Powder consistency with Dillon 550B

[TackDriver284]

I did a little test with my Dillon that I dusted off after 19 years, used MR-2000 rifle powder, since its ball powder with is similar to Power Pistol, Auto Comp and AA#7. I wanted to see if it leaked, or leaving kernels between the metering blocks, etc. Grabbed 8 fired 38 Super cases with the fired primer still in, dropped a charge in each case and weighed on my FX-120i. Charges weighed in order is : 10.84, 10.76, 10.78, 10.76, 10.80, 10.82, 10.82 and 10.76 and yes its not pistol powder yet. Maybe pistol powder are more uniform, but will try again later with Power Pistol, AA#7 and AutoComp. I did not tap the sides of the hopper to allow powder to settle nor filled the hopper to the top which may help meter better.
Edited: Variance is a tenth of a grain or less which is great. Thank you Salmonchaser for the correction.

 

[TexasLife]

I've used my 550b since '84 and 550c since '16 with good success. When I started reloading in '84 it was for 44mag and 264wm. With the 2nd stage being their powder die and hopper is set it @ 61.3gr of imr4831 for the 140sbt sierra's. I never chrono'd any back then, but seem to be very consistent with accuracy on p-dogs. I churned out about 200-250hr. I would recheck about every 20 with a beam scale and it appears to worked for me.

Note: it's .5gr past their #5 data.

 

[salmonchaser]

Did you weigh your cases first? I’m still waiting on my first cup of coffee but it looks like a variance of less than a tenth of a grain. I see that in rifle cases routinely. I think my Dillion is still in the observation room at my old department. I should check on that!

 

[truck driver]

The good old Dillon 550b can be made to be better by adding something as simple as a return spring used on the Square Deal B powder measure. Yes Dillon claims it is not needed on the newer powder measures with the (for lack of better words) kicker lever I find the spring helps to settle the powder in the reservoir and in the powder bar. I also use the extra small powder bar since I load using less than 5grs of powder. There is also an aftermarket vibrator ring that fits on the reservoir to do the same thing, some use rubber bands that will break and hit you in the face, but Dillon will send the spring to you free if you tell them yours broke or is wore out. I do see what looks like powder dust but not flakes of powder when the bar returns after dropping a charge.
My biggest complaint is with the tool head fit to the frame which can cause variation in bullet seating depth. There is an aftermarket kit that will lock the tool head in place taking the play out of the tool head. Being cheap I just shim the bottom and sides using pieces of flattened .22lr brass to take the rocking movement out of the tool head. Some have gone as far as to pean the edges and then machining them to fit the slots which may or may not help, One reason why for my target ammo I use my old 450/550b which has the solid D frame and no removeable tool head, that thing is built like a tank.
Simplicity has its advantages.

 

[TackDriver284]

Did you weigh your cases first? I’m still waiting on my first cup of coffee but it looks like a variance of less than a tenth of a grain. I see that in rifle cases routinely. I think my Dillion is still in the observation room at my old department. I should check on that!

Sorry, I did not clarify better in the first place, I just dumped the powder from the brass unto the powder scale pan and weighed the powder only.

 

[TackDriver284]

The good old Dillon 550b can be made to be better by adding something as simple as a return spring used on the Square Deal B powder measure. Yes Dillon claims it is not needed on the newer powder measures with the (for lack of better words) kicker lever I find the spring helps to settle the powder in the reservoir and in the powder bar. I also use the extra small powder bar since I load using less than 5grs of powder. There is also an aftermarket vibrator ring that fits on the reservoir to do the same thing, some use rubber bands that will break and hit you in the face, but Dillon will send the spring to you free if you tell them yours broke or is wore out. I do see what looks like powder dust but not flakes of powder when the bar returns after dropping a charge.
My biggest complaint is with the tool head fit to the frame which can cause variation in bullet seating depth. There is an aftermarket kit that will lock the tool head in place taking the play out of the tool head. Being cheap I just shim the bottom and sides using pieces of flattened .22lr brass to take the rocking movement out of the tool head. Some have gone as far as to pean the edges and then machining them to fit the slots which may or may not help, One reason why for my target ammo I use my old 450/550b which has the solid D frame and no removeable tool head, that thing is built like a tank.
Simplicity has its advantages.

I did read a couple of days ago about the powder bar, it needs to bottom out flat in the open and closed position, and return spring does help. I checked that and it has very tiny play without any spring or rubber bands. I'll try to give Dillon a call soon for a spring or two, and ask them for some info on the powder bars they have today compared to 20 years ago. I tried to add a You Tube video, but would not work on here.

 

[salmonchaser]

Sorry, I did not clarify better in the first place, I just dumped the powder from the brass unto the powder scale pan and weighed the powder only.

Copy that.

 

[TackDriver284]

Did you weigh your cases first? I’m still waiting on my first cup of coffee but it looks like a variance of less than a tenth of a grain. I see that in rifle cases routinely. I think my Dillion is still in the observation room at my old department. I should check on that!

Looks like I need the coffee, its indeed a tenth of a grain or less, not half a grain. Thank you for the correction.

 

[salmonchaser]

Looks like I need the coffee, its indeed a tenth of a grain or less, not half a grain. Thank you for the correction.

I simply got lucky!

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

.1g seems really good to me for thrown charges from a progressive. I'd be more than happy with it.

 

[RL338]

Throwing under 1th is good enough for me.
If your pistol powder throw that well you should be set.