Automatic Trickler: Anybody Use This? It Seems to Good to Be True

I think for most shooters this is overkill, in fact the CM is probably overkill. If you shoot competitively though, this looks like a deal. Save time and gain accuracy would be so cool. I probably spend about $2-3K in reloading components every year, and 150-200 hours reloading.When I loose a match because of one or two zingers that were due to an inaccurate load, I kick myself.And a zinger might be considered an extra 2 inches at 900m.
 
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Mystic Precision said:
Simple test... measure out 10 to 20 charges from your CM and put those charges onto a FX120i (or similar Santorius) and see if the value dispensed is actually the mass in the pan. If your CM is accurate to the same 0.1gr, you have a good one and enjoy.

The ones we have tested weren't and they varied alot.

So if you have one that is irregular, there is no comparison because this system is not good enough for LR precision work.... not for competition anyways.

Jerry
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Jerry,I hear you.
In my mind it just doesn't make sense. Let me explain.

Having used my CM for the better part of 10 years I still don't trust the damn thing and I am constantly double checking my charges (I'm a slow learner) but very very rarely is it off by more than .1 grain, It's pathetic. I find that the accuracy of .1 grain is more than enough and really if your scale does not do this then there is a problem requiring repairs perhaps even under warranty.
Claiming accuracy less than .1 grain is really fruitless since we are getting down to plus or minus one grain kernel in most cases so better than .1 grain is only possible if you start splitting kernels or if you are using a fine ball or flake powder, it's getting silly since there are other variables that will affect the load much more than .02 grains of powder.
I help my CM also by spooning in powder to speed things up, works great but my beam scale is never too far off, haha.
BB
 
I went with the Autotrickler and the FX-120i, hopefully should have it all by the end of next week.

I plan on rigging it up with a powder thrower in an MDF storage cube. Apparently to some forums down in the stages they are looking at doing a whole integrated thrower/trickerl set up.

Anyone want a Chargemaster?
 
I ordered the FX 120i and autotrickler and have had it for a few weeks. That thing is fast, and accurate. I ordered a Lee Powder measure kit for $15 and that should speed things up even more; just dump a scoop in and the autotrickler will top it up. It should just take a few seconds.
 
laker415 said:
What was your total cost all in for this setup?
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With shipping, the scale was $700 Cdn (ordered from Ontario) and the autotrickler $250 US (ordered from New Brunswick) so definitely not cheap, Lee powder measure kit $15 (Cabelas). I have been using an RCBS beam scale to this point to load around 4,000 rds a year so it was taking a lot of my time. I bet I spent more time reloading than shooting! If I was just doing a few hundred rounds it might have been difficult to justify though. Now I just need to pick up the pace on trimming cases (thinking about a Little Crow trimmer) and reloading might be fun again.
 
Ryan.M.Anderson said:
I went with the Autotrickler and the FX-120i, hopefully should have it all by the end of next week.

I plan on rigging it up with a powder thrower in an MDF storage cube. Apparently to some forums down in the stages they are looking at doing a whole integrated thrower/trickerl set up.

Anyone want a Chargemaster?
Click to expand...

When you get the unit working, you will understand what I am getting at. There is no point to a powder measure... or at least a way to dispense to a tenth or two away from target weight. The trickler needs a run up to the final weight. Too close and it will not start.

I found a min of 1/2 grain away... 1 gr is actually better and FASTER. When the dispenser gets up to speed, it is dropping a grain of powder in a few seconds. Then it can ramp down cause it can see the rate change of the scale.

The good ole Lee plastic scoop is ideal.

The level of the output tube makes a big difference in overruns so if necessary, shims of a business card or two to get that tip level or a bit high will make a huge difference.

Once you get it set up and working as it should, it will blow you away at how fast it can get you to the kernel of powder.

If time is money, the time I have just saved in the few months of useage has purchased the dispenser.

Jerry
 
Do you have the V1 or the V2 of the trickler?

A guy in the states is working on an automated thrower so once the scale sets to zero it throws and then trickles up. I think it may be a further upgrade to the kit a little later down the road. Looks pretty slick.



Mystic Precision said:
When you get the unit working, you will understand what I am getting at. There is no point to a powder measure... or at least a way to dispense to a tenth or two away from target weight. The trickler needs a run up to the final weight. Too close and it will not start.

I found a min of 1/2 grain away... 1 gr is actually better and FASTER. When the dispenser gets up to speed, it is dropping a grain of powder in a few seconds. Then it can ramp down cause it can see the rate change of the scale.

The good ole Lee plastic scoop is ideal.

The level of the output tube makes a big difference in overruns so if necessary, shims of a business card or two to get that tip level or a bit high will make a huge difference.

Once you get it set up and working as it should, it will blow you away at how fast it can get you to the kernel of powder.

If time is money, the time I have just saved in the few months of useage has purchased the dispenser.

Jerry
Click to expand...
 
Mystic Precision said:
When you get the unit working, you will understand what I am getting at. There is no point to a powder measure... or at least a way to dispense to a tenth or two away from target weight. The trickler needs a run up to the final weight. Too close and it will not start.

I found a min of 1/2 grain away... 1 gr is actually better and FASTER. When the dispenser gets up to speed, it is dropping a grain of powder in a few seconds. Then it can ramp down cause it can see the rate change of the scale.

The good ole Lee plastic scoop is ideal.

The level of the output tube makes a big difference in overruns so if necessary, shims of a business card or two to get that tip level or a bit high will make a huge difference.

Once you get it set up and working as it should, it will blow you away at how fast it can get you to the kernel of powder.

If time is money, the time I have just saved in the few months of useage has purchased the dispenser.

Jerry
Click to expand...

Jerry, does that system work well with different powder types?? I assume it does.
 
I got one of the last ones before the trickler was switched. The RCBS trickler does a great job and works with any powder.

No experience with the new trickler but I can't see it not working very well.

1 likely problem with an auto dispenser is the powder bouncing out of the pan. Every now and then I forget to put in a scoop of powder before putting the pan back on the scale and the trickler fires up. The velocity of the powder flowing into an empty pan lets a bunch bounce out of the pan. Makes a mess and is a pain to deal with. Once you have powder in the pan, powder doesn't spill and life is good.

I have also tried dropping powder from a powder measure to a pan, same thing... powder likes to bounce out. Maybe they will use a cup or tube?

It will be interesting to see what they invent.

Jerry
 
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