Digital Powder measure and scales

[hundy]

I have been looking into getting a automated digital powder measure and scale combo. I have been looking at the RCBS (they have 3 models), the Lyman and the Frankfort Arsenal.

I currently do all my pistol and 223/5.56 on a Dillon 650, but I load all my other rifle rounds on a Single stage press. I load 308, 30-06 for Garand's, 30-40Krag, 45-70 and hopefully soon 50-70. I prefer to load these rifle rounds via a single stage as I don't shoot them as much and they are for very old rifles.

I like the idea of getting a automatic powder measure and scale as I have to be careful on the loads for some of the old rifles.

I was just looking to see if anyone here uses one and how they like and/or dislike them. I currently use a electric scale, manual powder measure and trickler.

Thank you,
Jay

[rg1]

I've had an electronic scale since 1994. A year or two ago I bought the RCBS Chargemaster Lite and really like it. Really speeds up my pistol reloading. I've had no issues with it other than the chore of changing powders or emptying the scale. Put off buying a dispenser scale for many years and wonder why I did. Can't rate other dispensers as this is my first.

[Switchbarrel]

If you’re concerned about being precise for those older rifles, consider one of the A&D FX-120i scales combined with the Autothrow/AutoTrickler combos. Even the scale/trickler combo alone makes quick work of getting charges within a kernel of powder from each other.

V3 with Bluetooth makes setup even easier than my Prometheus.

https://www.autotrickler.com

['ol shooter]

I have had a RCBS Chargemaster for several years, works fine and accurate enough at +/- .1 gr. That new RCBS looks pretty cool, but the price is out of my reach at present.

[baih777]

My Hornady digital pad quit working last year. I bought a RCBS Chargemaster Lite.
Very happy with it.
I load 223, 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 and 300 win on single stage.

[castgold]

www.autotrickler.com

Unfortunately, they don't ship directly to California at this time.

[Switchbarrel]

Unfortunately, they don't ship directly to California at this time.

[waveslayer]

Get the matchmaster or FX120 with the V3 autocharger like mentioned above.

The others are not as good. I may part with a chargemaster I have, if you are interested PM me

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[castgold]

When I ordered in December 2019, they would ship to every state except CA. I emailed Amber Moore from Cambridge Environmental and asked why. This was her response:

I have to get it shipped to AZ and pick it up next month.

[Switchbarrel]

Regarding the scale, Just saw this on another forum: (see attachment)

[JackEllis]

www.autotrickler.com

I can see the appeal of a tool that is repeatable to within .02 grains but does the tighter tolerance have any meaningful effect for most shooters?

I've started thinking about an automated thrower/trickler to speed up my reloading and it's reassuring to see that others are using one in conjunction with a single-state press.

[Switchbarrel]

I can see the appeal of a tool that is repeatable to within .02 grains but does the tighter tolerance have any meaningful effect for most shooters?

I've started thinking about an automated thrower/trickler to speed up my reloading and it's reassuring to see that others are using one in conjunction with a single-state press.

I think it's one of those, "it depends" situations. For 90% on this forum (I didn't say "everyone"), it probably won't have any meaningful effect.

I can only speak for myself: I shoot 1K yd. benchrest and consistent loads are very important for small groups.

I dislike spending a bunch of time at the reloading bench. I appreciate anything that automates or speeds up my process without negatively effecting the accuracy/consistency of my reloads.

Along those lines, if all of my loads are within a single kernel of powder +/-,
I know any errant shots are not because of varying powder charges. One less thing to worry about and I don't have to spend a ton of time weighing them out. Money well spent in my mind.


Like the car saying, "speed costs money, how fast you wanna go?"

-Rick

[RandyD]

I too reload a lot of my cartridges on a Dillon 650, but two of my cartridges, I want to reload on a single stage press, so that I can insure the powder is precisely measured. I am not a fan of the electronic powder measures. I have never used them, and they seem unnecessary. On each my two cartridges that I need precise powder measures, I have a dedicated manual powder measure, and they are set .1 grains below the desired weight, and I then trickle in the last .1 grain of powder. Once these manual measures are set, they never need readjusting, and they do not need any batteries or power source.

[JackEllis]

I think it's one of those, "it depends" situations. For 90% on this forum (I didn't say "everyone"), it probably won't have any meaningful effect.

Kinda what I was thinking.

[C.G.]

I have had a RCBS Chargemaster for several years, works fine and accurate enough at +/- .1 gr. That new RCBS looks pretty cool, but the price is out of my reach at present.

Same here, it worked even better after the straw mod.