Quote from Reloader on May 8, 2011, 8:36 pm

05/08/2011 GONRA got a Dillon XL 650 progressive loader some months ago.

Added a Case Feed Tube Extension made from a 7 inch length of

“½ inch Schedule 40” PVC pipe counterbored 0.720 inch ID (boring bar, use cutting oil)

1 ¾ inch deep to slip over Dillon’s case feed tube.

Holds 30 9mm luger cases or 26 .45 ACP cases. Suits my needs Just Fine.

Loaded >1000 rounds of 9mm Luger ammo (cleanedup range pickup brass)

for Irving, the Family Uzi, without incident other than usual learning curve stuff.

Used an old RCBS carbide sizer to get nice body profile.
Powder measure measured 6.3 grains HS-6

(for 115 grain Midway Israeli pulls, using Winchester small pistol primers)

with essentially no measurable variation, using the Small Powder Bar as directed.

 

Next project is .45 ACP for 1928 Thompson full auto blasting.

Used a new RCBS carbide sizer for 71 mil instead of 75 mil decapping pin diameter.

Like to use 7.3 grains 800-X, WLP primers, 230 FMJ bullets.

Found out REAL FAST that 800-X was a disaster to use in a powder measure!

1. Tried the large powder bar – horrible results, worse than the small powder bar.

2. Tried the Xtra Small powder bar – better than the small powder bar.

(Know this doesn’t make sense, but that’s what happened!)

Therefore, switched to the Xtra Small Powder Bar.

Below follows 800-X advice on Dillon Precision website and internet:

3. Powder measure is pretty full, 80% or so. (Dillon)

4. Took time operating the press. (Dillon)

5. Used a Tetra Whisper 10 Aquarium Air Pump

as a vibrator on the plastic powder measure tube. (Internet)

Put a wad of Plumbers Putty housed in a plastic

sandwich baggie squished twixt the black “motor” underside of the

Tetra Whisper 10 Aquarium Air Pump and clear transparent powder tube.

This maximizes 60 cycle vibrator / powder measure tube physical contact.

Hopefully makes a larger amplitude powder measure tube vibration. Who Nos?

6. 04/28/2011 Using Xtra-Small Powder Bar: in the Dillon Powder Measure:

Removed the brass pin from Station 3 on the Dillon press

for easy charged case remove and replacement.

EVERY round powder charge was weighed and tuned up as required.

(NO WAY one can “take a chance” on this stuff.

Another 1928 Thompson won’t cost $150 + $200 stamp like in 1964! )

For the record, loaded 25 rounds and kept track of the ACTUAL POWDER THROW weights

(grains) by associated the scale marks as 0.1 grain increments. Brief check affirmed this.

Here are the 25 sequential powder 800-X throws, relative to nominal 7.3 grains,

using the Xtra-Small Powder Bar:

+0.1 -0.4 -0.3 -0.1 -0.3

-0.3 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4 -0.4

-0.2 -0.6 -0.2 +0.1 -0.3

-0.2 -0.2 -0.8 -0.4 -0.1

-0.4 -0.2 -0.3 -0.4 0.0

Spec adopted for this project:

load nominal 7.3 grains max, accepting 0.1 grain on high side,

tolerating 0.2 grains on the light side.

Note the -0.6 and -0.8 grain light charges.

That’s bad, not unsafe, just CRUMMY.

Remaining probably would verkout Just Fine for full auto blasting,

but really wanna make decent ammo.

7. 04/30/2011 Switched to Small Powder Bar: in the Dillon Powder Measure:

For the record, loaded 25 rounds and kept track of the ACTUAL POWDER THROW weights

(grains) by associated the scale marks as 0.1 grain increments. Brief check affirmed this.

Here are the 25 sequential powder 800-X throws, relative to nominal 7.3 grains,

using the Small Powder Bar:

+0.4 0.0 +0.1 +0.3 -0.5

+0.4 +0.1 -0.3 0.0 -1.3

-1.1 +0.1 0.0 -0.3 +0.2

-0.1 -0.2 0.0 0.0 +0.4

0.0 -0.3 +0.2 -0.7 +0.2

Spec adopted for this project:

load nominal 7.3 grains max, accepting 0.1 grain on high side,

tolerating 0.2 grains on the light side.

Note the -1.1 and -0.7 and -1.3 grain light charges.

That’s bad, not unsafe, just CRUMMY.

Remaining probably would verkout Just Fine for full auto blasting,

but really wanna make decent ammo.

Bottom Line:

1. 9mm loading campaign proved the Dillon Powder Measure:

* only a small amount of HS-6 powder in the hopper,

* no vibrator used.

2. Reaffirmed 800X is hopeless.

 

But maybe I'm Dead Wrong.

Any suggestions from you 800 X experts? THANX!

Side Note:

Have had fine results using the Lacquered Steel Case

.45 AUTO WOLF and other Russian arsenal pickups.

Size and decap FIRST on my Hollywood, then feed into Dillon tube.

Unscrew the RCBS sizer to prevent any decapping pin sticking

the small flash hole Russian case.

BUT - watchout for a rare, shallow primer pocket!