A&d fx-120i
- Thread starter Jseaman
- Start date
I absolutely love mine.
I previously had RCBS chargemaster combo, not a fair comparison.
Much quicker than the RCBS, much more precise.
I am thinking of getting another chargemaster lite for my single stage pistol ammo.
The FX120 really shines with precision rifle ammo.
The available add-ons for auto throw and autotrickle are pretty cool.
I have installed a 2nd single stage press (lee challenger, small frame) next to my powdering, so while the auto trickler powders the next charge, i seat a bullet.
It takes under 15 minutes to powder and seat 50x .308 bullets, with 0.02gr accuracy (i am +/- 1 kernel of varget)
I previously had RCBS chargemaster combo, not a fair comparison.
Much quicker than the RCBS, much more precise.
I am thinking of getting another chargemaster lite for my single stage pistol ammo.
The FX120 really shines with precision rifle ammo.
The available add-ons for auto throw and autotrickle are pretty cool.
I have installed a 2nd single stage press (lee challenger, small frame) next to my powdering, so while the auto trickler powders the next charge, i seat a bullet.
It takes under 15 minutes to powder and seat 50x .308 bullets, with 0.02gr accuracy (i am +/- 1 kernel of varget)
RangerPark
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Near Edmonton, AB
I've been using the FX-120i and auto trickler combo for about a year now. As much as I love the FX-120i the auto trickler has fallen out of favor with me. Yes it's great to quickly make a large batch of rounds within 1 kernel or Varget. Where it loses it's shine is when you're doing ladders for load development. You can't punch in the weight you want, you have to manually set the next step in the ladder then set the trickler to the new charge. Half the time it doesn't register the new weight and dispenses the next charge at the lower weight.
Since I seat my bullets while the next charge dispenses the auto trickler doesn't save me tons of time. I still use my RCBS Chargemaster, let it dispense the amount of powder I want, then I use the FX-120i to confirm the weight. Half the time the RCBS is right on the mark, the other half it's slightly over and I just remove kernels manually. Slower for large batches but much less aggravating when loading ladders.
Next time I load 200 rounds I might plug the auto trickler back in. For now it just sits on the shelf. You will see a marked increase in accuracy when using the FX-120i, the auto trickler is a nice convenience tool but adds nothing to the quality of your reloads.
See those 2 older threads of mine if you have doubts on the FX-120i:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1602489-RCBS-Chargemaster-1500-vs-A-amp-D-FX-120i
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1477113-The-10-rounds-300-yards-cgn-online-challenge?p=14059821&viewfull=1#post14059821
Since I seat my bullets while the next charge dispenses the auto trickler doesn't save me tons of time. I still use my RCBS Chargemaster, let it dispense the amount of powder I want, then I use the FX-120i to confirm the weight. Half the time the RCBS is right on the mark, the other half it's slightly over and I just remove kernels manually. Slower for large batches but much less aggravating when loading ladders.
Next time I load 200 rounds I might plug the auto trickler back in. For now it just sits on the shelf. You will see a marked increase in accuracy when using the FX-120i, the auto trickler is a nice convenience tool but adds nothing to the quality of your reloads.
See those 2 older threads of mine if you have doubts on the FX-120i:
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1602489-RCBS-Chargemaster-1500-vs-A-amp-D-FX-120i
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1477113-The-10-rounds-300-yards-cgn-online-challenge?p=14059821&viewfull=1#post14059821
Load dev is easy
Drop charge, cancel button (mode button), turn auto trickler manually to get your 0.1/0.2/0.3gr higher charge, press auto trickler button (print button) to start going on new charge.
Never lost any time on this, never bugged out on me either.
You may have a unit that’s not going well or your input sequence/method may be off.
Drop charge, cancel button (mode button), turn auto trickler manually to get your 0.1/0.2/0.3gr higher charge, press auto trickler button (print button) to start going on new charge.
Never lost any time on this, never bugged out on me either.
You may have a unit that’s not going well or your input sequence/method may be off.
RangerPark
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Near Edmonton, AB
It's probably a little bit of both!
Hey Ranger
I was just looking at your first link here and decided to check out the Cambridge Enviro site where you got yours from for a price. Just making sure, Its 635 buckaroos for this guy and if you trickle manually this would be all you need.
Just clarifying
thx
I bought mine as the scale alone from Cambridge . I did get a check weight from them as well. I plan on trickling manually for now. You will also need some sort or powder pan.
RangerPark
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Near Edmonton, AB
This!! Don't forget the check weight like I did!!
x2. Cambridge is the place to buy it. Great service. Make sure you get the lab weight and always wear gloves when doing the initial calibration.
If you are strapped for cash and already have your "standard" reloading equipment setup.
You can easily jerry-rig something like this.
Nice setup!
Yes i do enjoy auto throw, seemed like a novelty at first but it does allow you more time to seat bullets while next charge prepares.
I never used the calibration weight, as for 20$ (what they sold me it for), it can’t be that accurate.
I did write down the weight of my powder pan.
If i use my powder pan in someone elses fx120 out of province, i can calibrate how much to add or substract to my load
And when powder pan gains 0.02gr in weight, time to clean it out
Yes i do enjoy auto throw, seemed like a novelty at first but it does allow you more time to seat bullets while next charge prepares.
I never used the calibration weight, as for 20$ (what they sold me it for), it can’t be that accurate.
I did write down the weight of my powder pan.
If i use my powder pan in someone elses fx120 out of province, i can calibrate how much to add or substract to my load
And when powder pan gains 0.02gr in weight, time to clean it out
From what I understand those are Class 7 ASTM weights.
In a nutshell weights designed for testing industrial scales marked III, IIIL and IV.
They can be bought with non-certified and certified statement of accuracy.
I think a must, if you are going to be spending that much money.
Cheers,
In a nutshell weights designed for testing industrial scales marked III, IIIL and IV.
They can be bought with non-certified and certified statement of accuracy.
I think a must, if you are going to be spending that much money.
Cheers,
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
After my 3rd gem-pro started wandering ( always replaced FOC but a pain shipping them off and waiting months for the replacement ) I finally went out and got my FX 120 . Major improvement , wish I had just bit the bullet first and saved all that time . Throw my charges close and then drop kernels into pan up to weight . Got the 50 gr. check weight , it's the only way to know your exact weight if you ever use another scale or wish to share or compare data and it was only another $ 15 or $20 . Had quite a long conversation with the people at Cambridge about the scales ( only live about 30 min. away ) and they told me if I ever wanted to add power trickler , to bring the scale back and that they would connect and sync it up with my scale to guarantee accuracy . Expensive yes , but very happy with the purchase . Funny part is I phoned before driving over to make sure it was in stock . Cambridge is laboratory supply , but as soon as I asked if they had any Fx 120's instock their next question was " you a shooter ? ".
The FX-120i can only calibrate with 50g or 100g so the 20g weight won't be able to calibrate the scale.
You can use the 20g as a check weight but not as a calibration weight
