Anyone using a Dillon 550 press?

stump · November 22, 2007, 06:15:49 PM

I'm using a Dillon 550 to reload my .45 colt. I'm using 6gr of Trailboss powder. My problem is that after charging each load I have extra powder coming out of the powder die/measure. I check the powder that actually makes it into the case and it's correct and consistant. Is this powder spilling common, or is there an adjustment to make?

Thanks

Red Creek Robert · November 22, 2007, 11:11:13 PM

Stump,

I have a XL 650. And I also have had a little powder waste that falls out, but nothing to worry about. What I did was remove and disassembled the powder measure, clean under the part that slides. This worked for me. I've been meaning to call Dillon about it but haven't gotten around to it. Thanks for bringing it up,

Red Creek

Hell-Er High Water · November 23, 2007, 10:59:21 AM

Stump,

It sounds as if the inside of the powder funnel may need cleaning. The Trailboss powder being light little dougnuts tends to cling to surfaces more than other powders. I clean the inside of my powder funnels with denatured alcohol on a clean gun cleaning patch. This doesn't leave a residue, evaporates quickly and removes acculumulated graphite from other powders and anything else that may be inside the funnel.

You may have to readjust your powder measure as you are probably throwing a bit more powder than you want. You are getting what you want in the case and the extra then drops out after the fact. If it all ends up in the case then your charge may be a little heavier than what you want.

See if this helps.

HHW

Red Creek Robert · November 23, 2007, 11:52:51 AM

I just spoke with Dillon, and that's common that some powders are worse than others, Trail Boss in his experience left a lot more than some, I use W231 and I still get some waste.

Red Creek

Will Blastem · November 23, 2007, 05:34:12 PM

I hate to be a spoiler here but I load with a 550 in 38 spec and 45LC using Titegroup and Trail Boss. I have no leakage at all with either powders. I'm no expert on this but Trail Boss seems to be a rather large powder and I can't see how it could leak if everything is working properly. The only difference with mine may be that I have installed Uniquetek's micrometer powder bar kit on all my powder bars ( http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/page/45031 ) ...but I don't see how that could make it any less likely to leak.

Beats me

...just thought of this...I have heard of the TB clinging to surfaces, especially in dry climate conditions with high static electricity. This can be a problem here in Virginia in the winter months. This can cause inconsistant metering. I have had this happen when the powder measure is less than half full so I try to keep it above that level. That seems to work for me. I've heard that others have straped aquarium pumps to their powder measures. I guess the constant vibration seems to help keep the powder flowing better giving more consistant charges...Sounds like a good idea but I haven't tried that yet.

stump · November 23, 2007, 07:27:57 PM

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the help.

For those of you with Dillon presses, are you using the large or small powder bar for pistol loads? The instructions said the small bar for 3 to 20 grains, but a Dillon rep told me I should be using the large. Needless to say I'm confused as I'm only loading 6 grains. Could this be because of the Trail Boss?

Will Blastem · November 25, 2007, 06:00:38 PM

Quote from: stump on November 23, 2007, 07:27:57 PM
Thanks Guys, I appreciate the help.

For those of you with Dillon presses, are you using the large or small powder bar for pistol loads? The instructions said the small bar for 3 to 20 grains, but a Dillon rep told me I should be using the large. Needless to say I'm confused as I'm only loading 6 grains. Could this be because of the Trail Boss?

IMHO you need to use the large bar with Trail Boss and 45LC.

stump · November 26, 2007, 03:23:41 AM

Quote from: Will Blastem on November 25, 2007, 06:00:38 PM
IMHO you need to use the large bar with Trail Boss and 45LC.

Next batch I'll give the large bar a try. I assume the switch is a fairly simple opertion??

Stump

Will Blastem · November 26, 2007, 01:24:58 PM

Quote from: stump on November 26, 2007, 03:23:41 AM
Next batch I'll give the large bar a try. I assume the switch is a fairly simple opertion??

Stump

Yeah Stump...it's a real easy and quick procedure. Do you have a 550 manual? If not, send me a PM and I'll scan the page of destrukshons

dealin with that.

Four-Eyed Buck · November 26, 2007, 03:22:26 PM

For TrailBoss, you definately need to use the large bar to get consistent drops at anything over about 5.5g. I have the SDB and had to go to the large bar for my .45 Colts..............Buck

Skullyville Tom · November 30, 2007, 11:07:44 AM

So far I haven't had any problems at all with Trail Boss, no spills and extremely consistent metering. In the winter the dry air can cause powder (any powder) to stick to the walls of the powder measure, I just rubber band a dryer sheet to the outside of the powder hopper, it seems to help.

Marshal Will Wingam · November 30, 2007, 11:20:49 AM

I load both 38 and 45 with TrailBoss on my 550. I use the small measure for the 38's and the large one for the 45's. I never get any spillage unless I slop it out when rotating the base to advance the rounds. I don't use any special techniques other than being careful not to breathe into the cases before putting a bullet in. It's easy to blow TrailBoss out of them. And don't sneeze toward them. Experience speaks.

Dalton Masterson · December 23, 2007, 08:59:10 PM

I had the same problem at first using TB. Then I cleaned the heck out of the funnel area, and adjusted my funnel a little bit. The biggest thing I think that helped was slowing down some. That light fluffy powder takes a little bit more time to dump into the case, and when I pushed the handle forward, powder was still dropping into the case, therefore spilling all over heck.
Give going a little slower a try. DM

okotoks · December 27, 2007, 07:02:58 PM

I have used trail boss in my Dillon 550 and had similar problems, but my issue was clogging of the powder funnel. In talking to the Dillon folks they suggested I ream out the powder funnel with a Dremmel, but I have not done so yet. Also I quit using TB as I have moved over to the Darkside. I may start using it again for practice ammo and in my 1886 45-70.

ty
snowy here in Colorado today

okotoks

Boggus Deal · December 31, 2007, 08:37:07 AM

Like Dalton Masterson, I slowed down just a bit. When I pull the handle and shove the case into the powder die, I hold it there for just a second longer than with other powders. Also, as I index the shell plate, I move it just a little slower, If I "flick" it over, it seems to throw out some powder. Once I learned these two tricks, I haven't spilt any Trail Boss.