Electronic Powder Dispenser

Status
Not open for further replies.
badkarmamib

badkarmamib

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
2,486
Location
VA
I found a lot of threads about this, but it seemed that most people are looking at load development. I have established loads for 7MM Rem Mag, .270 WSM, and .30/06 using the dreaded IMR4350. I did not know it was possible for a powder to meter so poorly. I only load a few hundred rounds of each a year, but am considering an electronic powder measure. Both the Hornady Lock-n-Load Auto Charge and the Lyman Gen6 can be had for less than $200, and I am tempted. I only use my rifles for leisure and hunting, so I am not looking for bench-rest consistency. Anyone give me some guidance on either of these, something else, or just keep dipping and trickling IMR4350? TIA
 
I don't think you really need it due to the small amount that you reload every year. I would just continue as you are now
 
If you are doing 20 or less at a time, I would continue to dip and trickle. Pretty hard to beat the results and use the funds to by more supplies. Just my humble opinion.
 
I'd suggest looking at the RCBS Uniflow manual powder dispenser...
I can throw almost every powder except 800x with really good accuracy...
I load all the big IMR and H "Log" type powders ... even IMR 7828 ...
 
badkarmamib said:
I found a lot of threads about this, but it seemed that most people are looking at load development. I have established loads for 7MM Rem Mag, .270 WSM, and .30/06 using the dreaded IMR4350. I did not know it was possible for a powder to meter so poorly. I only load a few hundred rounds of each a year, but am considering an electronic powder measure. Both the Hornady Lock-n-Load Auto Charge and the Lyman Gen6 can be had for less than $200, and I am tempted. I only use my rifles for leisure and hunting, so I am not looking for bench-rest consistency. Anyone give me some guidance on either of these, something else, or just keep dipping and trickling IMR4350? TIA
Click to expand...
I can only speak of the Hornady® Lock-N-Load™ Auto Charge™ Powder Dispenser. I like it a lot. As a matter of fact it is the only powder measure I use. Can be a little slow when doing a lot of pistol rounds but I like knowing each and every round has the exact same powder charge. I use it with powders like IMR4350 when loading rifle rounds with out problems. You just have to learn how to adjust it. Hornady has a great video on YouTube showing all the ways you can adjust it so you can keep it from over charging. My first unit I had worked great for about 2 years when one of the buttons got a little bulky making it difficult to zero the scale. I called Hornady on the phone and they were very surprised to hear that I was having trouble with the unit and told me to send it to them. They sent me a brand new one free of charge no questions asked. It has work flawlessly now for years. They were very friendly and helpful and it didn't cost me a dime. If you watch any of the videos on YouTube make sure you watch the one produced by Hornady with the bald headed guy. It's about 20 min. long. Hope this was helpful.
 
ive got a pact dispenser/scale and the lyman. Both work well but I have to say I just like the pact better. More because its what ive used the most and longest. I wouldn't be without a dispenser for extruded powder rifle rounds. Not needed for the most part with pistol powders and ball rifle powders but if you load a lot of ammo with extruded powders there well worth the cost.
 
I have a gen 6 Lyman. It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. Saves a huge amount of time for me and will meter anything with little drama. With large charges of big stick powder like 4350 it will overshoot every time but there is a little black plug included to put in the end of the trickler tube with a smaller hole in it and it works great with that in place. I still have my uniflow but I don't expect to ever use it again. Too much fiddling. I've never used any of the other electronic ones so they might be better. It will throw a 57 grain weight of 4831 in about 25-30 seconds or so. Which is about as fast as I can seat a bullet, wipe off the case, size a new case, and reprime on my Lee turret. If you have a single stage press you will be waiting around for it, but it's still faster than weighing every charge and trickling up by hand.
 
I also have the RCBS Chargemaster, and I love it. Never tried it with IMR4350, but stick powder like Varget seems to dispense well with it.
 
I agree with the responses that I probably don't load enough to justify it. Especially considering that it is my father's powder that I load for him with, and that, once I get all of his brass loaded, it will probably be reduced to much smaller batches at a time (my H4895 meters very well in my Lee PPM, and I dip my HP-38 for my pistol plinking rounds). I am thankful for the advice given here, and may still look at the Hornady as I get more funds, more variety in loads, and more time to shoot. Thanks, all!
 
ChargeMaster here, works great with any really big kernel powders, kind of meh with ball powders. But if you are only doing 20-50 rounds a session, and 200-250 a year, Id invest in a nice Redding manual trickler.
 
I have one of those vibrashine powder tricklers I picked up for $10 used, that is a really really nice setup. I haven't used it since I got my lyman dispensor but its ready for backup duty if ever I need it.

just like this one

 
badkarmamib said:
I only load a few hundred rounds of each a year, but am considering an electronic powder measure.
Click to expand...
While that is totally your call or decision personally I would just run with a RCBS Uniflow or similar powder throw. A good powder throw with a baffle once setup should hold about +/- 0.1 grain which is more than adequate for loading some rounds for leisure shooting and hunting every year. While the newer stuff is indeed real nice you should ask if you really need the stuff for your goal. Me? I am going with a simple manual powder throw for a few hundred rounds a year, especially in the calibers you mentioned.

Ron
 
The new RCBS chargemaster lite sells at Midway for around $200.00 too. A beam scale, a Lee powder scoop ( or any measure, pistol brass, cut off rifle brass, spoon, etc ) followed by a trickeler would be pretty quick compared to a trickeler alone.
 
muleman11 said:
The new RCBS chargemaster lite sells at Midway for around $200.00 too. A beam scale, a Lee powder scoop ( or any measure, pistol brass, cut off rifle brass, spoon, etc ) followed by a trickeler would be pretty quick compared to a trickeler alone.
Click to expand...

It's 250 at Midway, and always on backorder.
 
@glc24 This was what the link looked like when I posted... Got this from my email, but the link says $379 for me, now, too. Guess I don't need it that badly... 7750600spec.jpg
 
I looked earlier today and it said 139 for me too. I was considering buying one but decided I like my gen 6. I got the gen 6 new on eBay for $120 on sale a couple years ago.
 
I bought one this morning on the Lyman Site for $139.95, plus $12.00 shipping.

One could always do it the old way and call them.........

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
Two hundred dollar savings! Wow! I'm wondering now if it was a very short lived deal.
If it would have went through for me at 139.95, I would have bought it and cancelled my Chargemaster lite order.
 
Jim Kirk wrote:
I'd suggest looking at the RCBS Uniflow manual powder dispenser...
I can throw almost every powder except 800x with really good accuracy...
Click to expand...

I agree with Jim Kirk. I've had really good luck with my Uniflow.

I have this sort of "dance" that I do with it when I'm loading. After moving the lever to dispense the load, I tap the body of the Uniflow briskly to ensure the contents of the barrel have all dropped. I then check weigh the charge, trickle up as needed and put it in the case. I then move the lever to "reload" the barrel. At this point I give an open hand downward slap on the top of the measure to ensure the barrel is uniformly full. This greatly improves the uniformity of the loads..
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Electronic Powder Dispensers and IMR 800x
Replies
2
Views
446
GP100man
G
N
  • Locked
Electronic Powder Dispenser Pact
Replies
4
Views
1K
Joe's
J
M
  • Locked
270 Winchester powder selection
Replies
18
Views
2K
Flatbush Harry
F
agtman
  • Locked
Electronic/Digtal Powder Dispensers?
Replies
12
Views
811
Gary H
G
C
  • Locked
Recommendations for Digital Scale
Replies
9
Views
934
Toprudder
Toprudder
Back
Top