New to reloading which powder measure/dispenser?

[308 sako]

Evening all,

I’m looking at starting reloading. Will I be better off using beam scales and normal powder dispenser or buying an electronic powder dispenser with built in scales?

 

[hendrix's rifle]

My take - if you're doing 20 a month, stick with a beam. If you're loading for matches or do a lot of cartridges and shoot a lot through them, go electronic

 

[Tikkat1x]

both good, but iv eventually ended up with a RCBS chargemaster, wouldnt go back now,

 

[steve19]

Ive got a decent rcbs powder drop and good digital scales. (I check on a beam as well) Been using them for years.

If your not loading 100s of rounds for different calibres I'd stick with a decent power drop and scales

However, I am looking at upgrading to an electric one after seeing one in action and realising how easy and quick it is. I load for 5 calibres and shoot a 200+ rounds a month. I'm mainly upgrading for the time saving element.

 

[Jagged77]

An electronic powder dispenser like an RCBS Chargemaster is a good investment. Really makes things simple and easy even for smaller quantities.

 

[wytonpjs]

^^^^ Exactly this. I too have a Chargemaster and it dispenses my loads as fast as I prime and seat bullets so that it’s a quick half hour in the garage rather than spending hours!

 

[finnbear270]

Sold: Thread 'RCBS Chargemaster 1500'

May 26, 2025

£350.00 RMSD Included.

• finnbear270
• Replies: 36
• Forum: Reloading & Ammunition

• 

It was reduced to £450.00

 

[SimpleSimon]

I've just started reloading with my own kit having previously gone to the in-laws place to use their stuff a few times. I treated myself to a Lyman Gen 6, which I bought from Amazon US for under £200 including customs and shipping! It's slower than using a thrower, but there's no faffing to set it up, and once it's going on auto you can be seating the bullet on a round whilst it's dispensing the next charge.

I had a beam scale once, I hated it. Other opinions may vary!

 

[Tim1]

I have no experience with electronic dispensers but I’ve found electronic scales to be more mither than they’re worth.

For batches of 100 or so at a time, I use a beam scale and a Harrell powder measure.

T

 

[chriswjx]

I got to use the shop's dispenser yesterday.

I honestly think I'd have possibly been faster with a spatula, electronic balance and a set of Lee powder scoops.

But equally, I used to be an analytical chemist - so a ± 0.1gr window is actually quite big for what I used to do

Was wondering if I could set it to hit 2 or 3gr under my target just with it's quick dispense, and then let me manually get it to the mark... The waiting for the last 0.5gr or so to slowly trickle in was killing me

 

[Donkey Basher]

Save yourself a BIG wad of cash & pair a good (old) set of beam scales with an old Lyman #55 powder measure. These will throw consistent charges all day. Use the beam scales to set the charge up initially & to weigh a sample charge as & when you think you need to check it’s still working OK. Keep it mechanical, no worries then about vibrations on the bench affecting weight or mobile phones interfering, etc.

Edit: should add that if you’re loading for more than one rifle or have different loads for the same cartridge, it’s easy to set a measure up for each load & simply use whichever corresponds with the load you're doing - I have seven of them & never paid more than £65 for one. With primed cases ready to use, I can do 100x .222Rem cases in 30 minutes.

 

[kenbro]

I used a balance beam for many years, then couple of years ago bought an RCBS 2000 Electronic scale and using Lee scoops (one scoop per load) then Finish with a hand trickler my loading process time was reduced considerably over the beam scale time.
Ken.

 

[Eric the Red]

Lyman Gen 6 electronic scales cheap on Amazon ATM. Sound investment.

 

[Cyres]

I use Lee dippers and trickle up to weight using an On balance electric scale.
measures to 2x decimal places and when you get into the swing of things v easy. Alternatively use a lee thrower under throw and trickle up.
D

 

[Muir]

Buy once: Neil Jones Custom powder measure. That combined with any beam scale will work for three lifetimes. I metered 20 charges oh H4350. 13 were dead on, the other 7 had a standard deviation of .0097 grains.

Close enough. -Muir

 

[cjm1066]

RCBS Chargemaster, sold my Lyman scales and powder dribbler. Beam scales and a dribbler are tedious to use, compared with the press button operation of the Chargemaster.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Lyman Gen 6 electronic scales cheap on Amazon ATM. Sound investment.

What he said

I bought one recently, couldn't believe how cheap it was to get from Amazon US compared to even the cheapest UK seller.
Comes with relevant power adapter in the box so it's absolutely fine to use, no faff.

 

[Muir]

Electronic meters will always let you down. Powder need not be measured to a exactitude. (Unless you're weighing bullets and cases) JMHO -Muir

 

[CastleStalker]

Got an RCBS ChargeMaster with Auto Charge Antistatic Insert and it works perfectly. Consistently meter’s a very accurate load.

 

[paulbshooting]

both good, but iv eventually ended up with a RCBS chargemaster, wouldnt go back now,

Me too. Great kit