Larger Powder Funnel For Coated Bullets?

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Some research today on another forum turned up some interesting information about slightly larger powder funnels for use on a Dillon 550 if you are loading coated bullets.

Has anyone else heard of this or tried these larger funnels?

.45 HTC Powder Funnel
 
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I do not see the point of this part

If you are shaving bullets, try flaring the case mouth

I have been loading NyClad projectiles for 30 or more years now. Jacketed, cast lead and swagged lead for longer. I have no recollection of shaving bullets as an issue

Admittedly, my progressive presses are not Dillon, is this some kind of common design problem with the Dillon presses?
 
As with the previous responses, I'm not sure what problem this is supposed to solve.

I have had problems when I switch from the relatively thick FMJ I like to something thinner or softer (especially in 2020/2021 and it was about what was available and I could actually buy,) but have always solved the problem by adjusting the charging/flaring die farther down, and never replace the internals.

I'm old enough to admit I don't know everything, but reading the product description I have no idea of why this exists. However, if someone does know please respond, I have no problem being wrong on anything as long as I learn something new that I didn't know :)
 
Yes, I use nothing but the larger/longer expanders. Either store bought or homemade.

Started using them in the 80's with traditionally cast/lubed bullets. Started coating my cast bullets in 2014 and kept using them.

IMHO:
They are worth every penny if for nothing else. Creating extremely consistent reloads. Consistency is accuracy & these types of expanders have allowed me to have the same consistency when using a large number of bullet shapes/designs along with extremely soft hollow point and hollow based bullets.
 
Dillon calls it the powder funnel, however it also expands and bells the case mouth. The idea is you need additional expanding (deeper) of the case.


ajgunner said:
Confused---what would a larger powder funnel have to do with loading coated bullets???

I run a pair of 550's and load lots of coated bullets in 9mm, 38/357, and 44mag. Have never seen a need for a larger powder funnel?
Click to expand...
 
max said:
Dillon calls it the powder funnel, however it also expands and bells the case mouth. The idea is you need additional expanding (deeper) of the case.
Click to expand...
So you are saying this aftermarket part is to address a design flaw in the Dillon Progressive Presses

Forrest r said:
Yes, I use nothing but the larger/longer expanders. Either store bought or homemade.

Started using them in the 80's with traditionally cast/lubed bullets. Started coating my cast bullets in 2014 and kept using them.
Click to expand...
Are you addressing all loading presses and/or die sets? Or is this a Dillon specific comment?

Over the decades I have seen the need to reduce the diameter of some expanders that were included in die sets in order to increase neck tension on the projectile, but I have never seen the need for Larger expanders
 
I have used sizing dies that needed to be a little longer, to help the case
swallow my heavier bullets, that tend to be longer in length.

Some have posted pictures of these dies and they do help out the cases and
make for quality loaded cases, that are not swollen or bulged from the loading process.

A lot depends on what components you are using and your dies.
 
colt_saa said:
So you are saying this aftermarket part is to address a design flaw in the Dillon Progressive Presses.
Click to expand...

Not at all, I have had my Dillon for 25 years or more. When it was designed and purchased, there were no powder coated bullets.
 
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max said:
colt_saa said:
So you are saying this aftermarket part is to address a design flaw in the Dillon Progressive Presses
Click to expand...

Not at all, I have had my Dillon for 25 years or more. When it was designed and purchased, there were no powder coated bullets.
Click to expand...
Powder coated no, but nylon coated did exist

I got my first supply of NyClads at least 30 years ago, probably longer

I have never needed a BIGGER expander for a coated or jacketed projectile. That would imply that the projectile was produced over size.

Have you measured the diameter of these powder coated projectiles that are requiring you to purchase a BIGGER expander from an aftermarket manufacturer?

If this is truly a issue with a Dillon press, why has Dillon not corrected the flaw?
 
This appears to be a single-issue solution for one specific .45 bullet. I use a Dillon and never had a problem, but I don't use the Dillon powder measure and I don't use that bullet.

It's not a "design flaw". I've run into problems with certain combinations of dies/expanders/bullets (across multiple brands). You work through them. This appears to be a quick solution to one of these problems. If you're having that specific problem then sure, get one.
 
If by "Powder Funnel" you are referring to the expander button in the powder-through style expander die then the answer is NO. The issue of a slightly larger diameter bullet is handled by simple adjustment of the expander die to allow a slight bit more flare to the case mouth to prevent shaving the bullet. This applies to any bullets, not just "coated" bullets. A little more experience with reloading and you would have understood this yourself.

The problem with many of the above answers is because all die manufacturers refer to the part as simply the expander, even Lee. Referring to it as the "funnel" is confusing to everyone who has not used this style of Dillon die! The issue is Dillon using an unusual term for a part that every other manufacturer calls something else!
 
The factory Dillon expander-powder funnel for the 9mm, measures .353, at least mine does. They are designed for .355 jacketed bullets, which are the most commonly used. This is not a design flaw. I shoot cast bullets in the 9, and .357-358 diameters perform the best. Squeezing a .358 cast bullet into a .353 opening, will swage the bullet down.

I have the SDB press, and I made a .356 expander/funnel out of drill rod. I made the expanding section, slightly longer, for a little more room for the bases of some bullets. It now, does not swage the cast bullets, and grips them adequately with a light crimp. I use both powder coated and grease lubed bullets with good results.
 
GBertolet said:
The factory Dillon expander-powder funnel for the 9mm, measures .353, at least mine does. They are designed for .355 jacketed bullets, which are the most commonly used.
Click to expand...
WOW, Not being a Dillon user, I have never encountered an expander that was so far undersized

Also when I started hand loading back in the 70s, lead projectiles were the most commonly handloaded projectiles in almost all handgun cartridges. Jacketed projectiles were several times more expensive to buy and considerably more expensive if you were one that cast their own.

Over the years I have had to modify several expanders, but always to make them smaller
 
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.353 is about right for jacketed bullets. That gives .002 bullet tension grip on .355 bullets.
 
If you are having problems with the reloaded rounds being oversized it might be your bullets are sightly oversized to begin with. I have solved this problem with my 610 by running the loaded rounds through a resizing die with the depriming part removed after they have been loaded on my Dillon 550.
jcelect
 
colt_saa said:
So you are saying this aftermarket part is to address a design flaw in the Dillon Progressive Presses

Are you addressing all loading presses and/or die sets? Or is this a Dillon specific comment?

Over the decades I have seen the need to reduce the diameter of some expanders that were included in die sets in order to increase neck tension on the projectile, but I have never seen the need for Larger expanders
Click to expand...

I'm addressing all die sets, along with the 20+ see thru expanders I've made for other people. I could of easily made/sold more, simply don't want to get into the business of making/selling them.
 
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