Re: Dillon 550B question...
No, it does not; and 550 users won't hesitate to admit it.
I assume from the start that the charge will not be consistent to LR Comp requirements and adjust the drop so charge weights will always fall on the higher side of the desired weight. I then dump the caseload into the scale pan, pinch out enough to be 'under' and finger/thumb trickle powder back into the pan until it registers the ideal weight.
The excess get dropped back into the hopper, the pan gets dumped back into the case using a drop tube, the case gets reinserted back into the baseplate slot and advanced. Repeat as needed.
The resulting charge is at least as accurate as any other method available.
Yes, it seems like a lot of work. But honestly, if you're not weighing your charges anyway, are you really making ammo to match tolerances? I know I am.
One exercise I've begun is to disassemble Russian 7.62x54R steel case spamcan Light Ball surplus ammo using a collet puller. I then reassemble it using the Dillon measure set to a
documented ideal charge weight, with no individual weighing attempted. The resulting charges, randomly check weighed, are more consistent than factory (PPU) match ammo, and shoot as well out of my 91/30 with iron sights as I can shoot with my match conditioned Garand using match handloads.
The powder leaves residue like charcoal, the priming is corrosive, and the Berdan primed soft steel cases are not reloadable. But the bullets appear well made with s decent BC, and when the charges are properly metered, the ammo shoots first rate. The experiment has left my with a surprisingly high opinion of Russian military surplus rifles and ammo. The 550 has made the effort to recombine the ammo to good tolerances into a reasonably feasible task.
Greg
