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Lyman auto scale, good or bad?
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<Al Smith>
posted
I'm going to buy an electronic powder scale in the next couple of days and want to know what everyone considers the best one. My friend uses the Lyman auto scale and loves it. Any one have any opinions for me? Should I go with the Lyman or should I buy something else?

Thanks,

Al Smith

 
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<Lefty223>
posted
No experience with their scale, have used their stuff in the past, but the net abounds with stories of very poor customer service as of late.

That siad, have you checked out the Pact BBK electronic scale?? I just bought one with the AC adaptor from Midway for $85. Can't be beat for $$ and I am truly amazed at the ease of use, reliability, and repeatibilty. FYI: make sure you use in a stable environment, not subject to temp changes, drafts, etc. for best use. I just power it up immediately before reloading and let it stabilize while I get out the needed gear. One feature I like is the ability to do a forced 20 gram calibration, which means it is calibrated for around 183 grains or less. Using that feature I feel I am obtaining accuracy to +/- 0.1 grains. Tight groups !!

 
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I've used a Pact electronic scale for a few years, and I really like it. You have to let some electronic scales warm up for 10-15 minutes for peak accuracy, but they're still timesavers.
I'm going to upgrade mine with the infrared post so it can work with Pact's electronic powder dispenser.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

 
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001Reply With Quote
one of us
Picture of Bob338
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If the Lyman Autoscale is the tall one with a hopper on it and two tubes to dispense the powder, I had one. They were originally made and marketed by Arcadia Machine Tool (AMT) and mine severely malfunctioned. Sent it back for repair, yet it continued to malfuction. Finally sent it back and they kindly returned my money. They shortly thereafter were bought out and sold the rights to the scale to Lyman. The concept is great and probably Lyman is doing a better job of manufacture and quality control. I have a Pact with the Powder Trickler which has functioned extremely well for me and it is my scale of choice among 6 or 7 I have, including a scientific. It's extremely accurate and lends itself to accurate high production runs.
 
Posts: 1261 | Location: Placerville, CA, US of A | Registered: 07 January 2001Reply With Quote
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I have the Autoscale and the RCBS electric with scale. The autoscale is a little faster and much more stable than the RCBS unit. I have not had problems with ball powder on the Lyman, can't say that for the RCBS.
You will need to have a second scale, beam or digital to double check your powder weights. You can fine tune the powder weight by slight movement of the leveling screw. The only drawback is the heigth that the powder must drop to the scale pan. It can be a little messy. Other than that, I wish that all manufacturers would use aluminum for the pans and tubes. Damn platics make for static electricity, more so with the "improved" Hodgdon containers.
 
Posts: 694 | Location: Des Moines, Iowa, USA | Registered: 09 January 2001Reply With Quote
<Abe Normal>
posted
As to the RCBS automagic powder dispenser. If you are going to use powders like AA2230 or Bullseye or Unique or an extruded type powder you should be OK. However if you are going to load H110, AA#9, WC820 or that type powder (powders of VERY fine granule size) you will jam up the works, as did I. I had 3 of the RCBS Powder Master Elect Dispensers, before we (RCBS service dept & I) were able to sort out the problem. Every time I tryed to load .30 Carbine, that was the last time that that unit would work! Turns out that the fine granule powder I was using (AA#9 & WC-820)was working it's way into the bearing surfaces of the dispenser tubes and jamming them up solid. In the end, RCBS being the good company they are, gave me a full refund INCLUDING my shipping costs! The only caveat to this story is that this all happened to me almost 2 years ago. So it is possible that RCBS has sorted out this problem with the "new models".
 
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<sure-shot>
posted
Al, I've owned a Lyman Auto scale for almost a year. It's fast and accurate, so far no problems. I double check my charges with a beam scale every 20 rounds. I think Lyman worked out all the "bugs" some of the early versions had. sure-shot
 
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<phurley>
posted
I use the Lyman Autoscale and love it. I have used it for years. I also have an RCBS automatic dispenser and electronic scale that I use very little because you have to calibrate it each and every time you use it. I use it when I am loading several box's. I normally just load 10-12 per session for the next days shoot and the ole autoscale does the job by just plugging it in. Good Shooting.

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