Is a powder dispenser/scale combo worth it?

[kdsd731]

I need to get a new scale because my digital scale got stolen. It was just the cheap Hornady digital scale in the single stage kit. I want to upgrade now while I have to buy one but I'm debating between a nice digital scale or a powder dispenser/scale combo. I was leaning towards the stand alone scale because the dispensers just seem to take forever, but want to get some input from guys who have been reloading much longer than me and make sure I won't regret not getting the combo unit. I reload rifle and pistol. And mostly I am just making plinking rounds but also here and there make precision rounds. Whats your advice?

[bubbala]

if you get a combo you can still use the scale alone to set whatever other delivery device you might use for faster loading of pistol rounds.
i like my rcbs for rifle reloading.

[Waldog]

A combo unit is an absolute dream when working up loads for rifles. I have a PACT; love it! Makes life a whole lot easier.

[klewan]

Benchrest shooters are volume reloading their ammo. Don't weigh each charge. I read that the long range shooters are weighing; 600 yards and more type of shooting. Anything less than that, use volume.

Those dispensers are not cheap; $300+ for most of them. From what you are doing, I'd get the stand a lone and spend the rest of the money on components. If you happen to find a used one that's priced right, and have the money to blow, why not? Another toy on the pile

[AndrewTannerCA]

I'd go with the combo. It is great when working up loads. My current setup (reloading 223 match rounds) is to dump via a Lee Perfect Powder Measure and auto-trickle when needed via a Hornady Auto-Charge.

[jj805]

I got to see a RCBS Chargemaster in action at the VC reloading workshop last Sunday. It didn't take that long to dispense the charge. I thought it was a really cool way to get a accurate charge. I would get one, but I would also have a powder measure around for volume reloading.

[Spdjunkie]

imho:

You dont need a powder drop/scale setup, but it makes life easier and reloading more enjoyable. If you can afford to have one on the table, why not.

If your trying to produce the most accurate ammo you can with a single press, RCBS Chargemaster Combo is TOP NOTCH!
Thinking: ^ Precision hand loads for MOA & Under Accuracy.


If your trying to crank out bulk ammo within an acceptable range for accuracy, then a powder drop w/ a progressive or turret is GTG.

^ Acceptable Range = imho: Im thinking Bulk Quality Manuf. .223/.308, etc.

[Capybara]

I saw the same Chargemaster as JJ805, I really liked it, but it seems like a lot of money for some convenience and perhaps a little speed. If I was rich, I would buy one but I am not so I won't. Just got my new RCBS 502 scale, it's pretty sweet.

[checkenbach]

I like the RCBS Chargemaster for powder that meters poorly through my LNL powder drop(TrailBoss, American Select), but use a Dillon beam scale also when I'm to lazy to calibrate the C.M. and using TiteGroup or Power Pistol in the LNL.

[openhelix]

I have an RCBS ChargeMaster too and love it! Great work load development and pretty quick for loading. I rarely load more than a few hundred rounds at a time but I don't think it slows me down.

[OldShooter32]

RCBS 1500 and you'll never look back.

[Eljay]

A RCBS Chargemaster Combo was my one big splurge. It's handy - I use it in a couple of ways. When I'm developing a load, it measures it out pretty fast, especially once it's done it a few times (it figures out how fast it can spin until it gets close and then it really just dribbles out the last couple of tenths), and I dump it down the funnel on my turret press.

Once I've determined a load for, say, USPSA ammo where a tenth or two of variation is OK I switch to using the auto disk and just dump the powder into the scale part now and again to make sure there hasn't been any weird drift.

But for something like competition rifle rounds I'd just leave it in that first mode and know every single round will be spot on.

It's pretty fast but I find it harder to get into a groove using the funnel, and also when I'm operating the press it can throw off the scale. Ideally I'd have it on another surface or at least further away. So I tend to seat and crimp the bullet and then just wait a couple of seconds for the scale to finish before sizing the next case. I've never timed it but it does add a little time and it kind of throws off my rhythm. The good news is that it starts adding powder the moment you set the little dish back onto the scale - it's not like you have to hit any buttons or anything - it just says, oh, empty dish, I can fix that...

[Flyin Brian]

I've had my RCBS chargemaster combo for around 2 years and I've thrown thousands of charges with it. I had a Lyman 1200 before this, which is an electronic scale with a built in/on manual trickler. The Lyman was finicky about Fluorescent lighting and pretty slow to update the digital reading when trickling, so it took a while to develop a routine when weighing a charge. It did work well enough for me to see how invaluable an electronic thrower would be, so that is what made me want a Chargemaster. If mine broke I would find a way to get another one, for sure.

[CK_32]

If you have the coin heck yea. So much easier.

[kdsd731]

Thanks for all the input guys. I ended up going with the Lyman Gen 5 digital powder system.