancz3097]

Thank you UR for all you showcase.

[@nerdsrock243]

I didn't read through all the comments to see if anyone already pointed this out but, you left the black sticker below the platen on the unit. it clearly says on the label "remove this label before use." Perhaps not a huge deal since it apparently didn't affect the function of the machine. I have the Chargemaster Supreme and it is one of the most important additions to my reloading bench.

[@kevingeary1472]

Wow I wasn't expecting the accuracy to be that close! Might just have to buy one

[@oliverstacy]

Thank you for the review! Thinking about getting this dispenser/scale and have watched multiple reviews on the current models available from RCBS and Hornady.

[@1997fourtrax]

The outro video was really cool, you do a good job.

[@quietm4]

Thank you for the comparison vs the FX-120i. Now go back to the Hornady Auto Charge Pro and compare it to the FX-120i, please.

[@62vespa53]

Yeah I don't necessarily need the Bluetooth feature, but I would really like to see him demonstrate the memory as far as how it stores some of your favorite loads and how to recall them otherwise looks like a pretty awesome and efficient powder measure

[@joemass1023]

I'm a little irritated that the Matchmaster that I bought less than 6 months ago doesn't have the latest learning feature. Things always progress and get better and new features are introduced but this seems like something that could be updated with a software update.

[@pstewart5443]

Yep, Im in the same boat. At that price point, a fw update via the app should be a no brainer for RCBS. They haven't updated the app either, and this has really got me pissy. At least for the love of God, patch it for security and newer bullets.

[@ronmurphy9819]

Maybe it was my hearing, I don’t know but I didn’t hear the numbers on the cost of those little gems. Thanks man!

[@billcarlson852]

Matchmaster $ 900.oo Supreme $ 420.oo Lite $299.oo

[@ronmurphy9819]

@@billcarlson852 Thank’s for the info. I think it’s a pretty wise investment. I really love reloading. Thanks again Ron

[@dgreenapple]

In your calibration process I thought I saw it say, "Place the pan back on the scale and press enter". I think you pressed Enter without the pan. Also, is it important to put the wind screen on when calibrating? Does air motion make enough of a difference?

[@dahveed284]

I'm the opposite of you. I would rather NOT have the bluetooth app to control the device. Every time my phone breaks or I get a new one (maybe twice a year) I have to re-establish all these blue tooth connections. It's starting to become a real PITA with so many devices. I much prefer a device that I can operate independently. Especially something that I don't want to work when I'm not there.

[@erics5202]

You can still operate the scale without Bluetooth via the front panel screen. This machine offers the convenience of Bluetooth if you want it and panel entry if you don't want it. At my reloading bench the CM Supreme is located further back on the bench- that's the ideal location for my setup. When I want to calibrate, enter charge weights, etc... I can do it without leaning over and trying hit the tiny buttons on the screen. For me the calibration procedure is made more intuitive via the app as well as it tells the user explicitly when to do what. The Bluetooth feature offers additional ease of use for those that want it and no encumberance to using the machine if you don't want it. We are talking about automated charge dispensing after all, right? Doesn't it make sense to further add to that convenience by offering Bluetooth.

[@bodynfocus]

Lol... Proud owner of the original RCBS Chargemaster. I can't add pics here in the comments... but I have dumped powder all over my desk NUMEROUS times because of that drain being open. So many times in fact. my wife even knows exactly what happened due to the pitch of vocabulary. The unit now has lots labels EVERYWHERE that just say "Drain?" ... 🤣🤣🤣

[@frankthetank9741]

Ready to try one of these out. Returned my chargemaster lite because it would randomly shut off and it was only a month old. Tried a FA intellidropper but the build quality was so cheap and the built-in level wasn’t even close to reading right. 🤦🏻

[@scottupatree3356]

Great video and tests!!! You Rock

[@Kablemodem]

They look like good options if you don’t want to spend the money for the Auto Trickler and scale, but the Auto Trickler seems to be quite a bit faster.

[@user-om2do9bk2v]

FX120i with auto trickler V4

[@kevingeary1472]

Would be interesting to throw charges with a Redding 3BR and dispense charges with the Supreme and the autotrickler with fx120i and load the ammo, shoot it and check the es, sd, group size differences.

[@kevingeary1472]

Throw in the matchmaster too!

[@p47rr]

Warranty on old one was next to impossible to get them to honor. In fact they didn’t. I love my Lyman. And no problems.

[@jameshazeltine9346]

Couldn’t get my charge master supreme to calibrate by the face plate installed the app & it will calibrate itself every time I got that piece of info from your video thanks

[@Bushmasterpilot]

I was happy when I saw you push down on that powder hopper, and it went straight finally! I was like, he didn’t even set it up properly! Lol

[@Oldhogleg]

My grand pappy used to tell us stories about Back in his day you used to be able to find reloading powders in stock, of course we all laughed knowing it's just one of his fairy-tales.

[@leadfoot8593]

Back in his day there were 5 powders to choose from.

[@Oldhogleg]

@@leadfoot8593 Lol, 5 is better than zero!

[@xXjcblackwidowXx]

Just curious I think you calibrated it wrong at 8:49 it says to remove the weights from the scale, place the powder pan on the scale and zero the scale but you never put the pan back on to zero it did it still work properly???

[@robertbicksler4901]

I think the price for the RCBS match master is too much. What do you think in regards?

[@jjgriffin3275]

great review, now the Supreme needs to be at least $50 cheaper. Double the price of the FA Intellidropper for the same functions.

[@tallyman15]

Nice job. My Frankford Arsenal works great.

[@fredhancz3097]

Hand crank dispenser with a good scale is all i use to get the job done.

[@francismacomber4650]

Maybe I’m just thick, but I’m having a hard time figuring out why I would need Bluetooth connectivity with my phone. How does it make my reloading work flow more efficient? It seems like you just spend a lot of time unnecessarily screwing around with your phone.

[@ahuggy911]

It needs to have Bluetooth so that the RCBS marketing department can put the Bluetooth logo on the box...

[@mhedden033]

Only seems useful to me if your touch controls on the device stop working...

[@jjgriffin3275]

@@mhedden033 then send it in for warranty?

[@mhedden033]

@@jjgriffin3275 Well yeah, but if you got the bluetooth app you can at least finish your session and still make it to the range tomorrow.

[@mossranchoutdoors7249]

I'm thinking it's easy and cheap to add useless features to attempt to justify the massive price.

[@wannabe4668]

Nice!! I really want one

[@dgreenapple]

So net, net, if you were going to have one scale system to do all your loading, what would it be?

[@frankbelgarde1379]

I have one question. How well does it do with non-short cut stick powder?

[@DanielHunterUSA]

Not sure witch one to get the RCBS or the Hornady

[@blnkstefaans6892]

Hi Gavin. I would like to see if there is any speed difference between the Link and Supreme after the powder learning has been activated?

[@MScholtz]

Looks like the ball dispensed slower. I suspect due to not learning the new powder again. This seems like a very similar feature set too the intellidropper. I'd love to see a shootout between them.

[@wasntmeXYZ]

Use a pair of tweezers to lift the check weights onto the scale platform.

[@duckslayer11000]

RCBS includes a rubber cover with the chargemaster lite to avoid direct skin contact.

[@peterschmidt2849]

😎🇺🇸🍺 rcbs makes some good throwers 😎🇺🇸

[@Kittyy55]

Would you pick this over the frankford arsenal powder dispenser?

[@redneckflyfisherman4240]

Greetings Gavin. I'm looking at purchasing one of these units. I'm very curious to one particular that appears to be an error in operation in your video and the video produced by RCBS. The black label below the scale cup specifically states in all caps and with an exclamation point at the end "FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW & REMOVE THIS LABEL PRIOR TO USE!" It's seems obvious that this label has some sort of effect on the unit's operation and/or accuracy, but it is neither removed or addressed in any videos. I'm interested as to why it's on the unit all why the instruction to remove is even printed on the label if it has no significance. I could see if it said "Before End User Removal", like on lots of product labels, if it was optional or it said not to remove at all. It seems it is saying to remove this label for a reason. Curious as to if you have a reason. Not knocking anything you're doing, I'm a stickler for detail.

[@briankeithwood]

Depends on the price.

[@linklesstennessee2078]

I’m going to order a chargemaster supreme

[@Aldocello1]

I find it interesting that all digital scales mention that any wifi , internet , electrical waves , magnets , bluetooth , etc. can disrupt precise readings , yet , we have a manufacturer putting out a BLUETOOTH scale lol

[@wingnutt50gh]

Maybe test some flake powder like universal, bullseye or 700x...ect.

[@diane2168]

Gavin if you were me and only had $350 to spend on a powder charger which one would you recommend? The powders I use the most are Benchmark, CFE223 and A2520... Thanks in advance...

[@LetsPlayanakonda]

Hey guys, is it possible to put sugar in this machine?

[@tommcqueen3145]

Good show

[@Syxtus_outdoors]

Not having pan on the scale when dumping powder in the hopper is a big no no and then blowing the kernels off contaminates scale with debris making it inaccurate unit!

[@snakeman48]

These are more in the price range I'd be willing to going with over the AutoTrickler v3 or v4 and it's lab scale.

[@TG-bw1kc]

The whole Bluetooth app piece seems to be primarily marketing hype for those who are app junkies. Especially when you have to interact with the machine regardless. RCBS would probably sell more non-Bluetooth models priced $200 lower vs Bluetooth models.

[@konighansen9062]

30min warm up, do you have any tests that show that it is necessary?

[@leadfoot8593]

My Lyman does that. By the time I've got sized & primed shells it's ready.

[@konighansen9062]

@@leadfoot8593 what ?, need to warm up ?

[@scottbenham2613]

You forgot to put the powder pan on the scale when you were calbercating the scale

[@charlesloraine911]

Would be interesting to see if the difference in ambient condition has an effect on mass vs volume reloading for precision shooting.

[@richardcolligon4277]

Hey Gavin, I'm thinking hard about trying reloading. After I saw the Mark7 I was wondering whether I should start with a hand loader first so I can learn how to spot error's before I would consider something faster. I'm disabled and my hand's and arm's get tired fast. I know the Lyman Mark7 cost's about 9 or 10 thousand. It's great to be divorced and retired, so I can spend money on the thing's I like! I've been watching your channel for a couple of month's and have learned enough to get started. Sincerely Ruger Rich

[@jonlennon3348]

Start out with a single stage to learn all about loading that way when you graduate to a mark 7 /dillon 750 set up you will understand what each step is doing. Buy at least 3 reloading manuals and read the how to in the front and then you can make your decision in what direction you want to go.

[@richardcolligon4277]

@@jonlennon3348 thank you, I knew someone would come through. Have a good night my 2A friend! Sincerely Ruger Rich

[@DimaProk]

@@Skilpadjie1 Not true, I still have my single stage next to my Dillon RL1100 and I use it ALL THE TIME, whatever its to deprime, full length size, pull a bullet or simply load some precision ammo where I know I can bump the shoulders to exact length each and every time. With progressive your seating depth and shoulder bump will change based on how many dies are preloaded. This can drive you crazy if you're OCD but If you're making plinking rounds its fine.

[@DimaProk]

If you don't want to dive head first in to progressive which can be very overwhelming if you're starting from scratch and very easy to forget and check something and next thing you know you got spilled powder all over the bench because you ran out of primers or you got no powder in the case with the bullet seated. Or you're pulling the handle down and it won't go down and you don't know why and its very frustrating and you just want to smash it in to bits! :) I recommend as a compromise is to start with a turret press like Lee because its cheap and you can actually get turrets pretty cheap and they very simple to swap. Or you can get something like Redding or Lyman 8 station turret press. This way you can still do one operation at a time with precision of single stage but without having to swap dies you can load a complete round. I am a big fan of Hornady quick change bushings, they work great on my MEC press as well as RCBS Rock Chucker, Redding Big Boss and others, you just need to buy conversion bushing and than swapping dies takes 1 second and you don't loose your die settings.

[@richardcolligon4277]

@@DimaProk thank you for the info, very much appreciated.

[@aaronsavage5066]

Can you do an accuracy test of the new rcbs link.

[@davidunderwood3605]

Great video. I would like to see their accuracy after a solid year of use. I'm using an old RCBS range master digital that I've owned for at least 5 years, maybe longer. I treat it like it's thin glass. It still works well and checks with 2 different brands of check weight. But want to replace it because it's not back lit and it's seen a lot of use. I really like it because I can power it with a 9 volt alternative when I go to range for load work up. The 3 you highlighted in this video could be powered with a small battery pack and power converter if a person wanted to take a chance with them at the range.

[@codyandrus4441]

Are you selling your old one? Haha

[@SPRlNK]

What country is it made in?

[@myloveisajoke]

I wonder why they did the cal at 50&100. You kinda want bracket your typical weight range.

[@DimaProk]

I love my RCBS Lite but there are couple issues I wish they changed. First a minor one but if you got the dispenser positioned on the left of you, I keep hitting the power button accidently when I pickup the pan and 2nd, is that I double check every charge on my Gem Pro 250 and the accuracy is always under 0.1gr however a small nitpick if the target is 24 gr it would start out either exactly 24.00 and or 23.98 and than after a few throws it would drift down to 23.96, 23.94 and stay there, sometimes even as low as 23.92 and this point I try to recalibrate. I just wish there was some kind of button that I could press to reset the drift because calibration takes too long.

[@silentbob267]

I have had some issues with mine drifting as well. I typically re-calibrate the scale when I start seeing signs of it.

[@wannabe4668]

Why don’t you go over the Bluetooth feature and that machines ability to store data?

[@breeze68025]

I just bought the Supreme, do to this video.

[@loadmastergod1961]

Be interesting to see the long term charge to charge accuracy. My Lyman electronic dispenser tends to lose a grain of calibration every 150 charges or so. As compared to a beam scale

[@taylorbokshowan5713]

Do you warm it up?

[@Sanus180]

My Lyman dps1200 is sketchy at best These look a lot better

[@jrmarshall789]

Thank you

[@ImZeDoctah]

@8:45 forgot to place the pan on the scale before pressing “zero the scale”

[@jonlennon3348]

I think the supreme is good enough now in prs the matchmaster may be the answer.

[@danieldillon6005]

Any double alpha scale reviews?

[@dragonflyfab9703]

The drain on the botton is a deal breaker for me! Sorry RCBS but a better wind screen would be better than blue tooth

[@eddieb9110]

Android requires location to use bluetooth. I think rcbs is stupid to bring all the spying and tracking into the reloading room. Will they still be producing the lite version?

[@tonydevich7937]

Gavin how are you...hey were is guy, he should be there

[@Bodhi1satva]

Can’t even begin the discussion without a price comparison. For some odd reason no one ever talks price.

[@redrock425]

That's when you know it's an advert 😉

[@wingbolt6852]

Seems ridiculous when you have a perfectly fine display screen on the apparatus and your connecting to your phone instead.....am I missing something here?

[@soonersteve3733]

Question: I would think that changing from one extruded powder to a ball powder like you did there would possibly be some extruded powder left in the tube. That could possibly get into that first charge thrown of ball powder? Did you see that happen? If so how do you prevent one type of powder getting into the new powder you are going to dispense? Love your videos. Thanks

[@mikesandoval5296]

I use a vacuum cleaner to remove any residue

[@rayzar6720]

Thats a good idea

[@ewetho]

I want a Match Master currently have a ChargeMaster 1500

[@fredhancz3097]

What is so inaccurate with hand crank dispenser ?

[@wannabe4668]

Hey, if RCBS sends me a charge master I would be happy to do a review for them.😬

[@poorfatman5317]

I think I'd like to get me one I currently have a Layman but it's not accurate anymore a moron when I was moving pile a bunch of weight on it

[@GarrettHamilton]

You forgot to de-static your powder tube :P

[@organicmaterialsciencecorp6115]

There are two china based manufactures that makes most of these auto powder measures and no American manufactures at this time. They are all similar logic systems. This is why Lee Precision does not sale one.

[@greghill9013]

I would have like the price range

[@billcarlson852]

GAVIN, With all your connections. Can you talk to RCBS and ask them IF they would create a extended warrantee that we can buy to protect our VERY EXPENSIVE POWDER DISPENSER. .. ALMOST A THOUSAND DOLLARS OR A MATCHMASTER with a 1 year warrantee? ? ? ? ? ? Please help us; the no name little guys WHO BUY THEIR PRODUCTS THAT YOU ENDORSED. ...PLEASE.

[@4bearsi678]

Bluetooth option is a pointless added cost that is more time consuming that the majority won’t use or will stop using! 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@larryheard6621]

I don't know why they put this on KZbin RCBS is in California they've been closed down for almost 2 years I love their stuff it's stuff but I had to go somewhere else to get my stuff cause they're so scared to open

[@ericpa69]

When you zero the scale, the powder pan needs to be on the scale. Didn't do it in this video

[@ulrikerudel6859]

Who says the difference between those scales is NOT increasing byy time? 2 load contol checks is NOTHING not buying it.

[@tacticalrabbit308]

If I could afford one of the rcbs electronic scales I would get the match master that + - .04 grain accuracy sounds good to me

[@wisemechanic1758]

Wouldn’t this slow me down quite a bit

[@JSound713]

I don't think having a powder throw down to .04 grains of accuracy really matters that much, talk about splitting hairs,