Lyman Gen 6
- Thread starter desertcj
- Start date
Not to throw a wrench but I got one of these and man, it’s expensive but it’s accurate and fast.
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,532
- 4,177
I’ve been using mine for about five years now and I’m pleased with its accuracy. I still check every 5 or so on a beam to verify. And I calibrate each time I use it. There’s been a few times it’ll show a calibration error, maybe 10 times in the five years I’ve been using it, but just recalibrate with the weight and it’s good to go. There’s a pair of bushings on the tube, circled in red on the pic, that wears and needs replacing even couple thousand charges, it comes with one spare set. Last year the touch screen went out, I called Lyman and the lady said it was probably the ribbon cable, and since mine was out of warranty, I wouldn’t matter if I opened it up. She sent me ribbon cable free and that got it going. I’m happy with mine, and would recommend it.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 3,288
- 5,317
I’ve been using a RCBS Chargemaster for years and has served me well.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,207
- 8,514
I've got the RCBS Chargemaster Lite. It's worked great for me since 2017.
JD338
JD338
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,328
- 6,020
I'm on my 2nd Chargemaster. Other than an early glitch necessitating a return to RCBS, it has performed flawlessly.
truck driver
Ammo Smith
- Mar 11, 2013
- 7,316
- 877
Man am I out of step with everyone here, I still hand dip and don't use a trickler. I have a trickler but don't like it.
My beam scale a RCBS 10-10 has served me well over the years though I did have the handle on the pan break off this year but still use it with the handle tab laying on the pan hanger so I don't have to adjust the hanger weight to balance the scale. Tried different powder pans and could not balance the scale. Maybe a call to RCBS will get me a new pan.
My beam scale a RCBS 10-10 has served me well over the years though I did have the handle on the pan break off this year but still use it with the handle tab laying on the pan hanger so I don't have to adjust the hanger weight to balance the scale. Tried different powder pans and could not balance the scale. Maybe a call to RCBS will get me a new pan.
Salchi Papa
Beginner
- Sep 16, 2024
- 80
- 113
Am I seriously the only yokel weighing by hand still??? Maybe I need to get with the times
Anyone have a lead on a metal charge pan without buying a new scale?
Anyone have a lead on a metal charge pan without buying a new scale?
- Thread starter
- #9
George Foster
Beginner
- Dec 4, 2005
- 227
- 90
I have always used a beam scale set 0.2 light and then trickle in the rest. I haven't thought about it but it doesn't take that long to load however many I am loading, normally 20 at a time.
TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 2,533
- 2,052
I use a ChargeMaster to dump powder in a pan and final weigh with a FX120i, call me picky.
- Thread starter
- #12
I did find the Ultimate Reloader review on the Lyman gen 6. Seems decent for the price. Not the most accurate at +- .05 grain(tested) but definitely useable. They advertise +-.1 grain but I’m not sure if that’s the reality? 3 different charge weights in a batch of ammo doesn’t really make me feel good about the situation. Set at 30gr for instance, 29.9, 30 and 30.1 fall into +-.1gr whereas at +-.05gr, 29.95, 30 and 30.05 is quite acceptable IMO.
Electronic powder measures are nice until they're not I have two Chargemastersm a probably 12 to 15 years old 1500 and a Chargemaster Lite. Both with a stable supply of electricity work just fine. About a year before I had a bad car wreck that has prevented me from hunting or shooting something went haywire in the electricity coming into my shed. No difference in the shed. I haven't used them since January 2020 due to the wreck. There is a thing you can buy the will take your fluctuating power and smooth it out so that your digital readings aren't compromised. I forget what the darn things are called.
Paul B.
Paul B.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,754
- 5,846
That's my review. There's a written article on the website and the video as well. Did that in 2022 and am still using the Lyman Gen 6. No problems.
Sometimes I'll use it, other times I'll just manually dispense the charges, weighing on a balance scale.
Guy
- Thread starter
- #15
How have you found the accuracy of the scale/dispenser to be long term?
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,754
- 5,846
Honestly, I haven't made a thorough test of it again, but it sure keeps helping me build good rifle ammo.
Guy
Guy
Salchi Papa
Beginner
- Sep 16, 2024
- 80
- 113
Guy, has there been any measurable difference between the measure and hand measuring? With regards to accuracy or even the ES/SD?
I’m starting to believe I’m overthinking this just a smidge
I’m starting to believe I’m overthinking this just a smidge
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,532
- 4,177
What I do for my rifles where top accuracy is the goal, and not bulk for like my 223 loads, is set it to dispense the charge 1/10 shy and trickle up on the beam scale. But it’s probably not necessary because if I set the trickled charge back on the gen 6, it usually reads the charge spot on.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,754
- 5,846
No. Either way provides good, consistent powder charges. I do prefer spherical powders if I'm using the manual powder measure/dispenser to get more consistent powder charges. If I'm using some of the stick powders and a manual powder measure, that's when the powder trickler gets put to use.
Sometimes with the electronic measure - the doggone tiny spheres of powder bounce right out of the brass powder pan! That can get irritating.
Also with the electronic Gen 6... it's entirely possible to forget to close the "door" used to unload powder from the unit... Then the next time I poured a can of powder into it... the powder poured right out that door making a bit of a mess. That too was irritating. Pretty much everyone I've talked to who has used it has forgotten to close that piece after emptying the unit of powder... Sigh...
It's also a bit of a pain to clean, although not all that bad after getting the hang of it. Lyman does supply a nice little brush that helps.
I like using the Gen 6 mostly when I'm loading up 50 or more rifle cartridges with stick powders. I can get into a good rhythm of seating the bullet while the electronic powder measure is metering out another powder charge for the next case. Makes a nice smooth work flow.
Guy
Salchi Papa
Beginner
- Sep 16, 2024
- 80
- 113
Thank you!!! I’m gonna run the Ohaus scale and see if I truly need anything more than a good scoop and trickler to measure out charges but I think I’m going with a good powder throw in the near future. As of Nov I’m taking 3 months off so I’ll have time to tinker
