Re: powder bar
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pmclaine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tried modding my Dillon powder measure by polishing all the parts as was recommended for pulling rifle/stick powder. I was getting a lot of inconsistency and my rounds didnt perform much better than the milsurp I was using. That was my experience on my first batch of rounds ever made, I could have other errors in process that have contributed but right now the powder drops are my target for finger pointing.
For this go round I'm pulling my rounds after the powder drop and trickling to final weight. I'm loading 30-06 and if I pull 30 rounds at a whack I dont find this too tedious to get good powder drop consistency.
If I needed 200 plus rounds per session forget it I'd go with another method. </div></div>
I load .308 on my XL 650 when I need more than 50 at a time. I just replaced the Dillon Powder Measure with a Lee Universal Rifle Powder die and a Lee Funnel that I cut a small semi-circle out of so it clears the primer magazine. I can consistently load 100 rounds per hour using this method. I take advantage of the case feeder, auto priming, just drop the powder from my Chargemaster while the handle is down and the case at the top of the powder die. Raise handle, seat bullet, lower handle, pour powder from dispenser and then raise handle.
Easy process as long as one doesn't forget and pours powder while the ram is down
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Just an update;
Shot my first 30-06 loads yesterday using IMR 4895 trickled to the desired grain amount. I think I did 43 grns initial than 46, 46.5, 47. 47.5, 48. I used Hornady M1 garand match ammo as a control. I fired 10 rounds of each type. Nice thing about IMR 4895 is that there is much less "leakage" of sticks from the Dillon powder drop than I get with RL19, IMR4064 or Varget. It sucks seeing those little powder sticks all over the back of the machine after loading.
Unlike with my first 30-06 reloads made purely from the powder drop I could clearly see a tight group and recognize the impact shift with the increase in powder.
Trickling is working for me and will be suitable for the quanitity of ammo I shoot at a session/season.
I actually like the relaxed tempo of rifle loading. With pistol its "Must produce more ammo!, Must produce more ammo!". With rifle the kids go to bed and I go to the bench, in about an hour starting from scratch to completely cleaning the work area I'll have 30 rounds that to me seem like precious little jewels.