Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! FOUND IT!

[jrhtx]

I have followed all the recommendation on for the Dillon powder measure to improve accuracy / reliability. Nothing is working.

I have polished everything with a Dremel and Scotch Brite pads, added a Uniquetec adjustment, and added the rubber band to assist in the bar return and it is still not consistent in throwing charges.

I am trying to load 25.5 gr of WW 748.

It will throw from 2.3 to 26.1.

Any more suggestions??????? HELP!!

12/25
I decided to clean the press and pull the powder measure apart. Found there was 0.030" in play the the piece that moves in the powder bar. The play is from something in the Uniquetec attachment. There is a screw in the end of the screw but the play seems at the other end. I have to pull it apart to see if it can be fixed.

 

[1911jerry]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

Did you scotch bright the powder bar? It might be getting hung up when the bell lever is actualated, but that is a wide spread = 2.3 to 26.1?

You can always call Dillon and ask.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

use a more spherical powder like TAC or H335 and it'll meter like a champ.

 

[jrhtx]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911Jerry</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did you scotch bright the powder bar? It might be getting hung up when the bell lever is actualated, but that is a wide spread = 2.3 to 26.1?

You can always call Dillon and ask. </div></div>

Yes, I polished the inside of the powder bar. I bet Dillon isn't open until after the first but will call today and check.

 

[MD2Colo]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">use a more spherical powder</div></div>

Great advice... I was having your issues until I switched to ball powder. H4831SC for my 7 mag works well, but Varget and other cylindrical stuff is a bitch.

Go ball, man!

-edit
I use the Hornady progressive, btw

 

[1911fan]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrhtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It will throw from 2.3 to 26.1</div></div>

A 23.8gr variation is a mechanical problem on a pretty large scale. Are you sure the powder bar is installed properly?


1911fan

 

[ksthomas]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

I'll second 1911fan's observation. That kind of variation isn't caused by powder geometery or not having the inside of the measure polished. You've got something seriously out of adjusment, way too loose or otherwise incorrectly assembled. I've got at least a dozen 1050 tool heads complete with measures, have used them for both extruded tubular and ball powders, and I've never seen anything even remotely close to this sort of variation. Dillon wouldn't even be in business, much less the most successful progressive press maker out there if this was typical of their products. This is something seriously mechanically wrong.

 

[Wade]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

I would first check for full travel of the bar in both directions.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

748 is ball. Call Dillon. They will walk you through it.

 

[Boogaloo]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

I have (2) 1050's and they can be finicky with powder unless you do the polishing trick as mentioned.

I load a LOT of .223 using AR-comp which is extruded and I can dial mine in to be within .1-.2 gr. pretty effectively.

Yes, TAC does meter better, but you don't want to limit yourself to spherical powders. I say do the polishing mod(s) and depending on how old your system is, there are some consumable parts that need to be replaced every few thousand rounds.

(1) is called the "Bellcrank Cube" and is the small, white, square, plastic item (with a small hole in the center) that actually moves the powder bar in and out with each trow.

(2) is called the "body collar sleeve" and is the bushing that the powder funnel moves up and down on with each throw.

Both of those items are wear items and should be cleaned, and / or replaced every few thousand rounds.

My systems tighten right up when I replace that bellcrank cube. I keep an inventory of 10 of them on hand at all times. The body collar sleeve, I have only had to replace once, but I keep 3 of them in the tool box to serve both 1050's.

 

[jrhtx]

Re: Dillon 1050/powder measure help!!! Not repeatable

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrhtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It will throw from 2.3 to 26.1</div></div>

A 23.8gr variation is a mechanical problem on a pretty large scale. Are you sure the powder bar is installed properly?


1911fan </div></div>

I am having issues accessing the site but the numbers I quoted are a typo.
Should be 25.3 - 26.1. Target is 25.5.

I pulled an OLD powder measure from a 25+ year old 550 and it is throwing -0.0 to + 0.1.