Stick powders powder measures and a Dillon 650

[sevt_chevelle]

Wanting to start loading for my M1 30-06 on a Dillon 650. Mainly be using 4064 and 4895 for the Garand and 4350 for my bolt guns cambered in 30-06.

The Dillon PM is great for ball, stick powders, well it leaves much to be desired. Looking for suggestions on a powder measure that can handle 4064 and 4350 and be mounted on a progressive press. I don't shoot in matches or competition and have no desire to weigh each charge so am not interested in a RCBS charge master.

I've been thinking about getting a Redding 3BR or the BR30. How well do they throw 4064, can the BR30 handle the 30-06 charge weights? How about a Harrell?
I do understand if I mounted a Redding 3BR to the Dillon the powder measure will have to operated manually which is not a problem, just looking for something that can mount to a press and throw stick powers.

Thanks...Eric

 

[cfullgraf]

I use a Redding 10-X and it meters flake powder very well. I have good luck metering stick powders with other drum style powder measures such as the RCBS Uniflow and Midway Indispensable (discontinued).

The main key is to cycle them the same every stroke.

The Redding powder measures can be modified to work with the Hornady or RCBS case activated powder measure linkage. This should work in the Dillon as it threads into a standard hole tapped for 7/8-14 threads. But, i cannot say I have read that anyone has done this.

I use a modified Redding 10-X on both my Hornady L-N-L and RCBS Pro2000.

I have a Harrel Custom 90 and it meters very well with stick powders.

The 3BR should have plenty of range for 30-06 charges but make sure you get the rifle metering cavity. The BR-30 will be at its upper limit throwing 30-06 charges.

There are several Harrell models that have more than enough range for 30-06 charges.

Dillon makes an adapter set up for manually using a 7/8-14 threaded powder measure on their presses.

Hope this helps.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

How is the Harrell mounted? I've searched google about the Harrell but can't get a good answer, does it mount using 7/8-14 threads to were I can use the Dillon adapter and mount it on my 650?

 

[LiveLife]

For my 650, I got a C-H 502 micrometer powder measure (to load .308) which has 7/8-14 threads so it will fit any standard loading press - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=761239

FWIW, here's powder measure comparison done by LASC which includes Rediing BR30 and RCBS Competition - http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_6-4_PowdersAnd Measures.htm

SD - CH4D / Redding / Harrell / B&M / RCBS / Lee / Hornady / Lyman 55

AA #9 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.032 - 0.000 - 0.043 - 0.037
I 4227 - 0.025 - 0.032 - 0.038 - 0.102 - 0.000 - 0.051 - 0.031 - 0.061
Unique - 0.145 - 0.127 - 0.150 - 0.100 - 0.129 - 0.142 - 0.139 - 0.185
I 4198 - 0.138 - 0.177 - 0.103 - 0.125 - 0.169 - 0.141 - 0.170 - 0.114
SR4759 - 0.128 - 0.099 - 0.151 - 0.127 - 0.146 - 0.157 - 0.135 - 0.205

Average - 0.087 - 0.087 - 0.088 - 0.091 - 0.095 - 0.098 - 0.104 - 0.120

 

[stubbicatt]

IME, the really coarse stick powders do not dispense with any degree of accuracy from any of the powder measures I have used. Shorter sticks do OK, but not the same consistency as ball powders.

Contributor Hoser posted a method of improving the Dillon measure on here somewhere several years ago. He polished up the powder funnel and obtained really great results. I used his method and was pleased with the improvement I noticed with the IMR 4895 and Varget class stick powders. YMMV.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Your best solution for those powders using on the Dillon progressive is a Hornady LnL Powder measure, polished on the inside, with one of their case activated powder drops and make or buy a powder baffle for the measure.

Folks get too caught up in using this brand or that. Use what's best for your application. I own an RCBS progressive and use Lee, RCBS, Hornady and Dillon powder measures on it, depending on the powder I use.

 

[30Cal]

I use the dillon measure with 4895 and 4064 for my short line competition loads (I get +/- 0.3grs after I dump the ones that I know by feel will be farther out). It's crunchy but has no issues turning out rounds that will shoot clean on the 200 and 300yd targets through my M1A.

I typically weight my 600yd charges, (but my best score was shot with ones that weren't).

 

[cfullgraf]

How is the Harrell mounted? I've searched google about the Harrell but can't get a good answer, does it mount using 7/8-14 threads to were I can use the Dillon adapter and mount it on my 650?

The Harrel Custom 90 has a c-clamp built on to the measure's body. It then attaches to the edge of a table or a plated such as Sinclair's bench mounted powder stand.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloadi...der-measure-stand-clamp-style--prod36218.aspx

Unfortunately it does not use 7/8-14 threads.