Dillon 550 Powder Measure

[endurokids]

Why am I having inconsistent throws with my stock Dillon 550?
I'm using 231 powder at 4.2 grains for 9mm. I had it set for 4.2 and it walked up to 4.5 on me and stayed there.
This has been going on since I bought it, and I've reloaded a couple thousand rounds through it.
What gives?

 

[kelbro]

How many loads does it take to 'walk up'? Keeping the powder level pretty high in my 550 measures seems to help with consistency.

 

[WillinDenver]

I load everything on my Dillon 550.

I use the small powder bar for the 9mm, 40 S & W, and 22 KHornet and the large bar for everything else. The biggest case I load is the 6mm BR so I don't have a Mag bar.

After filling the powder measure I will drop three or four loads to settle out the level then adjust the measure for the desired load.

I load ball type powders W231, Benchmark, LiL'Gun, TAC, A2230, A1680, Power Pistol, and so on. I also use a lot of IMR 8208 XBR and it meters fine, within a tenth of a grain.

I also prep all my brass before hand, it's like starting with new brass. I even seat the primer with the Dillon.

You just have to do the same motion every time. I shoot a lot of 1/2 inch groups and better. I'm not a bench shooter but prairie dogs don't know the difference when the butts come apart, well within MOPD (Minute of Prairie Dog).

Will

 

[endurokids]

I always dump about 10 times prior to putting in a brass case. My powder measure was about 3/4 full when I started and less than half when I finished.
Seemed fine during the first 10.
I may be pulling the handle harder during the actual loading process.

 

[Catfish]

My first thought would be that you do not have it set at the proper height. Make sure that you are pushing the die all of the way to the top. I have loaded on a 550 since just after they came on the market and have used several different powder measures and had no trouble with any of them if they were set correctly.

 

[digrazir]

Some powders work better than others through a Dillon powder measure. Win 231 is one of the better metering powders. I use 4.6 grains of 231 for my 9mm loads. You have to make sure you have enough tension on that wing nut on your powder measure fail safe return rod. Also make sure you have it oriented on left side of the powder measure. And of course you need to keep the powder measure 3 quarters full, drop at least 10 loads and then weigh. Consistent strokes with the machine pausing at the top is key. Hope this helps Ray

 

[Quinc]

I bought a used Dillon and was having issues with powder throws. I took the whole thing apart cleaned and oiled everything and put it back together so it was smooth as silk. After that I polished the powder bars and inside of the powder measure. Than I added a Uniquetek micrometer and it has worked great ever since.

Try this:
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=154783

 

[endurokids]

Thanks, that is a great thread.

 

[centershot]

Old thread. But I an having the same issues. High, low, in between. 231 powder. Trying to load 3.2 grains for .38 Special. I realize that the powder level has to be at least 1/3 full. What does the return rod have to do with anything if you have return springs on the measure?

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I had a friend who had same problem. When I went to check it out
his loader was on a flimsy table. You must have a rock solid bench
to mount your press on or it will vary.

 

[kelbro]

My first thought would be that you do not have it set at the proper height. Make sure that you are pushing the die all of the way to the top. I have loaded on a 550 since just after they came on the market and have used several different powder measures and had no trouble with any of them if they were set correctly.

Take another look at this post.

 

[jepp2]

What does the return rod have to do with anything if you have return springs on the measure?

The return rod primary purpose is for rifle loads. I run springs only (and Dillon concurs) for handgun loads. I consistently throw all the hard to dispense powder (Unique, Red Dot, etc.) with my setup. However, my technique may be different than others. Here is what my aluminum base looks like after polishing.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

You might try taking up the little bit of backlash on the powder charge adjustment screw.
I polish the inside of all my powder measures, making sure that there are no little ledges and rough spots
in the flow that powder can build up in, esp. ball powders. Then as the inside gets a little layer of graphite on it from use, the consistency and reliability is much improved.

jepp2's photo is what they should look like.

 

[centershot]

I have a buffing wheel, but what do you use to get into a concave area like that? A Dremel Tool?

 

[Mad_Charlie]

Amazon.com : polising bobs

Pay your money and take your choice.

 

[centershot]

Thanks, Charlie

 

[jelenko]

What does the return rod have to do with anything if you have return springs on the measure?

I remove the rod and replace with springs for my 223 loads. The linkage seems like it would increase the chance of getting variance in the amount of powder.

 

[Hoser]

The clunky linkage actually helps settle the powder in the measure. With Varget I get about a .2-.3 variation max.

For handgun powders well under .1 is the norm.

 

[centershot]

I was able to find my problem. The powder die was not set correctly. The powder measuring bar was not advancing all of the way. Bought this used and had to not take things for granted. Just had to screw the die in about one turn. Using the linkage and it seems to be .05 grain.

 

[powderbrake]

I suggest you not use the Dillon measure, and convert to the Lee Pro Disk measure. I have don this on my pistol loads. The Pro disk is very accurate, you can adjust the hole size if necessary to get the exact weight you need. It is better sized to pistol loads, and has a shut off feature.

You need the
https://leeprecision.com/pro-auto-disk.html
Powder Thru Die Exp 9mm - Lee Precision

It will be actuated by the shell case pushing up the powder measure. Here is a 45 ACP one mounted to my Dillon 500. Don't laugh at the 4.97 gr of Bullseye. That was the average 10 throws. I was shooting for 5.0, and I quit at 4.97.