Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by hmcbride » 08 Jul 2019, 10:30 pm

Looking at getting a new powder dispenser
Wanted to see if anyone has bought the Lyman Gen 5 digital powder dispenser.
Pros or Cons or can recommend another dispenser...
Let me know your thoughts :)
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by SCJ429 » 09 Jul 2019, 4:13 pm

I use a RCBS Chargemaster which is pretty good, I would buy another one if it broke. I still weigh my loads for competition on a balance beam but to be honest the RCBS is good enough to get you inside your node.
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by JimTom » 09 Jul 2019, 6:28 pm

Mate I exclusively use the RCBS Chargemaster lite. I have been using it for around 12mths and have found it to be accurate enough for what I do. I think it’s a good bit of kit mate but like everything no doubt someone else would recommend something else.
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by Mark » 09 Jul 2019, 6:36 pm

I've had my gen 5 for about 5yrs, i don't shoot comps but i can still hit what i aim at !
Mostly
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by JimTom » 09 Jul 2019, 7:55 pm

Mate there are a few reviews that compare them both on internet if you do a search.
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by in2anity » 09 Jul 2019, 8:05 pm

I have a gen6, which is a smaller gen5 I believe. It throws +/-.1 gr, often under, but in reality does that change groups? Hard to say. If your on a node, I don’t reckon it means much. Probably not the best choice for competition benchrest or f-class or similar, outside that it’s bloody fantastic.
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by Blr243 » 09 Jul 2019, 8:26 pm

I use the hornady digital scales/ thrower. I find it to be consistent and accurate But once I find the load I want I would much rather use a manual thrower because it’s so much faster
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by in2anity » 19 Jul 2019, 7:28 am

A very unbiased discussion covering the pros and cons of the Lyman Gen6 Powder System. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFEmydtRODA his findings match mine exactly.
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by bigfellascott » 19 Jul 2019, 10:40 am

I'm happy with my Chargemaster, haven't seen a Lyman version in action but no doubt it will do the same thing. Would I buy one for competition loads, no but for hunting and general reloading where ultra accuracy powder weighing isn't needed it's a great little thing to use, nice and quick compared to a beam scale and not to bad compared to a thrower (I generally seat the projectile whilst it's dispensing the next load and the whole process is pretty much automated and quite fluid.
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by BRNO_Bigot » 21 Aug 2019, 6:51 pm

I'm using a Lyman Gen 2 - yes, I'm not answering the question, but read on.

When I got it, I was very disappointed, since it overthrew every single time by about .4 grains at least and then wanted to be recalibrated.

I was in the process of boxing it up to send back, when I noticed a gadget that said it was for long grained powders "like H4831SC" - so I turned this into the dispenser (it constricted the nozzle) and since then it does a really good job. It does tend to drop an extra .1 grain about every 4th time with the powders I use, but otherwise it's great.

When it breaks I'll get the latest Lyman. (or RCBS)
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Re: Lyman Gen 5 review? Other options?

Post by in2anity » 21 Aug 2019, 7:38 pm

Yep the restrictor is the go. I always have it in, regardless of the powder. Definitely improves precision.
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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