inconsistent poweder charges and leaking powder dillon 550b

contact148

contact148

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 99.1%
113   1   0
Location
THE DMZ
I have had my Dillon 550b for many years I recently started loading 308 and 30.06 on it so I bought a quick change kit I started with .308 as I was waiting on powder for 30.06

.308 I used surplus powder wc735 (use it on another quick change and its fine)

I set it up set the powder weight and started loading the charges were all over the place as much as + 1 full grain and it leaks powder from somewhere every throw

Today I started loading 30.06 using IMR 4895 set it up on the same conversion kit as 308 (I just changed out the powder bar so I don't have to adjust every time) bar was brand new set it up and same thing charge is all aver the place from -.2 grains to plus a full grain this also leaks powder with every throw

so 2 different powders both inconsistent both leaking powder all over the place

any ideas?? as this is useless for me and if I was near max loads would be dangerous I'm in Canada it took almost a month to get this quick change kit so sending it back is not a preferred option I have 5 other powder measures and they are all bang on and don't leak
 
Is the powder thrower missing the sold white plastic collar that goes around the shaft, above the powder die?

Do you have the correct insert in the powder die? They come in various lengths.
 
contact148 said:
I have had my Dillon 550b for many years I recently started loading 308 and 30.06 on it so I bought a quick change kit I started with .308 as I was waiting on powder for 30.06

.308 I used surplus powder wc735 (use it on another quick change and its fine)

I set it up set the powder weight and started loading the charges were all over the place as much as + 1 full grain and it leaks powder from somewhere every throw

Today I started loading 30.06 using IMR 4895 set it up on the same conversion kit as 308 (I just changed out the powder bar so I don't have to adjust every time) bar was brand new set it up and same thing charge is all aver the place from -.2 grains to plus a full grain this also leaks powder with every throw

so 2 different powders both inconsistent both leaking powder all over the place

any ideas?? as this is useless for me and if I was near max loads would be dangerous I'm in Canada it took almost a month to get this quick change kit so sending it back is not a preferred option I have 5 other powder measures and they are all bang on and don't leak
Click to expand...

Does your powder measure charge bar "stutter" once in a while? That is, it moves a bit, jumps back to it's closed position and then operates normally?
 
contact148 said:
yes I have the white collar in there

yes I have the 308/306 insert in the die

bar travels smoothly both ways
Click to expand...

That's good to hear. I found that if the shell plate was too loose the casing could be a bit tilted when going into the powder funnel, catch on the edge of it, start the charge bar moving, then slip off and restart the charging process.

It could through a grain high on a 25.5 gr charge when that happened.
 
Call Dillion, it sounds like the tolerances in the spacer/bar/powder dispenser body are off.
 
Last edited:
You say LEAKS on the powder slide, if thats the case call Dillon and ask for a Thickier/ Modified Powder Slide to be use for " Very Fine Powders". they sent me one 2 years ago when I started using AA#7 powder.
 
Just call up Dillon and explain the issue, I've ran lots of WC735 and small ball powder thru my 650 and it does leak a little bit but my charges are +/- .02gr and I just blow it off the shell plate with a can of compressed air every 200-300rnds
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom