The Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler is a basic, stand‑alone manual trickler with a cast metal body and a heavy base. It is designed to sit next to any beam or digital scale and trickle kernels into the pan until you hit your target charge.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Manual powder trickler |
| Primary use | Fine adjustment of powder charges on a scale by trickling individual kernels |
| Brand | Frankford Arsenal |
| Model | Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler |
| MPN | 903535 |
| Other SKUs | Retailer‑specific numbers such as MidwayUSA Product #713372, Midsouth Shooters SKU 000448903535, and various Amazon ASINs (all should reference MPN 903535) |
| Materials | Cast metal body and base (commonly described as zinc or similar alloy); steel trickler tube with threaded adjustment; plastic/composite knob; rubber or non‑slip pads on base |
| Dimensions (approximate, user‑measured) | Height: ~4–4.5 in (10–11.5 cm); base footprint: ~2.5–3 in wide (6.5–7.5 cm); overall length: ~4.5–5 in (11.5–13 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 12–16 oz (0.75–1 lb) |
| Power source | None – fully manual |
| Warranty | Typically covered by Frankford Arsenal’s limited lifetime warranty against defects (verify current terms on the manufacturer’s site) |
| Country of origin | Made in China (as commonly listed by retailers) |
| MSRP | Roughly in the $20–30 range (not prominently published by the manufacturer) |
| Typical street price (approximate) | Commonly $18–25 USD at major retailers, depending on sales and availability |
What’s In The Box
Included with the standard Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler (MPN 903535):
- Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler main body with:
- Heavy integral base
- Vertical support column
- Horizontal trickler tube with threaded adjustment
- End knob/handle for rotating the tube
- Rubber or non‑slip pad on the bottom of the base (often pre‑installed)
- Basic instruction sheet or small manual
Not included but required for operation:
- Powder scale (beam or digital)
- Powder pan (usually supplied with the scale)
- Powder measure or scoop to fill the trickler reservoir
- Reloading bench or other stable surface
There are no known factory “kit” versions of this trickler that include a scale or other tools. Any bundles you see are retailer‑created packages, not separate Frankford Arsenal part numbers.
Versions, Kits & Part Numbers
As of 2024, Frankford Arsenal offers one primary manual powder trickler under this name. The basic design has been consistent for years.
| Version | MPN | Included items | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler | 903535 | Single manual powder trickler as described above | Sometimes sold in retailer‑built starter kits (for example, paired with a scale), but these bundles do not have separate Frankford Arsenal part numbers. |
Retailer SKUs (examples):
- MidwayUSA Product #713372 (should list MPN 903535)
- Other retailers (Brownells, Amazon, etc.) use their own internal SKUs or ASINs
Discontinued / older versions:
- No clearly distinct earlier generations with different part numbers are documented. Any minor cosmetic or finish changes are not marketed as separate models.
Build Quality & Design
The Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler is built around a simple cast metal body with a heavy base and a horizontal trickler tube.
- Materials and construction:
- Cast metal body and base give it enough weight to stay put in normal use.
- The finish is a painted or powder‑coated surface. Small casting marks or paint imperfections are common but cosmetic.
- The trickler tube is metal and threads into the body so you can adjust height and reach.
- A plastic or composite knob on the end of the tube is used to rotate it and dispense powder.
- Rigidity and stability:
- The heavy base and low center of gravity make it stable.
- A rubber or non‑slip pad on the bottom helps keep it from sliding on smooth benches.
- Machining and finish quality:
- Machining is functional, not “benchrest‑grade.”
- Threads on the tube are generally adequate but can feel a bit rough or loose on some units.
- Overall fit is serviceable; some play between tube and body is reported but usually does not affect basic function.
- Durability:
- Very few moving parts, so there is not much to wear out under normal use.
- Users report years of service with only cosmetic wear such as chipped paint.
- The tube‑to‑body fit and plastic knob are the main areas that can feel less refined than higher‑end tricklers.
Design strengths are the heavy base, simple mechanics, and broad compatibility with different scales. Weak points are the somewhat rough tube rotation on some units, small reservoir size, and the lack of any built‑in micro‑adjustment features.
Setup & Adjustment
The trickler is free‑standing and does not require mounting hardware.
Bench and space requirements:
- Needs a small clear area next to your scale.
- Works best when the tube can extend over or just above the center of the scale pan without touching it.
Step‑by‑step setup:
Place and zero your scale
- Set your beam or digital scale on a stable, level surface.
- Calibrate and zero it according to the scale’s manual.
Position the trickler
- Place the trickler to one side of the scale.
- Adjust its position so the tube outlet is just above the center of the powder pan.
Adjust tube height and angle
- Thread the tube in or out of the body to raise or lower the outlet.
- Rotate or slightly angle the trickler body if needed so the tube lines up comfortably with the pan.
Fill the reservoir
- Use a scoop or your powder measure to pour a modest amount of powder into the top opening.
- Do not overfill; you only need enough for the current session or batch.
Test powder flow
- With the pan in place, gently rotate the knob and watch how quickly kernels drop.
- Adjust your hand speed and rotation style (short bumps vs continuous rotation) to get the level of control you want.
Typical first‑time mistakes:
- Tube too high: Kernels can bounce out of the pan.
- Tube too low: The tube can contact the pan, causing binding or disturbing the scale.
- Poor alignment: If the tube is not centered over the pan, powder can spill on the bench.
- Overfilling the reservoir: Makes spills more likely when moving the trickler and makes it harder to see remaining powder.
- Unstable surface: A wobbly bench can cause inconsistent trickling and scale readings.
Experienced reloaders often suggest practicing with a cheap powder or a dummy setup to learn how much rotation equals how many kernels for a given powder. Some users place a small tray or card under the trickler and scale to catch stray kernels.
Daily Use & Performance
In day‑to‑day use, the Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler is straightforward: you throw a slightly underweight charge with a measure, then rotate the knob to trickle powder into the pan until the scale reads your target.
- Handling and ergonomics:
- The knob and tube are easy to reach when the unit is placed correctly.
- Ergonomics are acceptable for typical sessions. For very long sessions, continuous hand rotation can become tiring.
- Smoothness and control:
- Smoothness depends on the individual unit, the powder type, and your technique.
- Ball powders flow very easily and can come out quickly if you spin the knob too fast.
- Extruded and flake powders can be more “chunky,” with occasional bridging that may need a tap or slight shake.
- Speed relative to other options:
- Faster and more controlled than tapping a scoop or spoon for most users.
- Slower than electronic dispensers that automate both dispensing and trickling.
- Well suited to topping off charges thrown slightly underweight from a measure.
- Consistency and repeatability:
- Capable of single‑kernel control with many powders when you rotate the knob slowly and consistently.
- Repeatability is mainly limited by your scale and your hand technique, not by any internal metering system.
- Performance with different powders:
- Ball / spherical powders: Flow very easily; you may need to slow down to avoid overshooting.
- Short‑cut extruded powders: Generally work well; occasional bridging in the tube may require a tap.
- Long extruded powders: Do not trickle as smoothly and require more careful rotation.
- Flake powders: Usually fine, but some bridging or clumping can occur.
- Pistol vs rifle use:
- Pistol (small charges): Works for topping off small charges, but overshooting is easier when working in very small total weights. Extra care is needed.
- Rifle (larger charges): Well suited for precision rifle loads where each charge is weighed. You still throw most of a large magnum charge with a measure and use the trickler for the last few tenths of a grain.
Overall, it does what a manual trickler is supposed to do, with performance that is typical for its class and price.
Compatibility & Use Cases
The Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler is a stand‑alone bench accessory. It does not interface with presses, dies, or shellholders.
Operations it handles well:
- Fine adjustment of powder charges on a beam or digital scale
- Topping off under‑thrown charges from any brand of powder measure
- Working with extruded powders where a trickler is especially useful
Compatibility:
- Thread standards:
- Internal threads are only for its own tube. It does not use standard press threads such as 7/8‑14.
- Shellholders / dies / presses:
- Not applicable. It does not mount in a press or interact with cases.
- Primer sizes:
- Not applicable. It does not handle primers.
- Cartridge ranges:
- Works with any caliber indirectly, since it only interacts with powder in the pan.
- Other brands:
- Compatible with virtually any scale brand (RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Dillon, Lee, Frankford Arsenal, etc.) because it just needs to reach the pan.
- Can be used with any powder measure brand to top off thrown charges.
Known incompatibilities and workarounds:
- Very tall or very low scales may require shimming the trickler up or down with a block or mat to align the tube with the pan.
- Some large or oddly shaped powder pans may not sit conveniently under the tube; switching to a more standard pan for trickling is a common workaround.
Maintenance
- Cleaning:
- Empty all powder after use and gently tap or brush out remaining kernels.
- Wipe the tube and reservoir with a dry cloth.
- Avoid solvents that could react with powder residue.
- Do not use oil or lubricants inside the powder path; they can contaminate powder.
- Lubrication:
- Generally not required.
- If external threads feel rough, some users apply a very light dry lubricant (such as graphite) to the threads only, keeping it away from the powder path.
- Frequency:
- Clean after each session or whenever you change powder types to avoid cross‑contamination.
Replacement parts and support:
- Individual replacement parts are not widely advertised.
- For damaged or defective units, users typically contact Frankford Arsenal customer service for repair or replacement.
- The brand, under its parent company, has a generally positive reputation for handling simple mechanical tool warranties, though experiences are mixed as with most manufacturers.
Final Thoughts
The Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler is a straightforward, budget‑friendly way to add precision to your powder charging routine. Its heavy cast base, simple steel tube, and universal compatibility with beam and digital scales make it a solid fit for beginner and intermediate reloaders who weigh individual charges, especially for precision rifle work. You do give up some refinement: the tube can feel a bit rough on some units, the finish is clearly “workbench grade,” and there is no built‑in height adjustment, so shims or risers are sometimes needed.
If you want a no‑nonsense manual trickler that just works and you are willing to develop a bit of hand technique, this tool is easy to recommend. For a deeper look at overall pros, cons, and alternatives, see our main Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler review. To read how other reloaders feel about it after real bench time, check the Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler feedback article.
