RCBS vs PACT (as of now - most recent reviews)

[1972]

I know this may be a sore spot for some because in many ways this is a question that has surfaced before. Perhaps more than once. But I understand things have changed and as there don’t appear to be any “reviews” dated since these changes, I’d like to get some opinions from those of you who have more experience than I do.

I want to purchase an automatic scale/powder dispenser. The two I have been looking at are the RCBS and the PACT. It’s my understanding that the RCBS “was” rated slightly better in the comparison reviews that were available. In general it was considered a bit faster and a tad more accurate.

But since the dates on the only reviews that I can find the PACT has apparently been upgraded, and now claims to be faster than the RCBS.

And then there is the matter of the RCBS apparently now being manufactured in China, whereas the PACT is supposed to be made in the USA. I don’t really like the China connection.

Can anybody shed any light on which of these two (RCBS vs PACT) is NOW considered to be the better of the two? I know there are some makes out there better than either of them, but those units are starting to get up into the $2000 to $3000 range, so I’m going to have to stick with one of these two.

With all due respect to the fans of such, based on what I’ve read the Hornady or Lyman models never did match even the earlier models of the RCBS. So it’s down to which one of these two is best – PACT or RCBS.

Not knocking anything out there, just interested in whether or not the fact that PACT has been redesigned – or that RCBS is made in China – has any effect on what the status of these units is NOW.

Anybody know of a RECENT comparison/review?

Thanks to all for your help and advice.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

If i'd have known when I bought my charge master it was made in china I never would have bought it.

 

[jp]

RCBS is the one I would buy again with out a doubt...I have owned the pact and was not impressed with it. It was not as accurate as the rcbs unit.

 

[LHSmith]

I actually have both, first started with a Pact from ~ 10 years ago....then purchased a CM ~ 3 years ago.
They both throw charges that agree with my 10/10 scale (with-in 1 tenth grain). For me speed is not an issue, as i pre-load for BR matches at home, as well as for practice sessions.
Hands down the CM is more user friendly......#1 is emptying the reservoir.....#2 is the electronics via a touch pad allows you to do more with load data.
I bought the CM because of RCBS rebates and Cabelas special pricing / and points made it too attractive to pass up.
The clean-up is the major advantage.....as long as you remember to close the dump port.

 

[fdshuster]

"Made in China" is also a sore spot with me & for that reason alone will not buy the RCBS Chargemaster, or any other brand, like Lyman, etc. that are "Made in China". Thinking "Made in America" would meet my requirements I bought a Pact about 18 months ago. It was returned within 7 days for a refund. A very big disappointment. Maybe I got a bad one, I don't know, but will not jump thru all the hoops trying to find something that is dependable, quick to setup & easy to use, and for that the good old RCBS 505 meets all my requirements.
Beam scales have been around since the beginning of civilization, tough to beat a mechanical device as simple as that, so that remains my choice.
It takes me approx. 15 minutes to weigh 20 charges & that's O.K. with me.

 

[bheadboy]

i am not sure the "made in China" is true, if it is, there must be a stiker saying so as the country of origin is required.

some one look and see, mine some what older is USA
BOb

 

[LarryDScott]

Whats not made in CHINA anymore ??? In early 2000 I owned a Pact unit. I found it to be accurate, but slow. This was after the split from RCBS, and they were no longer green. I do think the Pact unit was at that time, made of better materials than the new CM.
The fact that it was a 2 piece unit, had some inconviences that I would later discover as compared to the CM.
I bought one of the early CM that had the over run problem, but RCBS took care of that at no expense to me, not even shipping. They sent me a new unit including a pickup label for the old one. The CM, being one piece is more user friendly than the PACT, as far as being moveable, and the powder dump feature on the CM is a plus. Once you program a Pact unit for your reloading session, its almost impossible to move it any on the bench, w/o loosing the elec eye contact between the dispenser and the scale.
I recently sold my, (MADE IN CHINA), CM as I am currently selling out all of my personal reloading equipment.
Want something made in America, GOOD LUCK. Some day after its to late, someone will make the now,very blatant discovery that TAXES, UNIONS, and GREED have driven the manufacturer out of this country. Larry in western Ky.

 

[fdshuster]

BOb: They have been made in China for a few years now. Just look at the label on the box. The Rockchucker press has been "Made in China" since they came out with the changeover handle, left or right side. The new RCBS beam scales that I've seen are "Made in Mexico".

Well, at least Mexico does not have nuclear weapons pointed at us, is the protector of North Korea, and supplies the terrorists with their weapons, including explosives.

I would welcome an organized boycott of all shooting related items that are "Made in China". Unfortunate that day will never come.

 

[Taildrag15X]

I have 2 PACT systems.....both are PACT Grey with RCBS Green scales, they work well for my needs, one with Varget and the other is set up with R-15 and is the one that gets changed over for different powders.

Both Dispensers are of the "new" upgraded design which will throw 30.0grs. + or - .1 sometimes of Varget in about 14 seconds. This works out great as the throw is transferred ot a 1/100 gr. scale and trickled to match my load data.

The best deals are not always buying both units at the same time, my dispensers came from Calbela's on sale for $99.95 each and the scales from an online store having a close out sale at $69 each.

Larry (Great Scott) is correct about not be able to move them around in the middle of loading, but why would you. I have them set up on a bench that's nice and sturdy, seperate form my press brench so I can do a couple of steps at the same time if time allows.