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Frankford Arsenal Bench Top Powder Measure

wkndwarrior

Silver $$ Contributor
Looking to add a benchtop measure for bulk loading fireball and other small caliber loads. This is to supplement my chargemaster. Not looking for something that I'll need to trickle up or verify each load. I like the thought of the micrometer for easy set up. Mostly metering lil gun and CFE spherical powders.

Many of the reviews on youtube and the interwebs look too good to be true. Does anyone have any experience with the new(er) FA bench top powder measure? The price is not bad for the features, I might give it a try if you could purchase it directly with the pistol sized drum.

Other options are to spend 2x for the redding or harrels. Are buying these used a good idea or will I spend as much rebuilding or troubleshooting a worn measure?

Thanks for any input!
 
I just bought a thrower a month ago. For me, I had different requirements, but it was down to the FA and the RCBS competition thrower with the micrometer. I ended up going with the RCBS and I am glad I did. I just have read far too many bad reviews of the FA to take a chance on it. And the RCBS is as good as all the reviews say. It really only has problems with large extruded powders (and there is a hack to deal with that too)

For your requirements, I would actually be looking at the little dandy. Small cases work wonderfully with that system. No hassle and no adjustments are possible after you have the load weight you want. It's the perfect thrower for something that you bulk load and never need to change your weight. But if you do, you just get another rotor.
 
So far I'm off of FA - their customer service is POOR!
Does look like a nice measure though - good luck.
 
My FA Intellidropper has worked perfectly for 3 years, I have checked the weights many times. Just crapped out last night so I emailed their customer service and told them. They already responded asking my physical address and info. They said I would have a new one in 7-10days. I dont think that can be called bad customer service. Would the other companies be that quick and without question on a 3 year old product?
 
ggshoots said:
My FA Intellidropper has worked perfectly for 3 years, I have checked the weights many times. Just crapped out last night so I emailed their customer service and told them. They already responded asking my physical address and info. They said I would have a new one in 7-10days. I dont think that can be called bad customer service. Would the other companies be that quick and without question on a 3 year old product?
Click to expand...

My exact experience. They were super nice.
 
Dimner said:
I just bought a thrower a month ago. For me, I had different requirements, but it was down to the FA and the RCBS competition thrower with the micrometer. I ended up going with the RCBS and I am glad I did. I just have read far too many bad reviews of the FA to take a chance on it. And the RCBS is as good as all the reviews say. It really only has problems with large extruded powders (and there is a hack to deal with that too)

For your requirements, I would actually be looking at the little dandy. Small cases work wonderfully with that system. No hassle and no adjustments are possible after you have the load weight you want. It's the perfect thrower for something that you bulk load and never need to change your weight. But if you do, you just get another rotor.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that input, I hadn't really considered the little dandy but unless I found one at a yard sale with all of the drums - I'm sure it would add up quick!
 
Well, I thought maybe a bunch of folks would chime in with experiences with this powder measure but I guess it hasn't been too popular yet. I guess I'll give it a shot and follow up later with my experiences.

For the FA debate, my wife is in the reserves and FA does some nice military pricing (sometimes - prices change a lot) so I buy a lot of their products. I like a lot of the stuff but would generally not buy anything electronic again.

Positive experiences:
Universal bullet seating die - I bought two, they work awesome. If the discount kicks back in I'll probably buy a few more.
Pile driver - everyone needs one of these. Just make sure you bolt it to a stud.
Perfect seat hand primer. Much easier to use than my rcbs hand primer.
Rotary case cleaner and accessories, dehydrator, cleaning fluid.
Stuck case remover
Case trim and prep center - after installing a carbide cutter from RCBS.

Not so positive:
Electronic calipers - I have three that stopped working. I haven't tried customer service about it yet.
DS-750 scale - this is very inconsistent.
Aluminum powder funnel - I just had very high expectations, it works but somehow powder seems to find its way under the inserts. It doesn't work well for 17 caliber loading either.
 
I'm glad most of you are having good luck with FA items & their customer support. I have their rotary tumbler & 2 drums & can't get by without them. The timer is going out so I use an external timer. I haven't bothered CS & will probably just buy another unit if anything more serious goes out. I may be spoiled, but I'm use to RCBS, Redding, & Leupold excellent customer support.
 
The only thing I have FA is the Intellidropper. I've loaded thousands of rounds on it, especially for pdog shooting. If and when I have issues with it I'll give FA a call. If they do something for me fine, if not I'll make a determination on my next move. Always something new coming out.
 
Timberyote said:
The FA unit looks like a clone of the Hornady one.

I had the Hornady about 30 years ago and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It was totally inaccurate, throwing inconsistent charges.

I hope the FA works for you.
Click to expand...

It's not. I have the Hornady.

Honestly, I'm just wondering what people think is in one of these things. It's a machined drum riding inside of a casting from a hopper. There really isn't much to one of them.

I've also had the RCBS dropper. I don't see why it's got any special design that makes it superior to others. It looks exactly the same to me. Which also looks the same as a Lyman, or a Redding. I would say the Frankfort looks more like a Redding.
 
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