Got that new Dillon Powder Measure

[Kp321]

I didn’t call but was reaching for the phone before I read the rest of the responses.
I have always used a Uniflow measure on my 550, manually operated, with stick powders. What does it take to automate it? I’ll admit, I have never studied a LNL.

 

[cfullgraf]

I didn’t call but was reaching for the phone before I read the rest of the responses.
I have always used a Uniflow measure on my 550, manually operated, with stick powders. What does it take to automate it? I’ll admit, I have never studied a LNL.

You will need a Case Activated Powder Drop from either RCBS or Hornady. Here is Hornady's example...

https://www.hornady.com/reloading/p...e-activated-powder-drop-powder-accessories#!/

Hornady's is a license built version of the RCBS unit so they are virtually identical. I prefer the Hornady unit and have my Uniflow mated to one. Others like the RCBS unit. There is a tube that screws into the bottom of the powder measure replacing the plastic piece the contacts the case when manually operating the powder measure. I forget whether the Hornady unit screws into the Uniflow. PM me and I'll check if you are interested.

Besides the die and lever action pieces, there are drop tubes inside the die that mate to the caliber of the case being loaded.

If you can down load some manuals from Hornady or RCBS that describes the set up of the case activated system. Manuals for RCBS Pro2000 or the Hornady L-N-L presses should have the info in them.

You can down load the Hornady Lock and Load AP press manual here...

https://www.hornady.com/support/user-manuals#!/

See pages 10 and 11 or so.

I hope this helps.

Final note, to modify a Redding measure to work on the case activated powder measure dies, the powder discharge needs to be tapped to accept the threaded drop tube.

 

[Texas10mm]

As soon as the June Blue Press is available for download it's going to blow some minds on just how accurate the Dillon powder measure is.

 

[jmorris]

Dillon users trying to make sense of what they’re seeing

That’s a better shade of blue.

 

[GW Staar]

Hornady's is a license built version of the RCBS unit so they are virtually identical. I prefer the Hornady unit and have my Uniflow mated to one. Others like the RCBS unit. There is a tube that screws into the bottom of the powder measure replacing the plastic piece the contacts the case when manually operating the powder measure. I forget whether the Hornady unit screws into the Uniflow. PM me and I'll check if you are interested.

It does. I use both company's case activated lowers....they both work fine.

BTW, both companies are mum about who licensed what, but here's what I think ...... based on more than a little obvious evidence....

The Uniflow predates the Hornady P.M. by many years......so the Hornady P.M. is probably a licensed build of the Uniflow.

RCBS did make a case-activated powder drop for their early progressive, but it sucked big time!

Hornady then made a very successful case activation unit for their AP, before RCBS even created the Pro 2000. RCBS added the Hornady version to their later Piggy-Back Rock Chucker Progressives. So when the Pro 2K came out, both companies were using it. So, my guess is Hornady licensed the case activated powder drop to RCBS.....probably negating any payments to RCBS for using the Uniflow design......so I'm guessing they are now, "even Steven"!

Hornady also came up with a pistol case neck expander (PTX) for their AP, that drops in the P.M. Of course it also worked just as well in the Uniflow on my Pro 2000. Then RCBS finally came out with their own PTX that included an "M" style, 1/16" vertical bullet pocket, which was a huge improvement over the Hornady PTX. And....of course not surprising, the RCBS PTX works great in the Hornady...... Mr. Bullet feeder also used that pocket on their PTX's for pistol bullets on the Dillon Powder Measure.

Lest one thinks all these Hornady/RCBS parts are straight exact replacements.....you do have to change the linkage mounting locations on the P.M. to change RCBS to Hornady parts and vice versa. But it isn't hard.

 

[jmorris]

Hornady then made a very successful case activation unit for their AP, before RCBS even created the Pro 2000.

I am not sure if they used “AP” back then, I thought they called it the “Projector”.

I had used the uniflow measures for a long time and did buy my first LNL’s because of the positive reviews of the measure with extruded powders (was given many pounds of old “long cut” 3031) but they didn’t really do any better than the Dillon measure.

 

[GW Staar]

I am not sure if they used “AP” back then, I thought they called it the “Projector”.

I had used the uniflow measures for a long time and did buy my first LNL’s because of the positive reviews of the measure with extruded powders (was given many pounds of old “long cut” 3031) but they didn’t really do any better than the Dillon measure.

Thanks.....for the life of me, I couldn't remember the name of the AP progenitor, "Projector."
As for which design of measure is best.....it depends on the powder. The Uniflow design does better on some, the Dillon design does better on some.....mostly it's a wash. Now if someone would invent a new design that meters like a 1000 dollar trickler, but does it as fast as a powder measure on a progressive.....for the next generation progressives....

 

[Chuck R.]

As soon as the June Blue Press is available for download it's going to blow some minds on just how accurate the Dillon powder measure is.

The JUL20 has some powder measure testing in it too. There's a comparison between the Uniflow and the Dillon with RL15, IMR 4895 and Varget. The highest SD for the Dillon was .13 with Varget, the Uniflow was .11

 

[Laphroaig]

I have always used a Uniflow measure on my 550, manually operated, with stick powders.

Whew, I'm glad that you posted that because I thought that I was the only one who did that. I have a 30-06 load with Varget that I have a Uniflow set up for. I have another -06 load with 155 AMaxs that I throw off of the press and dump thru the little funnel. I really have to bear down and concentrate that I throw the powder when the ram is up, every time! No distractions, please!

I actually throw Varget with the Dillon measure for a .223 load. I always thought the results were good.