I'm thinking about buying one of the auto-matic powder dispensers that weigh out the individual charges onto a scale that's linked to the dispenser. The three Ive found are made by RCBS, Lyman and PACT. Does anyone have experience with any of these? The main considerations are "how fast do they weigh a charge", "can they handle the different types of powder?" and "do they last"?

I have been playing with the RCBS 1500 Combo unit for a little over a week.

I am seriously impressed!

Ditto for Steve's comment! I use my RCBS check weights every now and then to make sure the scale is weighing correctly and so far it has been spot on. I do get an occasional heavier load dispensed , but that appears to happen when a cluster of kernels rather than a single one fall from the dispenser tube as the machine is trickling the last of the charge. By the time I have seated a projectile, the next load is just about ready to load.
rob

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The RCBS 1500 is really great. You will be shocked at how much quicker you can load a box of shells. And quite accurate. Kudude

I have one of the original PACT combos and I used to hate it as it was too slow, but I still used it because it was accurate as could be. About a year ago, I sent it back to have it upgraded to the new high speed model and now I love it.

Nothing but positive comments on the RCBS Chargemaster Combo. Dispenses a 70 grain charge in about 20 seconds.

quote:

Originally posted by WVhunter:
I have one of the original PACT combos and I used to hate it as it was too slow, but I still used it because it was accurate as could be. About a year ago, I sent it back to have it upgraded to the new high speed model and now I love it.

How much did they charge for the upgrade? I've got one of these and I like it, but it IS a bit slow.

Is it better to load by constant charge weight or by constant charge volume?

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DB,

How's it going?

I bought the Lyman 1200 Dispenser only because at the time it was the only one sold in 220 volt for outside the US.

I cannot believe I lived without one of these widgets for so long, they are a joy to operate and beats the snot out of fidling around with a scale (yes, it still has it's purpose).

Find one you like and get on with it 'cause I think they are great.

It seems like this comes up every couple of weeks, I have the RCBS and love it, I do use my Pacific measure for the 223, I load 500-1000 at a time and it is quicker for those volumes

I use either one or two of the old Lyman Autoscales or the newer Lyman 1200 LPS each night in my reloading room. Some nights I use all three, and maybe in addition the balance beam on one of the autoscales. I keep only one powder that I shoot many different loads with stored in the Automatics, then when experimenting, use the balance beam. Good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by JLarsson:

quote:

Originally posted by WVhunter:
I have one of the original PACT combos and I used to hate it as it was too slow, but I still used it because it was accurate as could be. About a year ago, I sent it back to have it upgraded to the new high speed model and now I love it.

How much did they charge for the upgrade? I've got one of these and I like it, but it IS a bit slow.

75.00 and shipping to them...they paid the shipping back.

quote:

Originally posted by WVhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by JLarsson:

quote:

Originally posted by WVhunter:
I have one of the original PACT combos and I used to hate it as it was too slow, but I still used it because it was accurate as could be. About a year ago, I sent it back to have it upgraded to the new high speed model and now I love it.

How much did they charge for the upgrade? I've got one of these and I like it, but it IS a bit slow.

75.00 and shipping to them...they paid the shipping back.

Thanks for the info. Gotta' get a couple other things squared away first, but that sounds like a good thing.

phurley

Some reviewers have complained that the Lyman is a pain in the neck to clean out when switching powders.........has that been your experience ??

sdgunslinger ----- It is not a big deal, but I do try to set it up for loading many rounds of a certain powder. For example, when I was getting my .416 Remington ready for a Buffalo hunt in Tanzania, I used only RL-15 for approx. two years. I just kept pumping out the same load during testing and final prep. I also keep only one powder in my two autoscales. I shoot RL-22 in several rifles and keep it in one, and I also shoot H-1000 powder in several rifles and keep it in the other. When I use only a small amount of another powder in testing I simply use the balance beam of one or the other. When testing I use only 3-6 rounds of a particular load, these I can always pour from the powder jar. When you shoot as much as I do, you will find all the shorcuts. Good shooting.

I have one of the PACT (faster)versions (the upgraded ones). It's very accurate, but still slower than throwing rounds with a powder measure.

Since that time, I bought one of the Sinclair Harrell "culver" benchrest measures. It's much quicker, and just as accurate. Cost a lot more though.

If you decide to get a PACT, I can make you a good deal on mine. If you are interested, give me a PM.

Jeff