Powder dropping is a stand-alone artform in the world of reloading. It requires consistency and repeatability which can become increasingly difficult with balance weights or rotary tumbler systems. Over the past 20 years, technology has developed to a point where electronic powder measures are able to dispense and measure increasingly accurate loads. One of the best on the market is the RCBS MatchMaster Powder Dispenser.
For precision reloading, being able to maintain a specific FPS from round to round becomes increasingly important. Competition shooters, who need to maintain long range precision, need a method for fast and consistent load production to easily compensate for weather, wind, and even the Coriolis Effect. This is why MatchMaster products have become commonplace with many shooters worldwide.
MatchMaster Brand:
RCBS is no ‘newbie’ to the reloading market. They are cemented as one of the oldest and most reliable legacy reloading companies to date having absorbed and integrated the best products of past companies into modern day tools. MatchMaster is considered their most premium brand name under the RCBS flag. It carries the same legendary quality as other RCBS products while integrating new technological improvements. With the ability to mass produce quality machines and tools, RCBS has found its way onto more reloader benches than many other manufacturers who desire quality and precision.
The MatchMaster Powder Dispenser:
MatchMaster Powder Dispenser has its own lineage. RCBS still produces the predecessors: ChargeMaster Lite and ChargeMaster Supreme. All these products are great options but serve different purposes. The ChargeMaster Powder Dispensers perform the same function – dispensing power to be placed into a cartridge. However, they run slower and have a lower tolerance.
The MatchMaster is an aesthetic piece of reloading equipment. According to a PRB poll, it’s the second highest used powder dispenser by professional shooters, short of the A&D FX-120i. And it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. With the large 7000 grain capacity (1-lb), it can drop a load charge up to 0.04 grain in accuracy.
There are two main settings, Standard and Match. Standard setting drops a max charge 1000 grains at the same speed as 3 ChargeMasters – in under 20 seconds – with one tenth grain accuracy. The Match setting will dispense up to 300 grains with this four hundredths accuracy at the same speed as 2 ChargeMasters, reducing the overall wait and reload times. When tuned and in Match mode, a MatchMaster Powder Dispenser will release 38.5 grains of H4350 in under 7 seconds. The integrated scale is pharmaceutical-grade and is the determining factor behind this 0.04 grain efficiency. To achieve this accuracy, there are two rotating dispensing tubes; one large and one small. They release powder together at varying rates of speed.
When not in use, or when putting away for storage, a flexible tube is connected directly to the hopper for quick drainage. Hidden underneath the body of the MatchMaster, a quick turn retention system keeps the powder in place. While hanging over the edge of the bench, a user can empty the hopper quickly. It saves time and eliminates the need for thorough cleaning of stray powder that may be caught elsewhere for faster powder changes.
When setting the powder dispenser up for operation, an independent extendable tricycle foot placement makes tilt adjustments simple with no additional tools. Next to the scale sits a bubble level and balance weights ensuring perfect placement and accuracy at any given time.
Unique to RCBS is the Bluetooth integration to remotely operate the MatchMaster Powder Dispenser and save load data for future comparison and recall. It can register your device, calibrate, and set up the system to drop the charge you want with all settings assigned. Once set up, the RCBS Bluetooth app makes using the MatchMaster Powder Dispenser and easy and effective process.
Comparisons With Other Manufacturers:
There are many alternatives to the MatchMaster Powder Dispenser and it’s becoming a competitive market. The original, but was Prometheus, which was an analogue powder scale utilizing a physical scale to weigh the charge one kernel at a time. The second generation – Prometheus II – continued to be the gold standard in the early 2010’s but the price is incredibly prohibitive.
A&D FX-120i is another accurate powder dropper that uses a medical scale to measure the charge needed. It can weigh down to the kernel, or about 0.02 grains. Again, the same issues arise with price. The MatchMaster is a fair bit lower than the FX-120i package systems and sacrifice only an additional 0.02 grains. While there are options available, RCBS comes out ahead with a sleek design and optimized package.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Intelli-Dropper is also a good comparison. Personally, I am a fan of the Frankford and find it very useful for ladder testing and basic load data that doesn’t require extreme precision. The price is hard to beat but there are some downsides despite a very similar exterior to the ChargeMaster series. It’s a better comparison between the Intelli-Dropper and ChargeMaster Lite as the MatchMaster is far more accurate with a larger capacity.
Lastly, the Hornady Auto Charge Pro utilizes a very qualified scale and decent dapacity, but suffers in a head-to-head based on accuracy of charge alone. Auto Charge Pro can weigh down to 0.10, a far cry from the 0.04 accuracy of the MatchMaster, but more than adequate for the personal reloader
Practical Use:
Setting up the MatchMaster Powder Dispenser is a simple process. The cover, pan, weights, charger, and hopper are all included and easily assembled without tools. Even without directions, early setup is a breeze. The physical buttons have a solid confirming click and the digital buttons are adequate if not difficult to get used to. The power adaptor includes all various connections for use in multiple countries and perfect for a worldwide market.
Instruction booklets usually are not as large as the one included with the MatchMaster, but that’s a good thing. It provides all necessary information on setting up and managing your load configurations. There is even a smaller ‘cheat sheet’ for basic and fast functions without requiring a scrubbing of the manual.
Where I ran into issues, and this has happened to me in the past, was setting up the MatchMaster to work with the RCBS app for Bluetooth. Utilizing an android system, I was unsuccessful. However, on the iPad – an objectively better option – setting up the press was simple and fast. The app allows users to register their products, and switch between them when using multiple dispensers at once. After being set up, the Bluetooth option is a huge bonus with personal load data storage to reference in the future. Calibration is also able to be initiated on the app and should be done before every large reloading session. Be sure to loosen the transportation lock, or calibration will be impossible.
Using some Titegroup, the MatchMaster was set in two different settings. Once in Standard and once in Match. In Standard dispensing was fast, very fast. It gave me an accurate measurement. Before a full calibration, there were a few times it would beep indicating an overcharge as a fair warning of danger and throwing more powder than necessary to make it obvious. In Match, the large tube carried most of the powder and fine-tuned the measurement with the smaller tube methodically. This was not fast, but it was precise and perfect for extremely accurate loads or ladder tests.
Removing excess powder is done with a small retention gate which a tube can be attached to. The hopper drains quickly leaving behind only remnants. Be careful, you have drainage holes for each dispensing tube and one can clog requiring some assistance. A marking on the side of the MatchMaster shows where the center of balance is and how the dispenser should be placed to remove excess powder.
Here is my only difficulty when using this electronic dispenser; static is an issue. When draining the MatchMaster small amounts of powder were stuck to the walls and base of the hopper. Removing powder from inside the tubes can be done easily with the included brush, but on the plastics powder liked to just move rather than brush away.
This can be somewhat problematic when utilizing fast and then slow powders in the same MatchMaster. Consider using Unique, a very fast power, and then jumping to a slow powder compressed load. If enough unique is left behind this can cause a small overcharge reducing the consistency and accuracy of the ammunition. Dryer sheets did little to prevent or stop the static cling, so cleaning is paramount for safety and reliability. This is also NOT a dispenser for black powder use.
Additions:
Plastic funnels are great, but they also suffer from some of the same issues as the hopper, they hold static. Unfortunately, this means that the charge you spent time and effort to accurize may not be as accurate as you think. RCBS MatchMaster Powder Funnel Kit is manufactures from aluminum and coated with an anti-stick finish to alleviate that problem.
Coming stand-alone or in a kit, you can utilize various adaptors for specific calibers. With that specified and tight fit, powder cannot drop out around the case mouth or be lost to the ether. It keeps gunpowder where it needs to be; from the dropper to the case. It’s fast, efficient, and convenient.
Final Thoughts:
The MatchMaster Powder Dispenser is an absolute monster. It has some of the highest accuracy in load measurements while keeping the speed up and the price down. Sure, you could get it all, but you’ll be paying a premium and if you wanted a more affordable option, you’ll sacrifice the accuracy of the grain charge weight. When the next best option comes in at nearly $1500 USD, the $800 USD MatchMaster is a literal steal. Smooth texturing, futuristic design, and a large hopper all contribute to the MatchMaster Powder Dispenser being an invaluable tool for the precision and non-precision reloader. Mix the Dispenser with the MatchMaster Funnel Kit and you have a complete reloading system that I am sure you’ll love.
