universal charge bar or mec charge bars

[Kirk Mckinney]

Gentlemen. I just ordered my mec sizemaster today. By the way Cabelas have them online for $236. You have to put it in the cart to get the discount. Back to the subject. I was looking to buy a universal charge bar. With the adjustments for charge and load I would think that would be the way to go . If they repeat and are durable. Anyone have any experience with them on here that might give me some insite on these or on the standard mec bushing style bars. Thanks in advance for all the years of experience on this site. See you in the field.

[Double Lab]

I've been using the UCB for quite some years and love them. I have them on all 5 of my MEC reloaders and find them quite repeatable and durable.
If you plan on tinkering with different loads then they are a good investment.

[Carvel]

If it is your first MEC, I would get the adjustable ones, I have found that the bushings seldom drop what they say and with the shot there are no bushings. With the adjustable ones, with some practice, you can get very close to what. I have 6 MEC machines and all have the adjustable bars. JMO Carvel

[William Davis]

Fixed charge bars don't often drop what they say and a box full of different bars and bushings is more expensive than a universal.

Having said that I don't have a Universal. Bought a bunch of old MEC stuff from a club member and can cover the charges. I will use one to big and line the chamber with blue painters tape to get precise shot weights sometimes, But mostly take it like it throws as long as it's close.

William

[Pa SxS]

I've just replaced the UCB on my Mec 9000H. I've had it so long, I can't remember what year it was I bought it. It was varying the powder charge too much due to wear in the mechanism. Bought a new one and it's fine. Make sure you get the proper one for your machine.

[Kirk Mckinney]

Cool thanks guys. I like the ideal of being adjustable. I loaded for a while with a lee powder measure with the disks for my 45 and after I bought a Dillon I never looked back. Do any of you use them on single stage I think I have to Manually push the bar back and forth. I was wondering if pushing on the dial changes the charge ?

[J. A. EARLY]

Universal charge bars are the way to go. When you get the powder or shot to the right amount, keep a notebook with the settings written down. Next time you will save yourself a lot of trouble. And remember 1 oz. settings for 9s will not throw 1 oz. in 7 1/2. So they will always be different.

The bushings always throw a lighter charge than advertised. They make them lawyer proof this way. Also, most adjustable bars come with a powder baffle. You need the baffle to get consistent drops of powder.

Manually pushing on the bar has no effect because they have a set screw that has an allen head so you can lock it down.

[Pa SxS]

I don't have one on my size master but I would assume you use the tab just like on you Mec charge bar. The dials do have a lock set screw. Always go past your setting, then dial it in the direction to decrease your weight, then measure your drop. Keep decreasing your drop till you get the desired weight.

[Kirk Mckinney]

Oh ok I didn't know they had a set screw. I have only seen one brand. Are there others. Is one better than another

[J. A. EARLY]

http://www.multiscalecharge.com/

Mine says Made in Canada, so I am hoping they still are.