Inaccurate Powder Measurements
Quote from Reloader on September 17, 2013, 11:48 amNew to the 650, loading 9mm to start. Noticed that my powder measements were off by +/-.1-.3 grs. This can't be right. Plinking paper it's not that big a deal, but when I start loading 308 for hunting, need I say more. Followed the Dillon manual & video for set up, any fix for this issue? Thanx in advance!
New to the 650, loading 9mm to start. Noticed that my powder measements were off by +/-.1-.3 grs. This can't be right. Plinking paper it's not that big a deal, but when I start loading 308 for hunting, need I say more. Followed the Dillon manual & video for set up, any fix for this issue? Thanx in advance!
Quote from Reloader on September 17, 2013, 4:27 pmWhat powder are you using? How many grains are you trying to throw? Be sure cases are flared at least .010-.020" larger than a sized, unflared case. This ensures all the powder drops out of the bar. Start with the hopper at least 2/3 full, throw and dump 10 charges to settle the powder under the baffle before you begin weighing.
Be aware that powder scales are accurate to within +/- .1 grain.
What powder are you using? How many grains are you trying to throw? Be sure cases are flared at least .010-.020" larger than a sized, unflared case. This ensures all the powder drops out of the bar. Start with the hopper at least 2/3 full, throw and dump 10 charges to settle the powder under the baffle before you begin weighing.
Be aware that powder scales are accurate to within +/- .1 grain.
Quote from Reloader on September 17, 2013, 6:28 pmI'm using Power Pistol @6.4 grs. (from Hornady 7th edition). The cases are being flared by your specs ie...3.79 to 3.91 and I dump 10 charges before I even start. By the 4th-5th they read the same. When I check a random cartridge (evey 10-15) thats when the readings change. Some are there some are not. I'm not t worried about the pistol rounds, but when I get to 308 cartridges for hunting that +/- .1 gr means alot. If I'm wrong please tell me. Like I said I'm new at this and don't want to make any mistakes, 'cause you only get one!
I'm using Power Pistol @6.4 grs. (from Hornady 7th edition). The cases are being flared by your specs ie...3.79 to 3.91 and I dump 10 charges before I even start. By the 4th-5th they read the same. When I check a random cartridge (evey 10-15) thats when the readings change. Some are there some are not. I'm not t worried about the pistol rounds, but when I get to 308 cartridges for hunting that +/- .1 gr means alot. If I'm wrong please tell me. Like I said I'm new at this and don't want to make any mistakes, 'cause you only get one!
Quote from Reloader on October 1, 2013, 3:30 amAs I recall there are to different powder bars for the powder measure. One for smaller pistol charges, and a larger one for larger grain rifle charges. Check to be sure you have the right powder bar installed in your powder measure. Could you be trying to throw too small a charge with the rifle bar in your powder measure?
John
As I recall there are to different powder bars for the powder measure. One for smaller pistol charges, and a larger one for larger grain rifle charges. Check to be sure you have the right powder bar installed in your powder measure. Could you be trying to throw too small a charge with the rifle bar in your powder measure?
John
Quote from Reloader on October 1, 2013, 11:54 amI also use power pistol for 9mm and 45 acp. So far, it has been very accurate and is almost always -0 / +0.1 grains according to my scales. I use the small powder bar and I'm set to 6.6 grains. She always dumps 6.6 to 6.7 (for 45acp).
I don't know if this is the proper way or not, but I always open mine a tad to far and make small adjustments in until I reduce the charge to my desired amount. This keeps any backlash in the screw threads from messing with my adjustment.
I noticed if I do it the opposite, back out increasing charge then if I go a little to far then barely go back in then I get erratic charges +/- 0.2 grains, so I figured it was the slop in the threads.
Something else that helped, I have just a small delay at the end of each stroke just for half a second or so and I try to keep the rhythm smooth and consistent.
Richard
I also use power pistol for 9mm and 45 acp. So far, it has been very accurate and is almost always -0 / +0.1 grains according to my scales. I use the small powder bar and I'm set to 6.6 grains. She always dumps 6.6 to 6.7 (for 45acp).
I don't know if this is the proper way or not, but I always open mine a tad to far and make small adjustments in until I reduce the charge to my desired amount. This keeps any backlash in the screw threads from messing with my adjustment.
I noticed if I do it the opposite, back out increasing charge then if I go a little to far then barely go back in then I get erratic charges +/- 0.2 grains, so I figured it was the slop in the threads.
Something else that helped, I have just a small delay at the end of each stroke just for half a second or so and I try to keep the rhythm smooth and consistent.
Richard
Quote from Reloader on October 8, 2013, 3:14 pmI'm new to progressives and I found a 1/2 grain variance as well. It got to where I was checking every case load before I would go on to the projectile station, no time saved here, then I just cycled 200 cases without any powder and then set the whole Press and powder bar back up again and now it is spot on. I'm loading .40 S&W and now this thing (my XL650) just hums. I think there is a real breakin period for the powder bars.
Lovin' my Dillon! Mark
I'm new to progressives and I found a 1/2 grain variance as well. It got to where I was checking every case load before I would go on to the projectile station, no time saved here, then I just cycled 200 cases without any powder and then set the whole Press and powder bar back up again and now it is spot on. I'm loading .40 S&W and now this thing (my XL650) just hums. I think there is a real breakin period for the powder bars.
Lovin' my Dillon! Mark
Quote from Reloader on November 24, 2013, 7:06 amHmmm...
I am in the same boat. I am new to reloading and I also am having difficulty in getting consistent powder measurements. I am trying to work up a load for my .223 and am using BL-C2. In trying to adjust my measure for 23.3 grains I can throw anywhere from 23.5 to 23.1 without adjusting a thing. When I do go to adjust the powder bar I will just tweak the adjustment screw and will throw .3 more grains then trying to decrease the amount of powder I will tweak, and tweak, and tweak and not see a change then boom...big change.
I am going half a dozen charges before I measure the powder. I don't understand why you would really need to go more than one charge to allow for the correct amount to go into the bar.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bryan
Hmmm...
I am in the same boat. I am new to reloading and I also am having difficulty in getting consistent powder measurements. I am trying to work up a load for my .223 and am using BL-C2. In trying to adjust my measure for 23.3 grains I can throw anywhere from 23.5 to 23.1 without adjusting a thing. When I do go to adjust the powder bar I will just tweak the adjustment screw and will throw .3 more grains then trying to decrease the amount of powder I will tweak, and tweak, and tweak and not see a change then boom...big change.
I am going half a dozen charges before I measure the powder. I don't understand why you would really need to go more than one charge to allow for the correct amount to go into the bar.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bryan
Quote from Reloader on December 1, 2013, 5:39 pmThis may be a common problem with the 650 I contacted Dillon twice on the phone and still a large variance in powder charges.
This may be a common problem with the 650 I contacted Dillon twice on the phone and still a large variance in powder charges.