I'm thinking about buying one of the auto-matic powder dispensers that weigh out the individual charges onto a scale that's linked to the dispenser. The three Ive found are made by RCBS, Lyman and PACT. Does anyone have experience with any of these? The main considerations are "how fast do they weigh a charge", "can they handle the different types of powder?" and "do they last"?
Auto-Matic Powder Dispensers ???
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daveosok
Guest
I received my RCBS Charge Master Powder dispenser the other day and finally used it today.
What a difference this thing is compared to the older version where the scale sat on the side of the powder dispenser.
OLD VERSION
The old scale and powder dispenser worked with the exception of the scale going bezerk every once and a while and after about 20 rounds showing error in the display window. It allowed me to seat a bullet between loads and wait a few seconds for the load to finish up. One thing I did not like about the old scale was if you let it sit for a few seconds it would second guess itself. This was in an environment where it was stable enough to not have wind effects so the scale needed improving.
The powder dispenser worked well and delivered great loads with the odd loads every 50 or so rounds hitting a number that wasn't even close to what I entered, or with extremely large powders such as H50BMG, H5010 it would drop loads every 4 to 5 then start messing up and require recalibration for powder.
I did not like the scale being on the side either, as many times, while trying to remove the powder pan you may hit the tubes and drop a few kernels of powder causing a change in weight. If the scale popped up with error on the screen it was a lengthy process to re-calibrate it.
NEW VERSION
The two units are connected together by way of a rail. The screws that hold both items together can be used to level the two items also but probably was not intended to serve this purpose but it does and quite well.
They have changed the whole set-up completely. 30 memory slots and the buttons have changed from protruding rubber buttons to covered push style like on some new calculators. The buttons are larger and easier to read and hit. It has an audible sound for buttons entered and when the powder has dispensed and reached its intended weight. This makes it nice if you're seating bullets you do not have to watch the thing.
You better be quick about seating the bullets too because this thing is fast. It however delivered 40 loads exactly 65.0 grains of H4831 in 14 minutes about 2 loads per minute.
The powder dispenser has only one tube and trickles using a jog method. I like this method better as the single tube cranks outs kernels of powder really fast right up to within 5 grains of so of targeted weight then slows down to within 1 to .5 grains and then jogs until weight has been met.
Many times the tube ran right up until it got to within 1 to .5 grains and then jogged. Some loads ran right up until correct load. No calibration is needed for different powders just pour and go easier than the old way. The dispenser has a chute tube on the right hand side that allows drainage of the powder once you're finished with it. I liked this feature it was quick and less likely to spill powder. The powder holder is clear and larger in diameter than the older version.
The scale must be calibrated but it is a lot faster, less than a minute compared to the older version of two to three minuets.
The scale also has more features on it and is easier to use and also reads out in its display full words not messed up numbers meant to mean letters.
I am extremely pleased and although the cost was $272 and some change from www.armsandammo.com it is well worth your money if you like this type of powder dispensing.
What a difference this thing is compared to the older version where the scale sat on the side of the powder dispenser.
OLD VERSION
The old scale and powder dispenser worked with the exception of the scale going bezerk every once and a while and after about 20 rounds showing error in the display window. It allowed me to seat a bullet between loads and wait a few seconds for the load to finish up. One thing I did not like about the old scale was if you let it sit for a few seconds it would second guess itself. This was in an environment where it was stable enough to not have wind effects so the scale needed improving.
The powder dispenser worked well and delivered great loads with the odd loads every 50 or so rounds hitting a number that wasn't even close to what I entered, or with extremely large powders such as H50BMG, H5010 it would drop loads every 4 to 5 then start messing up and require recalibration for powder.
I did not like the scale being on the side either, as many times, while trying to remove the powder pan you may hit the tubes and drop a few kernels of powder causing a change in weight. If the scale popped up with error on the screen it was a lengthy process to re-calibrate it.
NEW VERSION
The two units are connected together by way of a rail. The screws that hold both items together can be used to level the two items also but probably was not intended to serve this purpose but it does and quite well.
They have changed the whole set-up completely. 30 memory slots and the buttons have changed from protruding rubber buttons to covered push style like on some new calculators. The buttons are larger and easier to read and hit. It has an audible sound for buttons entered and when the powder has dispensed and reached its intended weight. This makes it nice if you're seating bullets you do not have to watch the thing.
You better be quick about seating the bullets too because this thing is fast. It however delivered 40 loads exactly 65.0 grains of H4831 in 14 minutes about 2 loads per minute.
The powder dispenser has only one tube and trickles using a jog method. I like this method better as the single tube cranks outs kernels of powder really fast right up to within 5 grains of so of targeted weight then slows down to within 1 to .5 grains and then jogs until weight has been met.
Many times the tube ran right up until it got to within 1 to .5 grains and then jogged. Some loads ran right up until correct load. No calibration is needed for different powders just pour and go easier than the old way. The dispenser has a chute tube on the right hand side that allows drainage of the powder once you're finished with it. I liked this feature it was quick and less likely to spill powder. The powder holder is clear and larger in diameter than the older version.
The scale must be calibrated but it is a lot faster, less than a minute compared to the older version of two to three minuets.
The scale also has more features on it and is easier to use and also reads out in its display full words not messed up numbers meant to mean letters.
I am extremely pleased and although the cost was $272 and some change from www.armsandammo.com it is well worth your money if you like this type of powder dispensing.
I have the chargemaster as well, it's now my favorite piece of equipment. Beats the mechanical drop guess-o-matic and trickle top off meathod. Sped up ultramatch ammo making by half. My only complaint is the scale will need to be zeroed with an empty pan every 30 rounds or so to ensure 100% accuracy. I use the brass tray from my 505 instead of the plastic one that comes with it.
D
daveosok
Guest
Probably because it was operator error on your part as it has dropped powder fine for me.
Its the 5% rule and I didnt want to make you out to be an idiot but since you open your mouth and removed all doubt its all on you now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
Its the best single piece fo equipment I have purchased and highly recommned it to anyone who wants this type of powder dispenser.
Dave
Its the 5% rule and I didnt want to make you out to be an idiot but since you open your mouth and removed all doubt its all on you now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
Its the best single piece fo equipment I have purchased and highly recommned it to anyone who wants this type of powder dispenser.
Dave
HooterShooter
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2006
- Messages
- 50
I agree with Dave. This thing is awesome. A couple of time it threw a tenth or 2 over, but it has an indicator when that happens. It happened about three times with h1000. Don't know why but I've loaded plenty of rounds and it only happened those few times. Great piece of equiptment!
Dave if you want to spend more money for cool equipment, try a giraud case trimmer. Trims, chamfers, and deburrs in seconds!
Dave if you want to spend more money for cool equipment, try a giraud case trimmer. Trims, chamfers, and deburrs in seconds!
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daveosok
Guest
Will the thing neck turn as well?
HooterShooter
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2006
- Messages
- 50
No, but Giraud does make a meplat trimmer blade and bullet holder. Unfortunately he only make them in .22, 6mm, 6.5mm, and 30 Cal.
giraudtool.com.
If you do get one buy some hornady or forster die locking rings to replace the nuts that come on the caseholders. This way you can lock it place and whenver you switch back and forth between case holders you are ready to go and you don't have to sacrifice more brass to get set up again.
I like the forster and Hornady rings because they don't screw into the threads. I asked him why he doesn't just charge an extra $2 for the caseholders and provide a locking ring, he said that people wouldn't pay.
$365 for unit with one caseholder and cutting head.
$30 for each additional case holder
$45 for each additional cutting head.
Cost me $610 for all the different calibers I needed I would have gladly paid $618.
giraudtool.com.
If you do get one buy some hornady or forster die locking rings to replace the nuts that come on the caseholders. This way you can lock it place and whenver you switch back and forth between case holders you are ready to go and you don't have to sacrifice more brass to get set up again.
I like the forster and Hornady rings because they don't screw into the threads. I asked him why he doesn't just charge an extra $2 for the caseholders and provide a locking ring, he said that people wouldn't pay.
$365 for unit with one caseholder and cutting head.
$30 for each additional case holder
$45 for each additional cutting head.
Cost me $610 for all the different calibers I needed I would have gladly paid $618.
Dave3sok
you also failed to mention that when weighing the charges after it was dispensed that they averaged +/- .3 grians either way.
thats a good bit of vertical at 500 plus.
Granted the charges that it threw for me was more dramatic to say the least. Avearge +3 to 4 grains over.
d-a
you also failed to mention that when weighing the charges after it was dispensed that they averaged +/- .3 grians either way.
thats a good bit of vertical at 500 plus.
Granted the charges that it threw for me was more dramatic to say the least. Avearge +3 to 4 grains over.
d-a
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daveosok
Guest
It didnt average +/- .3 two drops were .3 and the rest fell within the specified tolerence given by the manufacture.
One thing about the automatic powder dispensers is that the kernals of powder will settle after a few drops and this will usually through it off a bit. After that it drops them the same everytime +/- .1
Large extruded powder often meters badly too but after the powder settles in its back to +/- .1.
You did something wrong or I did something wrong when setting it up as it has never dropped + 3 or 4 grains. I dont know what the problem was but I couldnt duplicate it again.
One thing about the automatic powder dispensers is that the kernals of powder will settle after a few drops and this will usually through it off a bit. After that it drops them the same everytime +/- .1
Large extruded powder often meters badly too but after the powder settles in its back to +/- .1.
You did something wrong or I did something wrong when setting it up as it has never dropped + 3 or 4 grains. I dont know what the problem was but I couldnt duplicate it again.
coupalr
Well-Known Member
My Chargemaster 1500 is terrible. There is something wrong with the scale. It will just for no reason go to .5gn on the negative side. So if I am not watching while it is dropping the load it will end up .5 a grain over but will show the correct load. I have have to check the weight it shows when I take the pan of to see if it is showing the correct zero. Needless to say I just weigh every load again on my balance beam. I talked to RCBS about it. But they tell me they cannot help me because I am in Canada. They say send it back to them and they will fix it but I will be without it for up to 3 months.
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daveosok
Guest
Sounds like you may have some magnetic interference. Check the area where your loading with a compass and see if it moves .
I built a bench out of steel. When they make this steel they move it using an electro magnet and it imparts a magnetic field into the steel. This played havoc with my scale and caused exactly what your describing. Even the faintest of a field and it will throw your machine out of wack.
I built a bench out of steel. When they make this steel they move it using an electro magnet and it imparts a magnetic field into the steel. This played havoc with my scale and caused exactly what your describing. Even the faintest of a field and it will throw your machine out of wack.
coupalr
Well-Known Member
My bench is made out of 2X4s and 3/4" plywood and there is nothing else around it for 2 feet. RCBS told me it might be static and to take the dust guard off. This did not do anything. I even went as far as to buy a static cloth used with computors and it did not help either. I tried it on the wooden table in the kitchen and it does the same thing.
col48
Well-Known Member
i have had problems when a phone is in the same room with my Lyman (Mobil or cordless
just a thought
just a thought
