Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve been simply beside myself with this dispenser. I bought it because Universal powder will not drop consistently from my Hornady LnL Powder Dispenser, whether I use the rifle or the pistol rotor. This product throws my Universal perfectly. It does it well and fast. I can see how a progressive press user would have no practical use for this, but a single stage loader like me finds it superb. I altered my load routine when using this dispenser. I used to fill a loading tray, drop 50 charges, insert 50 bullets, then complete seating and priming as needed. Pretty efficient. Now, using this product, I take 50 to 100 primer cases, start dispensing powder while expanding the case. Generally, the powder is ready when the cases is ready. I take the powder, drop it in the case, put the powder tray back on the scale, fit a bullet into the expanded case...meanwhile the dispenser starts filling again, set the unseated bullet into a reloading tray, and back to the start. In my experience I can just keep up with the dispenser. Once one or two reloading trays is filled with ready cases, I begin the seating and crimping process. The positive benefit of this sequential loading process is that I have far fewer powder spills. I don’t know what causes it, but when I would fill 50 primed/expanded cases at once, moving that tray would invariably result in getting jostled or shaken in some fashion, with a resulting in a powder spill of some amount. With tighter screws for the leveling pads, an actual knob for the emptying port, and a longer brush, this dispenser would be greatly improved...though I consider these items to be more nuisance than substance. The power and start keys...pretty happy with them, myself. As responsive as the touch screen is, I’m pleased that the device cannot be inadvertently started, stopped, or powder off.
I bought one recently and liked it so far. I use compressed air for the final cleanup step. While I am waiting for it to drop the next load, I seat a bullet on a previously charged round.
Thanks for making this video. I just picked one up off Amazon for $159.99 which I think is a great price. I'm looking forward to running some loads with this thing.
I don't get it. It cost less. And you want a top-shelf on everything. Well then go pay the big bucks then. The machine and how easy and accurate it is what is important? Then they throw in some trinkets to sweeten the deal. Now go buy a good brush and pan and your all set. And powder dump is no big deal either. You bought it because it was automatic and it was cheaper.
Nice work, Buddy! Very professionally done. And look at that subscribers count! I told ya you would zoom past mine! Congrats Brother. That’s a good powder dispenser. I would check it out. Thanks Squatch!
Great info for me because I've been eyeballing automated scales for a while. I don't bulk load much but I do load 100 hunting round at a time. This fit my needs perfectly. Thanks.
Well done video, lots of information thanks. I have a RCBS Chargemaster dispenser but wanted another to speed things up. I have just purchased the Frankford Arsenal Intellidropper couldn't pass up because of the price. Good to know it was probably a good buy. Thanks
I bought one and it was totally worthless. I won’t go into all the things that were wrong. I had ONE session when it worked good. Hats off to FA customer service. They sent a replacement out right away and told me to trash the old one. I hope the replacement works like yours does.
I have an RCBS Charge master and the powder shoot is in the same location, and as you did I have to place it at the end of the bench to unload the hopper also I take the plastic tube off to clean, a longer brush won't do it, the tube must come off to clean thoroughly. I'm sharing this so your viewers won't think the higher price unit will save you a few of the things you mentioned. I do bulk load, I start dispensing powder to 15 or 20 cases, then start seating bullets as the dispenser is filling the pan so I keep busy and do not just wait to fill all the cases at once. When the pan is full I fill a case, set the pan on the scale and seat another bullet keeping a good rhythm going and no time is wasted, it's actually great for bulk loading if you use my method or a similar method. The Charge Master isn't much faster and it does not have a powder calibration setting at least my Charge master doesn't also I had to put a straw in the tube to stop over charges. Hope this helps and thank you for the review.
I have purchased quite a few Frankford Arsenal reloading tools. They all seem to be made decently. Unfortunately if you have an issue with a Frankford Arsenal product you're more or less on your own with the customer service. Customer service is non-existent with this company in particular. You either get a young man or a young lady on the phone that absolutely knows nothing about the product they sell. Their help if you have an issue is literally non-existent. If you buy something from Frankford Arsenal just keep in mind that once it breaks you just throw it away and replace it. When I had an issue with my wet tumbler from Frankford Arsenal I needed a replacement o-ring for one of the caps, they couldn't even give me a part number nor did they know what I was talking about to begin with. Ended up having to send the unit back for a full refund and ordered a new one. Some of these companies like Frankford Arsenal build all of this equipment in China so you kind of get what you pay for. Unfortunately none of these American companies build these electronic powder dispenser in America all done overseas. Good review of the product itself Squatch. Echo
You’re most likely correct in your experience. Mine is a bit different. I dropped my FA Perfect Prime hand priming tool. It landed on the primer tray...and bent it at the entry from the tray into the priming tool. I contacted FA to buy a new one. They confirmed my mailing address and shipped me a new tray that arrived 2 days later...no charge. I expected to have your experience, but didn’t. Couldn’t have received better CS unless they’d sent me a new tray before I dropped mine.
I ordered one of these recently because there are so many good reviews. I am replacing an RCBS Chargemaster Lite. The App does seem to have the keypad function to operate as a keypad, but the part of putting your reload data in is pretty hard to use. It is much detailed and it does not seem to have an easy way to edit or delete the load data. I had to uninstall the app and reinstall to get rid of some load data that was stored incorrectly because I could not edit it. Of course like you it could be me. I want to have the app just in case the screen or buttons malfunction and the Bluetooth still works as a back up or to just use so I don't need to use the buttons on the powder measure at all. Reloading even in bulk does not pay to rush so I disagree on loading in bulk with a measure like this. I load my ammo in trays and run it through my Dillon 550B only to seat the bullet with a competition seating die and put a light factory crimp on. I don't like to use a progressive press to it's full potential when making my most accurate rounds. Especially with stick powder. Ball powder I often just use a Dillon powder measure on the press for loading bulk ammo. The powder calibration feature and not overcharging loads and accuracy of the scale are what makes it shine.
For the money, I like it better than the RCBS Chargemaster Link, however, my first F/A failed in less than a year and was replaced under warranty. It's sitting here still in the package until the RCBS fails.
Thanks really interesting video, I just bought the Lyman Gen 6 and I am keen to see the accuracy for my rifle loads. We don't get the Frankford arsenal brand here in Australia but it looks almost the same as the Lyman, cheers
The residual powder remaining in the reservoir, especially below the rotating trickler, is problematic when switching to different powders. Fine grained ball or flake powders are almost impossible to completely remove from the emptying tube. I have even had certain powders like Lil Gun stick to the walls of the hopper and reservoir, not just static cling…
Very good video I am on the fence myself chargemaster Lite Frankford Arsenal intelligent and Hornady Lock and Load seems like they're Frankfurt seems to be faster I would agree I don't like the two buttons up front any more info and I would appreciate it thanks
Just bought one. My only issue is static. The hopper and cover are plastic and powder sticks to hopper or is pulled off tray and sticks to sides of cover. I like that it is faster than me hand trickling
Another you tuber tested the FA unit and found it to drop slightly light loads as he weighed them on a balance scale. He also tested the RCBS which was more accurate.
I love mine. Completely changed my reloading practices. Was having huge issues with manual powder dispensers. This seems slower but actually it isn’t because I don’t have to check every ten rounds then readjust. I use it for precision rifle and pistol. Knocked up 400 .44 magnum and honestly with my procure didn’t slow me down much at all.
I mostly reload pistol loads, .45 LC and .45 acp. Can the FA Intellidroper handle these small loads without major deviations? And most importantly, is the scale stable as to correct weight measurement without drifting?
@@paul55austria51 smallest I go is 8grains of unique in .44 yes it manages it well. You teach the scales the powder, it runs a litttle routine to see how fast it can dispense. Seems to work. However it is a very expensive deck ice and I only use a few powders. Might be a good idea to somehow try one out first. I think you will be fine but I’m only one voice others mmv
@@paul55austria51 I have found mine to be very accurate. When I first got it I tested against a beam scale. It was consistent. I do turn it in first and leave it for an hour or so while I’m prepping the brass. It does take a while to settle
@@pj4433 Thank you PJ ! for me speed is the least important aspect in the reloading process. The important thing is accuracy. Of course there are more professional dispencers, but yes, it must remain financially manageable. It is striking that the so-called more expensive brands also have quite negative reviews. So, the Intellidropper is probably a good choice.
Appreciate the real in-depth discussion. But even with the speed you're seeing with this unit, I'm not sold on any auto dispenser. I don't trust any digital scale i can afford and the .02 difference at 100 grams sort of confirms that. Physics beats cheap electronics. I just fail to see any speed advantage over the way I throw a consistently close charge on my $25 Lee Perfect Powder Measure then in seconds trickle to weight on my beam scale. Just as fast, maybe faster, a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the cleaning/maintenance time. I know, I'm a Luddite. The only advantage I have seen is a guy who had two units running at the same time. But I for sure don't want to buy two machines and I really don't need that speed for the volume I deal with. But again thanks for the thoughtful look at this unit!
When I'm doing loads for a progressive press you want a fast nearly perfect powder measure and speed does count. When I'm doing precision rifle the last thing I want is speed. One quick thing, posters in full view, but Old Glory hidden behind the pegboard, not so cool !!!
I loved my FA Intellidropper… until it died at a young age of 1.5 years old. These have a reputation of failing soon after the 1 year warranty expires. I replaced it with an RCBS Chargemaster Supreme. The RCBS is extremely similar but better quality with a much more stable scale.
Its just me I was really looking into getting one of this type of scale it checked them all. all being made in china and some reviews I did read stated that between 1-3 yrs. Some went to crap. I was willing to put the money out now problem but spoke seem to be a gamble then you fight with the company's.
might be made in the same plant but not the same scale. I have tested both Lyman Gen6 and Frankford side by side the speed on frankford is much better, but the frankford seems more sensitive not sure if that is good or not because it takes longer to settle vs the lyman6. I have had the unfortunate task of disassembling both as well the the PCB board is much different.
