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Posted: 6/12/2008 6:27:03 AM EDT
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As I'm checking out all my settings and measurements on my Dillon 1050, I start to double check my dillon powder measure system. (I'm using H335). What I'm finding out is that I'm getting .4 to .6 grains of variation in weight. I'm not very experienced in this but I would think that's unacceptable. I'm also using dillons powder check system, but from what I've noticed it's not very precise. So the question is what is acceptable in powder variations? |
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It depends on the cartridge and it's intended use for me. Most of it, I won't let it vary at all. Think of it this way. You're loading .45 and are throwing 5.7 grains of Titegroup. You're machine is off by half a grain. You throw 6.2 grains of titegroup. You just loaded a round that is charged 10 % over max. But I don't use a dillon. I'm a single stage RCBS guy. |
Sir, the generally accepted standard of powder measure accuracy is plus or minus one tenth of a grain. Having said that what is an acceptable range of accuracy for you probably actually depends on what you consider an acceptable range of accuracy of the cartridges you load. At a minimum you will notice some degree of vertical dispersion of your shots on paper. The more heavily charged loads should shoot a bit higher than loads with lighter charges. I have no experience with the powder you are using but should mention that Dillon consistantly mentions that long grain stick powders do not meter well in their powder measures and they recommend ball type powders. Another thing you should consider is if the heavier charged cartridges are over the max recommended charge for the bullet/cartridge you are loading. If you determine that the charge weight is over maximum you probably should pull the bullets and start over. HTH, 7zero1. |
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If you are setting the weight after filling the powder tube and then checking it after loading several rounds the difference might be due to the powder compacting.. I try to vibrate the powder down as much as possible before setting the charge weight.. Unique exhibits a big variation in weight per volume due to this.. probably all powders do to some extent.. Having said that I wouldn't think that H335 would compact as much as .6 grain.... I've never seen that much weight per volume variation on my 550 after the powder has been vibrated down.. 
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+1 on the above. Check after powder has settled down and compacted and after throwing a few rounds (dumped back in). Powder has graphite that coats the measurer and aids flow - you have to allow this to happen first. As mention, how many tenths of a grain variation affects the load depends more on the volume of the case or powder charge you are loading. The bigger, the smaller the effect. |
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For acceptable variance... no. .5 gr is a lot of error! How consistent are your throws. I noticed on my DIllon 550B with Varget, if I do consistent throws without interruption, it does okay (as long as you don't count in static problem). If I tap the powder drop or accidentally shake the press, it drops more powder than I want.. but not to the levels you're seeing. I mention static problems on my press.. and that did cause variance of what you're seeing. Throw and looked in the case full.. thrown again look in the case not so full, shook the press and got a mess on the floor.. Also check to see if you got any lubricate in the drop or some type of build up. I would contact Dillon if you still have problems. They are awesome in support. Sent me free parts that broke on my Dillon (broke by operator, not by Dillon press). They sent me out the new part even when I mention I screwed up. |
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