Autotrickler v4 worth it?

[Tandin93]

I am really looking to get some type of automated powder measure. I have been on the waiting list for the IP system, but I have little confidence that I will ever see it.
For those of you that are running the V4, how is your experience? I know they say there have been some new updates done and it is supposedly better on overthrows.
Is it worth spending the money on, or should I wait for the IP system?


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[nortac]

I use one and it's a pretty nice setup. It is very accurate but in truth you can manually load and do the same thing if you're using the fx120i. The big advantage of using the V4 is less focus on and worry about the charge as it truly is set for you. If I load to say 30 grains it will green light 29.98 to 30.02. I keep the 29.98 and the 30.00 and redo the 30.02 to keep accuracy as close as possible. This gives a ranged load accurate to 29.96 to 30.02 based on the scales .02 accuracy. It's been a joy to use and has helped my SD's overall. If you're reloading enough to justify the cost it is without doubt a nice addition.

 

[Axlrod]

I was on the waiting list day one (I thing it was a year wait or so), have been using it ever since. Started with a Redding beam scale/trickler, then a Chargemaster. I love the V4, but I load a lot, for a bunch of different guns/cartridges. Only thing I don't use it for is most handgun ammo, as I have a progresive press for that. If it broke today, I would order another today.
For me the price wasn't a large percentage of my overall shooting investment (this possibly crazy logic, for better or worse is how I justify a lot of gear purchases).
Only you can decide if it is right for you. It is fast and accurate, but probably not critical for anyone (including me) to load good ammo.

 

[AZ Gator]

For me, the v4 was a game changer in time and convenience. I was doing it manually before, and reloading was slow and a headache. It was worth the cost just for my convenience.

 

[BBob]

I’ve owned several AT’s since they first came out. Currently have a V4 and a V3 with an IP trickler. The V4 is totally fine. The V3 with IP is a bit faster and a bit more accurate as far as over unders. If you take the time to tune the V4 for different powders and save it to memory then it’s really close to the V3 IP. For most everyone’s use on RS I’d buy the V4 as a one and done. On the occasion it over or unders toss it in a bowl and let it run again. Doesn’t take much time and unless you’re a comp shooter loading tons of ammunition every week then it won’t matter much.

 

[Tandin93]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm just going to go ahead and pull the trigger on the V4.
I already have the fx120i and am going to buy one of these throwers, so that decision already already made. By worth it, I mean, is the difference enough waiting for a powder system that might never actually come out, or in your opinion will I be satisfied with the V4? Hearing some talk, the IP system is far superior(speed without overthrows), but if it never comes out then what good is it?

 

[Karl B]

I went from running 3 chargemasters to the v4. I'm perpetually paranoid about electronics so I'd cycle out my chargemaster every 2 years and all was good. You could always find good black Friday deals on chargemasters so I could pretty well make my money back on them. Covid came, supply was short and no great deals. Pretty soon I'm 5-6 years old on all of them and man they started dropping like flies. All 3 the scales would start wandering, they'd lose zero, etc. I definitely got my money's worth out of them though.

The v4 has been outstanding in the short time I've had it. Very fast (not 3 chargemaster fast) but fast enough that I can barely keep up on the press. If you have the extra bucks it's definitely worth getting.

 

[Plainsman-147]

If you have a 3d printer on your hands, definitely consider the “Open Trickler” project by EAMARs. I had a blast making it and it is working amazing so far for extruded powders but haven’t tried ball yet. You can find videos of them, when their tunes seem every bit as fast as the other options. Mine charges 43 grains in about 6-8 seconds.