Dillon 550B Powder Measure Testing

[kmr007]

Ok so after some time trouble shooting the clink and clanking noise of my 550B I decided to just live with it. I decided to run a test of the powder drops and see what the outcome would be with all this noise. The test consisted of Titegroup powder. Yesterday, I set the powder drop to 4.0 grains. These specs were carried over from my Lee Classic Turret Press. My load is Titegroup, 4.0grains, Xtreme 124gr Plated Round Nose, and OAL of 1.15.

The test is 10 drops of Titegroup from the Dillon 550B (with powder measure clinks and clanks) Using a Franklin Digital Scale.

1st - 10@39.1
2nd - 10@39.4
3rd - 10@39.8
4th - 10@40.0
5th - 10@40.0

Total Average = 39.6 @ 3.966 per drop

So it is slightly off by .004. I was like Im impressed with these results because even with all that noise I've been experiencing with the powder measure, I thought it would be all over the place.

[kalapa]

These "clicks and clanks" really bother you, don't they..

Welcome to the world of a progressive reloader. As unhappy as you may be with it, that Dillon is capable of cranking out some very good, consistent, ammo at a very fast pace. Try and enjoy.

[jericho89]

I can tell you that a progressive works best when all of the stations are filled and you are a little violent with the press (just enough to get the powder to settle and fill the powder bar). Just as any powder drop that you manually move the arm if you are deliberate with the up and down it makes sure to dump all the powder. If you are looking to make super accurate get the bullet inside of a single hole ammo then use a single stage. If you want to have a crap load of ammo in a short period of time that will shoot better than 99% of the people pulling the trigger then progressive is the way to go.

[Mot Mi]

I can tell you that a progressive works best when all of the stations are filled and you are a little violent with the press (just enough to get the powder to settle and fill the powder bar). Just as any powder drop that you manually move the arm if you are deliberate with the up and down it makes sure to dump all the powder. If you are looking to make super accurate get the bullet inside of a single hole ammo then use a single stage. If you want to have a crap load of ammo in a short period of time that will shoot better than 99% of the people pulling the trigger then progressive is the way to go.

So true and I agree 100% dont let the little things bother you. The LCT or single stage is for fine tuning the ammo you make while the progressive can do something similar at a faster pace. Would you rather shoot 100-300 or 1000s?

[kmr007]

So true and I agree 100% dont let the little things bother you. The LCT or single stage is for fine tuning the ammo you make while the progressive can do something similar at a faster pace. Would you rather shoot 100-300 or 1000s?

Yea I've enjoyed the LCT but lacked in the amount of ammo produced. The customer service from LEE has been exceptional as well.

The Dillon should be able to produce more in less time.

[jericho89]

Yea I've enjoyed the LCT but lacked in the amount of ammo produced. The customer service from LEE has been exceptional as well.

The Dillon should be able to produce more in less time.

I have an old rockchucker for test loads and precision shooting, but when I get into the groove I can crank out 800+ rounds an hour with a 650 and case feeder (primer tubes pre-filled). I have never had a FTF with MY reloads, just watch your powder level, listen to your primer warning buzzer, and I made a die and gauge that does a gross powder check in each case to indicate double charge or no/very low charge.

Have fun loading and more fun unloading....

[milotrain]

You know when people tell you to tap the powder hopper in-between charges? That's what the clunk is doing.

[jkcerda]

Ok so after some time trouble shooting the clink and clanking noise of my 550B I decided to just live with it. I decided to run a test of the powder drops and see what the outcome would be with all this noise. The test consisted of Titegroup powder. Yesterday, I set the powder drop to 4.0 grains. These specs were carried over from my Lee Classic Turret Press. My load is Titegroup, 4.0grains, Xtreme 124gr Plated Round Nose, and OAL of 1.15.

The test is 10 drops of Titegroup from the Dillon 550B (with powder measure clinks and clanks) Using a Franklin Digital Scale.

1st - 10@39.1
2nd - 10@39.4
3rd - 10@39.8
4th - 10@40.0
5th - 10@40.0

Total Average = 39.6 @ 3.966 per drop

So it is slightly off by .004. I was like Im impressed with these results because even with all that noise I've been experiencing with the powder measure, I thought it would be all over the place.

my math sucks, but it seems you are off by .4, not .004, hell your first drop was near a full grain difference from the last

[milotrain]

He's weighing 10 throws, and distributing the error over all 10. It's not statistically a correct method, and he's off by .04, not .004, but his extreme spread is .09 in his measurements.

It's only really valuable to weigh each throw over a large data set to find out what is actually going on. But the way he freaked out about the function of the powder measure he doesn't need more information he just needs to shoot it and move on.

[jkcerda]

He's weighing 10 throws, and distributing the error over all 10. It's not statistically a correct method, and he's off by .04, not .004, but his extreme spread is .09 in his measurements.

It's only really valuable to weigh each throw over a large data set to find out what is actually going on. But the way he freaked out about the function of the powder measure he doesn't need more information he just needs to shoot it and move on.

well, not only did my math sucked, so did my comprehension

[mjmagee67]

The first throw is ALWAY off, But once I get going my thrower for my 550 is never off my more than .1 grains. and even then rarely. I've loaded thousands and thousands and they are normally spot on.

If I let the powder thrower sit for a while the first throw after the break will be high!!! I think the powder settles a little given time. If I fill the powder thrower, the first few are a little low then build up to the right amount. Bottom line is they get better and more consistent with a few throws. I now try to not let the thrower get lower than a 1/3 full. Any lower than that and it takes a few throws to settle. I've never weighed 10 and averaged I go for +/- .1 grs.