Am I a curmudgeon?... Electronic charge dispensers... Humbug.

thegunnut

thegunnut

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After using my trusty RCBS beam scale for over 50 years in conjunction with a manual powder trickler, I have been thinking I should upgrade to one of the new electronic powder " dispensers".
Upon research, I have seen the folowing....
Re-zero after every 10 drops, and you will be OK
Sensative to vibration
Come with a gizmo to block cell phone interference
Sensitive to drafts.
Minimum 5 min warm up.
Plug into a shielded outlet (wtf?)

My current setup... Santa Anita charge thrower, and Rcbs trickler has none of these concerns.
Am I missing something?
While speed is attractive... Accuracy is paramount.
What are the benchrest guys using?
Am I missing something by not having one of these magic electronic units?

Educate me please.
 
My electronic scale just arrived today, I'll compare it with my two beam scales at my next reload session. I'm hoping it is a little quicker .
 
are you a curmudgeon. probably not what your using works fine. I have owned the same scale for fourty years and it still works. also don't use 6x18 high power scopes on hunting rifles either. seems to be the rage just like electronic powder dispensers.
 
If you buy the high end ones you should not have as many problems.

As with anything, moving from a beam to an electronic scale you just trade in one set of issues for another set of issues.

Once you get your process down it's not much of an issue.
 
Yeah, you're a curmudgeon.

So am I.

I may be worse, in fact. I didn't see the need for a powder dispenser or thrower at all. I use a set of Lee dippers, just pick the one that is a tad less than you want and trickle up in the scale pan.

I don't reload for volume at all, for me it's all about accurate loads. I have enough electronic junk in my life as it is without second guessing a digital scale or powder dispenser. If I need to reload more volume (less precision) I'll get a mechanical charge thrower and use a good metering ball powder. I use a MEC shotgun loader too, that's about as close as I get to mass production.

In my opinion, cheap electronics are just that. You wouldn't expect to get the best results from a cheap mechanical scale, why would a cheap electronic one be any better?

There are some very good electronics available, but they're not inexpensive.
 
Last edited:
yomomma said:
If you buy the high end ones you should not have as many problems.

As with anything, moving from a beam to an electronic scale you just trade in one set of issues for another set of issues.

Once you get your process down it's not much of an issue.
Click to expand...

I'll try it, if I don't like it, I'll put it up for sale.
 
yomomma said:
Just an fyi.

I have read the best ones to buy are the ones you plug in. It is recommended that they stay plugged in and turned on at all times.
Click to expand...
Well at least for an hour before you need it ..mine does not seem to make much of a difference as long as I do the startup calibration everytime
 
Ohaus 5-10 scale & a Redding 3 powder measure. A little bit of fiddling the first time, but as long as you write down the number of clicks equating to your desired charge weight, you'll be good to go until you have to change powder lots. Bought 36 years ago & still doing what they're supposed to do. Used for SRBR (Short Range Benchrest ie. 100 & 200 yds.) as well as for hunting & plinking purposes.

For 1,000 yd. BR, they weight to the last kernel.

What are you loading for?
 
Jamesharrison.... I am loading for me.
Target/bench.... The best I can get because I am an anal old fart who seeks perfection.
Hunting... Because I wait 360 days for the opportunity.....

I somehow doubt that I am atypical amongst true gunnutz.
 
I've been using a Ohaus 505 for 40 years and now have a RCBS chargemaster. I love that thing but won't be getting rid of the Ohaus. I don't have all the problems that you listed in the OP either. Just turn it on maybe 5 min before using, warms up while i'm getting ready. I also have fluorescent lights above my loading bench which is supposed to be bad. I don't use the RCBS when i'm working up loads, still weigh them out. I did use the straw trick, not sure if it made a big difference, may depend on the powders being dispensed.
 
I guess I'd be in the crusty old guy camp. Electronics.....BAH I don't trust em! And when working with things that go boom. Trust in your equipment that measures that boom is clutch for me. It may take longer but hey I enjoy the process.
 
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