Electronic Trickler question

[Wildyams]

I'm new to reloading, trying to gather supplies and read my manuals. The other day i found this on craigslist- "RCBS electronic powder trickler #99996" and it also came with the RCBS powder pro digital scale #98980.

What i was wondering is if that was all i needed for powder measuring?

or do i need another powder dispenser and calibrate it to a little under the desired weight, and the trickler just automatically tops it off?

 

[MCMXI]

Wildyams,
I have the RCBS Powder Pro Digital Scale (#98980) with the infrared data port but I never got around to adding the PowderMaster Powder Dispenser so I can't comment on how well those two work together. The Powder Pro is a very good scale made in the USA by PACT. I've had mine for about 15 years and it still works great although I hardly use it now.

The current powder dispenser/scale combination from RCBS is the RCBS ChargeMaster Combo which works very well and is all you'd need (along with a $35 set of Lyman check weights). You enter the charge weight that you want, press dispense and you're done. The trickler will do its job and add powder to the pan until the correct amount has been been dispensed. With my CM, I simply put the pan back on the scale and the CM zeros the pan and dispenses the same load again, and again, and again.

The Powder Pro and PowderMaster should work in a similar manner, but they may not perform as well as the CM. Speed may be the main difference rather than accuracy comparing the old and new models, however, if they're cheap enough (CM is just over $300 from Midway) then maybe it won't be an issue for you. You should use some check weights though and the set from Lyman is hard to beat.

The short answer, IF the scale and powder dispenser work and you can verify the weight of the powder being dispensed then that's all you need. Even if the scale is off slightly or a lot, as long as you know how much it's off by (check weights) then you can adjust for the error.

 

[redneck2]

I have a PACT that I just got. It's awesome. It's the two free standing units. Shoots an electronic eye to communicate between them.

I would think those two together would be a complete set (other than check weights for calibration)

Some of the older electronic dispensers were VERY slow. As in several minutes each time. After customer complaints, they were changed. Mine runs fast until it gets close, then automatically trickles to final weight. I'd use it before I bought it.

 

[Wildyams]

Would you say $120 is a fair price for the scale and the electronic trickler?

and does anyone have any information on the actual tricker #99996
i looked around online and couldn't find anything

thanks

 

[Jim Watson]

Well, it's a fair price if it works.
Is this a local sale where you can get a look at it, or would you be buying a second hand consumer grade electromechanical device to be shipped in?

 

[Wildyams]

Local sale.

However i'm new to reloading and am not sure how to go about testing it.

 

[edelbrock]

That sounds like a good price if it is in good condition. I just paid $300 for a new RCBS Chargemaster combo.

 

[Asherdan]

Here's a review of the PowderMaster that also links to a review of the ChargeMaster that replaced it in RCBS' line. Figure out if it is the Powder or Charge Master and you should be able to make a call on buying it.

 

[Wildyams]

Asherdan-
thanks, that site basically told me what i needed to find out. just sent him an email asking which one it was.

 

[MCMXI]

Here's a review of the PowderMaster that also links to a review of the ChargeMaster that replaced it in RCBS' line. Figure out if it is the Powder or Charge Master and you should be able to make a call on buying it.

The OP listed the part numbers so there's no way it's the ChargeMaster. Those numbers are OLD, discontinued stock. The CM part number is 98923 which is shown in the link that I posted.

Interesting reviews but one BIG fact left out by Jim is that you can be doing other things when the CM is dispensing powder which isn't the case with manual systems.

However i'm new to reloading and am not sure how to go about testing it.

The scale comes with two calibration weights ... 20 grams and 50 grams ... so you can calibrate it, make sure the pan zeros, then weigh the check weights. If you have some powder, try dispensing loads with it to see if the scale and powder dispenser are communicating correctly.

$120 is reasonable price if both units work and are in good condition. However, if you can afford another $200 I'd highly recommend buying the new CM instead.

 

[Jim Watson]

you can be doing other things when the CM is dispensing powder which isn't the case with manual systems.

Yes, if your layout is right you can be seating a bullet while the next powder charge is dispensing. That calls for the dispenser and the press to be on separate benches. On the same bench, the vibration of the press stroke affects the scale. Does on my PACT, anyhow.

 

[MCMXI]

Yes, if your layout is right you can be seating a bullet while the next powder charge is dispensing. That calls for the dispenser and the press to be on separate benches. On the same bench, the vibration of the press stroke affects the scale. Does on my PACT, anyhow.

That's exactly how I do it ... well, the seating a bullet while the next load is dispensing part. My CM and RockChucker are on the same bench separated by about 3 feet and I don't have any vibration issues, then again, my bench is a 2" thick section of alder that's bolted to 2" angle on three sides which is then bolted to studs in the wall. It could be an issue for "lesser" benches so you make an excellent point.

 

[Wildyams]

I work at a sporting goods store and always try to hang around the gun counter so I can try to overhear things and learn some stuff. That is one thing I heard, have your scale on another bench away from your press and tumbler.

I also overheard, a couple years ago, one of the guys telling a someone to use a certain powder because you have to use quite a bit of it, meaning if you double charge the case, it will over flow. Any of you guys know a powder like this that will work for reloading 9mm? (what ever you tell me I will look up, just looking for opinions on where to start)

Thanks guys

 

[redneck2]

It could be an issue for "lesser" benches so you make an excellent point.

My bench has a 2" oak top with cast iron framework. Took four of us to move it. My PACT will still wander when I use my 550.

I'd suggest a second bench. It's very aggravating to have to keep zeroing the scale.

 

[Wildyams]

I'm planning on making a nice heavy duty desk. Right now I have my shotshell reloader set up on an old computer desk, but I think i need something a bit more heavy duty. But the old desk will work nicely for measuring powder and other things of that nature.