Dillon powder measure tip….

[Tripplet918]

I have an 8 year old Dillon 650 press. Its paid for itself a few times over.

Ive been freshening it up given its continued service and just bought some quick disconnect devices for my powder measures. 20 bucks didnt sound too bad as unbolting the powder measure to dump the powder after a long loading session is tedious.

That said, I learned something new.

Each Dillon powder measure includes two powder bars. Small and large.

With a quick disconnect, replacing the powders bars is a 1 minute chore. Slip out and slip in, easy peasy.

When u take out a powder bar to put it away, it keeps its setting.

That said, you can keep as many powders bars and case flaring funnels as you require, and just have one powder measure. This will save you at least 100 bucks in each conversion toolhead set.

Hope that made sense.

[ar15barrels]

I find it even easier to setup separate toolheads and leave a powder measure with the properly adjusted bar and the proper powder funnel all adjusted in a toolhead for the top 6 or so cartridges I load for.
Then I move a powder measure for any of the other 20 or so toolheads I leave setup with dies and a pre-adjusted powder die.
It's easy to dump the extra powder back into the powder jug when I am done loading by sliding the toolhead out of the press.

[bruce381]

I find it even easier to setup separate toolheads and leave a powder measure with the properly adjusted bar and the proper powder funnel all adjusted in a toolhead for the top 6 or so cartridges I load for.
Then I move a powder measure for any of the other 20 or so toolheads I leave setup with dies and a pre-adjusted powder die.
It's easy to dump the extra powder back into the powder jug when I am done loading by sliding the toolhead out of the press.

Yeah this I have 1 measure and about 7 or 8 loaded tool heads.
Just move measure from head to head all pre adjusted easy and cheaper than having $100 measures on every head.

[Tripplet918]

Looks like we all think a like. Im stoked that I dont need any more powder measures. Just move em from pre configured toolhead to toolhead swapping out pre set powder bars.

[roc_my_tims]

Good tip the lazy in me would still probably have 1 per caliber. But truly it's only needed for the top few loaded often at best.

Which quick release did you buy?

[ar15barrels]

Yeah this I have 1 measure and about 7 or 8 loaded tool heads.
Just move measure from head to head all pre adjusted easy and cheaper than having $100 measures on every head.

I have 6 toolheads loaded with powder measures.
I will float one of those 6 powder measures to the other 20ish loaded toolheads that don't have a dedicated powder measure.

Powder measures were around $50 when I bought most of them.
I think it was $75 for a toolhead with toolhead stand, powder die and powder measure at the time I bought them.

[Tripplet918]

Good tip the lazy in me would still probably have 1 per caliber. But truly it's only needed for the top few loaded often at best.

Which quick release did you buy?

This was the lowest cost I found that was metal https://www.ebay.com/itm/13434788394...mis&media=COPY

Works good.

[bruce381]

I have 6 toolheads loaded with powder measures.
I will float one of those 6 powder measures to the other 20ish loaded toolheads that don't have a dedicated powder measure.

Powder measures were around $50 when I bought most of them.
I think it was $75 for a toolhead with toolhead stand, powder die and powder measure at the time I bought them.

Yeah that's a good plan but I saved up for a case feeder at the time now the measure at too much to swallow. Also added a UnikecK (spelling) micrometer adjuster makes swapping easy just set to what my records show ans throw a few cahrges to verify and off and running best add on i ever bought.

[Citadelgrad87]

I find it even easier to setup separate toolheads and leave a powder measure with the properly adjusted bar and the proper powder funnel all adjusted in a toolhead for the top 6 or so cartridges I load for.
Then I move a powder measure for any of the other 20 or so toolheads I leave setup with dies and a pre-adjusted powder die.
It's easy to dump the extra powder back into the powder jug when I am done loading by sliding the toolhead out of the press.

This is the way. Every time i have a bit of extra scrap, i buy another measure. Everything l load any volume on already has a fully set up toolhead with the load data on a label on the powder measure.

[BrassCase]

I have 3 all with powder measures. I also have a dial setting on the powder bars.

[ar15barrels]

This was the lowest cost I found that was metal https://www.ebay.com/itm/13434788394...mis&media=COPY

Works good.

Does that screw into the powder measure and then the metal part is just held by springs?
No thanks.
I found out that the charge consistency I get from the measure is based on the powder measure being not just clamped tight to the powder die by the two clamp screws, but also the belling is affected by how high or low you clamp the measure in the groove on the powder die.
No way I want springs holding my powder measure to the powder die as the powder measure can flop around against the springs if the screws are not tightly holding the clamp piece.

[ar15barrels]

This is the way. Every time i have a bit of extra scrap, i buy another measure. Everything l load any volume on already has a fully set up toolhead with the load data on a label on the powder measure.

I don't like to stick labels on the measures or the toolheads.
What I do is cut a 100ct primer sleeve apart at the corners and save the square that's just one layer thick and toss the small strips and the other square that's 2 cardboard pieces glued together.
Write the toolhead's setup on the brown side and shove that down into the powder measure.
You always have extra primer sleeves as you are reloading so you can write up a new one whenever you change a setup.

[bruce381]

that's a great idea I was sticking some round stickers on the heads my wife uses to price out garage sale stuff but they do not stick.

[Citadelgrad87]

I don't like to stick labels on the measures or the toolheads.
What I do is cut a 100ct primer sleeve apart at the corners and save the square that's just one layer thick and toss the small strips and the other square that's 2 cardboard pieces glued together.
Write the toolhead's setup on the brown side and shove that down into the powder measure.
You always have extra primer sleeves as you are reloading so you can write up a new one whenever you change a setup.

That works, too. I have a label maker that spits out medium sticky all plastic labels that will stay put if you don't mess with them, but they won't come off and stick again. They leave no residue either paper backing or glue. And I can't read my handwriting.

[Tripplet918]

Does that screw into the powder measure and then the metal part is just held by springs?
No thanks.
I found out that the charge consistency I get from the measure is based on the powder measure being not just clamped tight to the powder die by the two clamp screws, but also the belling is affected by how high or low you clamp the measure in the groove on the powder die.
No way I want springs holding my powder measure to the powder die as the powder measure can flop around against the springs if the screws are not tightly holding the clamp piece.

Its a machined clamp that locks into the die. Its is held by stiff springs. It does have some left right play, but none vertically.

I will monitor charge consistency based on your input. Thanks.