How Low Can I Run My Dillon Powder Measure Hopper?

[Gearhead Jim]

In the past, I've always kept the powder level in my Dillon powder measure within the embossed "Dillon" area on the side of the clear hopper, which means about 1/2 to 3/4 full.
Doing it that way, the machine throws charges that are as consistent as I can measure with my scale.

But I'm loading a batch of 5,000 of .380 right now and will run out of bullets just before I run out of powder. I don't want to open a new jug of powder and then not use it for a year or two.

How far down, in the clear plastic hopper or even into the metal base, can I run the powder level and still get consistent charges?
My load is 3.4 gr WW231.

Thanks!

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Jim,

I am loading 9mm exclusively at this time on my 550b. I just put in a lot of press time this week finishing up the last of my Unique and will now be switching to WSF with the same bullet (Montana Gold 115gr FMJ).

I finished a batch of 100 and there was only enough Unique left in the measure for 3 more cases. My load recipe called for 5.7gr Unique so there was about 17 grains of Unique left in the measure. I was paying close attention and weighing a few charges up to the end and the measure was still metering out consistent 5.7 grains each time.

Hope this helps.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

That's impressive, especially considering that "everyone" says Unique tends to throw charges with more variation than ball powder like 231.

Thanks.

 

[evtSmtx]

I love montana gold 115 grainers

 

[Dentite]

Why not just weigh every tenth charge or so to monitor the charge weight. Then you'll know for sure.

 

[Beancounter81]

Jim,

I am loading 9mm exclusively at this time on my 550b. I just put in a lot of press time this week finishing up the last of my Unique and will now be switching to WSF with the same bullet (Montana Gold 115gr FMJ).

I finished a batch of 100 and there was only enough Unique left in the measure for 3 more cases. My load recipe called for 5.7gr Unique so there was about 17 grains of Unique left in the measure. I was paying close attention and weighing a few charges up to the end and the measure was still metering out consistent 5.7 grains each time.

Hope this helps.

I had similar experience using up a bottle of WSF. There was only about 20 grains left in the measure when I stopped and the charge weights stayed consistent.

 

[joem1945]

I run my 650 down until my safety powder check system gives an alarm. At that point the powder is way down.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have been running Dillon powder measures on my presses a Dillon 550 and a Hornady LNL AP for many years and find them to be very accurate and consistent for small powder charges. Although the measure maintains consistency even with a very low powder level in the hopper, there is no need to run it empty as you can always dump the powder back in the bottle with a nice dry funnel. The hopper has a molded in baffle at the bottom which helps with accuracy. I try to keep the powder level at least visible above the baffle.

 

[jmorris]

I have ran them completely empty before but that was a few decades ago and I did weigh them. I generally top the measure back off once the baffle is uncovered or just stop at that point.

 

[kerreckt]

All three of my 550's throw accurate charges until they are empty. I know because I have checked them many times at various stages of emptiness or fullness, whatever your view.

 

[stoky]

I run my 650 down until my safety powder check system gives an alarm. At that point the powder is way down.

same here
Ball powders always throw better than flake or stick. If you have the Dillion measure(s) that you can get the plastic tube off, you can get somewhat of an improvement in flow if you polish the metal funnel.
For very small pistol charges, I use a Hornady Deluxe measure (the long skinny one).

 

[rodinal220]

I run my 450/550s down to the top of the powder baffle. Have been doing this for 30+years since I got my original 450. I have not noticed any difference in throw weights.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Chuck R.]

To give you an idea of how far you "can" go IF you have to. I just finished up an 8lb keg of AA7 in 9mm. I wanted to squeeze every round I could out of it, so I let it go below the baffle and started weighing every charge.

I finally got a single light charge that was actually visually obvious it was light. I was sort of amazed as I thought I'd start seeing gradual decreasing weights, but that's not what happened.

For normal use I'll let the hopper get down to just above the baffle and then refill.

Chuck

 

[wlkjr]

That's a lot of .380 brass. I shoot a lot of .380 but only load about 1000 rounds at a time. I assume you are going to use approximately 2.5 pounds of powder.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

With my load of 3.4 gr, a pound of WW231 gives about 2,000 rds.

I had about 2 1/2 lbs left in a 4 lb jug, so it's going to work out about right.
And I won't need to reload .380 for a while...