Questions about Digital powder dispensers

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Tuckerp229

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I have "googled" and use the search function on this forum and have not found much information. Has anyone out there real experience with the Lyman DPS II/III digital powder dispenser and or the RCBS Loadmaster? I have read four comments, two about each one positive and one negative each. Can anyone give any good reasons for or against either brand and finally the Lyman DPS III is the newest version claiming "twice th speed of the DPS I but no comment about its speed relative to the DPS II. Does anyone know how much faster the DPS III is compared to the DPS II? Secondly, the DPS III brags about an auto repeat function for loads does not the DPS II repeat each successive load without reentering the load amount?

Thanks for the help,

Tucker
 
I have the RCBS unit and like it a lot. A few years ago I picked up the Pact unit and the RCBS is significantly better. Much more thought put into it as a whole, but the best improvement is in the speed and accuracy of the dispenser.

The RCBS has the auto repeat function also and I used it extensively while loading for high volume varmint rounds.

I purchased the RCBS unit because of their reputation with customer service and their proximity to my location (the factory is within 30 minutes of me).

Unfortunately, I have no experience with the Lyman units.

Hope this helps,

Ed
 
I have the Lyman DPS 1200.....I bought it several years ago before the II and III came out. And yes it has a button to push to weigh a charge which has been entered. It will also give you round count. It can save several (20) charges in memory if desired.

I like it enough but I think I should have bought the RCBS Chargemaster and here's why.

The calibration wanders. Not a big deal if you watch it. The unit is slow if you use it to weigh out an entire charge. The DPS s hard to clean after use. It takes the unit 30 minutes to warm up. The number one thing which I dislike the most is the calibration wandering. Some days not too bad while on other days I almost feel like putting a bullet in it. In the end it does do what I need it to do and it beats the hell out of a beam scale and a trickler.

OK, I understand there is a new "bin and powder tube" out at about $25.00 which makes it easier to clean and has a faster powder tube. I have been thinking of getting one of these just for the easier cleaning if nothing more.

I use the DPS to finish off a thrown powder charge. I throw a charge a little light and then have the DPS finish it off. It Keeps me pretty busy this way and saves a bunch of time. To give you an idea of time needed for the slow Powder tube, 21 seconds for 223 and 43 seconds for a 308 from push of the button until completed weighed charge.

Hope this helps.
 
I have the DPS II. You can save charge weights or enter them manually.

There are a few tricks to getting accuate charges. By accurate, I mean +/- 0.1 grains.

Make sure there is no powder logged between the scale and the frame. This will guarantee to throw things off.

Let it warm up for 24 hours before using if you haven't used it for a week or so.

Turn off your ac/heater to prevent drafts.

Turn off florscent lights in the area.

When it works well, it works very well. Every so often it will throw +0.2 grains at which I'll just throw it back in the hopper and hit the cal button.

When working up a load, I'll throw a light charge and trickle up on a mechanical scale. Once I've found the OCW, I let the DPS go to town and verify every 10th round or so since 1/10 of a grain isn't going to hurt the group.

The only real problem I have with the DPS II is throwing charges for my BMG. The tray is much to small but can be worked around.

Another annoying problem is the volume of the 'beep'. It's rather loud and annoying to me, at least. Wish there were a volume control on the thing or ability to turn it off without cutting wires.

The scale, IMO is capable of throwing 100% accurate charges all the time but the software prevents it. It SHOULD go to trickle mode when 1 grain shy instead of 0.2 grains shy. That tollerance is what's causing it to be almost always on, or almost always over by 1/10 a grain.

Works well with extruded powder, havent tried ball powders in it.

Cleaning isn't as bad as some say. If set up correctly, you open up the hopper, let it flow out, then use the brush to get the small spots. If you screw up and the powder gets 'everywhere' it can be a real pain to clean.
 
Maybe RCBS has changed since I got mine, but on mine they recommend a 20-30 minute warmup. I leave mine plugged in all the time so basically I just calibrate, test, and I'm off and running.

I bought an earlier RCBS Chargemaster and it doesn't have the "auto repeat" . ..I really wish I had that. That being said, I wouldn't trade it for anything UNLESS somebody gave me another one with auto repeat and it cost me nothing. :)
 
Yes, I like the auto repeat/dispense function a lot. Just empty the dispensed powder from the pan and replace the pan on the platen. Once the weight stabilizes, it starts dispensing again. Neat.

I am not where I can re-read the instructions to verify, but I originally looked through the instructions and a warm up period was not specified. And I never warm mine up. Just power on, calibrate, zero and run some check weights in the range I will be dispensing. Always weighs accurately. I usually run check weights several times through a long reload session and have never had any variances and never have to recalibrate.

The only issue I have had is that on a rare occasion it will dispense too much powder, but warns of an over charge if this happens. Seems the thing does not slow down in time to keep this from happening. This would usually happen somewhere around the first few dispenses of Bullseye. After awhile I decided to start a new reload session by "manually" dispensing powder, filling all of the possible voids in the dispensing system, before I set it to auto dispense. This has helped a lot. I also made a powder baffle, but do not know if this made any difference at this point as I have not tested it enough yet.

I have read of a few guys who complained about the slow dispensing time of these units, not just the RCBS, while loading rifle cases. Mine are pistol and work fine for me. I can't imagine doing this using a manual scale.
 
I am not where I can re-read the instructions to verify, but I originally looked through the instructions and a warm up period was not specified

You're right, I went back and re-read the instructions and the 20-30 minute part is only if you change temperatures. (warm up a cold room, etc.)

Regards,
Dave
 
I just got the the RCBS charge/scale combo on sale at midway usa for like 300. I love this unit. Its accurate fast and dispenses to the grain. It has a little trickle function which rocks the last grain in to the pan. It has a repeat function which automatically dispenses the next charge once you put the pan back on the scale. Plus you can store 30 loads in memory. Personally i just imput the grains and i'm done with it. It works will all types of powder. Honestly i only use it for rifle loads not pistol loads which i use the RCBS uniflow. I don't care if my magnum pistol loads have a bit of deviation load to load. However, when it come to rifle i want each load to be uniform and consistent.
 
I've had the newer version of the Chargemaster for about 2 years now. If it broke down on me now the next piece of reloading equipment that I would buy would be another one just like it. flouresent lights don't bother mine. It has auto repeat and has a memory for your favorite loads. The thing about throwing heavy charges is it has a processor in it the first load or 2 might be heavy til it learns how the powder you put in it dispenses but after that it is for the most part right on the money every once in a while it will through a +.1 or .2 but it while warn you that it done it. Once you have thrown a couple of charges with the powder you are going to use rest it and this way the counter shows what should be loaded in you tray. If it shows 51 at or 49 and you are at the end of your tray you know to start looking. Also don't leave powder in it for more than a couple of hours with out use the powder will start eating into the plastic (don't ask how I know this). I know of another person that has a (Lyman) and likes it also. I have never used it but I like the idea that you can save load data to a laptop and use it with the optional interface to do load data with.
 
I bought the Lyman DPS3 first a few months ago. Worked great for a couple of weeks and then the scale wouldn't calibrate. I took it back, got the RCBS 1500 combo and it has worked flawlessly. I have loaded a couple thousand rounds and fluorescents don't seem to affect it.
 
Boy, thanks for all the help guys. After reading your posts it seems the trend is in favor of the chargemaster. I still would like to hear from people who had a chance to put the newest DPS III through the paces. It would seem that Lyman would've corrected some of their issues with the newest model. They increased the speed, added the auto-repeat and changed the cleaning-emptying so it would be easier.
I also spoke with RCBS today and they told me about several improvements to the Chargemaster. Not the least of which was the switch to Micro-circuitry to eliminate the "resonance " from the Chargemaster to the floresent lights.

Any one else with experience please feel free to voice your opinion.

Thank you.
 
I would contact PACT. They make the RCBS, and a couple of more of those.

If you call RCBS, They will be glad to give you pact's number. As a matter of fact, my RCBS powdermaster was sent back to PACT for repair.

better yet- here is their web site: http://www.pact.com/
 
Sdefender.

Thanks for that link to the Digital Dispenser comparo. That was exactly what I was looking for.
 
I was where you're at a couple months ago. I came to the conclusion that the RCBS 1500 Chargemaster was the unit to get. I got mine from Natchez for $255.00. I've reloaded about 500 rounds of .308 win without a hitch so far and it's been a pleasure to use.
My buddy has a Pact unit and would rather have gotten the RCBS if he knew then what he knows now. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to go to automatic dispensing.
 
I got the RCBS 1500 Chargemaster ~6 months ago & it is awesome! I didn't think I'd use the dispenser much - but the combo was on sale. I figured what the heck - Now I use it exclusively with my single stage press. It's quick, acccurate, & a kick to watch. :)
 
Thanks for all the help. I just ordered an RCBS Chargemaster Combo from Natchez today. I tip my hat to each of you that contributed. You saved me from the mistake of the DPSII.
 
+1 for the chargemaster. Easy to use, easy to clean, and accurate. Like all digital equipment, you need to set it up properly for the best results. Use it in a stable temperature and put it behind a small UPS. A solid power supply, lack of air movement, and a stable temperature are exactly what your scale likes.
 
I bought the DPSIII about a month ago from Cabelas for $219, and loaded 450 rounds (3 different loads)of 308 Win. It is fast enough for me, and I love the autocharging feature. I check it's accuracy periodically against my Dillon D-Terminator scale, and it is always right on. I've always threw charges with my Dillon measure, or the RCBS measure. Having weighed charges adds a certain amount of confidence to my competetive shooting. I'm happy with it.
 
Ugh, that slays me. I have to the many recommendations in favor of the RCBS. I wish you continued success though....
 
I bought the pact unit years ago. Love it except for the speed that it dispenses. Pact has an upgrade to speed it up, but I have not done that yet. I plan to just for speed sake. As for electronic dispenser and scale combo, I think once you get it you will never look back. It is a great way to dispense rifle powders quickly and accurately.

Good shooting
 
Low Weight Loads

I just got a Chargemaster 1500 and actually read the instructions!
I notice that the power dispenser has three speeds. Fast throws 25 grains then medium kicks in and the final few particles are trickled in.
Trouble is, I have several loads under 25 grains. I fear that I will not get an accurate throw if the dispensing was all done in the fast mode.
I understand that it is possible to change the programing to alter the weights thrown and the dispensing speeds.
Has anyone done this and is willing to post detailed instructions?
 
Onehole I have loaded thousands of pistol (low charge weights 4-9gr) rounds with my Chargemaster I would wait and try it out before messing with the perimeter settings on it.
 
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