How does the 550B meter powder?

[ezypikns]

I'm considering purchasing a Dillon 550B. I'm just wondering how the powder is metered on a Dillon. Is it a sliding powder bar? Do you ever get any powder leakage between the sliding members?
Please understand that I'm NOT comparing Lee equipment to Dillon, but I had a Lee Auto-Disk powder measure that leaked pretty badly when I used a fine ball powder like Accurate 2. I'm just trying to gather information at this point.

Thanks

 

[Car Knocker]

I seem to recall some discussion about Dillon powder metering in the last month. Unique powder seems to come to mind. A search would probably turn it up.

 

[1911user]

The dillon powder bar operates the same basic way as the lee auto-disk (sliding powder cavity from a fixed position hopper). The dillon difference is the measure is larger, all metal, and the gap tolerances are much tighter. AA#2 is not going to leak out of a 550 measure.

 

[P0832177]

There are some powders that are not Dillon friendly so to speak. H110 and W296 are sort of known to cause some trouble. Extruded powders may not give consistent powder charges, ie Varget. But, if you have a good rthyhm that helps like if you pause at the at the top of the cyle so as to allow the powder to drop. But, it is very accurate like using Titegroup or W231 in my use! Ramshot TAC works great! RL15 is another!

 

[mugsie]

My 2 cents worth

I'm using a Dillon 500B loading handgun, 38, 357, 9, 45. I use Unique powder. I set the powder measure at the beginning of the session, check it about mid way through and then after completion. I find the powder measue to be dead on throughout the entire session. I have no trouble what-so-ever delivering consistant charges from shot to shot. I'm very pleased with the entire system.

 

[redneck2]

I think Dillon measures are, for the most part, very acceptable and leak free. I had a 450 that puked fine ball powders. I called Dillon and (after talking to the right person) got it totally replaced free. The press was something like 20 years old but had never been set up. I was the second owner.

I've got a 550 now with 5 Dillon measures (quick change kits). They're more accurate than my Hornady rotary. Once they're set, they're set.

Guys bitch because the Dillon "clunks" when it operates. I tend to think the "clunk" settles the powder. Dunno. All I know is that the charges thrown are quite consistent, moreso than I would have suspected. YMMV

 

[1911user]

I had an old dillon 450 measure that would leak or bind up with really small powders. I simply cut a piece of shim stock to fill up the gap between the top of the bar and measure body; it worked great for a couple of years. The trick was finding the right thickness of brass shim stock so there was just enough slop left for the powder bar to move easily. The 550 measures I had were much tighter in gap tolerance and never leaked or needed shimming.

I'm using a hornady press (and measure) now. Both the new and old hornady powder measures have very little slop and work well with fine powder (AA#9 is a good test; tiny stuff).

 

[loadedround]

The Dillon powder measure works on the sliding bar principle with an adjustment screw in front, and I find it to be very accurate with the powders I use most frequently, Bullseye, 231, Unique, and 296. I have six powder measure mounted on tool heads for my two Dillon 550Bs Again YMMV.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The Hornady PM that is used on the LNL AP press can swap preset metering inserts without tools and without emptying the measure. Or you can get micrometer-adjustable metering inserts and just dial up your pre-recorded settings. They also have a drain insert that lets you drain the PM while still on the press. The PM and linkage will work on a Dillon press too. RCBS now has a PM with the same features too, and it works with the Hornady case activated linkage as well.

Andy