AutoTrickler V4 opinions

[Rick Richard]

AutoTrickler V4 opinions​

As the title says, I am looking for feedback from folks who are running this system. I am particularly interested in ease of setup, dependability, consistency and accuracy. I said I would never go this route….but…never say never. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Jdne5b]

There are potentially about to be a lot of V3 systems for sale used. Based on my v4 experience, I would go that route.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Love my V4. It was the easy button and has never let me down. OK- the occasional overthrow at the end from the small tube - but that's not really an issue and only seems to happen more often when loading small calibres - 223 and 222.

I have never owned a V3, so can't comment.

 

[Big_Daddy]

I own both a V4 and a V3.
Both work great.
Just a little different approach to solve the same problem.

 

[mtncwru]

I love my V4. I load rifle rounds (.223 and .308 mostly) using Varget, VV N140, or Shooters World Precision Rifle.

Pros:

• Best balance of speed and accuracy I've found. Throwing charges by volume is still the fastest option but costs in consistency; the Autotrickler cuts my loading time by about 75-80% compared to throwing + trickling by hand.
• Dead-easy to set your desired charge weight: enter your target weight in the app, double check that the powder cup is under the spout, and hit go. Making up a charge weight test array? There's a button to add or subtract 0.1 grains (or 0.01 grains, if you're into that sort of thing).
• Access to MacDonald Innovations excellent tech support, in the off chance you need it.
• Extremely consistent charge weights. It doesn't underthrow -- it will trickle up until it's within 0.02gr. Every now and again it will overthrow my .223 charges by 0.02-0.04 grains (which is well within my tolerances).

Cons/Irritations:

• Expensive. There are systems out there that will get you most of the benefits at less cost. Very few people actually need to-the-kernel charge weight accuracy (myself included).
• You are tied to an app to make it run. I'm not that worried about Adam disappearing, but it is a risk.
• I had to tweak the belt tension on mine a bit. The bulk tube was binding a bit. Wasn't hard to do, and I've had no issues since.
• Slightly finicky to dump the powder out when you're done loading. I have to take the assembly off the top, so I recalibrate every time. Not the end of the world, but an annoyance.

Mine is on an A&D FX-300iN. I bought from @CE Products and would buy again from them: the price you see is the price you pay (including all tariffs, shipping, etc.), and the scale came setup for the AutoTrickler out of the box. I have no regrets whatsoever about buying my V4: it takes the guesswork out of safely throwing accurate charges, and saves a ton of time in the process.

There are potentially about to be a lot of V3 systems for sale used. Based on my v4 experience, I would go that route.

Was there an announcement I missed? Is a V5 coming soon or something?

 

[209jones]

Have no beefs with mine, had a go round with changing powders once, only time that happened, taught me a lot about how it all works together, most of which tricks I will probably have forgotten by the time it ever happens again. It's been great to me, really like the A&D scale. I bought it on a whim, glad I did. Only other one out there at this point with any track record is the Supertrickler, IP is apparently being shipped now, hard to say about the Meehl yet, not shipping any yet. The one thing they all have in common is being able to use the A&D scale, believe you can use Sartorious as well. I just punch in the load I want, don't care if the machine remembers them or not as I use eough different loads it is sort of pointless, and I'm not willing to pay extra for that feature or any other fancy features.

 

[dusterdave173]

Love my V4

Takes a short time to get to know it and learn to "tune" things

The best item I have ever bought for my loading game

 

[Walt Krafft]

I have had both. I like the V4 better. It needs to be calibrated to the powder. Fiddling with the level of the machine helped my speed and reduced over charges. Mine likes the front up about a half bubble on the level. Now it measures a charge faster than I can seat a bullet. Buy the whole package from CE.

 

[madmixerman]

Had the V2 autotrickler that was great. Went to the V4 which was a great update. It has treated me flawlessly for the last 2+ years. Never had the V3 so I can't compare it to the V4.

 

[longrangebanker]

I love my V4, I'm not sure I'd trade it for anything out there. If you can operate a smart phone, you will have no problems with it. Do it and don't look back.

 

[Ccrider]

Years ago I had a V2 and was selected as one of the beta testers for the V4. I also bought the Gen 2 Supertrickler.

I sold the Supertrickler after 4 or 5 months. It was nice if you are into computer programming instead of shooting.

The V4 is simple to setup, accurate and does not take long to learn. It is also reliable and has excellent customer support.

The IP trickler looks to be faster with fewer overthrows, but if you are not on the waiting list, you probably are looking at a 2 year wait.

 

[Taylorbok]

super easy to use, speed and accuracy is top notch. I've never had any issues with mine.

100% recommend.
What thrower do you use now?

 

[Krogen]

I have had my V4 for a couple months and am well pleased with it. I concur with most of the comments above. It is a little "fiddly" but to me that's an advantage. It means I can fiddle with it. I like that most all the guts are there in plain view and I can get an intuitive feel for it. Calibrated with some care, I generally get spot-on charges, even with stick powder like Varget. Occasionally I'll get an over- or under-throw of 0.02 gr which is fine for my use.

Considering where I came from, though, it's a huge step up:
* Redding powder measure: fine for pistol, or fine grained powders; infuriating with stick powders.
* Powder measure, Dandy trickler and Creedmoor scale: So slow, drifty, but overcharges are mine.
* RCBS Chargemaster Lite: Slow. Lies on overcharges. Hits the mark, goes over and claims success.

None of these were happy solutions for me. Using the powder measure and Dandy trickler with my new A&D scale is a better manual solution. But I'm very pleased with the V4. For a few rounds, I'll use this manual approach. For more than just a few, the V4 is great. I considered a Super Trickler, but it was more expensive and I read various reports of headaches with it.

 

[bulaman]

I love mine. It provides quick and very consistent measures. It takes a little fiddling with front to back angle for very large grain powders, but I still wouldn't trade. it.

 

[Dean Slater]

I like my V4 way better than the V3 I had. So much nicer to use.

 

[cyranis]

I run both a Supertrickler and a V4. Couldn't be happier with both. The quality of your surface level and table stability plays a large part in overthrows. I have near zero with varget and retumbo.

I use the Area 419 powder cup with an aluminum disc glued to the bottom so it's the perfect height, zero stray kernels.

 

[Pete Wass]

I find that my V4 needs the powder supply tube be above 1/3rd full to throw consistent charges. Thinking about a bigger supply source. Other than that, Mine is a great machine.

I usually am loading at least 100 rounds when preparing for a match and once I get going, I want as few low or high charges as possible.

 

[OMW57]

PLUS 1 for the V4!

 

[3Ackleys]

I got one of the first V4's- after about a year wait. If it broke tommorrow I would order another. Love it.

 

[jpjulian]

I love mine. It's way more accurate than the Chargemaster 1500 I used before. I don't try to run it so fast as many who are displeased wish it to run. I tune it to 12-14 seconds per dump on average and it gives me 96% accuracy to +/- .02. Dispense, charge a case, seat a bullet, and the next charge is waiting for me. What more can you ask for? It is a very good precision instrument and fairly priced IMO.