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Old 01-07-2015, 07:16 PM
Lou_NC Lou_NC is offline
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Default anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure?

I've started using some AA#5 for the first time in my Dillon 550 powder measure and have been noticing that I'm getting some "leakage" of the powder. It's not a lot, but I never had that happen with the coarser grains of Win 231 or Hodgdon Universal that I used for mid-burn-rate loads in the past.

Another problem is that some of the AA#5 granules are also "smearing" onto the powder bars and gumming up the works a bit. The press hasn't jammed (yet) but I do notice that it takes more force to move the powder bar through the measure than with the other powders. I've cleaned the powder measure bars every few hundred rounds using alcohol, but it comes back pretty quickly.

The AA#5 is fresh powder and I've loaded thousands of rounds on this press without issue using Bullseye, Hodgdon Universal, Win 231, and other powders.

I'm currently loading 5.4 grains of AA#5, using the same charge bar I've always used for pistol loads.

Anyone else have this happen? Any workarounds?

Thanks,
Lou
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Old 01-07-2015, 07:24 PM
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jimbo728 jimbo728 is offline
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anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure?  
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My A5 seems ok but now that you mention it I did see some particles on my shell plate. I thought this happened due to too quick movement of it at the end of that run. I recently oiled my ram and the small amount of powder down there did bar up. Other than that I have never observed any problems with A5.
Jim
Edit.
As we speak I am loading with A5 and discovered my leak issue. I use an RCBS powder measure and found that the connecting thumb screw was just a little too tight. This caused the powder drop gizmo to stick in the barrel, instead of sliding up and down with each cycle. Dont know if this relates much to what`s happening with you except for the fact that A5 is fine grain.

Last edited by jimbo728; 01-07-2015 at 07:42 PM.
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Old 01-07-2015, 07:43 PM
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Maximumbob54 Maximumbob54 is offline
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anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure?  
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Is there any way of tightening the powder measure fit to the slide bar in the Dillon design? My Lee Pro Auto works in a similar fashion and I've had to tighten the brass lock nuts nice and tight as they have worked a little loose in the past.
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Old 01-07-2015, 07:44 PM
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novalty novalty is offline
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anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure?  
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Have heard the same report on The Brian Enos Forum about AA#5 and Dillon's powder measure
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Old 01-07-2015, 08:03 PM
growr growr is offline
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My biggest problem with AA#5 in my 550 is that there isn't any available to run through it!! When I can get it NO PROBLEMS.....

Randy
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Old 01-07-2015, 09:13 PM
Lou_NC Lou_NC is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximumbob54 View Post
Is there any way of tightening the powder measure fit to the slide bar in the Dillon design?
No, there doesn't appear to be any adjustment in the powder bar of the Dillon. It consists of two "stacked" metal bars, one of which is stationary and the other contains the adjustable cavity for measuring and dropping the powder.

Looks like a call to Dillon may be in order, they may have some suggestions to try.

Lou
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Old 01-07-2015, 10:45 PM
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anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure?  
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I've never used A #5, but I've tried A #9 in the powder measure that came with my old RL-450 and it absolutely hates A #9. I don't know if they changed up the powder measure between the RL-450 and RL-550 models though, but from what you describe it sounds very similar. My Dillon measure is unusable with A #9 and also with H110/W296. The grains get up in between the slides and jam it up. I use the adapter from Dillon and my old Lyman 55 measure when reloading with those powders.
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Old 01-07-2015, 11:01 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
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anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure? anyone else have problems with AA#5 in a Dillon powder measure?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou_NC View Post
Looks like a call to Dillon may be in order, they may have some suggestions to try.
It is, and they do. At least they did for me. They sent a new bar - and it seemed to work.
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Old 01-10-2015, 11:25 AM
Ga.BuckBuster Ga.BuckBuster is offline
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I have used AA#5 for the last 10+ yrs. and haven't had any problems like you have encountered. I use it for my .45ACP hardball loads. It's a great powder. When you can get it. Hopefully, it will be available on a normal level soon.
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