The Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is a heavy-duty, precision-engineered tool designed for the meticulous handloader who demands exactness down to the final grain of propellant. While many powder dispensers provide a “close enough” throw, the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler allows the operator to bridge the gap between a standard volumetric charge and a perfect, weight-matched load. By incorporating a high-mass design and an adjustable height system, the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler addresses the common frustrations of lighter, less stable tricklers that often shift or tip during use. This tool is an essential component for long-range shooters and competitors who realize that even a 0.1-grain variance in powder can lead to vertical stringing at extreme distances.
- Tool Category – Manual Powder Trickler
- Operation Type – Gravity-fed, rotational tube delivery
- Mechanical Standout – Static-resistant die-cast aluminum body with a weighted base and height-adjustable aluminum feed tube
Best For: The precision rifle reloader who uses a balance beam or digital scale and needs a stable, ergonomic tool to “trickle up” charges to the exact tenth of a grain.
Technical Specifications & Market Pricing
The Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is built with a focus on stability and material quality, ensuring it remains stationary on the bench while the operator rotates the feed knob.
| Field | Value |
| Model | Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler |
| MPN | 7752500 |
| Materials | Die-cast aluminum body, aluminum feed tube, weighted steel base |
| Weight (lbs) | 1.1 lbs |
| MSRP | $32.95 |
| Approx. Street Price | $24.00-28.00 |
Pricing Analysis
With an MSRP of $32.95, the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is positioned as a premium manual trickler. Its typical street price of $24.00 to $28.00 makes it highly competitive against plastic-bodied alternatives. The investment is justified by the unit’s mass; at over one pound, the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is significantly heavier than budget models, which prevents it from sliding across the bench when the knob is turned. This stability is crucial when working with sensitive scales like the RCBS M1000 Balance Beam Mechanical Powder Scale.
Build Quality, Materials, and Ergonomics
The construction of the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler centers around a solid die-cast aluminum housing that is finished in a signature orange powder coat. This material choice is intentional, as aluminum and steel do not hold the static charges that often plague plastic reloading tools, ensuring that powders like Hodgdon Varget or Alliant Reloder 15 flow smoothly through the tube.
Ergonomics and Mechanical Advantage
One of the standout features of the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is its adjustable height. The central body can be raised or lowered and secured with a thumb screw, allowing the feed tube to be positioned perfectly over various scale pans, from low-profile digital plates to high-mounted balance beams. The oversized adjustment knobs on the feed tube provide a high degree of “mechanical advantage” in terms of fine motor control, allowing the user to drop a single grain of Vihtavuori N140 or Accurate 4064 with a tiny fraction of a turn.
Comprehensive Setup, Calibration, and Operation
Setting up the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is straightforward, but its effectiveness relies on proper positioning relative to your scale.
Step-by-Step Assembly
- Mounting and Height Adjustment: Place the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler on a level surface next to your scale. Loosen the thumb screw and adjust the height so the aluminum tube clears the edge of your powder pan by approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
- Cleaning: Before use, wipe the interior of the aluminum tube with a dry patch to remove any factory residues. Because it is metallic, you do not need to use dryer sheets to mitigate static.
- Filling: Pour your propellant, such as Hodgdon H4350 or IMR 4895, into the reservoir.
- Operation: Once your main powder measure, like the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Measure, has thrown a slightly underweight charge into the pan, place the pan on the scale. Slowly rotate the knob on the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler until the scale reaches the desired zero point.
Maintenance and Cleaning
To maintain the smooth rotation of the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler, ensure that no grains of powder become trapped between the feed tube and the housing. The aluminum feed tube can be removed for deep cleaning if you are switching between vastly different powder types, such as transitioning from a fine ball powder like Winchester 748 to a large-grain extruded powder like Hodgdon Retumbo.
Internal Brand Hierarchy
The Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler sits as the premium manual option within Lyman’s powder handling lineup.
- Lyman E-ZEE Flo Universal Adjustable Powder Trickler: This is the entry-level model, constructed primarily of plastic with a weighted base. It is effective but lacks the height adjustability and static-free benefits of the Brass Smith.
- Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler: The mid-range, high-durability choice for serious precision reloaders.
- Lyman Gen 6 Compact Touch Screen Digital Powder Scale and Dispenser: For those looking to automate the process entirely, this unit combines the scale and trickler into one electronic system.
Competitive Market Analysis
The Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler competes with other high-end manual tricklers designed for precision work.
Deep Dive into Competitors
- Redding #5 Powder Trickler: The Redding #5 is widely considered a gold standard for its heavy cast iron base. While it is exceptionally stable, it lacks the easy height adjustability found on the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler.
- Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler: This unit features a heavy-duty chrome finish and a large capacity. It is a strong rival, but many users prefer the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler for its more versatile height-extension feature.
- RCBS Powder Trickler 2: This is a lighter-weight alternative with a height-adjustable base. While functional, it does not offer the same “heft” or premium feel as the aluminum-bodied Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler.
- Hornady Powder Trickler: A basic, functional tool that is often included in starter kits. It lacks the precision and weighted stability required for high-end competition loading when compared to the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Lyman Brass Smith | Redding #5 | Frankford Arsenal | RCBS Trickler 2 |
| Material | Die-Cast Aluminum | Cast Iron | Machined Steel/Chrome | Plastic/Steel |
| Height Adjustable | Yes (Internal Body) | No | No | Yes (Base) |
| Static Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs | 1.0 lbs | 1.0 lbs | 0.5 lbs |
Real-World Feedback & Troubleshooting
Reloader feedback for the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding its use for precision cartridges like 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Winchester.
Pros
- Exceptional stability that prevents the unit from moving while in use.
- Height adjustment allows for seamless use with both balance beam and digital scales.
- Non-static aluminum construction prevents powder kernels from clinging to the tube.
Cons
- The orange powder coat can chip if handled roughly.
- Large-grained powders may require a more vigorous turn to drop a single kernel.
Troubleshooting: 3 Technical Quirks
- Tube Slippage: If the height adjustment doesn’t hold, ensure the thumb screw is tightened against the flat portion of the internal riser.
- Powder Bridging: When using very large extruded powders like Hodgdon H1000, the kernels can occasionally bridge inside the tube. Expert Workaround: Give the side of the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler a light tap with your finger to break the bridge.
- Knob Tension: If the feed tube feels too loose or too tight, check for powder dust in the O-rings or bushings that hold the tube. A quick blast of compressed air usually restores the smooth rotation.
FAQ
Q: Can I use the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler with a digital scale like the Hornady M2?
A: Yes, the height adjustment of the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is specifically designed to accommodate the varying heights of digital scales like the Hornady M2 Digital Bench Powder Scale.
Q: Is the base truly heavy enough to prevent tipping?
A: Yes, the weighted steel base provides a low center of gravity, making the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler one of the most stable manual tricklers available.
Q: Does it work with fine ball powders like Accurate No 5?
A: It is excellent with fine ball powders like Accurate No 5, allowing for extremely precise, single-grain delivery.
Q: Can I use this for black powder?
A: Because it is made of non-sparking aluminum and steel, the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is safer for black powder than plastic alternatives, though you should always follow standard black powder safety protocols.
Q: How do I empty the reservoir quickly?
A: The best way to empty the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is to simply tip it over your powder bottle; the large top opening makes this a quick process.
Q: Does it come with a lid?
A: The Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler has an open-top reservoir to allow for quick filling, though some users fashion a simple cap to prevent dust from entering during storage.
Q: Will it work with the RCBS ChargeMaster?
A: While the RCBS ChargeMaster Supreme Digital Powder Scale and Dispenser is automated, many users keep a Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler nearby to make minute manual adjustments during load development.
Conclusion & Expert Verdict
The Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler is a shining example of how simple tool improvements can significantly enhance the reloading experience. By solving the issues of stability, height compatibility, and static, Lyman has provided a tool that makes the final “trickle-up” phase of powder charging both faster and more accurate. For any reloader striving for the “perfect” charge for cartridges ranging from 223 Remington to 300 Winchester Magnum, this trickler is a bench essential.
Expert Pro Tip: To achieve maximum precision with the Lyman Brass Smith Powder Trickler, operate it with your non-dominant hand. This keeps your dominant hand free to operate the scale’s tare function or to handle the next cartridge case, significantly streamlining your workflow.
