Getting squib rounds and baffled

[cfullgraf]

Don't use a 550 so I don't know if you have a free station or not.

As Havok7416 said, the Dillon 550 series presses only have four stations.

If you separate the resizing process from the loading process, you can shuffle the powder measure around to free up a station four a powder check die system when loading the cartridges.

Some folks feel this is sacrilege when running a progressive press, "wasting" the benefits of a progressive. Some folks feel it smooths out the process and gives more control and inspection over individual parts of the process.

Or, you can seat and crimp the bullet in station 4 which would free up station 3 for a powder check system. I believe if you are using Dillon dies, a new seating die from one of the other manufacturers would be needed as Dillon seating dies do not crimp.

Either way is not wrong, just the individual preference.

There are advantages and disadvantages for either method that the individual has to consider.

 

[sbwaters]

I load my Hornady LnL 1/2 full to start and drop at least half a dozen into a cup before I start to measure and weigh. I want three consistent cases before I consider I’m ready to load.

Also, clean/lube the drop tube with a nylon brush with graphite on it rather than One Shot or any other cleaner. Then the powder doesn’t stick on the sides.

 

[Walkalong]

I think what happened is that when I am low on powder of a particular brand and try to run out the Dillon powder measure, some were incorrectly measured due to not enough powder in the measure.

Some powders are worse than others, but yes, that is what baffles and especially keeping the measure topped off is all about.

That said, it should not have been a big enough difference to cause a squib IMHO. At least not in my measures, some dense ball powders like AA #2, True Blue etc lose very little weight when run low, while flake powders are worse, especially large fluffy flake powders. But none down to squib (Won't leave the barrel) level.

Run some empty primed (good or fired) cases through over and over keeping the measure at least half full and see if it is throwing consistent charges like that. This is the same thing I do to settle the powder before loading, and the same way I get multiple charges to weigh setting the measure. Run 5 to 15 charges through depending on the powder, then start weighing charges until I am satisfied the measure is throwing what I want. If my target is an average 5.0 Grs, I want to see at least 10 charges run through where they are all right at or a hair above and below 5.0 Grs. The powder determines the spread. If I am at or near max data I do a max instead of an average on the charge weight. All charges must be dead on or below.

The only way to know what your powder/measure combination is doing is run a lot of charges through it.

 

[243winxb]

Found some rounds with very little powder in them. Some people were asking if the squibs were getting stuck in the barrel. Yes they were.

Glad to see you found the cause. Now to solve the problem.

Looking into the case, before seating the bullet , works for me. Even with 3.8 grs of Bullseye powder.

 

[Walkalong]

Looking into the case, before seating the bullet , works for me.

That is what I do, and one thing I like about the LNL, the seating goes on in the front where I can easily look into the case when seating a bullet.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I recently put LED lights on my press, should have done it years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/UFO-Reloadin...d=1514736256&sr=8-1&keywords=dillon+led+light

 

[Walkalong]

Before there were LED lights I drilled a two step hole in my Projector so I could shine a small light down into the case. I did the same thing for my LNL.

 

[bbqreloader]

I recently put LED lights on my press, should have done it years ago.

Best addition to the press I ever made. Can get a visual on it right after it leaves the powder cop.

BTW Poacher, your link takes me to exercise equipment on Amazon...exactly what are inferring....

 

[entropy]

Getting squib rounds and baffled.

I am reloading on a Dillon 550.

Nothing baffling about that at all.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Best addition to the press I ever made. Can get a visual on it right after it leaves the powder cop.

BTW Poacher, your link takes me to exercise equipment on Amazon...exactly what are inferring....

Oops

 

[Havok7416]

As Havok7416 said, the Dillon 550 series presses only have four stations.

If you separate the resizing process from the loading process, you can shuffle the powder measure around to free up a station four a powder check die system when loading the cartridges.

Some folks feel this is sacrilege when running a progressive press, "wasting" the benefits of a progressive. Some folks feel it smooths out the process and gives more control and inspection over individual parts of the process.

Or, you can seat and crimp the bullet in station 4 which would free up station 3 for a powder check system. I believe if you are using Dillon dies, a new seating die from one of the other manufacturers would be needed as Dillon seating dies do not crimp.

Either way is not wrong, just the individual preference.

There are advantages and disadvantages for either method that the individual has to consider.

If you have the older powder measures this will work, but the new ones have a spring return which has to be mounted at station 2. I happen to have mostly older powder measures, but they haven't been sold in awhile.

 

[Damon555]

Never run the measure empty on your Dillon.....I always try to keep it at least 1/4 full. The powder charges get erratic in weight when the measure gets low.

 

[Walkalong]

I try to never let a measure get less than half full. For more serious stuff, I never let it get below the baffle. This also gives you a little leeway if your mind wanders and you don't catch it then.

 

[cfullgraf]

If you have the older powder measures this will work, but the new ones have a spring return which has to be mounted at station 2. I happen to have mostly older powder measures, but they haven't been sold in awhile.

Right, I forgot that I use a modified Redding 10-X in a Hornady case activated powder measure die on my Dillon BL550. I can put the powder measure in any station on the press.

 

[martinb3152]

This is my new rule of thumb. Even if I have a little left in a bottle. Point taken. What is the best lighting system to get for a 550?
martinb3152

 

[glc24]

This is my new rule of thumb. Even if I have a little left in a bottle. Point taken. What is the best lighting system to get for a 550?
martinb3152

I don't think there is a "best" lighting system. I just installed this one http://kmssquared.com/ufo550.html on my RL550B, and I'm very impressed with how well lit the press is now. I should have had this from day one. There are a few other light systems both press specific and universal, which look like they would also work just fine.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

[ReloaderFred]

Inline Fabrication makes several different lighting systems. Here's one of them: https://inlinefabrication.com/collections/dillon/products/standard-2-0-led-shellplate-lighting-kit

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[cfullgraf]

I have an IKEA small desk type flexible arm LED work lamp that I sit on the bench next to the press and direct the light as necessary.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20169658/

The also make a clamp on version that I use on my milling machine but could also be adapted to reloading use.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20315674/

 

[LiveLife]

I use goose neck stainless steel clamp lights ($7-$9 Walmart) on bench frames that use 60W equivalent LED bulbs (9.5W actual) and they provide plenty of light in and around the presses (Dillon 650/Pro 1000).

While I use powder check die for Dillon 650, I like to visually see the powder charge inside the case and use swivel inspection mirrors mounted to the press frame. Use of inspection mirrors does not require me to change posture to peek inside the case rather stay comfortable in my chair and just require me to glance at the mirrors (which I need to do anyways to set the bullet on top of the case).

They are around $5-$6 and $9 for larger lighted one - https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-7609-Telescoping-Lighted-Inspection/dp/B0062PBMUY

 

[DRAINSMITH]

martinb Thank you for your update. You will notice most responses that you got were not exactly nice to mean including mine. Please do not take this to heart. This is one of the most enjoyable and dangerous hobbies you can get into. The last thing we want to hear is someone blew up a gun or lost a hand or even lost a life. Just remember post like yours the mean responses you got were from love.

 

[Dudedog]

We do care about the problem and we also care about you and your safety.
I don't believe any of the responses were ill meant.

If you have a question don't be afraid to ask.

 

[joneb]

This post will likely be of little use, I load on a single stage press and I use the primer arm that came with it. After loading on it for 25+ years and many thousands of rounds I've had maybe two or three FTF. I use mostly Winchester, Federal and CCI primers.
One of the FTF was in a 44 spl case and a F-150 primer with no primer compound.
I did have a 9x18 EG Makarov that would FTF with some mil-surp ammo, I put a new main spring in it and it ran just fine.
Good luck and happy new year.

 

[hdwhit]

Dudedog wrote:
I would think lot of it depends on how big the powder charge is to begin with.

9mm Luger

• 3.8 grains HP-38
• 60.5 to 61.7 grains for primed case (everything I shoot is mixed range brass - I weighed a large sample because I needed to establish a standard weight for the loaded round).
• 114.6 to 115.7 grains for bullet (these were the 115 grain bullets out of a mixed-batch that had multiple weights)

Expected weight 178.9 to 181.2 grains - or a spread of 2.3 grains. Omit the powder charge and the case is 1.5 grains light. In case of 9mm, I set the standard weight at 178 grains. Any round that doesn't pull the pan down is a cause for concern - and they always have been.

In the case of the OP, he was using a 5 grain charge, so the difference would have been 2.7 grains; easily detected on any scale or balance capable of measuring powder charges by the tenth of a grain.

 

[Havok7416]

That assumes the same numbers that you have which may not be the case as we have seen in other posts here.

 

[martinb3152]

martinb Thank you for your update. You will notice most responses that you got were not exactly nice to mean including mine. Please do not take this to heart. This is one of the most enjoyable and dangerous hobbies you can get into. The last thing we want to hear is someone blew up a gun or lost a hand or even lost a life. Just remember post like yours the mean responses you got were from love.

I appreciate that. I am not offended by anyone. I know it's out of concern. Yes, it is a dangerous hobby, but a most enjoyable also. Actually out of all the forum sites that I am subscribed to, this one has been the most supportive. A great group of guys here....
martinb3152