Powder Dies - Lee vs. Dillon

X

Xippper

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Location
Ottawa area
I'm not sure if anyone else has encountered this but here goes...

I've been reloading .243 and 9 mm for just over a year now and recently started reloading .223. I am using a turret press (Lee) with a powder die (also Lee) for .223 and find that the Lee Powder die is not that well suited to the .223 caliber as the opening that mates with the mouth of the .223 case is slightly too large. The result is that a small amount of powder winds up sitting on the edges of the case mouth and once the case is extracted from the powder die, some of this powder falls into the case (this is ok) while the rest falls outside the case and onto the reloading bench. The amount is very small, but it shouldn't be occurring.

I'm wondering if using a Dillon powder die (20064) would solve this issue... So I guess I am looking for someone with knowledge and experience with this die and .223 cases to advise me.


D
 
I sometimes use the Lee rifle charging die for plinking 223. It works well with the Auto disk, and there's none of the problems that you've stated.

Witch Lee powder die are you using and what method of powder delivery?
 
I've loaded many rounds of .223 with a Lee rifle charging die and auto disk. I've never had that problem. I would contact Lee's customer service and ask about it.
 
I use the entire DILLON powder assembly with tube as there's not enough powder in the lee reservoir to suit me and - it's set way high so I can adjust it and it's on a lee 1000- I use 25 grains of 748 over a 70 grain semi spitzer and don't get enough powder even with the double disc kit for more than a few rounds with the lee
 
I've tried both the short and the long versions of the Lee powder dies for loading .223. The long one is too long for .223 IMO. The short one is the right length.

I'm not using an auto disk - I am using a Lee Perfect Powder Measure that I rigged up over my press. Powder falls (approx. 3/4 inch distance) into a Lee powder funnel which is fitted into the powder die funnel adaptor, which is screwed into the powder die. This method means the powder passes through the Lee Funnel and the Power die funnel adaptor - 2 extra 'stages' that wouldn't occur with an auto disk. Perhaps that's the cause??? Although I can't see why as all of these components were designed by Lee to work together.

I guess I am hoping that switching to a Dillon powder die will be a quick fix - provided that someone who has the Dillon powder die can confirm that it works well with .223 cases.
D
 
Don't know why it isn't working for you. I use the Lee powder die to load .223 on my Lee Turret press. Like you, I use the Lee funnel to drop the powder through the die into the case, and I have absolutely no issue. Are you making sure you are using the insert in the die?
 
I've tried the Lee discs for loading 223 with a ball powder (CFE223) on the turret press but I've found too much variance with powder loads (+/- 0.4 gns) for my tastes. I also found more powder spillage than I liked. This isn't an issue loading 9 mm.

I've been looking t the new Lee Autodrum measures and wondering if this may cure the load accuracy and the spillage.
 
I use the Dillon powder hopper on my 650 and have loaded 000's of rounds to go into all my semis and never had an issue.

3078.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom