inconsistent poweder charges and leaking powder
Quote from Reloader on October 4, 2017, 10:57 pmI 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
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
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
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
Quote from Reloader on October 5, 2017, 4:27 pmHere are a few things to check out. First, be sure you are using a "B" funnel, and that the groove is oriented up. Next, be sure the powder bar goes full travel at the same time the handle bottoms out. If it doesn't, turn the powder die down until it does. On the failsafe rod, be sure the blue wing nut is tight enough to partially compress the coil spring above it at the end of the upstroke. When you push forward on the handle, you should barely have room between the coils to slip a business card.
Slow your handle downstroke speed so that it takes at least one full second to move the powder bar over. This especially gives enough time for the extruded powder to fall through the funnel and not logjam, which is causing the sprinkling you are getting on the upstroke.
WC735 should meter within +/- .1 grain, while IMR 4895 will meter +/- .2 grain, due to the shape of the powder granules.
Here are a few things to check out. First, be sure you are using a "B" funnel, and that the groove is oriented up. Next, be sure the powder bar goes full travel at the same time the handle bottoms out. If it doesn't, turn the powder die down until it does. On the failsafe rod, be sure the blue wing nut is tight enough to partially compress the coil spring above it at the end of the upstroke. When you push forward on the handle, you should barely have room between the coils to slip a business card.
Slow your handle downstroke speed so that it takes at least one full second to move the powder bar over. This especially gives enough time for the extruded powder to fall through the funnel and not logjam, which is causing the sprinkling you are getting on the upstroke.
WC735 should meter within +/- .1 grain, while IMR 4895 will meter +/- .2 grain, due to the shape of the powder granules.
Quote from Reloader on October 5, 2017, 8:15 pmAlso be careful to not get too much case lub inside the case neck, that will also lead to a log jam when the powder drops.
Kevin
Also be careful to not get too much case lub inside the case neck, that will also lead to a log jam when the powder drops.
Kevin
Quote from Reloader on November 5, 2017, 2:51 amI had the same problem. Manually operate the powder measure to see if it is sticking. I had the slide inside the powder bar jam up against the spacer. It was dragging and throwing inconsistent loads. I replaced the powder bar and all the leaking has stopped and now it's perfect (again).
I had the same problem. Manually operate the powder measure to see if it is sticking. I had the slide inside the powder bar jam up against the spacer. It was dragging and throwing inconsistent loads. I replaced the powder bar and all the leaking has stopped and now it's perfect (again).