I need Dillon 550b help

[Savage-10FP]

Hi guys,
I have a Dillon 550b. I cant seem to get the same charges out of it.The charge is bounceing around on weight. I am loading some 308. I set the charge set to 38 grains. I start loading the shells. I test after 5 powder drops.It now dropping 35 grains. I loaded another 5. Its now at 40 grains. I have two different beam scales. A rcbs and a dillon. So I know its not the scales. I guess its a possibility they could both be off. I purchased them used.
Do you guys have any ideas.I am using benchmark powder.Could it be the powder???
Thank guys.
Brian

 

[nicholst55]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

Dillon's powder measures are notoriously inconsistent, but I haven't heard of them varying THAT much. FWIW, they work much better with Ball powders than they do with extruded powders.

I'd give Dillon a call and see what they recommend:

"You may call or write the Technical Support and order line at:
Phone 800-223-4570 or 480-948-8009
Fax 480-998-2786
Open:
7am to 6pm Monday - Friday
8am to 3pm Saturday MST
(1400-0100 Monday - Friday
1500-2200 Saturday GMT)
We are closed on Sunday."

 

[Queequeg]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

Which powder bar are you using(Regular or magnum rifle)?

Is your stroke consistent or are there hicups or interuptions such as when priming after resizing?

Is your powder die adjusted properly? Is the powder bar cycling fully as you raise and lower the tool head. Is anything too tight or too loose? Any static cling visible in the powder bar? Any bridging or spills obvious?

Sorry about the third degree but even the longer extruded powders should not have swings that wide.

 

[BMerino]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

I have experienced the same with mine but not to the degree. I've made it a habit to use it for bulk ammo only, Match grade is done on a single stage. Hope that makes you feel a little better knowing it's not only you.

 

[rmcc]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

There are several small tricks that make a big difference. Queequeg hit on several.

1) make sure at downstroke, powder bar is fully to the rear

2) if your stroke is jerky, you may have powder die too far down to where it is sticking in the case mouth causing drag on the upstroke.

3) try a little motor mica in the case mouth if you are re-sizing as you load. It never hurts anyway even if you are just truing up the case mouth.

I load almost all my ammo on my 550. While I have had some deviations in powder charges with flake and extruded, I could usually get it to be consistent by doing the above. But, I think they prefer ball powder like H335.

 

[Halfnutz]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

Technique has much to do with it. Use all the tips already mentioned. Call Dillon and follow thier suggestions.
There is a thread around somewhere about smoothing out the measure. which basically includes using a good (new) bench stone true up all of the contact surfaces on the charge bar and if posible the areas where the charge bar contacts. Next polish them up, I used Flitz metal polish. Also polish the funnel part, fine steel wool then flitz.
The "failsafe rod" should be adjusted to where the spring is "almost" fully compressed. The old style did not have the rod but used springs that went around the tab that sticks up out of the charge bar and the body of the measure. I added a couple of rubber bands around these points on my new style measure to help things along.

Even after all this, I will not use it to drop anything but ball powder.
Dillon has a Powder die that takes a funnel on top, this is what to use if you are set on dropping extruded powders...IMO

Hope this helps.

Fill out your profile, you will get a better reception if you do.
Welcome

 

[wirehand]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

Dillon forum

I learnd alot from a short amount of reading here.

Dillon fartnocker retrograde

I have never needed to do this mod., however it is supposed to smooth out the action of the powder dispenser linkage.

 

[1911.it]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

I've come to the conclusion that it is technique more than anything else. Take your time and pay attention to what you are doing and you shouldn't have a problem. Smoothing the powder delivery system can't hurt either.

 

[Tank]

Re: I need Dillon 550b help

I always give my powder measure a few taps to settle the powder when i add new, this resloved any problems with inconsistant weights i had.

Most of my Dillon loading is pistol calibers so the powder metering is easier. But Ive loaded pistol match round for about 15 years with no issues (at one point at least 20k rounds a season)