Powder mess
Quote from Reloader on April 2, 2016, 4:43 amI am new to reloading. I have a bit of a problem that needs correction. I am using a XL650. I have it set up for 9mm, CCI primers, Hodgdon HS6 powder 6 grains, and 124gr round nose FMJ bullets. Seems that I generate a fair amount of powder mess on the shell plate. I can not really see where it is coming from. The case fills about half way with this charge. Not sure if it is shaking out or if it is coming from the dispenser station. I fixed the problem of primers not seating and leaving a trail of powder. I bought Hodgdon universal powder and plan to switch to it after the HS6 is finished. I thought maybe a low charge 4 vs 6 grains and a larger material might help. Thoughts?? Thanks.
I am new to reloading. I have a bit of a problem that needs correction. I am using a XL650. I have it set up for 9mm, CCI primers, Hodgdon HS6 powder 6 grains, and 124gr round nose FMJ bullets. Seems that I generate a fair amount of powder mess on the shell plate. I can not really see where it is coming from. The case fills about half way with this charge. Not sure if it is shaking out or if it is coming from the dispenser station. I fixed the problem of primers not seating and leaving a trail of powder. I bought Hodgdon universal powder and plan to switch to it after the HS6 is finished. I thought maybe a low charge 4 vs 6 grains and a larger material might help. Thoughts?? Thanks.
Quote from Reloader on April 2, 2016, 10:08 pmMost likely happening on the up stroke. See two solutions below. Moving the down stroke too fast can cause some powder spillage. Start slow and smooth and slowly work up the cycle rate. Some small amount (few flakes here and there) is normal. Amount larger and see two solutions below:
1. new or 'extra clean' cases sticking to the powder funnel on the up stroke. This causes a jump of the shell plate as the case is pulled from the powder funnel. Thus causing powder in stations 2 and 3 to bounce out a small amount of powder. There are a few solutions. a. Case lube the cases. b. slow down the up stroke to slide off the powder funnel slower (a smooth slow up stroke is actually faster for many reasons -- note the smooth part). c. Polish the powder funnel.
2. Indexing the shell plate to fast causing it to snap into the next index locations. Solutions: a. slow down the up stroke and smooth it out. b. cut 1/2 coil from the Index Ball Spring (PN 13997 - see page 52 in users manual). c. Many people have had very good success with replacing the 'steel' Index Ball with aftermarket 'plastic like' one but much better than normal plastic (see ebay) - best solution to smoothing out the XL650!
Most likely happening on the up stroke. See two solutions below. Moving the down stroke too fast can cause some powder spillage. Start slow and smooth and slowly work up the cycle rate. Some small amount (few flakes here and there) is normal. Amount larger and see two solutions below:
1. new or 'extra clean' cases sticking to the powder funnel on the up stroke. This causes a jump of the shell plate as the case is pulled from the powder funnel. Thus causing powder in stations 2 and 3 to bounce out a small amount of powder. There are a few solutions. a. Case lube the cases. b. slow down the up stroke to slide off the powder funnel slower (a smooth slow up stroke is actually faster for many reasons -- note the smooth part). c. Polish the powder funnel.
2. Indexing the shell plate to fast causing it to snap into the next index locations. Solutions: a. slow down the up stroke and smooth it out. b. cut 1/2 coil from the Index Ball Spring (PN 13997 - see page 52 in users manual). c. Many people have had very good success with replacing the 'steel' Index Ball with aftermarket 'plastic like' one but much better than normal plastic (see ebay) - best solution to smoothing out the XL650!
Quote from Reloader on April 3, 2016, 3:42 amThanks. I will start with the least invasive and work my way up to replacing the offending ball.
Thanks. I will start with the least invasive and work my way up to replacing the offending ball.
Quote from Reloader on April 10, 2016, 4:28 amI did change out the ball, spring and the bar. I noticed today that the powder spill is coming from the powder check system. I removed the rod and no more mess. Hey. I was using the medium size rod for 9mm.
I did change out the ball, spring and the bar. I noticed today that the powder spill is coming from the powder check system. I removed the rod and no more mess. Hey. I was using the medium size rod for 9mm.