Electronic powder triklers
- Thread starter oldrodder
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I had a Lyman DPS (?) - was Generation III, I think - worked fine - at least when the throws were compared on my Hornady balance beam scale - but about effortless to use. Then, after some years, it started throwing "error" or "re-callibration" signals - at least it was smart enough to know it did not like what was happening. I would go through the re-callibrate sequence and it would repeat that error in a few more throws.
I have since got an RCBS ChargeMaster Lite - it has been plugged in continuously, since I got it in Oct. 2021 - seems to run fine. But the old balance beam scale and powder tickler are still set up on the shelf above my loading spot - I think both that Lyman that I had and the RCBS that I have, work much easier - especially to throw say 50 or 60 loads at a session - but I am not convinced they weigh any more "accurately" than the beam scale did - which, I suppose is to say, I think they throw "as accurately" as I was doing with the beam scale and powder trickler. For some reason, I am under the impression that both the Hornady beam scale and the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite are claimed to be "accurate" to within 0.01 grain weight - I might be incorrect about that. Many or most of my powder charges are intended to be thrown within 0.1 grain - so like 43.2 grains - so if I am correct about the "accuracy" of these scales, my true weight of the charges might be 43.19 to 43.21 grain - using either system.
I did notice in the User Instructions for both electronic ones - they want the power to be on them for some time - like an hour (?) - in order to "stabilize" their circuits or something - an aspect that is a bit different than the beam scale which seems to be ready to go, instantly. However, at least for this RCBS thing, I can not say that I had any hiccups or surprises, so long as I followed the User Instructions.
I have heard and read of issues for some electronic scales being interfered with by stuff around - likely why I have a four foot overhead LED light instead of any fluorescent lights in this room. My cell phone and laptop are in here about all the time, though. Both easily pick up the LAN signals from the printer in the house, or the various neighbour's LAN's. Once I found that what came off the electronic scales weighed the "same" on the balance beam scale, I did not worry about interference any more - in here.
And I am aware there are more expensive and presumably more "accurate" electronic scales and powder dispensers available to buy - like FX120 (?) - I am just not a good enough shooter, nor do I own the higher end rifles, to feel they are worth those extra dollars for me.
EDIT - I re-read your header on your post - you were asking about "tricklers" and my reply was mostly about "scales" - but the Lyman DPS and the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite are both, at the same time.
I have since got an RCBS ChargeMaster Lite - it has been plugged in continuously, since I got it in Oct. 2021 - seems to run fine. But the old balance beam scale and powder tickler are still set up on the shelf above my loading spot - I think both that Lyman that I had and the RCBS that I have, work much easier - especially to throw say 50 or 60 loads at a session - but I am not convinced they weigh any more "accurately" than the beam scale did - which, I suppose is to say, I think they throw "as accurately" as I was doing with the beam scale and powder trickler. For some reason, I am under the impression that both the Hornady beam scale and the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite are claimed to be "accurate" to within 0.01 grain weight - I might be incorrect about that. Many or most of my powder charges are intended to be thrown within 0.1 grain - so like 43.2 grains - so if I am correct about the "accuracy" of these scales, my true weight of the charges might be 43.19 to 43.21 grain - using either system.
I did notice in the User Instructions for both electronic ones - they want the power to be on them for some time - like an hour (?) - in order to "stabilize" their circuits or something - an aspect that is a bit different than the beam scale which seems to be ready to go, instantly. However, at least for this RCBS thing, I can not say that I had any hiccups or surprises, so long as I followed the User Instructions.
I have heard and read of issues for some electronic scales being interfered with by stuff around - likely why I have a four foot overhead LED light instead of any fluorescent lights in this room. My cell phone and laptop are in here about all the time, though. Both easily pick up the LAN signals from the printer in the house, or the various neighbour's LAN's. Once I found that what came off the electronic scales weighed the "same" on the balance beam scale, I did not worry about interference any more - in here.
And I am aware there are more expensive and presumably more "accurate" electronic scales and powder dispensers available to buy - like FX120 (?) - I am just not a good enough shooter, nor do I own the higher end rifles, to feel they are worth those extra dollars for me.
EDIT - I re-read your header on your post - you were asking about "tricklers" and my reply was mostly about "scales" - but the Lyman DPS and the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite are both, at the same time.
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I have an Omega 2 power trickler. It is battery powered and has a fast and slow button to enable you to drop one kernel of powder or several to top up the load. I found it takes about 15 minutes longer to load 50 rounds. It sits on the bench and no longer used. I find it way faster to just pinch the powder in using my fingers.
Same here.
Optical sensor on the scale, 12v motor on the trickler and control box with start button and motor speed controller.
Cost for parts to build it was about 25-30 bucks a few years ago.
I have an RCBS Chargemaster Supreme. Haven't used it much yet but it seems very accurate. I like the Bluetooth connection to the app, to set it up and throw charges. It can be a bit slow and fine ball powders can be a bit of an issue with respect to friction. I upgraded from a powder measure so the Chargemaster will def be more accurate and consistent.
I thought the Chargemaster Supreme was a nice midpoint between the cheaper units and a full medical grade scale and electronic powder dropper setup which can easily run $1200 and up.
I thought the Chargemaster Supreme was a nice midpoint between the cheaper units and a full medical grade scale and electronic powder dropper setup which can easily run $1200 and up.
Bubba Yugga
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Midwestern Ontario
Pretty good comparison video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qglxms6SQgM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qglxms6SQgM
Using a chargemaster lite here. It works well though overcharges sometimes when it can't deal with adding a kernel at a time slowly at the end. There's a McDonalds straw trick that improves things greatly. There's a guy in the states selling turned inserts on eBay that do the same thing. I bought a few of them years ago and the whole setup has been super reliable and consistent ever since.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I use a Frankford Arsenal powder dropper ( not just a trickler but a full function powder measure) and I am very satisfied with the unit. The unit itself is good and functions perfectly on its own, but the phone app controller if your digitally inclined is garbage.
A Mcdonalds straw is the perfect size to slide into the rotating dispenser tube part. Depending on how long you cut the straw you can partially block the opening in the tube where the powder drops in but the idea is to extend it a bit on the other end where the powder drops out. The straw gives a smooth surface for the powder rather than the spiral grooves that are inside the tube. When it's running full speed it doesn't make a difference but at the end when it slows down the straw really helps some types of powder drop out more predictably. It's a common thing people do with chargemasters. Look up "chargemaster straw mod". There are a bunch of youtube videos and threads on some of the other forums.
The turned one I bought is the same idea but it's a little metal piece that pops in the end. Just a bit nicer than an old straw.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
"straw trick" - I no longer load with much fine ball powder - as I recall, would see big difference with them - that Lyman DPS came with a black rubber end piece that would go over the end of the discharge spout to do similar - slow down the flow so that it would literally be dropping one or two flakes / granules of powder at a time, to "sneak up" to the weight that was called for.
Oh good call hahaha. Yeah definitely need the old plastic ones
I found it helped with stick powder too. I was using H4350 and it would come out in clumps of 3 or 4 granules near the end and overshoot the weight before adding the straw
bdft
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I also use the Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper and I am very happy with it. I routinely check my loads with another digital scale and it has never been more than .1 grn out and then very rarely. A bit of a PITA to change powders and the phone app wouldn't even download for me but all in all I would recommend it. I had a Lyman and it died after a couple of years. The scale quit reading properly.
As it turns out, finding the right sized straw is more difficult than you'd think. Took me forever to find one.
I did. I mentioned that they are HORRIBLY EXPENSIVE.
