Reloading - scale/dispenser combos

Hawk · 02-18-2009, 07:59 PM

Are any of you reloaders using the powder scale/dispenser combination units like the RCBS ChargeMaster Combo or the Lyman 1200 DPS III? How well do they work? Is one better than the other?

Twodogs · 02-18-2009, 08:01 PM

I have the chargemaster and it works great.

tikkahunter · 02-18-2009, 09:40 PM

i have a pact setup works great it is the company that makes the rcbs setup but way cheaper

Lucky Guy · 02-18-2009, 10:03 PM

I've had the Lyman 1200 for a few years. It always works and it holds its calibration well, no malfunctions so far. Not the easiest to clean out, but it's the only one I've had so I'm not sure if one's better than the other.

Hunt'nFish · 02-19-2009, 10:01 AM

I love my RCBS combo. Couldn't live w/o it now.

BTW, I have a second brand new set still in the box. $250 and it's yours.
Hunt'nFish

CombinationLicense · 02-19-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tikkahunter

i have a pact setup works great it is the company that makes the rcbs setup but way cheaper

What is the cost of that PACT unit?

"CL"

baltz526 · 02-19-2009, 10:38 AM

midway= lyman 280.99, rcbs 319.99, pact 229.99 the pact now looks like the rcbs used to look.

CombinationLicense · 02-19-2009, 11:06 AM

Thanks Baltz - I have a progressive press for high volume pistol loading and it drops the charge by volume. For rifle cartridges though, that $200+ price tag still has me loading with a standard scale, measuring each load. I know it's from the "dark ages" but it's worked so well for such a long time that it's hard to justify the expense of one of the new combos. Is it worth it to you guys?

"CL"

Hunt'nFish · 02-19-2009, 11:37 AM

IMO, the combo units are the cats meow if you do a lot of load evaluation work.
When I do a load eval I load up 5rds in 1/2gr to 1gr increments from min to max.
Who wants to keep adjusting a scale and measure? So much easier to just punch in a number and let it do the work while I work on the last round.
It's an investment yes, but for those that do a lot of load development work, they pay back in time.
My opinion anyway.

Besides, the scale part makes case sorting SOOOOO much easier. no fiddling w/ a beam scale EVER AGAIN.
Hunt'nFish

CombinationLicense · 02-19-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

IMO, the combo units are the cats meow if you do a lot of load evaluation work.
When I do a load eval I load up 5rds in 1/2gr to 1gr increments from min to max.
Who wants to keep adjusting a scale and measure? So much easier to just punch in a number and let it do the work while I work on the last round.
It's an investment yes, but for those that do a lot of load development work, they pay back in time.
My opinion anyway.

Besides, the scale part makes case sorting SOOOOO much easier. no fiddling w/ a beam scale EVER AGAIN.
Hunt'nFish

That's a good point Hunt'nFish - maybe just the rationalization I need to justify the cost

I use the same methodology and have to do some load development this summer on two new (to me) cartridges - .257 Roberts (Model 70 Winchester) and 30-30 Winchester (20 Ga/30-30 Savage M24 combo gun). Also, since Barnes has discontinued their standard 7mm 160 grain X-bullet, I have to rework my "go-to" elk load. The 160 Grain Triple Shock and Accubond are what I'm going to try to replace it with.

"CL"