Question: Powder Measure/Dispenser/ Scale died.....what now

[whacker1]

I had a Lyman DPMS 1200 powder handling system that died on me this morning.  I think it was just short of 10 years old. 8 or 9 for sure.  My father-in-law had an RCBS Chargemaster that died on him a couple of years ago.

I really like these formats.  He replaced his with a Hornaday.

The question is, should I be going back to the Lyman Generation 5 or 6 that are available now, Hornaday, or RCBS?

Do any of these have a better lifespan or are they designed like front loading washers that aren't supposed to make it past 10 years.  I am going to pick up a new one in the next couple of days, so those of you who load a lot, point me in the right direction.

If it helps, I am predominantly moving a lot of Retumbo and H1000, so the longer stick powders is what is running through it.

[ASHQUACK]

RCBS Loadmaster.

[hunting4sanity]

This might be another Ford vs Chevy vs ........ , but I had the Hornady first and switched to the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. I've felt the RCBS was faster and more accurate at dispensing powder. I found on-line forums that suggested putting about an inch or so of a drinking straw or writing pen barrel in the discharge port with some powders, it did seem to increase the consistency of getting the exact weight. I have no Lyman experience, but IMO I'd pick the RCBS.

[grundy53]

I use the Hornaday. I've been happy with it.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[whacker1]

This might be another Ford vs Chevy vs ........ , but I had the Hornady first and switched to the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. I've felt the RCBS was faster and more accurate at dispensing powder. I found on-line forums that suggested putting about an inch or so of a drinking straw or writing pen barrel in the discharge port with some powders, it did seem to increase the consistency of getting the exact weight. I have no Lyman experience, but IMO I'd pick the RCBS.

Yes, I agree it will be a Ford /Chevy debate.  I was hoping some of those folks that can say their's have lasted longer than 10 years or crazy volume of loading.  I don't load a lot, but when I do, I usually move a 1lb of powder, which isn't hard to do when moving 90-110 grains of powder at a time.

or maybe a whole lot of folks will chime in to let us know which brand died for them, and we can eliminate those that died from the list.

[ASHQUACK]

My RCBS is going on year 6. No problems as of yet. I load around 1000 rounds a year for what that's worth.

[whacker1]

I read the reviews of all of them on multiple web-sites and it seems that they all have about 7-10% that fail in the first year, based purely on reviews.  RCBS has the highest satisfaction on most sites at 80%ish.  some higher, some slightly lower.  The Gen 6 lyman does not get good reviews.  The Hornaday is probably in the middle.  RCBS has by far the most reviews on most web-sites.

I put this up like front load washing machines in that they are all designed to fail in the 6-10 year time frame.  Frustrating purchase for sure.

Not sure which direction I am going to go with, but thought I would thank you all for your feedback and let you know what I figured out.

[BULLBLASTER]

I've had my charge master since 2009. Had some issues with it for most of those years. Now I just don't turn it off and it is fine. If I turn it off most times it doesn't start back up. It counts down and then just sits at "OL" or "OF" on the screen. Thinking I may replace it this year

[whacker1]

I've had my charge master since 2009. Had some issues with it for most of those years. Now I just don't turn it off and it is fine. If I turn it off most times it doesn't start back up. It counts down and then just sits at "OL" or "OF" on the screen. Thinking I may replace it this year

frustrating.  it appears that all of these units are garbage unless you get lucky out of the box.  Mine made it 10 years with very few issue, but now they have newer nicer models of the same manufacturer, that seem to fail more often based on the reviews.

I will let you know what I end up purchasing.

[JLR]

I use two Chargemasters and have had one go T-U on me.  I sent it in and they fixed it for pretty cheap, much less than a new one.  Also tried the Hornady model and it was complete garbage.  Took it back to the store and got the second Chargemaster.