Dillon powder measure accuracy with CFE 223 & W748

[Linko]

I have had success loading 45acp with the Dillon measure.

I now am trying to load relatively accurate .223 ammo using the standard Dillon powder measure. Ihad one reloading session using CFE 223 and had inconsistant weights. .8 to 1.0 variance

Question is of the non stick powders has anyone had any success with CFE 223 or W748 ? (what is available around here)

I polished in inside metal after my first session. See if that helps.

Open to all suggestions.

 

[Stumpy1]

Hi Linko,

Are you saying you have 8 tenths (0.8) to 1 full GRAIN of variability? If so, it is likely some part technique and some part the powder. There are lots of reports of polishing the powder measure to gain consistency, so I won't comment on that part. Technique is important too, smooth strokes, etc. Settling the powder in the measure before you start throwing is also important (all the motion will settle the powder after 15 or 20 throws, so you might try throwing a couple dozen before you go for score). Konrad Powers throws ALL his charges (XTC competitor) with much success, and he is using RL15.

http://www.sw-hearing.com/konrad/reloading/reloading_procedure.html

If none of that works, and if you can find it in your local area, 8208XBR throws REALLY well.

Hope this gives you some help.

Frank

 

[XBBR Shooter]

[...]
I now am trying to load relatively accurate .223 ammo using the standard Dillon powder measure. I had one reloading session using CFE 223 and had inconsistant weights. .8 to 1.0 variance

By "... and had inconsistant weights. .8 to 1.0 variance".

Do you mean +/- .8 to 1.0 (1.6 to 2 grains extreme spread), or +/- .4 to .5 grains (.8 to 1 grain extreme spread).

I have 4 Dillons, and the all throw ball powder very well.

 

[gotcha]

Agree w/ Stumpy 1. But in my experience 5 or 10 gentle "Bumps" of the operating handle orient/settle the powder Kernels nicely. No experience with 8208XBR in .223 but, have found AA-2230 works VERY well, consistently dropping at 1/4 grain variance or less.

 

[scott_at_vortex]

One of the most consistent powders I have thrown from a dillon is 8208. Measuring every ten throws over 300rds I had less than .1 ES. I couldnt believe it. I run springs or rubber bands around the thrower to keep the charge consistent. I have also found that a consistent lever pull is very important.

I have had much better luck with 8208 than with any ball powders I have tried.

 

[Linko]

By "... and had inconsistant weights. .8 to 1.0 variance".

Do you mean +/- .8 to 1.0 (1.6 to 2 grains extreme spread), or +/- .4 to .5 grains (.8 to 1 grain extreme spread).

I have 4 Dillons, and the all throw ball powder very well.

1.6 2 grains ES is about what I was seeing.

 

[Linko]

http://www.ericwesselman.com/DillonPowderMeasure/


anyone try this mod, removing the failsafe lever?

 

[Cuando]

http://www.ericwesselman.com/DillonPowderMeasure/


anyone try this mod, removing the failsafe lever?

Haven't tried the mod, but looking at it and wondering why not disable the spring that returns the failsafe lever? Does the exact same thing without the need to ruin or mod your powder thrower.

 

[Linko]

next trip to the reloading bench I will add more powder to the measure tube (had it with only a small amount) I read that has some bearing on the loads, look at the safety lever/spring, be more smooth in my strokes and see if I have better results with CFE 223 and go from there. Thanks everyone. Keep you posted. Like to have it + - .05 or les ES.

 

[Linko]

Report: I polished the mechanism, polished the drop tube, reset the die, worked the press like an old lady, worked the press like a madman, measured the loads with a FX-120, added a micrometer to the power bar, polished the powder bar and ran loads for 2 hours.

Result: Load swings from the target weight of 26.6 gr of CFE 223 were between 25.84 to 26.70

Conclusion: CFE 223 doesnt load with a Dillon powder measure worth a Da**

 

[XBBR Shooter]

Report: I polished the mechanism, polished the drop tube, reset the die, worked the press like an old lady, worked the press like a madman, measured the loads with a FX-120, added a micrometer to the power bar, polished the powder bar and ran loads for 2 hours.

Result: Load swings from the target weight of 26.6 gr of CFE 223 were between 25.84 to 26.70

Conclusion: CFE 223 doesnt load with a Dillon powder measure worth a Da**

+/- 0/43 is not bad for a progressive machine.

 

[Linko]

I will try another powder next, I have some W748 I can test.

I would like less spread in my charges if possible.

 

[wholman]

cfe 223 loads very good in mine. I throw about 10 charges in mine till it setals down measuring each charge till gets rite then load and checkevery ten rounds .

 

[Cuando]

I load a metric butt load on a couple 550's with ball powder and they are on the money. Do you have the powder die adjusted so the powder bar goes flush when it's thrown? I remember Tubb saying it was helpful. You're conclusion about CFE is wrong.

 

[Linko]

since these are my first rifle loads on a Dillon, it is quite probable I am doing something wrong or expecting a result that isn't possible. I measure my manual loads on a FX-120i to 2 decimals, is the second decimal too much for a progressive?

CFE 223 works well in my rifles so I would like to get it working on the Dillon. A load of 26.60 with V-Max 55gr groups well.

What kind of variance in round to round on the Dillon is expected when Dropping CFE 223?

 

[Cuando]

My most used powder thrower won't do +/-.05, but it aint that far behind. It's been a long time since I worried about it. ES of 15 and SD of 7 in thrown loads from this morning. All of my Dillon powder throwers will hold +/- a tenth of a grain with ball powder pretty easily.