Powder measure question
Quote from CharleyH on September 27, 2025, 8:23 pmI inspected my powder measuring assembly because I am having a little inconsistency with powder charges and I noticed a rough edge on the edge of the powder bar. See picture . My 750 is only a bout a month old so I believe it came this way. Would this be covered by warranty. Or is this considered an acceptable part?
I inspected my powder measuring assembly because I am having a little inconsistency with powder charges and I noticed a rough edge on the edge of the powder bar. See picture . My 750 is only a bout a month old so I believe it came this way. Would this be covered by warranty. Or is this considered an acceptable part?
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Quote from The Human Manual on September 29, 2025, 5:56 pmIt's a bit ugly. I doubt this would cause any inconsistency, but this adjustable insert should have been rejected. Please email me at gary.kieft@dillonprecision.com and I will send you a replacement insert.
What powder are you using? What is the weighed variation? How much are you flaring the case mouth? The most common cause for powder charge variations with handgun cartridges is insufficient case mouth flaring to ensure full activation of the powder bar. On handgun cartridges, the flared case mouth should measure at least .010" larger than a sized, unflared case mouth measures. Always use a sized case to activate the powder measure.
It's a bit ugly. I doubt this would cause any inconsistency, but this adjustable insert should have been rejected. Please email me at gary.kieft@dillonprecision.com and I will send you a replacement insert.
What powder are you using? What is the weighed variation? How much are you flaring the case mouth? The most common cause for powder charge variations with handgun cartridges is insufficient case mouth flaring to ensure full activation of the powder bar. On handgun cartridges, the flared case mouth should measure at least .010" larger than a sized, unflared case mouth measures. Always use a sized case to activate the powder measure.
Quote from CharleyH on September 29, 2025, 8:18 pmHi Gary, thank you for the help, I will email you as requested
I am loading 9mm with 5 grains of VihtaVuori N350 powder and using the same brand of cases. My sized case diameter is nominally .374” and my flairs are nominally .389”. My powder charges are fairly consistent but will sometimes stray as much as .4 grains. I am new to reloading so I am loading slowly and am trying to do all of my movements as consistently and accurately as possible. But , admittedly I am still learning. I checked the travel of the powder measuring bar and it is moving through it’s full travel.
Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated. 🙂
Hi Gary, thank you for the help, I will email you as requested
I am loading 9mm with 5 grains of VihtaVuori N350 powder and using the same brand of cases. My sized case diameter is nominally .374” and my flairs are nominally .389”. My powder charges are fairly consistent but will sometimes stray as much as .4 grains. I am new to reloading so I am loading slowly and am trying to do all of my movements as consistently and accurately as possible. But , admittedly I am still learning. I checked the travel of the powder measuring bar and it is moving through it’s full travel.
Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated. 🙂
Quote from The Human Manual on September 29, 2025, 8:22 pmWhen activated by a case, the powder bar should go to full travel somewhat before the handle bottoms out.
How much powder is in the hopper? I suggest starting with it at least 2/3 full. Cycle ten powder charges to level the powder under the baffle, then start by weighing the eleventh.
When activated by a case, the powder bar should go to full travel somewhat before the handle bottoms out.
How much powder is in the hopper? I suggest starting with it at least 2/3 full. Cycle ten powder charges to level the powder under the baffle, then start by weighing the eleventh.
Quote from CharleyH on September 29, 2025, 9:01 pmYes, I have checked the powder bar and it does reach full travel as you described. I have been starting with the hopper about 2/3 full and I have been running through ten charges before I start measuring. I then measure 5 to 10 times to make sure I am getting consistent charges. When I do this process I am getting consistent charges that vary only .1 gr. But occasionally as I am loading I will pull out cases that appear a bit low and this is when I am finding some inconsistent readings. When I operate the charging handle I momentarily pause at the end of the up stroke and the down stroke thinking this will help make things more consistent. I have reloaded about 1000 rounds so far and there have only been a handful of cases where I have found the variation in charges, so I am likely being too cautious, but I am trying to be diligent to ensure I am making quality /safe loads. Perhaps it is my technique? Or perhaps I am being too cautious? Every round has shot beautifully. 🙂
Yes, I have checked the powder bar and it does reach full travel as you described. I have been starting with the hopper about 2/3 full and I have been running through ten charges before I start measuring. I then measure 5 to 10 times to make sure I am getting consistent charges. When I do this process I am getting consistent charges that vary only .1 gr. But occasionally as I am loading I will pull out cases that appear a bit low and this is when I am finding some inconsistent readings. When I operate the charging handle I momentarily pause at the end of the up stroke and the down stroke thinking this will help make things more consistent. I have reloaded about 1000 rounds so far and there have only been a handful of cases where I have found the variation in charges, so I am likely being too cautious, but I am trying to be diligent to ensure I am making quality /safe loads. Perhaps it is my technique? Or perhaps I am being too cautious? Every round has shot beautifully. 🙂
Quote from The Human Manual on September 29, 2025, 9:09 pmWhen you hook up the failsafe return rod, be sure the rod goes into the oval hole in the rear plate, and comes out the round hole in the front plate.
next, check the tightness of the blue wing nut at the bottom of the failsafe return rod. To do this, push forward on the operating handle, as if seating a primer. The coil spring just above the blue wing nut should be partially compressed. With the handle held forward you should still be able to slip a credit card between the coils.
When you hook up the failsafe return rod, be sure the rod goes into the oval hole in the rear plate, and comes out the round hole in the front plate.
next, check the tightness of the blue wing nut at the bottom of the failsafe return rod. To do this, push forward on the operating handle, as if seating a primer. The coil spring just above the blue wing nut should be partially compressed. With the handle held forward you should still be able to slip a credit card between the coils.
Quote from CharleyH on September 30, 2025, 7:12 amThe failsafe rod is connected as you described and I have the spring gap set to .010” when the handle is pressed forward. I appreciate that you are bringing up all of the potential causes that could cause this because it is reinforcing that it appears to be set up correctly. I am starting to wonder if my issues were anomalies? I will watch closely the next time I reload to see if there continues to be an issue or if it has been resolved. Thank you very much for your help. If you think of any other possibilities please let me know and I will check those also.
The failsafe rod is connected as you described and I have the spring gap set to .010” when the handle is pressed forward. I appreciate that you are bringing up all of the potential causes that could cause this because it is reinforcing that it appears to be set up correctly. I am starting to wonder if my issues were anomalies? I will watch closely the next time I reload to see if there continues to be an issue or if it has been resolved. Thank you very much for your help. If you think of any other possibilities please let me know and I will check those also.
Quote from CharleyH on October 9, 2025, 6:00 pmThank you for all of your help Gary. The replacement part arrived very quickly and my loads are now consistent. I suspect the problem I was having was being new to the equipment.
Thank you again!
Thank you for all of your help Gary. The replacement part arrived very quickly and my loads are now consistent. I suspect the problem I was having was being new to the equipment.
Thank you again!