Electric auto measure and extruded powder

[BE Mike]

The Lyman 1200 DPS 3 I have is very accurate with Alliant Reloder 15 and Varget which are extruded powders. I've had it for many years. I do take the precaution to make sure that it is in an area with no air movement, vibration free platform and not where there is electrical interference. I see no reason why the latest model wouldn't work just as well.

 

[rockquarry]

Not to be a wise guy, or to hijack the thread, but why exactly do these electronic auto powder dispensers even exist? They strike me as what Colonel Cooper called a solution to a non existent problem, or something to that effect. And I do use manual powder measures, progressive presses, etc.

Again no disrespect intended, buy and use what you want. Just seems like money that could be spent on more powder and primers.

I'm a long ways from a Jeff Cooper disciple, but if he actually made such a statement, it made much sense. Is an electronic powder dispenser really such an indispensible tool? Any time saving would appear to be minimal at best.

Buy as you wish, but don't have unrealistic expectations.

 

[DWalt]

What I do with my Lyman 1200 DPS to speed up the process is to use a dipper from my Lee dipper set to measure a smaller amount of powder into the pan before activating the dribbler to bring it up to full weight. The only irritation is the time it takes to set up the 1200 and letting it warm up, then packing it up and putting it away after use. I'd guess the actual charging time per round to use it is about 15 seconds. I have used the Lyman for over 10 years (probably closer to 15) without any problems

 

[mtgianni]

Not to be a wise guy, or to hijack the thread, but why exactly do these electronic auto powder dispensers even exist? They strike me as what Colonel Cooper called a solution to a non existent problem, or something to that effect. And I do use manual powder measures, progressive presses, etc.

Again no disrespect intended, buy and use what you want. Just seems like money that could be spent on more powder and primers.

I have a Lyman DPS and owned it since 2002. I load rifle calibers on a 4 stage Lee Turret. I set it to dispense 25-65 grains and then size & prime, charge, seat the bullet and crimp. The charge is ready to dump when the cartridge is at the next stage to do so. It handles everything from the finest WC820 [AA9] to WC 5010 which resembled small lincoln logs. No way would I use it for loading 2 gr of BE for the 32 longs but it serves a great function. It also quickly weighs my cast bullets when I am sorting them by weight to within a 1/10 of a grain. I burned out a transformer with it but that has been the only maintenance in 20 + years at 1500 rounds a year or so.

 

[cmj8591]

Not to be a wise guy, or to hijack the thread, but why exactly do these electronic auto powder dispensers even exist? They strike me as what Colonel Cooper called a solution to a non existent problem, or something to that effect. And I do use manual powder measures, progressive presses, etc.

Again no disrespect intended, buy and use what you want. Just seems like money that could be spent on more powder and primers.

There are some guns that I load for where I weigh every charge. I use an RCBS Loadmaster and drop about 80% of the charge and let the machine trickle up to the desired weight. While the machine is dispensing, I'm seating the bullet on the round it just finished. It saves a lot of time. Reloading can get to be tedious and anything that saves time and gives the results I want is worth it for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Over the years I've heard so many small problems with electronic powder dispensers I have stuck with my Lyman #55 and I'm happy with that choice.

I'm sorry I can't help you on this one since I've never bought one.

 

[BE Mike]

Over the years I've heard so many small problems with electronic powder dispensers I have stuck with my Lyman #55 and I'm happy with that choice.

I'm sorry I can't help you on this one since I've never bought one.

I got rid of my Lyman #55 when I bought the Lyman 1200 DPS 3. I also sold my electronic powder scale. The Lyman 1200 DPS 3 is more accurate and serves the purposes of a powder measure and scale. I use it mostly as a scale to check the powder throws of my Dillon powder measures. Every time I check it with my Lyman check weights, it is spot on. The only reason I don't use it much to throw powder charges is that I don't load that much rifle ammo. The only drawback is that it takes 20 minutes to completely warm up.

 

[rockquarry]

I got rid of my Lyman #55 when I bought the Lyman 1200 DPS 3. I also sold my electronic powder scale. The Lyman 1200 DPS 3 is more accurate and serves the purposes of a powder measure and scale. I use it mostly as a scale to check the powder throws of my Dillon powder measures. Every time I check it with my Lyman check weights, it is spot on. The only reason I don't use it much to throw powder charges is that I don't load that much rifle ammo. The only drawback is that it takes 20 minutes to completely warm up.

I'd think a 20 minute warmup time would be a significant drawback.

 

[BE Mike]

I'd think a 20 minute warmup time would be a significant drawback.

Since I know about it ahead of time, I can plan for it. I use the time to load my primer fill tubes, clean and lube my press, check my dies for security and settings, check my brass (tumble and lube it), clean my reloading bench, pull bullets from my can of past rejects, etc.

 

[DWalt]

I have a Lyman DPS and owned it since 2002. I burned out a transformer with it but that has been the only maintenance in 20 + years at 1500 rounds a year or so.

Strange you should mention that. Within a few months after I got my Lyman DPS 1200, the power supply also went out. I called Lyman and they sent me a free replacement power supply immediately. I have not experienced any other failures with the 1200. As I said earlier, I use my 1200 only for rifle loads, and continue to use my two Lyman 55 measures for handgun loading as they are much faster.

I also use the digital scale of my Lyman 1200 for weight matching rifle cases and bullets. A very fast way to do that.

My Lyman 1200 is the II version. There is also the later III version, but I do not know what additional features it has. Maybe a computer internet connection? Whatever they may be, I don't need them. The II version does everything I need done.

 

[ike1518]

I'd think a 20 minute warmup time would be a significant drawback.

Considerate it as foreplay. lol!