Hi Jim,
Thanks for the info. I know that you're successful in the long range game. I appreciate you taking the time to spread the wealth.
I'm going to play some in the longer range games this year. Thus, my question. Of course, I might have played "straight man" to get a good answer out there anyway.
When I load for the short range game, I use my ChargeMaster and I'm happy. I do have two pans that I've worked over to be as close to the same weight as I can manage as measured on my tuned up RCBS 505. Charging one pan while I'm trickling with the other speeds things up.
The few times that I've loaded for longer range, or I have wanted to eliminate the powder charge variable for some reason, I have done much as you describe. I throw the charge light with the ChargeMaster, then trickle up to weight with an old-fashioned thumb-and-forefinger RCBS trickler and the aforementioned 505. I use a web cam mounted in front of the 505 to help with magnification and paralax. Might not be as good as the high-dollar scales, but I've been happy.
I might spring for one of the good scales one of these days. Right now, with two kids in college and pushing to stick to my retirement savings plan, my toy purchases are limited.