Can't get 748 too drop even loads. Using dillon set up. I want 26.2 gr. It drops 25.8 too 27.1. Sometimes it drops 26.2. Called dillon,they sent a new power bar and a lock assm. Whitch i installed. Still have same problem. I use a 10 10 scale and a Franklin digital. Both celebrated. Both weight the same. Anyone have this problem?thanks ram boy
748 wouldn't measure right
- Thread starter Ram boy
- Start date
I’ve always found W748 to meter exceptionally well.
I don’t use the bar style thrower that Dillon uses though.
I don’t use the bar style thrower that Dillon uses though.
Speed and vibration refers to being consistent with the press arm/ ram motion and possibly the rigidity of your bench.
A rubber band or some springs on the powder thrower can help smooth out the operation.
A google search will give modifications such as stoning and polishing surfaces on the powder bar etc.
A rubber band or some springs on the powder thrower can help smooth out the operation.
A google search will give modifications such as stoning and polishing surfaces on the powder bar etc.
A clean, smooth, press and technique make a difference. Ball powders like 748 are usually very consistent, with some extra polishing and attention you can even get decent results with extruded powders like Varget.
All stations and the priming system should work without binding or interruption.
All stations and the priming system should work without binding or interruption.
Attachments
You're welcome.
Also check the nut and spring on the fail safe rod. I set mine to compress almost completely but not "crush". Over tightening will flex the rod.
Make sure the powder die and the SHCS holding the powder measure are snug.
Also check the nut and spring on the fail safe rod. I set mine to compress almost completely but not "crush". Over tightening will flex the rod.
Make sure the powder die and the SHCS holding the powder measure are snug.
Are you certain that the powder bar is completely indexing?
I've never tried 748 but I have loaded many ball powders including SMP 735, H335, and TAC with my Dillon measure using the large powder bar, and it is never off by more than .2 grains. If I am slow and smooth, it will vary by .1 grains.
One thing is that I typically size, decap, trim, and swage (5.56 brass) as a separate step before putting it in the 550B and priming, adding powder, seating, and sometimes crimping. It makes things simpler and more consistent.
I've never tried 748 but I have loaded many ball powders including SMP 735, H335, and TAC with my Dillon measure using the large powder bar, and it is never off by more than .2 grains. If I am slow and smooth, it will vary by .1 grains.
One thing is that I typically size, decap, trim, and swage (5.56 brass) as a separate step before putting it in the 550B and priming, adding powder, seating, and sometimes crimping. It makes things simpler and more consistent.
You have to realize as good as a Dillon machine is, the powder measure is a bar with a rectangular hole in it. The adjustment is achieved via an aluminum block in the rectangular hole making said hole either bigger or smaller. In other words, your powder is measured by volume, not weight.
As others here have said, your technique and cadence will be very critical to getting consistent powder drops. I have a 550 which I bought new for 249.00$. If you don't get that reference, it's fine keep reading.
I've never used it for rifle reloading other than .30 Carbine, lots of years of USPSA competition and handgun reloading. I check the powder drops very often, I have never had difficulty holding powder charges within a tenth of a grain. It really is all about being smooth and consistent. Also keep in mind, if you run one case all the way through and set the powder drop to that, it WILL change a bit when you have the shell carrier full of cases! I would imagine with standard rifle cases more than straight wall handgun cases. In fact, I think you would be wanting to size cases as a separate operation from powder and bullet seating.
Rigidity is also critical. If your bench moves around every time you pull the handle and your press tips forward at the bottom of the stroke, don't bother measuring your powder drops, start over from the beginning.
Pay attention to detail, you will get there. Good luck.
As others here have said, your technique and cadence will be very critical to getting consistent powder drops. I have a 550 which I bought new for 249.00$. If you don't get that reference, it's fine keep reading.
I've never used it for rifle reloading other than .30 Carbine, lots of years of USPSA competition and handgun reloading. I check the powder drops very often, I have never had difficulty holding powder charges within a tenth of a grain. It really is all about being smooth and consistent. Also keep in mind, if you run one case all the way through and set the powder drop to that, it WILL change a bit when you have the shell carrier full of cases! I would imagine with standard rifle cases more than straight wall handgun cases. In fact, I think you would be wanting to size cases as a separate operation from powder and bullet seating.
Rigidity is also critical. If your bench moves around every time you pull the handle and your press tips forward at the bottom of the stroke, don't bother measuring your powder drops, start over from the beginning.
Pay attention to detail, you will get there. Good luck.
Last edited:
Here goes.
If you have a habit of man-handling your press handle, or a habit of bumping things on the bench while powder is trying to flow from your hopper into the cylinder of your powder measure, it'll change the amount going into the cylinder.
Think of it like this: any time material is going into a container, if the container is vibrated, more will settle into the container.
If you run the handle at various speeds (basically being inconsistent) more or less powder can go into the cylinder.
With any powder measure, fast up, fast down will give you lighter charges.
Slow up, pause, slow down will give you the most consistent.
If you are bumping things, more powder will settle into the cylinder and make the charges heavier.
Put the two extremes together (variable speed and bumping things) and you have the perfect recipe for inconsistent charges.
Thanks,not too sound like a know it all. I have been doing these things. Slow up and down. Went through all today still not even drops. This is all new from dillon.25.0 too 26.9 how high would go on this? 1750 case 748 power. Book says 26.2 thanks
How old is the powder hopper? Does it have the baffle in it? Have you poured the powder in and tapped the hopper to settle it before loading? Something does sound seriously wrong with your setup. Pics or even a video of the press in action may help.
I use an old 550. Although this eliminates some of the 550's claim to fame I don't resize on it. I'll resize everything on a single stage, trim, and tumble off the lube. Then it goes to the Dillon with a universal decap die in hole 1 to clean any media from the flash hole that I may have missed during inspection. Then I run the 550 as intended. The operation is much smoother now that the resize is eliminated from the cycle. For me that translated into more consistent powder drops and just overall better loading time.
Thank you,
MrSmith
Thank you,
MrSmith
Just to be clear, you are saying it is dropping between 25.0 and 26.9? I f that is the case I think your scale needs to be calibrated. I can't fathom a situation where a Dillon press would be dropping in a 2 grain window.
Your other post about " just slide in press and go" may have a lot to do with your issue.
Could be the scale for sure.
OP, what scale do you use and where is it located?
Does it have moving air hitting it?
I use a Chargemaster for stick powders and I have to keep the guard over the platen or it's readout is all over the place.
OP, what scale do you use and where is it located?
Does it have moving air hitting it?
I use a Chargemaster for stick powders and I have to keep the guard over the platen or it's readout is all over the place.
I had the same problem with AA2520, i later found out the powder measure wasn't tight on the press. The nut backed out but after tightening it all was back to normal. As stated before cadence is crucial. I also pause about a second or so to let the powder drop into the case. I don't vary beyond. 2 with my technique with most charges on the money.
I'll ask another question.
Is this one charge after another or is the charge weight drifting over 50-100 rounds? Also, throw at least 5-10 charges before you start taking a measurement. This let's the powder settle.
The results I mentioned earlier, +/- 0.1 grains, are obtained by keeping the measure between 1/3 and 2/3 full. I check the level every 50 rounds or so.
Is this one charge after another or is the charge weight drifting over 50-100 rounds? Also, throw at least 5-10 charges before you start taking a measurement. This let's the powder settle.
The results I mentioned earlier, +/- 0.1 grains, are obtained by keeping the measure between 1/3 and 2/3 full. I check the level every 50 rounds or so.
Even with a excellent powder measure a steady and consistent activation is important, I’m sure the Dillon bar measure it’s even more so.
I love W748 but for what I use it for a few tenths variance means nothing.
My Hornandy and rcbs measures will consistently maintain two tenths if I’m sloppy and a lot better if I do my part.
I love W748 but for what I use it for a few tenths variance means nothing.
My Hornandy and rcbs measures will consistently maintain two tenths if I’m sloppy and a lot better if I do my part.
Trying taking your failsafe rod out, and just use 2 rubber bands around the powder bar and hopper housing. I could never get the failsafe to act just right and got annoyed with and just took it off. I use a long spring like shown in post #7 by @Halfnutz
Try that. The other things to look at:
-Two allen screws are tight on powder measure.
-Its screwed into the press enough so it is fully actuated, meaning the powder bar goes all the way.
-Make sure the little plastic square that moves the powder bar is tight enough so it doesn't pop halfway off
Try that. The other things to look at:
-Two allen screws are tight on powder measure.
-Its screwed into the press enough so it is fully actuated, meaning the powder bar goes all the way.
-Make sure the little plastic square that moves the powder bar is tight enough so it doesn't pop halfway off
I replied to this post a few days ago and you never responded to it, but you have responded to other posts.
As I stated the first time I replied to this one, the slide in and go may be the problem?
Have you spent as much time trying to diagnose the problem as the people on here have spent trying to help you?????
I'm getting a feeling you are reading and complaining but not doing anything proactive to fix your problem, if it does exist??
I still can't imagine a Dillon press throwing a powder charge that is 2 grains off?? I smell a rat.
Similar threads
Precision Rifle Gear
Tango Innovations FIRE4000 WMLRF Initial Impressions
