so i have a dillon 550 and im getting different weights of powder cant trust it i have to check every load.I have removed the old powder because i was told that if it sits to long without using it that this might happen . I have now put the powder back in and it seem to be working for about 12 loads then i started getting different amout of powder again
Dillon 550 powder weights all ways changing
- Thread starter JB
- Start date
What is it varying by? What is the charge weight? Powder type - stick, flake, ball? Are you using the correct charge bar? Is it an older model (has the tension screw in the charge bar loosened over time)?
Most every manually operated powder measure requires a consistent movement from the operator to throw consistent volumes of powder.
Most every manually operated powder measure requires a consistent movement from the operator to throw consistent volumes of powder.
Have you tried removing the powder (may as well inspect it to see if there is something wrong with the powder too), disassembling and cleaning the powder charging parts (check to see if there is something interfering with the powder flow), reassemble and adding fresh powder?
After you fill the measure either tap the side of the measure a bit or cycle the press with cases 10-20 times no bullets(just dump the powder back in the hopper)
The motion will settle the powder.. (Never let the measure get more then half empty...)
Then you weigh and adjust to what you are looking for... you should do a couple or 5 weighing/adjusting as you go..
once you get to a consistent throw check every 20 and then 50..
Again don't let the measure go empty..
One question.. about the measure it's a new style with the return the old style with the spring can be a PITA??
Check your system to make sure everything is working properly.. Sometimes the powder funnels get bunged up... Sometimes you need to adjust the die up or down.. when you set the dies up what die did you set the max up thrust against?
Flakes do not meter well and worse in small amounts..
The motion will settle the powder.. (Never let the measure get more then half empty...)
Then you weigh and adjust to what you are looking for... you should do a couple or 5 weighing/adjusting as you go..
once you get to a consistent throw check every 20 and then 50..
Again don't let the measure go empty..
One question.. about the measure it's a new style with the return the old style with the spring can be a PITA??
Check your system to make sure everything is working properly.. Sometimes the powder funnels get bunged up... Sometimes you need to adjust the die up or down.. when you set the dies up what die did you set the max up thrust against?
Flakes do not meter well and worse in small amounts..
Wow that is way off man. I have a 550 that is a couple of years old. If I have it set for say 5g of WSF, I will most often get 5g, but it can vary from 4.9 to 5.1 or so.
Have you tried calling Dillon to explain the problem? There is a good chance that they will send you a new powder measure if you trouble shoot it and it doesn't resolve.
Have you tried calling Dillon to explain the problem? There is a good chance that they will send you a new powder measure if you trouble shoot it and it doesn't resolve.
I've found that the most consistent charges are thrown with the hopper at least 2/3 full.
My next statement might sound silly, but make sure the bottom of the hopper has no foreign material in it. I once stopped reloading for several months and when I got back into it I was having problems as you describe. After much aggravation I found a spider web in the bottom of the hopper that had worked it's way into the drop tube.
The powder was clinging to the web and causing all kinds of nifty variations........
My next statement might sound silly, but make sure the bottom of the hopper has no foreign material in it. I once stopped reloading for several months and when I got back into it I was having problems as you describe. After much aggravation I found a spider web in the bottom of the hopper that had worked it's way into the drop tube.
The powder was clinging to the web and causing all kinds of nifty variations........
You haven't got your powder measure set up right. Make sure the arm that pushes the powder bar is attached properly. It has to go through two arms at the top of the measure mechanism. When you pull the press handle down have a case under the powder drop die and raise the case into the die. The powder bar should activate completely. When you bring the press arm up the powder bar should retract completely. If this isn't happening check again to see of the activating rod is attached properly.
Take Care
Bob
Spider webs.
I was having a terrible time with my Dillon trying to throw Green Dot as a pistol powder. Erratic results, much as the OP described.
I dumped out the powder and discovered that some mice had got into the drum of powder and made a nest. They imported a lot of kernels of corn, and I had bits of corn rattling around in the powder thrower.
Question for the OP. Are you using the pistol charge bar, not the rifle?
I was having a terrible time with my Dillon trying to throw Green Dot as a pistol powder. Erratic results, much as the OP described.
I dumped out the powder and discovered that some mice had got into the drum of powder and made a nest. They imported a lot of kernels of corn, and I had bits of corn rattling around in the powder thrower.
Question for the OP. Are you using the pistol charge bar, not the rifle?
Ok, you win, mice nests and corn bits in the powder hopper takes the cake....lol
My powder is in 45 pound drums in the bunker. The mice made a nest in a drum, not in the hopper. The powder was contaminated - in more ways than one....
I still, have the powder. I guess it will work for plinking grade shotshells. If I get popcorn coming out the barrel, I will know what happened.
I still, have the powder. I guess it will work for plinking grade shotshells. If I get popcorn coming out the barrel, I will know what happened.
canucklehead
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Try using a different powder.. Especially for relatively low charges... Ball powder and not flake! I use AA. No2 for pistol and h335 or AA 2230 for rifle wherever possible.
