Which powder dispenser/scale, best for the money?

[hdwhit]

SARuger asked:
Which powder dispenser/scale, best for the money?

Also, I forgot to ask, but how old are you?

My RCBS powder measure (that's the "dispenser" end of your question) functioned reliably and repeatable for twenty years. When it had problems attributable to corrosion of the parts, RCBS sent me new parts. When my Lee powder measure was compromised sure to wear of its parts, they wouldn't even respond to my letters (this occured in the pre-internet days). If you're under 60 and expect to live a full life, you need to factor in how soon the seller is going to "forget" about you.

In my own experience, those timeframes have been:

• Lyman: less than a month
• Lee: less than a year
• Hornady: just over a year.
• RCBS: nearly 40 years and counting.

I know others have have had better luck with some of these sellers than I have, but you have to ask yourself whether you are going to have their good customer service experience or if you're going to have my abysmal one.

 

[Varminterror]

Avoid the Hornady LNL AutoCharge. The electronics will fail, and Hornady does not offer any tech support or repair services for the unit. I had 3 of them, all failed, two within months just outside of their ONE YEAR warranty. I really liked the Hornady units when they worked, but all 3 failed. Even at $159, they are junk.

Get the Lyman 6 or better still, the RCBS 1500.

 

[SARuger]

I am 51 years old and hope to reload for a good log while!

Initial cost isn't as important as accuracy. Thats why I asked which one, is the RCBS worth twice the price of the Hornady. As far as warranty, I only have experience with LEE and so far, so good. I will save up the extra and get the RCBS, that seems to be the best route.

 

[Load Master]

I've found that a digital gemologist scale is faster and more accurate than the balance beam or the digital scales most reloading companies sell. A decent scale is well under $100 and provides accuracies to 1/100 th of a grain.

I would love to see an example of a "digital scale under $100 provides accuracy to 1/100 of a grain." Where might I find this scale?

 

[Load Master]

I am 51 years old and hope to reload for a good log while!

Initial cost isn't as important as accuracy. Thats why I asked which one, is the RCBS worth twice the price of the Hornady. As far as warranty, I only have experience with LEE and so far, so good. I will save up the extra and get the RCBS, that seems to be the best route.

What exactly are your goals? Are you looking for something automatic or are you looking for accuracy? For accuracy and low cost you will not beat a good balance beam scale and a powder trickler. It isn't the fastest, but probably the most accurate.

 

[jmorris]

For accuracy and low cost you will not beat a good balance beam scale and a powder trickler.

While they don't self zero at higher charges you can see how many kernels are in a tenth of a grain (what many digitals are accurate to) at the end is my beam scale version.

 

[Offfhand]

Yes, it makes one feel good when exact charge weights are achieved.

Yes, and it make one feel ever better when his Agg. Averages improve. Which is exactly what has happened as more and more benchrest shooters have begun using electronic powder dispensers that deliver exact charge weights. Top shooters, such as Larry Costa, who won this year’s NBRSA National Championships, regularly use electronic dispensers during matches. Even second tier competitors have seen and noted increases in their averages with the benefit of the exact charges measured by electric dispensers. These are real shooters in real competitions, with real equipment shooting real scores. Not fantasy MOA abstractions conjured with phantom rifles and phantom marksmen.

For what it’s worth, the most widely used dispenser used by the BR crowd is the RCBS Chargemaster. In fact, it’s the only model I’ve ever seen used at the tournaments I’ve attended. Most of us power our units at the range and during competitions with portable 12V power units like the one shown in attached photo.

 

[Blue68f100]

Need to make sure the power voltage is correct. There was a recent thread on reference to drift. In that thread it was noted that there is 3 different voltages of wall warts being used, 12vdc , 10 vdc, and 9 vdc. My unit is only about 6mo old and is 9 vdc. Just something to be aware of.

 

[jmorris]

^Yep, and some of them are not marked.

 

[wizard1911]

I would love to see an example of a "digital scale under $100 provides accuracy to 1/100 of a grain." Where might I find this scale?

Amazon. Smart Weigh. Around $50.00. Accurate to .01 gn.

 

[wizard1911]

I would love to see an example of a "digital scale under $100 provides accuracy to 1/100 of a grain." Where might I find this scale?

 

[wizard1911]

Amazon. Smart Weigh for about $50. Accurate to two decimal places.

 

[jmorris]

Amazon. Smart Weigh. Around $50.00. Accurate to .01 gn.

Can you post a link to it? I can't find any that claim that accuracy, the ones I am seeing are rated in grams not grains. 1 gram is over 15.4 grains.

 

[midland man]

I want to see this smart weigh?? link please!

 

[Bart B.]

... more benchrest shooters have begun using electronic powder dispensers that deliver exact charge weights.

Thanks for the education. If that's reality, bless their little hearts. It took the stool shooters a few decades to learn full length sized cases shrink agg's and now they may well lead the competitive shooting pack to better results.

I wonder if Sierra Bullets will follow suit. They've been metering powder charges since the early '50's as far as I know. They'll get checked out.

 

[Load Master]

Amazon. Smart Weigh. Around $50.00. Accurate to .01 gn.

You must have a different Amazon compared to mine. If I look up "Smart Weigh" and add ".01gn" in the search this sad thing pops up. One star review and it is only good to .1gr. I sure hope you are not using this to reload with wizard1911.

Ho, by the way, this sad thing is well over $65. LINK

 

[midland man]

i just bought my first electronic scale which is a hornady g2 1500 at the reload shop for $31.95 so I wonder if this is a decent little scale has anyone used this one yet??

 

[The Remnant]

The Chargemaster works just as it is supposed to. My first one quit and RCBS replaced it at no cost. The scale is super quick and handy for checking behind a dumper.

+1. I could not be happier with mine. Accurate, consistent, and fast. Keep an eye out for RCBS rebates.

 

[alexcue]

I've had my Hornady for over a year now. The auto charge is working great, and with the addition of a little tube dispenser for it, is even better with certain problem powders. If you just mess with the settings to tune it, it'll work great. Videos are available from Hornady.

 

[SARuger]

I just bought a Chargermaster. I got it from my local gun shop for $280 out the door. Brand new!

 

[The Remnant]

http://staging.rcbs.com/Products/What-s-New/Promotions.aspx

 

[SARuger]

http://staging.rcbs.com/Products/What-s-New/Promotions.aspx

Nice!

 

[luzyfuerza]

Wizard1911 may have been referring to this scale:

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-...F8&qid=1482445337&sr=8-8&keywords=smart+weigh

$35.

 

[jmorris]

Cabelas had the CM 1500 combo for $200 right after thanksgiving.

 

[SARuger]

Cabelas had the CM 1500 combo for $200 right after thanksgiving.

I missed it. Still happy to have one to play with now. He was asking $350 but it was his display model and a little dusty. I have a dust rag...........

I shopped online and couldn't find a deal better than this.

I do need the smaller tube, where do I find it?