Author Topic: Thinking about a auto scale / dispencer (Read 1993 times)

stimpylu32 · « **on:** September 05, 2009, 01:29:30 PM »

Been loading for years with a beam scale but am looking for more speed at this point of my loading , what do you guys think , lets hear the Pro's and Con's to them .

Mostly the Pact , RCBS and Lyman units , yet open to other options as well .

stimpy

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2009, 02:23:49 PM »

Here's an old shootout between the big 3, I know the Lyman and Pact have been upgraded since the test, I've had the Lyman for a few years, upgraded it with the speed kit and I'm very happy with it, it was a bit slow before and harder to dump the powder, but the DPS 3 upgrade kit solved both issues. If I were buying a new one now, I'd go with the Pact, it's the only one made in the US, the other two are made in China, the Pact is also the least expensive at $230.

Which ever one you get, be aware that digital scales are affected by RF interference from cell and cordless phones, fluorescent lighting, and also from air currents from fans or furnace vents in the same room, doesn't have to be blowing right on it, their so sensitive that any moving air can cause erratic readings.

Tim

http://www.6mmbr.com/powderdispensers01.html

http://www.pact.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=126

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2009, 04:53:39 PM »

I have used the Pact for a few years now. Not sure how fast I would consider it but it works flawlessly. I use a powder measure for short grained powders but use the Pact for all the long grain powders. It is way better than any other method I have found for long grained powder. I use mine on a workbench under a flourescent light and have never had any interference problems. I did build a little shelf mounted to the wall on the back of the bench because I usually seat a bullet while the next load is weighing and the vibration made the scale jump around.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2009, 04:57:50 PM »

do it and don't look back. it is the one thing i wish i had bought when i started. literally a touch of a button. i can't say enough how much i love mine. it cuts the time to load a box in half and every load is exact.

worth way more than the $225 i paid.

torpedoman · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2009, 05:02:10 PM »

Have a lyman and it is flawless put the speed upgrade in it just don't use florescent lights. I preprime my brass then as soon as i add powder i seat the bullet, it has the next charge ready before i am.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2009, 05:14:07 PM »

I picked up a Lyman from a member here and put in the upgrade kit but have never used it yet. For a good while I didn't have a manual for it but found one online and printed it out so at least I don't have that excuse anymore but I've just not loaded any ammo in quite some while.

I don't really see me using the dispenser function except with coarse grained powders that don't measure well. I've been doing most of my reloading with ball and small fine grained powders and using my RCBS Uniflow for so long I see no reason to change now but when I do use those coasre stick powders I'll break it out.

My primary scale is an old RCBS made by PACT. I've had it so many years I've long since forgotten when it came here.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2009, 08:15:17 PM »

Quote

I don't really see me using the dispenser function except with coarse grained powders that don't measure well. I've been doing most of my reloading with ball and small fine grained powders and using my RCBS Uniflow for so long I see no reason to change now but when I do use those coasre stick powders I'll break it out.

I don't weigh ANY individual charges, ww231 to big old Lincoln log lookin IMR5010 My uniflow throws em all, course powders meter just as accurately as ball you just gotta be prepared to cut some grains and operate the handle accordingly.

As to the dispenser/scale combo's, you guys gotta get over this phobia that rifle charges have to be individually weighed. In my mind one of these setups would be a step backwards in speed and ease of use. I use a uniflow with a micrometer stem so I can record and repeat settings and be throwing charges for X powder at Y weight within a couple minutes and charge 20 cases in not much more time without having to get away from batch loading and inspection

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2009, 01:17:31 AM »

I had the pact setup and it got burned in the fire i had. I picked up a new lyman and really like it. Its substantialy faster then the old pact was. It will fill the powder tray as fast as i can seat a bullet in the previous case so i cant imagine how that would slow down loading much over using a manual dispensor. Added bonus is its much more accurate especially with stick powders. I really wanted the rcbs just because there customer service is so much better then lyman or pact but with all the shortages out there it just wasnt available when i purchased the lyman.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2009, 03:25:35 AM »

I use a new Lyman and like it. The 45 min warm up time is crazy. The lighting in my reloading room is two 4' lights and I have no problems.
My advise id to put the unit on a seperate bench or as I did mount it on a wall to keep vibrations to a minimum

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2009, 03:52:13 AM »

Thanks for the input guys , the biggest thing at this point is I use a thrower for most loading , however it just hates BALL powders and I'm getting into using more and more of them , like Ramshot TAC .

What I want is a unit that can be set near the presses , so while I'm loading one round its weighing another , I've found a deal on an older RCBS combo thats in real good shape so I may go that route .

stimpy

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2009, 04:57:20 AM »

I picked up a RCBS about 3-4 years ago and it has made reloading fun again.
If I must do without it, my reloading will decline to subsistance loading. Did I happen to mention that I am REALLY pleased with it?

BF

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:07:54 AM »

Quote from: Hairtrigger on September 06, 2009, 03:25:35 AM

I use a new Lyman and like it. The 45 min warm up time is crazy.

Just leave it on all the time, mines been on for over 2yrs now, always ready to load unless there's a power outage, then it comes back on beeping! $:-\$ The DPS 3 beep can be turned off tho.

Tim

Lyman FAQs

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:31:05 AM »

The one I'm looking at is the older RCBS that I think was made for them by PACT as they look alike .

Does anyone know if RCBS still covers them for warrenty work if something should go wrong with it ?

I know that they cover most of their dies and stuff like that , but not sure about electronics .

stimpy

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2009, 05:57:01 AM »

RCBS electronics have a 1yr warranty, and only to the original purchaser.

Tim

http://www.rcbs.com/general/warranty.aspx

Limited Warranty

Your ChargeMaster scale, ChargeMaster Combo, RangeMaster scale, ChargeMaster Dispenser or AmmoMaster Chronograph is warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. This warranty is extended only to the original consumer purchaser. All RCBS products are intended for non-commercial use by hobbyists. Any other use of these products will void the warranty. Should you believe that ChargeMaster scale, ChargeMaster Combo, RangeMaster scale, ChargeMaster Dispenser or AmmoMaster Chronograph is defective in material or workmanship, you must return the ChargeMaster scale, ChargeMaster Combo, RangeMaster scale, ChargeMaster Dispenser or AmmoMaster Chronograph to Ammunition Accessories Inc. through its Oroville operation (hereinafter "Oroville Operations") postage paid for evaluation. If defective, the product will be repaired or replaced at Oroville Operations' option, at no charge.

tbird1960 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:04:04 AM »

I have in the last 40 years tried most of the scales and the one that I like the best is the Dillon. It works better with no chargers, no wires and can be used anywhere. Also Dillon stands behind his product for life.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:07:11 AM »

Tim

I have to ask -- How do you keep all this stuff in your head ?

Just trying to remember were I put stuff in my loading room drives me nuts .

Richard

Or better yet , what search engine do you use ?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:14:33 AM »

Quote from: tbird1960 on September 06, 2009, 06:04:04 AM

I have in the last 40 years tried most of the scales and the one that I like the best is the Dillon. It works better with no chargers, no wires and can be used anywhere. Also Dillon stands behind his product for life.

Dillon electronics have a 1yr warranty which is pretty much an industry standard, Pact has a limited lifetime warranty which I believe means it's lifetime to the original purchaser.

Tim

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25213/catid/7/D_Terminator_Electronic_Scale

All the electrical/electronic components of Dillon equipment are covered by a one-year warranty from date of purchase.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:16:41 AM »

Quote from: stimpylu32 on September 06, 2009, 06:07:11 AM

Tim

I have to ask -- How do you keep all this stuff in your head ?

Just trying to remember were I put stuff in my loading room drives me nuts .

Richard

Or better yet , what search engine do you use ?

I just take advantage of the tools available, in this case a good search engine, use to be google, but Bing works just as good usually.

Tim

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #18 on:** September 06, 2009, 06:35:03 AM »

Quote from: tbird1960 on September 06, 2009, 06:04:04 AM

I have in the last 40 years tried most of the scales and the one that I like the best is the Dillon. It works better with no chargers, no wires and can be used anywhere. Also Dillon stands behind his product for life.

Double check your info there pal like Quick said
Dillon does not put a lifetime warranty on the tumbler or scale

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #19 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:03:07 AM »

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2009, 09:38:55 AM »

Seems to be an echo in this room!!!

Tim

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #21 on:** September 06, 2009, 09:43:11 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on September 06, 2009, 09:38:55 AM

Seems to be an echo in this room!!!

Tim

Those die hard dillon fans that believe a problem is solved by throwing money at it may need to read that more than once

quickdtoo · « **Reply #22 on:** September 06, 2009, 10:44:28 AM »

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #23 on:** September 06, 2009, 11:15:27 AM »

That was truely meant as humor. I am glad you read it that way.

charles p · « **Reply #24 on:** September 06, 2009, 04:19:55 PM »

I have an RCBS powder thrower that is accurate to within 1/10 grain. I weigh charges when I set up the scale and a time or two while using the scale but the only error I've found in 20 years were my human errors, not scale errors.

Bench guy load by volume. That tells me something.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:04:49 PM »

Benchrest guys load by volume - true. The main reason may not be what you think. It is out of necessity. They do a lot of their reloading at the shooting bench and wind will mess with any thing to do with weighing powder. They have their powder thrower already set for the powder and charge they are using, so they just set up and start throwing with out weighing or checking. Consistently is very important - so they use a powder that meters consistently. They usually use top of the line specialty throwers. Ones that the average reloader does not have. Once they have it set for the gun they use, they do not change it. I use an electronic measure/weighing unit. It is so easy to set up from one load to the next. I may be reloading 223's one day and then 357 the next, or 44 Mag or 30-30 or 444 Marlin, well you get the idea. All I have to do is punch in the weight I want and voila, I am starting to throw charges. No messing with the settings and then checking the weight, make another adjustment, check the weight; repeat until you get it set right. If you change cases, then you go through all of it again. Yep once it is set, it is quick if you are using a powder that it likes, but the electronic one is not much slower. While the machine is weighing the next charge, you check your powder level and seat a bullet and set it aside in a cartridge case. By about this time the next one is ready. It is simple, quick and I get pretty good results as far as shooting accuracy is concerned. Do I shoot benchrest? - nope. While I am fussy about my reloading and look for good results, I do not want to worry about the all the painful details benchrest folks go through. I do not weight cases and sort. I do not weigh bullets and sort. Those are just a couple of things they do, that I do not do.

Old English · « **Reply #26 on:** September 08, 2009, 12:51:11 AM »

I bought the RCBS Chargemaster a year ago. I would never go back. As has been said, powder is dispensing and I am seating a bullet at the same time, really speeds up the process and there is no compromise on cartridge quality either. Simple to use and so far 100% reliable.

skarke · « **Reply #27 on:** September 08, 2009, 02:38:11 AM »

If you ever try a Harrell measure, you'll rarely if ever use anything else. With practice, it's accurate with ball and short extruded powders to .1 grains, AND REPRODUCEABLE!!!.

The telltale fact of their quality and accuracy is that most all measures on the BR line are Harrells. Measure your weight range once on your good beam scale as the powder feeds from the Harrell, mark the settings in your book, and you can all but chunk your scale, except for the occasional proof check.

When accuracy counts, you get what you pay for.

http://www.harrellsprec.com/

benny123 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 08, 2009, 11:00:48 AM »

Bought a Lyman 1200 DPS3 over the weekend. I like the size and general look of it. I cross checked measurments on my RCBS scale and I measured no deviation in 200 rounds.

The consensus I got, though, was that the newest RCBS model is the champ. There is a good article out there that compares current models from RCBS, Lyman and PACT. In this article accuracy, speed and cleanliness are discussed pretty thoroughly.

OK, back to work...

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 08, 2009, 01:15:43 PM »

Not many everyday reloaders spend $250 or more for thier powder thrower. I suspect that if they are going to spend that kind of money they will be much happier with an electronic one - not to mention another $100 bucks for a good beam scale to make sure you set it correctly. You still can not throw regular stick powder with consistancy. However; if you are loading outside working with a handfull of carfully prepared cases a good powder thrower is invaluable and the Harrell is one of the best. H322 and VV N133 are a couple of powders that benchrest people use a lot of (for the 6 PPC) and they both meter well out of a powder thrower. I am not familaure with the Harrell thrower, but many of the other throwers need a baffle in the powder hopper to help make the consistancy of thier throws the same. Once the powder gets down to the baffle, you need to refill the hopper. This is caused by the wieght of the powder press into the measuring cup. The fuller amount will press more and put slightly more powder in than when it gets toward empty. Like I said I do like to reload and I want good results, but going trough all the hassle of recording every shot, every powder setting is just too much for me. I put a load card in the box of ammo and when it is empty and I have the cases sized and reprimed, I just punch in the same wieght as before and start seating bullets. The Harrell is a good system as long as you use powder it likes, it is just too much hassle for me when the electroic scale/measurer is so easy to use and gets sub .5 MOA accuracy and I can use any powder I desire. If I was in competive benchrest shooting, I would rethink this, but I am not nor do I have a desire too.