Auto powder dispensers

[bitterroot]

For a variety of reasons, I think it's time to explore using an automatic powder dispenser. I've been reading reviews of various models and the RCBS Chargemaster Supreme and the Hornaday both get great reviews. Opinions appreciated.

[zeus]

I know more people using the chargemaster than anything else. I run a couple of the V4 auto tricklers but they are pricey due to the scale system but they are fast. Similar to the chargemaster set up. The nice thing about the rotors that are in units like the chargemaster is that they handle all size powders pretty well versus just small grain ones.

[lar4570]

I have the Hornady and it works pretty good.
With fine ball powders, sometimes it will dispense too much even on slow. So I drilled out the pocket of a 40 case and put it over the trickler tube.

youtu.be/NDfdmnpAsaM

[harold89]

I bought a Chargemaster Lite and like it a lot. I use it as a powder measure more than a dispenser and in that regard it’s the first electronic scale I’ve ever liked.

[bitterroot]

Aug 21, 2023 18:38:20 GMT -5 zeus said:

The nice thing about the rotors that are in units like the chargemaster is that they handle all size powders pretty well versus just small grain ones.

That's good to know. The powder I'm using the most is a large, extruded type.

[longoval]

I am interested in this subject. I currently use a volumetric, manual RCBS powder thrower. It works great with spherical powder. Not so hot with flakes like unique and win231. My friend got one of the RCBS automatic tricklers- I think probably a charge master. He likes it but told me it takes about 20 seconds per load.

I have to wonder how much improvement in shooting I would see by using something like that. Has anyone done tests to see how much extreme spread and SD improved with a precise trickler opposed to a manual thrower?

Even with improved consistency in velocity I wonder what that does for group sizes at, say 50 yards. I ask because, spherical powder (with consistent weights) don't always give me better accuracy than I get with relatively inconsistent throws of Unique.

I am wanting to get a Dillon set up in the next year or so but I'd like to use Unique with it. Are you Dillon guys getting acceptable accuracy with flake powder without an automatic trickler?

[zeus]

Aug 21, 2023 20:00:03 GMT -5 longoval said:

I am interested in this subject. I currently use a volumetric, manual RCBS powder thrower. It works great with spherical powder. Not so hot with flakes like unique and win231. My friend got one of the RCBS automatic tricklers- I think probably a charge master. He likes it but told me it takes about 20 seconds per load.

I have to wonder how much improvement in shooting I would see by using something like that. Has anyone done tests to see how much extreme spread and SD improved with a precise trickler opposed to a manual thrower?

Even with improved consistency in velocity I wonder what that does for group sizes at, say 50 yards. I ask because, spherical powder (with consistent weights) don't always give me better accuracy than I get with relatively inconsistent throws of Unique.

I am wanting to get a Dillon set up in the next year or so but I'd like to use Unique with it. Are you Dillon guys getting acceptable accuracy with flake powder without an automatic trickler?

On revolvers, I have used a throwers forever and never worried about it. I check about every 5 just to see it’s still consistent. On long range rifles and hunting rigs, I use the scales.

[gnappi]

If you run into an ISD "Smart" reloader measure run don't walk the other way.

I got one and as a scale it works great, but as a measure it's terrible. It gets to half or so of the set weight and drops a few granules for long enough time to make a call of nature rather than wait for it to finish the charge.

[longoval]

Aug 21, 2023 20:30:10 GMT -5 zeus said:

Aug 21, 2023 20:00:03 GMT -5 longoval said:

I am interested in this subject. I currently use a volumetric, manual RCBS powder thrower. It works great with spherical powder. Not so hot with flakes like unique and win231. My friend got one of the RCBS automatic tricklers- I think probably a charge master. He likes it but told me it takes about 20 seconds per load.

I have to wonder how much improvement in shooting I would see by using something like that. Has anyone done tests to see how much extreme spread and SD improved with a precise trickler opposed to a manual thrower?

Even with improved consistency in velocity I wonder what that does for group sizes at, say 50 yards. I ask because, spherical powder (with consistent weights) don't always give me better accuracy than I get with relatively inconsistent throws of Unique.

I am wanting to get a Dillon set up in the next year or so but I'd like to use Unique with it. Are you Dillon guys getting acceptable accuracy with flake powder without an automatic trickler?

On revolvers, I have used a throwers forever and never worried about it. I check about every 5 just to see it’s still consistent. On king range rifles and hunting rigs, I use the scales.

Thanks for the reply. I still load single stage for rifles, measuring every charge. I typically use a manual powder trickler for that.

My question was indeed regarding revolvers. You say you check every 5 rounds to verify consistancy, but what do you consider consistent enough? I set my thrower to throw 7.5 grs of Unique but some weight 7.2, others 7.6, 7.7, etc. It is the price I pay for speed/convenience. I guess I was just wondering if this was acceptable to shooters more experienced and skilled than I.

[zeus]

Exactly. It’s usually within a tenth. Not enough difference that my abilities will tell on a sixgun I’m afraid. Even with that, my FAs have shot some pretty incredible groups for me consistently at 100-150 yards at the range.

[bitterroot]

I trust my Dillon to throw spherical powders with less than .1 gr accuracy (checked on a Scott Parker tuned Lyman M5 beam scale). However, now I'm doing most of my reloading with a long extruded powder and hand throwing each charge (still using the Dillon press). Using a Lee dipper and trickling up is becoming tedious. That's why I inquired about auto dispensers.

[kevshell]

I use a rcbs as well. I have no experience with others but I also have no complaints with the rcbs. I use it for small batch to speed things up or weighing loads for rifles for consistency.

[potatojudge]

Aug 21, 2023 21:26:16 GMT -5 bitterroot said:

I trust my Dillon to throw spherical powders with less than .1 gr accuracy (checked on a Scott Parker tuned Lyman M5 beam scale). However, now I'm doing most of my reloading with a long extruded powder and hand throwing each charge (still using the Dillon press). Using a Lee dipper and trickling up is becoming tedious. That's why I inquired about auto dispensers.

Still mostly using a Uniflow and a Scott Parker scale for precision rifle stuff. 

For most hunting rifle ammo and all pistol ammo, the Uniflow is plenty consistent. Or the Dillon dispenser if using a SDB.

I have a Chargemaster and there are tweaks to make them run better. That said, mine is upstairs and hitting the dispense button then trying to do anything else while it charges and weighs disrupts the reading. I hoped it would be the easy button, but it hasn't been. Maybe on a first floor/slab foundation it would be less sensitive to floor vibrations. 

[alukban]

I use the volumetric Lee Auto Disk for Unique and it has been accurate enough for me (within 1/10 grain).

I can even use it manually (literally in my hand ) and am able bring it to the loading tray directly when doing stuff in batch mode…

youtube.com/shorts/dLqMQBVU3YI?feature=share

[bitterroot]

I've decided to just stay with my good ol' reliable and accurate beam scale.
With a couple changes to my reloading area I can improve the ergonomics and take 95% of the tedium out of the process, and probably load almost as fast as using the average auto dispenser.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Much appreciated!