Dillon Powder Mess

[damon1272]

Question for the Dillon users out there. I have a Dillon 550B and it makes a mess on the powder drop stage. I have made changes to how I operate like giving the powder time to fully drop on the top stroke, I have alos been very careful as to getting case lube on the neck and opening of the casing. I have changed from varget (extruded powder) to h335 (ball) to get a cleaner drop as the varget tended to bridge on .22-250 and .223 loadings. Any suggestions on making the cleanest drop possible or is this the nature of the beast. Things have improved much from when I first started loading but I would think that I should have minimal mess.

[rayra]

Betting it's your technique that's the problem. How do you handle the handle? If you slam it down and right back up, you aren't giving enough time for the powder to drop. Pause for a fraction of a second when you bottom out, so the powder can do its thing.
Likewise in how you manipulate / advance the shellplate holder. If you have it mounted to close / hard to the detent ball, or snap it too vigorously, you'll jostle the cartridges and literally shake powder bits out.

Find the right rhythm as well as the right adjustments and you shouldn't be spilling anything regardless if it is stick or ball, pistol or rifle.

[anyracoon]

Are you sure it is the powder measure? If you rotate the shellplate to fast, powder can fling out of the charged case. Static can also cause a problem, try wiping down the powder measure with a piece of a dryer static sheet. If all else fails give Dillon a call.

[Fjold]

Have you checked that you have a 22 caliber powder through die?

[uscbigdawg]

This is the standard answer, but call Dillon and they'll walk you through it.

Rich

[docgary]

Question for the Dillon users out there. I have a Dillon 550B and it makes a mess on the powder drop stage. I have made changes to how I operate like giving the powder time to fully drop on the top stroke, I have alos been very careful as to getting case lube on the neck and opening of the casing. I have changed from varget (extruded powder) to h335 (ball) to get a cleaner drop as the varget tended to bridge on .22-250 and .223 loadings. Any suggestions on making the cleanest drop possible or is this the nature of the beast. Things have improved much from when I first started loading but I would think that I should have minimal mess.

Wow!

I've just accepted the occasional 25+ gr of varget spilling all over my bench and floor!

I mean, during EVERY loading session (about 50-100 throws)
one or 2 throws are going to ruin my day! (somewheres around 2%)

I do use varget 99% of the time...and I'm quite careful in my handling.

Whether its bridging or not - after 1.5 years, its just the price of doing business.

H335 hardly spilled -although maybe 1% do end up all over.

i'M TRULY AMAZED THAT THERE ARE RELOADERS HERE THAT DO NOT EXPERIENCE THIS AT ALL!

As my daughter exclaims, "whatever!"


DOCGARY

[30Cal]

The powder is bridging in the funnel. When the press bumps up, it dislodges and spills everywhere. I cured it permanently by clamping it in a vise and running a thin strip of crocus cloth back and forth through it for a couple minutes.

If that doesn't cure it, read through here on how to ream the powder funnel

[damon1272]

Thanks for the replies. I have been giving it a second at the bottom of the stroke, and by switching to h335 it has helped quite a bit. I think I will try the reamer on the powder funnel if I can get some more improvement. I have checked and I have the proper funnel for the powder measure. I don't have the bridging issue with the ball powder. With the stick powder I also had a problem of very poor metering through the funnel but that has been resolved. Thanks for the input.