Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Recommend an Electronic Powder Dispenser

Give me some to check out reasonably priced

Curious here as well. Was just about to make a similar post. Still using a 10-10 scale, Lee dippers, trickler, and Lee powder thrower.

I bought the RCBS ChargeMaster and love it. Buddy bought one as well and in his words "it changed the way I load"

Only word of caution MAKE SURE YOU CLOSE THE DUMP PORT ON THE SIDE after you use it. It will spill powder everywhere and make a mess on your bench if you do not. (don't ask me how I know)

I've been using the Chargemaster 1500 for at least ten years now, going on into 11. I recently picked up one the Chargemaster Lites to have as a back up and it throws powder charges just as accurately as the CM1500 and cost quite bit less. I like them when using those tree log size powders like IMR4350 and 4831. They certainly work a lot better than the manual measures when using that type powder and you get the benefit of every charge weighed.
Paul B.

I have had no serious issues with my Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto Charge but it appears they have upgraded to a different model (Auto Charge Pro) and the original must no longer be available.

One thing I have noticed with it is that it needs to be on a different surface than the bench your press is mounted to. If you happened to pull the lever to seat the bullet at the right time during the dispensing process, it would throw it off. Putting on a different surface (i.e. shelf above the bench) isolates it from whatever else is happening on the bench. I imagine that would be the same for all scale-based auto throwers.

I would not have thought of that. Good to know.

When I built my current reloading bench about 13 years ago, I purposefully built it to be modular with a separate, smaller bench top for the electronic scale/thrower, and a larger bench for the press, gun vice, and other things. I did it for exactly the reason you mention.

I guess I'll also mention that I've been using the same Lyman DPSII for the last 15-18ish years (it's thrown thousands and thousands of charges), and it's still going strong. It's bulkier and probably slower than the current options, but it keeps on trucking. When it dies I'll replace it with something like the Lyman DPS 6, RCBS Chargemaster, or Frankfurt Arsenal Intellidropper. But I certainly can't complain about my Lyman DPSII. That thing doesn't owe me a cent.

These days I mostly use it for load development, as I use a JDS QuickMeasure for mass production after development is done.

This ^^^^^


I also have a "RCBS Deluxe Scale Check Weight Set" to check the accuracy periodically.

The ChargeMaster 1500 is being discontinued. You can probably find a closeout deal on it if you check around.

I’ve been using a Lyman DPS III for about ten years or so and like it a lot. I’ve found I load more rounds at a sitting since I got it. The “auto” mode is nice to have so when you place the pan back on the pressure plate it automatically starts dispensing another charge. In the meantime you can be seating the bullet. I would think the other manufacturers have a similar mode but I would specifically check for that.

I have two separate benches. My powder measure and tumbler are on the same bench, but never used at the same time. Once I figured out how to properly program my Hornady it performs a lot better!

Hudge - what kind of programming did you do? I have read about some people programming speed adjustments in but have not needed to do so yet myself. As far as the separate bench a great idea. I did not have the Auto Charge when I built my current bench, so that consideration was not made. I currently just set it on a card table next to my bench, but intend to hang a shelf off the wall for it. This will make it easy to dump unused powder back into the appropriate bottle at the end of a session as well.

I bought a Chargemaster Lite a few years ago because I read some reviews that preferred it over the spendier model. Works very well and makes loading less of a chore. Occasionally, it will stop short and make you trickle up with that button, but rarely. On balance, it’s far easier than the way I was doing it before. In most cases, the next charge is just about ready by the time I’ve seated a bullet on the previous one. It’s easy to empty out when you’re through and easy to calibrate. You do need to warm it up for 15 minutes before calibrating.

I keep an old RCBS E-scale beside it, constantly on, and use it to double check from time to time. I also weigh a bullet now and then as a check.

Some still prefer their balance beams and/or measures, but once this thing is warmed up, you can throw different charges very quickly.

I adjusted the mode, but it had to be done each time a new load is done. I believe it’s the drop speed that is a one time thing. I can email you the directions if you message me your email if you want to.

I’m still hammering away with one of those ISD Smart Reloader. Just as you said it ain’t perfect but it make loads good enough for me and when it dies I don’t know what the heck I’d buy now.

I use a Pact powder scale and dispenser. I love it. It is old but still works like a pro. Pact used to make RCBS scale and dispenser. It is a time saver when working up loads. I will never go back to mechanical scales. I use check weights to verify my weights are right. This scale and dispenser seems to always be right. Good shooting.

Yep!

Charge master Lite is fantastic. Strongly recommend it.

As another poster said, DOUBLE CHECK THE POWDER DRAIN IS CLOSED!!! *!^+* Every time some spills it pisses me off!!! But it’s such a great tool.

RCBS Chargemaster Lite....Bueno! I can never go back...