Dillon 550 overthrowing powder

[prairiefire]

I have been using my Dillon 550b for a couple of years for 9mm and 223 without any problems. Today, I noticed that every 5th round my Dillon went bonkers and threw enough powder to overflow the case (Using Varget for 223). No problems earlier this morning. I am in the process of emptying and cleaning everything, but I was curious if anyone has had this problem - and in particular, any fixes! Thanks for any help>

 

[Choid]

varget will bridge in that powder thrower unless you are really slow. Like one second up, one second down. And realize that every overflow has a corresponding underflow.

 

[prairiefire]

Choid - thanks for the info!

 

[Choid]

FWIW, Double Alpha makes an improved powder funnel for 223, the part that goes inside the powder die, and it will not bridge as often. But Varget is a pretty tough powder in those throwers.

 

[MarshallDodge]

varget will bridge in that powder thrower unless you are really slow. Like one second up, one second down. And realize that every overflow has a corresponding underflow.

This is what is happening. I've had good success with short extruded powders in a Dillon measure but Varget has been too finicky.

 

[Choid]

This is what is happening. I've had good success with short extruded powders in a Dillon measure but Varget has been too finicky.

8208 xbr is about perfect for extruded in a Dillon. I also use 5744, which may be slightly bigger, but not much. It's a great powder thrower for ball powder.

 

[MarshallDodge]

8208 xbr is about perfect for extruded in a Dillon. I also use 5744, which may be slightly bigger, but not much. It's a great powder thrower for ball powder.

8208XBR is a terrible powder

I sung the praises of it years ago but now that I can't find it on the shelf, it's the worst powder for any use

 

[SND]

One thing I did to correct Varget bridging is increase the taper of the stock "A" powder funnel with a 1/2 - 1/8 reamer. The T handle presses out and the cutter fits in a 1/2" drill motor making the process very easy. It not a 1000 round an hour solution, that is, it doesnt speed things up, but with a reasonable tempo, I stopped getting even occasional varget bridging with my 25 grain load.