Case Activated Powder Measure

[ffgats]

Hi,
I'm running a 550 for the last 20-25 yrs and still very happy with it. Looking for some suggestions and experiences regarding other brands of Case Activated Powder Measure ( RCBS, Hornady, Redding) to alternate with my Dillon Powder Measure. With Rifle Powders hard to find now a days, often times only the Long and Extruded powders are the ones availiable and everybody knows that Dillon Powder Measure doesn't work best on this powder. Right now I'm using H335,748,CFE223 and Vhitavouri N130,N135,N140,530. All of these powders drop excellent using the Dillon, but not on Varget, XBR etc. Thanks

 

[Somerset Bar]

I have the one that comes with the hornady lnl progressive, and I just did 500 rounds of .223 with varget (can't find cfe currently), and while it did crunch a few times, it dropped the powder find, operated alright. I've always used varget, was really pleased to discover cfe (because it works so well in the powder measures), but always been able to get consistent powder drops.

 

[MuthaFunk]

I use my Dillon 550 for loading Varget. I was having bridging problems until I read of someone who polished up all the components of their Dillon powder throw to work better with extruded powders. I polished up the hopper part, the interior of the charging bar (was already very smooth), and the powder funnel. The powder funnel really needed rough edge cleaning and polishing and it made the most difference.

I think there's pics somewhere online on what they did. Ever since I tried it, I can't imagine using extruded powders without doing that work on the powder funnel.

 

[ffgats]

I use my Dillon 550 for loading Varget. I was having bridging problems until I read of someone who polished up all the components of their Dillon powder throw to work better with extruded powders. I polished up the hopper part, the interior of the charging bar (was already very smooth), and the powder funnel. The powder funnel really needed rough edge cleaning and polishing and it made the most difference.

I think there's pics somewhere online on what they did. Ever since I tried it, I can't imagine using extruded powders without doing that work on the powder funnel.

what kind of Powder drop Spread Variance right now after polishing the dillon, thanks

 

[MuthaFunk]

what kind of Powder drop Spread Variance right now after polishing the dillon, thanks

I can't remember exactly.... I'm pretty sure it got down to +/- .3 gr with a 24gr charge. With a slow (for 223) powder like Varget the .3 varience didn't mean much on target. I was easily getting 1 MOA or slightly better at times with Hornady Bulk 55 gr bullets. Campros were 1.5 at best and often 2 MOA.

I can tell you that recently I checked my D4198 charges on the dillon and was getting +/- .1 most of the time and the odd .2 over. D4198 is a smaller extruded powder than Varget though.

The trick to consistent charges with the Dillon powder system is to actuate it consistently. I make note on how fast I run it up and repeat the same rate. Once full up I'll tap the handle once to make sure any powder in the funnel drops into the case, then slowly take the ram down, and seat the new primer with a firm push.

If for some reason a case gets destroyed during sizing I'll remove it and place an unsized spent primed case in it's place and advance to the charging station to keep the powder flow the same. After being charged I'll remove it at the bullet seating stage and dump the powder back in the hopper. If a bullet falls over in the seating stage during the upstroke it will ruin that charge so I'll set the case that just got charged aside and recharge it again after all the stations are full.

You just have to cognizant that you need to keep that powder flow the same. Every little vibration you do on that press will slightly compact the powder into the charging bar and increase your drop.