First Impressions: PACT digital scale & dispenser

[GunAdmirer]

I'm new to reloading. I bought a PACT digital scale and powder dispenser a couple of weeks ago from Cabelas. I like the idea of a digital scale and readout. The balance beam scales are not appealing to me. I bought the PACT "high speed" dispenser a week later. I reasoned that after I bought a quality traditional powder measure, stand, baffle and micrometer adjuster, I would be really close to the PACT dispenser in price.

When I first started reading the instructions for the pair, I got a little discouraged and overwhelmed by all the buttons and calibration exercises. Tonight I decided I needed to figure it out because I am completely out of .45 acp. Surprisingly, the calibration exercises went pretty smoothly. I was ready to dispense Bullseye in just a few minutes!

Likes:
Did not go OVER the desired weight even once.
Every measure is precisely weighed by the scale. I was confident in the measure of powder I was getting. Should result in accurate loads.
I was able to measure a few different powder loads by just entering the desired weights. It dispensed the different loads accurately.
Clean up was pretty easy. Some powder did stick to parts.
Lifetime warranty and made here in Texas! Grand Prairie isn't too far from here if needed.

Dislikes:
A little slow - I would hate to have one of the slower first models! Although, PACT will upgrade older slower units for a reasonable price.
It did, on a few occasions, go just under the desired weight. Better under than over!
The scale had to be recalibrated twice. It told me that it needed to be recalibrated! The dispenser did not need to be recalibrated. I think it may have been my fault.

Overall, I am glad I bought the scale and dispenser. I think I will get better at it the more I use it. I used a manual powder trickler to measure powder for 12 .357 hunting loads just over a week ago. I'm glad I did because it made me REALLY appreciate the PACT dispenser.

The friend who got me into reloading commented recently, "You sure are getting some fun toys for such a new reloader!"

 

[WayneConrad]

Thanks for the review! I've always wondered what these gadgets are like to use.

How long does it take to measure out a load?

When it measured under, how much under? Did it tell you, or did you use another scale to verify the weights?

 

[GunAdmirer]

I didn't time it but think it took about 30 seconds to dispense each .45 acp load. It would take more time for larger loads.

When it dispensed under the requested load, the scaled showed it was only .1 grain under. That is, 4.6 grains instead of the requested 4.7. I think it was even less than .1 under. It was probably just short enough not to put it over to 4.7. I hope that makes sense.

I did not check it against another scale. The digital scale is calibrated each time I use it, and it will tell you if it has drifted and needs to be recalibrated.

 

[Third_Rail]

Thirty seconds?! Geeze, I'd rather do it manually... set the beam balance to the correct weight, do it by eye, etc.

 

[Mark whiz]

I have the older (slower) model and it ain't that big of a deal. Pistol cases are dispensed so quickly that I doubt there is a second difference between the 2 models. The noticeable difference will be with rifle cases, but i really don't have a problem with that either on my .308 reloads.

I rarely have to recalibrate mine during use. A couple of tips I can share on these are to let the scale warm up for about 30 minutes before you start loading, plug the units into a surge protector power strip instead of directly into the wall, and make sure there are no air currents in the area you are loading in - fans or HVAC flow can disturb the scale some and cause the need to recalibrate.

 

[callgood]

If it measures low, you can trickle up to desired weight. Check your manual. I use this equipment to load on my Forster Co Ax. I load 5 or 6 first to get a working group. Once I have this many, I can usually finish a block of 50 before I "catch up" to the dispenser. I have the scale/dispenser set up on one table and my press on another. I have a good swivel chair and while the scale is working on the next round, I am seating the previous one, slowly eliminating my buffer group.
If you bump the table your scale is on, it will have to reset- a good draft is supposed to cause the same problem, i.e., next to an air vent.
If you are using a progressive press, this probably isn't the way to go. As a new reloader, I am constantly checking and double checking things, since I am trying to load as close to constant as I can (I reject a tenth of a grain over).
At this point this setup is in balance for me. If I ever want to load mass quantities of "Blasting Ammo" it would be tedious.

 

[callgood]

Just read Mark whiz. He's right about the surge protector. The last time I used mine without one, I got some funky readings on the scale from time to time. I swiped the surge protector from my wife's cadillac washing machine and had no further problems.

 

[PaulTX]

I have the later model of the Pact dispenser and here is a video clip I did of it dispensing:

Pact Video Clip

I like my dispenser and scale. There are a few very fine powders that won't work with the dispenser. I dump the powder in the case, press the dispense button, and almost by the time I finish with the bullet it has another load ready. I really like it for load development!

Paul

 

[The Bushmaster]

Because I weigh every charge before dropping it into a case and the more I read and hear about these new fangled auto scales the more I thing I should buy one. I could not open the video. :banghead: It spent 5 minutes telling it was "Connecting..." Gave up, but thanks anyway.

 

[PaulTX]

Bushmaster,

Sorry you are having problems with the video clip. I just tried it again and it worked okay. The clip is about 17 MB.

 

[The Bushmaster]

PaulTX

I was thinking that I may come over to your place and practice a age old california tradition and shoot you because it wouldn't open, but I got to thinking and I load so much I couldn't come up with bus fare. L O L

No Biggy. I have seen them operate before and I shall survive if I don't see it. I still thing I will have to look into getting one.

 

[GunAdmirer]

Second Impressions

I loaded another 50 rounds of .45 ACP last night with the PACT digital scale and dispenser. It took 38 seconds to dispense a 4.8 grain load of Bullseye. I did the powder measuring on the kitchen counter (more stable) and used a surge protector like it was suggested. I had about the same experience that I first wrote about the second time except I learned how to trickle a little more if it was a little under.

Things I like:
You can trickle minute amounts with a push of the dispense button if needed.
Accurate scale measured loads every time.
Dispenser doesn't need to be recalibrated each time scale is recalibrated.

Dislikes:
Still slower than I would like. Easy to get distracted while waiting.
Scale lost calibration a few times. Had to stop and recalibrate.
Can leak if the dispenser tubes are bumped with powder scale pan. Easy to do. Dispenser tubes need to be higher above scale pan.

Now I am would say I am indifferent about the scale and dispenser. I love the accuracy but loathe the speed. But I don't see how the dispenser could go any faster and still be accurate. A manual powder measure would be faster, but I would always be checking for accuracy.

 

[crackerjack]

If you have to recalibrate often , you may want to try a different outlet. Don't understand why but I had to switch outlets on RCBS unit to hold calibration.
Hope it helps

 

[Sport45]

I use a Pact BBK scale and really like it. It sounds to me like you're slowing down the process a whole lot more than is necessary. Unless you are using a powder that is VERY hard to measure and throw, I think you'd be better off with a manual powder measure. My Lee Perfect Powder measure and Lyman 55 each throw WW231, Titegroup, and AA5 accurately. Once the measure is set, I'll only weigh one out of every 15-20 charges. The same goes for the powder measure on my 550b. I'd save the individual charge weighing for rifle charges that use large stick powders. These are a lot harder to throw with any amount of repeatabiity. JMHO...

On the other hand, that was a very good review of the equipment and process you are using.

 

[Renegade]

I have the same model scale and dispenser. What I've notice about the scale, is the slightest breeze will affect the scale and cause the need to re-calibrate to show up. The dispenser I have is just as slow as GunAdmirer's. Something I notice about the dispenser, after calibration the first two-three charges will be .1gr higher than what I want. I have yet been able to get the dispenser to drop the exact weight that I punch in. I also agree that the tubes should be higher above the pan, those rifle loads get piled up pretty high and that impedes the dispensing of the powder.

Later,

Dave

 

[Standing Wolf]

I didn't time it but think it took about 30 seconds to dispense each .45 acp load.

That's ludicrous. The engineers need to finish designing and debugging the product before it goes on the market.

 

[Ky Ghost]

first impressions

I'm new but had to add my 2 cents worth. to speed up my Pact I dump a charge from my powder measure that is just under the one I want and then hit the dispense button. I get weighed charges very fast whether large or small. I use a funnel or slide to get the powder into the scale pan from the measure. This really helps with the older units if you don't want to go for the $70 up grade.

I hope this helps someone.

 

[GunAdmirer]

Ky Ghost,

Good idea. I've been thinking about getting a Little Dandy for that kind of purpose. Should speed it up considerably and still get a precision measured load. Thanks.

 

[PaulTX]

Here's another try with my Pact video. I uploaded it to another server.

Pact Video

 

[Selfdfenz]

If you are comparing the electronic unit to a powder measure and speed is "the" issue, the manual measure is much faster.

If you are comparing the electronic unit to a beam balance and dippers I'm not sure the balance/dipper combo is faster.

I have no experience with the PACT but I'm sure it's a fine outfit. I have the Lyman and have never timed it but I think it's a bunch faster than 38 secs.

Long stick powders and certain powder measures are not good matches. When you want something faster than dippers and a beam balance these electronic outfits rule IMO especially for stick type powders.

The other thing the electronic jobs do well is when you are developing loads and only loading a few rounds at each weight variation you just punch in the next higher weight number and hit go. Much slower to do with a beam balance and in my experience no more accurate.

S-

 

[GunAdmirer]

I went out yesterday morning to shoot some .45 acp and 9mm handloads that had been loaded with my PACT digital scale and dispenser. In both cases, the performance of the rounds were equal to published data. The rounds exhibited very good velocity consistency - so much so that my friend commented on it.

While a little slower than I like, I am pleased with the PACT combo. It is really great for load development! For bulk loading, I will probably purchase a RCBS Little Dandy eventually to speed things up. Like mentioned previously in this thread, you can bulk dispense with a powder measure and then use the PACT dispenser to automatically weigh and trickle up to your desired weight.

Another helpful hint: Put a thin piece of wood or other solid material underneath the dispenser to raise it 3/8" of an inch. The extra clearance kept me from hitting the dispenser tubes with the powder pan, preventing leaks.

You can read about my 9mm chrono results here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=139760

 

[moredes]

I have the old-style PACT, and I use the same method as KY Ghost when loading rifle rounds. (I'm not that finicky about my pistol rounds; I reload pistol more for IDPA-type shooting than bullseye.)

Using a funnel and a Dillon powder drop, I load hand-weighed charges on a Hornady progressive press. It probably takes 2-4 seconds for each weighing, and the 'drop from the powder measure' method keeps up with the speed of the progressive press. I can *easily* reload 300 rounds per hour. That's pretty fast for individually weighed charges.

 

[pearson1662]

Because my 10-10 uses the magnetic dampening system to encourage equilibrium, I think that my Lyman 1200 is more accurate and faster. I rarely break out the 10-10 unless I have to load in the garage where significant temperature fluctuations tend to occur; or if I am only going to measure less than 20 times. For load developement and rifle cartridges it's fantastic, but for a couple hundred pistol rounds, the mechanical throwers are sufficiently accurate, even for competition at less than 100 yards. At least, that's the way it seems to me. Jay

 

[GunAdmirer]

I loaded another 150 rounds of 9mm yesterday using the digital scale and dispenser. I loaded 100 in the afternoon without any problems. The last 50 I dispensed last night were 100% on the desired weight. Usually I have a few that are just under or over the desired weight (ie. 4.4 or 4.6 rather than 4.5).

Another helpful tip:
Move the calibration weights off the scale case during dispensing. They are another obstacle that can cause you to bump the dispenser tubes - causing leaks.

Raising the dispenser 3/8" higher has made dispensing much easier. It is easy to bump the dispenser tubes with the powder pan at the dispenser's normal height.

Using a surge protector and an outlet from an unused circuit has definitely made the scale more stable. Must keep air drafts away.

I overcame the slowness of dispensing powder by bringing a magazine and book to the table. Note: This is not advisable if double charging a case is possible!!!

 

[callgood]

........."If you have to recalibrate often , you may want to try a different outlet. Don't understand why but I had to switch outlets on RCBS unit to hold calibration.
Hope it helps
__________________
Frank"

You may have some sags in your power, such as when your AC cycles on, etc. One thing you can try is to tighten the lugs on your breaker box to make sure they are secure. It will also help if you are losing a lot of light bulbs. We have some 9 buck jobs in the kitchen, and are keeping them longer since an electrician gave me this tip. Or you may just have crummy power. Only a battery backup/surge protector unit would help you there.