The Hornady Lock-N-Load® Auto Charge™ Powder Scale and Dispenser (Item #050068) automates the measurement and dispensing of smokeless powder for precision handloading. Engineered for reloading bench setups, the unit features an electronic load cell delivering ±0.1 grain accuracy with a total scale capacity of 1,000 grains. It dispenses individual charges up to 300+ grains directly into the included scale pan, while the central powder hopper holds over 1 lb of smokeless propellant. A backlit LCD screen, tactile controls, and three selectable dispensing speed settings allow reloaders to match powder flow rates to specific granule geometries.

Key Features

• Selectable Dispense Modes: Supports Manual mode via a dedicated keypad button and Auto mode, which automatically throws a charge when the empty pan is returned to the scale plate.
• Adjustable Dispense Speeds: Offers Slow, Normal, and Fast speed profiles to prevent overshoots across fine, ball, flake, and extruded stick powders.
• Overcharge Protection: Triggers an audible alert and visual display indicator if the final dispensed charge exceeds the target weight by more than 0.1 grain.
• Manual Trickle Function: Allows users to manually top off powder charges using a single keypad input.
• Side Drain Port: Facilitates clean, fast powder removal and hopper emptying without requiring the machine to be inverted.
• Complete Calibration Kit: Includes 10g and 50g check weights, a scale plate, a powder pan, a draft cover, a cleaning brush, and an external power adapter.

Specifications

• Model Number: 050068
• Measurement Accuracy: ±0.1 grain
• Maximum Scale Capacity: 1,000 grains
• Maximum Pan Dispense Capacity: Up to 300+ grains per charge
• Hopper Capacity: Over 1 lb (approximately 7,000 grains)
• Power Supply: External switching AC power supply with 9V DC output (Australian 240V-compatible)
• Required Warm-Up Time: 5 to 15 minutes before calibration and operation
• Propellant Compatibility: Strictly smokeless reloading powders only

Who is the Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto Charge Powder Dispenser for?

• Precision rifle reloaders — Measures uniform smokeless powder charges held to ±0.1 grain accuracy across a 1,000 grain scale capacity to maintain consistent muzzle velocities and tight group sizes.
• High-volume handloaders — Automates powder throws using an automatic pan-drop dispense mode and a bulk hopper holding over 1 lb of propellant, eliminating manual powder trickling across large loading sessions.

Less suitable for: Black powder reloaders, as this electronic powder dispenser is strictly engineered for smokeless propellants and poses an explosion risk with black powder; it is also less suitable for benchrest competition applications requiring single-kernel precision under ±0.1 grain, which require high-precision laboratory balances or dedicated automated trickler systems.