Which auto trickler?

[HornDog87]

Hello gents,

Finally stepped into precision shooting, how ever with a progressive press its been a challenge in the powder despensing department. I've been getting. 3-.5 grain variances, I'd like to fix this issue. I've been looking at a lot of auto tricklers and some of them are hokey looking and some for prs, king of two mile type stuff. I'd like to see if anyone has any time behind reasonably priced auto tricklers around $200-350. Any and all information and experience would be greatly appreciated ?

Semper fi
Horner

 

[spife7980]

Just get a chargemaster, lite or 1500

 

[HornDog87]

Been eyeing the charge master, but a little leary of it since a McDonald's straw is the best option to reduce over throw.

 

[mratliff0619]

Been eyeing the charge master, but a little leary of it since a McDonald's straw is the best option to reduce over throw.

MK Machining makes a nice insert that works way better than a straw.

 

[goosed]

Auto trickler is not a real refined looking package, but it's effective. I love mine, but honestly you're paying for convenience. The same results can be had with the fx120, any powder dispenser for the majority of your charge and manually trickle up to your final charge weight. It just takes a little longer to trickle up by hand.

The chargemaster is a great starting point and really is a good bargain for what you're getting. The only thing you need to watch is they tend to drift over time. As long as you're paying attention it's not a big deal.

 

[Jack Master]

This winter I had the chance to use the RCBS Chargemaster lite (I own this) next to the Frankfort Arsenal intellidrop (borrowed). I was surprised in the results.
The Frankfort was faster, more accurate and gave different audible sounds for loads that were correct and loads that were not right or over. I also felt like the Frankfort was bit more accurate by reading out and additional decimal. The RCBS shows 00.1 grains but the Frankfort shows 00.02, I liked this. The only downside I found in the Frankfort arsenal was the physical size. It takes up more bench space.
The RCBS is good, and it works well too. Ya can't go wrong with either one.

 

[HornDog87]

This winter I had the chance to use the RCBS Chargemaster lite (I own this) next to the Frankfort Arsenal intellidrop (borrowed). I was surprised in the results.
The Frankfort was faster, more accurate and gave different audible sounds for loads that were correct and loads that were not right or over. I also felt like the Frankfort was bit more accurate by reading out and additional decimal. The RCBS shows 00.1 grains but the Frankfort shows 00.02, I liked this. The only downside I found in the Frankfort arsenal was the physical size. It takes up more bench space.
The RCBS is good, and it works well too. Ya can't go wrong with either one.

This is what I'm looking for, a side by side comparison from a forum member not one to work about bench space as I've got quite a bit in the shed. It's the convenience I'm looking for of only nit picking a. . 1gr difference. I never even looked at the frank fort auto trickler. I'll apparently have Alot of time on my hands with this Corona virus lock down in Alaska, so I'm not looking to rush this purchase.

Semper fi
Horner

 

[HornDog87]

Auto trickler is not a real refined looking package, but it's effective. I love mine, but honestly you're paying for convenience. The same results can be had with the fx120, any powder dispenser for the majority of your charge and manually trickle up to your final charge weight. It just takes a little longer to trickle up by hand.

The chargemaster is a great starting point and really is a good bargain for what you're getting. The only thing you need to watch is they tend to drift over time. As long as you're paying attention it's not a big deal.

Thanks for the response goosed, hand trickling is probably the more accurate and time consuming. But, I'm looking at auto trickler due to my arthritis that's been build up through the years. Charge master seems to be the go to for beginners, but I'd rather not buy once cry once. More like buy once, shed a small tear once. ?

Semper fi
Horner

 

[goosed]

Thanks for the response goosed, hand trickling is probably the more accurate and time consuming. But, I'm looking at auto trickler due to my arthritis that's been build up through the years. Charge master seems to be the go to for beginners, but I'd rather not buy once cry once. More like buy once, shed a small tear once. ?

Semper fi
Horner

Well if you want to buy once... The Prometheus (link) is the way to cry once.



Honestly, the auto trickler and auto throw from Onezero are a good with the bad type thing.

The auto trickle is my favorite part of the kit. It takes a little fiddling to get it at the right angle to trickle accurately without any extra kernels coming along for the ride, but not too bad. Once setup it's does the job 100% every time without me ever having to worry about it.

The auto throw feels and looks like a make shift after thought. Hell, it's just a lee powder dispenser with a motor. Don't get me wrong once you get it tuned so the kernels stay in the damn cup and don't bounce out onto the scale it does the job reliably. Although not pleasing to the eye it's a time saving efficient combo for sure.

Once you get to the FX120 grade scales... there are were some growing pains for me there too. The damn things are super sensitive. All scales are effected by indoor air flow, over head lights and cell phones to an extent, but it's super noticeable once you have this level of accuracy. The fact it takes 30min+ to warm up (leave mine on 24/7 now) is also annoying.

If I had to do it all again, would I? ...yeah... I would. Despite my seeming negativity about it not being perfect it's still by far the most accurate way to dispense powder I have used without it being a major headache. Though I still wish the area 419 components came standard on the auto throw/trickle for the price.

If you just want simple, imo, the chargemaster is still the better option and is accurate enough for most precision rifle pursuits.

 

[Ryridesmotox]

I got my Frankford during the black Friday sales. 160 shipped.

I have done about 600 rounds of 223 and 308 in the lat week, and probably 2 or 3k since I got the dropper. I have had no overcharges in the last few days (since I figured out a good procedure as explained below). I had a few unders, but tapped the trickle button and it was fine. I usually will set it to the weight I want to throw and then let it auto throw. So as soon as the pan goes back and its stable at 0, it goes again.

I turn it on and let it warm up for a while...I'll zero, then calibrate with the included 100g weights, powder cal, replace the pan, zero, and load. I turn it off after sessions, some people don't. Not sure if it makes my difference. This has worked nearly flawlessly for me.

I used to throw and trickle every charge on a beam scale. 600 rounds would have taken me days. Now I do 200 cartridges while the kid naps. And then carry on with the day after. I have not done any straw mod or anything to it. I have heard of people complain about drift, but I havent experienced it myself. The frankford seems fairly solid, which I was surprised about. I kind of expected it to be marginal at best.

 

[locutus]

Switch to ball powder and you won't need one!

 

[BrentlyWhite]

I got a Parker beam scale. I throw to .3 grains of load and trickle with the Dandy. It is fast and accurate. Faster than the charge master. I used a charge master before this setup but it drifted quite a bit. I will consider a match master but that will a year or so down the line.

 

[HornDog87]

Well if you want to buy once... The Prometheus (link) is the way to cry once.



Honestly, the auto trickler and auto throw from Onezero are a good with the bad type thing.

The auto trickle is my favorite part of the kit. It takes a little fiddling to get it at the right angle to trickle accurately without any extra kernels coming along for the ride, but not too bad. Once setup it's does the job 100% every time without me ever having to worry about it.

The auto throw feels and looks like a make shift after thought. Hell, it's just a lee powder dispenser with a motor. Don't get me wrong once you get it tuned so the kernels stay in the damn cup and don't bounce out onto the scale it does the job reliably. Although not pleasing to the eye it's a time saving efficient combo for sure.

Once you get to the FX120 grade scales... there are were some growing pains for me there too. The damn things are super sensitive. All scales are effected by indoor air flow, over head lights and cell phones to an extent, but it's super noticeable once you have this level of accuracy. The fact it takes 30min+ to warm up (leave mine on 24/7 now) is also annoying.

If I had to do it all again, would I? ...yeah... I would. Despite my seeming negativity about it not being perfect it's still by far the most accurate way to dispense powder I have used without it being a major headache. Though I still wish the area 419 components came standard on the auto throw/trickle for the price.

If you just want simple, imo, the chargemaster is still the better option and is accurate enough for most precision rifle pursuits.

Good God man! Buy once, go into debt forever lol
I have actually cleared a forever spot on the bench for the auto trickler I decide to grab. Like you were saying once you get it to the perfect angle it should pretty much live there, for consistency sake.
I don't think I'll ever reach fx120 status, however that's what I said about long range precision. Really appreciate the knowledge and once I get to a point in my long range pursuit, I'll most like spring for one of those.

Semper fi
Horner

 

[HornDog87]

I got my Frankford during the black Friday sales. 160 shipped.

I have done about 600 rounds of 223 and 308 in the lat week, and probably 2 or 3k since I got the dropper. I have had no overcharges in the last few days (since I figured out a good procedure as explained below). I had a few unders, but tapped the trickle button and it was fine. I usually will set it to the weight I want to throw and then let it auto throw. So as soon as the pan goes back and its stable at 0, it goes again.

I turn it on and let it warm up for a while...I'll zero, then calibrate with the included 100g weights, powder cal, replace the pan, zero, and load. I turn it off after sessions, some people don't. Not sure if it makes my difference. This has worked nearly flawlessly for me.

I used to throw and trickle every charge on a beam scale. 600 rounds would have taken me days. Now I do 200 cartridges while the kid naps. And then carry on with the day after. I have not done any straw mod or anything to it. I have heard of people complain about drift, but I havent experienced it myself. The frankford seems fairly solid, which I was surprised about. I kind of expected it to be marginal at best.

Honestly at this point the frankford seems to be the direction I'm leaning towards. it's price point is reasonable, it seems to be quite solid and the powder drain is a nifty addition.
I've still got about eight weeks before I return to work, so a little more research then a decision and I'll hopefully give my hands a rest reloading lol

Semper fi
Horner

 

[Ryridesmotox]

Honestly at this point the frankford seems to be the direction I'm leaning towards. it's price point is reasonable, it seems to be quite solid and the powder drain is a nifty addition.
I've still got about eight weeks before I return to work, so a little more research then a decision and I'll hopefully give my hands a rest reloading lol

Semper fi
Horner

Might want to wait til they drop a sale on them. I bet they do one for memorial or fathers day or something. At $200, I'm not sure I would go with the frankford over a chargemaster. But at $160 it's a no brainers.

 

[Bradu]

I hate my chargemasters. Both overthrow a tenth of a grain probably 40% of the time and two tenths about 6-8 times out of 100. I've tried everything, currently running the dual metal inserts, sitting on an anti static mat grounded, changed programming, nothing else electronic on in the room including lights, and ferrite chokes. I'm sure I forgot to mention something in there but I've also used the McDonald's straw in combination with the reducers. It helped but was ridiculous slow. Before all that it would overthrow up to a half of a grain.

I've discussed this with multiple people trying every suggestion made other than buying a power conditioner because I will get something else before I dump more money into this setup.

 

[goosed]

Good God man! Buy once, go into debt forever lol
I have actually cleared a forever spot on the bench for the auto trickler I decide to grab. Like you were saying once you get it to the perfect angle it should pretty much live there, for consistency sake.
I don't think I'll ever reach fx120 status, however that's what I said about long range precision. Really appreciate the knowledge and once I get to a point in my long range pursuit, I'll most like spring for one of those.

Semper fi
Horner

Unless something has changed recently that I don't know about the auto trickle still needs the fx120 scale in order to operate.

 

[goosed]

I hate my chargemasters. Both overthrow a tenth of a grain probably 40% of the time and two tenths about 6-8 times out of 100. I've tried everything, currently running the dual metal inserts, sitting on an anti static mat grounded, changed programming, nothing else electronic on in the room including lights, and ferrite chokes. I'm sure I forgot to mention something in there but I've also used the McDonald's straw in combination with the reducers. It helped but was ridiculous slow. Before all that it would overthrow up to a half of a grain.

I've discussed this with multiple people trying every suggestion made other than buying a power conditioner because I will get something else before I dump more money into this setup.

I think that's actually a little better than my chargemaster. Mine is .2 off on 10-15 out of 100. Maybe 1 in 200 is off by more than .2. That seems to be about average from the guys I talk to with various auto dispensers. Might not be perfect, but within .2 is good enough for prs or any non-ELR steel target plinking, imo.

I mean you could throw .3-.5 short n trickle up with a separate manual trickler. Ain't the quickest, but it is over $1k cheaper than the auto throw n trickle combo.

 

[flyright]

I started with a scoop, powder droppers then a beam scale then a HL&L, CM and ended up with a V2, now a V3. If I could start over, I'd have started with the V2/3 (if it was available then) and be done. A V3 setup is about as good as it gets next to the Prometheus IMHO. But, my next choice would be the old CM. It's normally less than .1 off the desired charge when checked on the FX 120 and I still have the CM and check it often. The plastic straw insert and some reprogramming does seem to help quite a bit.

I've seen a bit of group improvement from my scoop days but not incredibly so. My mentor was an old BR guy who used scoops or volumetric powder drops, did not have chronys, but shot some incredible 100 yd as well as 600 yd groups. Half MOA or less has always been my personal goal for a target or tactical (not BR) rifle/LR pistol and I've seen it many times with just a scoop. But, I've now gone down the rabbit hole and got my mentor to purchase a V3, also. So many variables besides powder charge but at least we're getting that one in some control. My .02.

 

[Lunchbox27]

Been eyeing the charge master, but a little leary of it since a McDonald's straw is the best option to reduce over throw.

You can use a Dunkin Donuts straw, too. Don’t limit yourself to just one straw choice... after all, they’re expensive.

I vote Chargemaster lite or 1500.