Automatic Powder measure

[madang55]

Because its Christmas and Santa is coming....I'm getting a bit jaded when I sit down to reload 2oo case of 223/308 mostly. Its time I thought about an auto powder dispenser. They're a bit expensive, but its Santa time and they really do save a lot of time..... yes? LYMAN or HORNADY look to be the most available.
And, yes, I've owned various windy handle things, I own an old RCBS balance beam, and I use the little battery operated scales in conjunction with the RCBS.

[Bugman]

I did use an RCBS auto powder drop but since reloading with a Dillon, I went back to my old RBS 10/10 scales to frequently check my loads.
I would say that a few seasoned reloaders on this forum could add some advice on to which auto powder scale you could look at.

[jezzab]

Probably not much help but I like my Hornady Auto Charge Pro but I've never used the Lyman. It been accurate every time I've double checked the powder on another scale, and you can customize the speed etc etc

[Wapiti]

Hey Madang,
I use both an RCBS auto powder dispenser, and a Hornady version.
Both have the powder hopper, both automatically dispense whatever weight of powder you use, have multiple load storage options (which I don't use), and come with little weights to calibrate the scales. Mates of mine have mostly the RCBS, and everyone I've spoken to reckons the RCBC models are faster. I agree.

I use them for loads from 20gns up to 107gns for bigger cartridges I have and anywhere in between.

What the main complaint I've heard from others, and experienced myself, is how when almost at the exact weight of powder you want, the Hornady versions can overcharge because they tend to be a little jerky in their powder tube, which can accidentally drop too much powder.
Also, the Hornady really struggles with 2209 with this issue, because the powder granules are very long and can clump.
No such problems with the RCBS however, it is a dream to use and the electronics doing the metering, final few granules of powder, etc, are very smooth and fast.
RCBS has always costed a little more but has few if any faults.

Look, I also use simple beam scales, the RCBS Ohaus scale, which is of course awesome but slow. I use this scale to do one-off loads testing, but all my bulk stuff is with the auto measures. I also use this beam scale to check the electronic measures, and they have never been wrong. As you would expect them to be, accurate.

I must say though, that new versions of both brands are on the market now, improved over mine, and I have heard that the above thoughts I found are still relevant.
But as with everything, others will give different advice.
I reckon that once you have the brand you pick (I would recommend RCBS) you will NEVER think that you have wasted your money.
Enjoy whatever you buy.

[bigrich]

i have a hornady, and it's great with fine powders, but like wapati said, it's prone to overcharging with 2209 especially. if i replace my hornady i'll get the RCBS after recommendations on here . cheers

[madang55]

Gentlemen, thankyou. quickest information comeback ever I think, with no apparent arguments. We shall se what Santa brings. Have a good holiday.

[mchughcb]

Had RCBS for years. Never dream of going back. Doing big batches of reloads it just ploughs through them.

[Blr243]

Have hornady. Too slow. Love my cheap accurate Lee powder thrower instead

[Fester]

The buy once cry once is an RCBS Lite, or Link, whatever they call them now, bought when on sale from the usual suspect big shops.

I sped it up by having 2 weight-matched pans, so as 1 comes off, the other is on and working while I fill the case and seat a pill.
It's been going fine for about 7 years now, and the smaller machine is easy to store in the cupboard.

Just doesn't have the saved loads feature and can't really adjust the flow and trickle speeds for different powders.

I could never go back.