Dillon powder drop help

[68Dave]

I’m loading on a 550b and this dropper has the two piece bellcrank. I’m charging 223 cases. About every fifth case or so , as the case is going into the die and the hopper is beginning to raise it pops and hangs momentarily. I can continue on down with handle and powder will drop fine. The problem is the charge goes up .4 grains every time it had this stutter. I can’t tell if it the case hanging on the funnel, or maybe the funnel hanging in the die. I’m using the large charging bar and it is bare aluminum. I have another that is black coated that I can try incase that’s the issue. Has any one seen this before? Would like your input.
Thanks,
David.

 

[austintexas]

dillon

It's a Dillon, call them, they have probably seen every screw up their powder measures have ever done. It is free advise, they may say send it back and they will give you a new one.
SWCA 892

 

[4barrel]

Take the powder bar out and check for a rough spot. Get a flat file and smooth it up lightly. You should be able to tell the drag with close inspection. The drag is caused by powder. The problem will be on the side closest to you. Some powder bars measure a little different. The finer the powder the tighter it needs to be. I ran into this with 296. I had been using 2400 without a problem. I measured another powder bar and it was a bit larger by .002 and worked ok. I later got a fine file and fixed the other. Now when the powder bar hangs <not often--I load a lot> the fix takes 5 min. The first time took an hour or more scratching my head.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm adjusting my 550's powder drop for 357 Sig right now.

I had 2 similar problems on mine over the years,

1) the "Clamp" that holds the entire drop to the powder thru die was adjusted/set up wrong- on the divider instead of in the groove (Operator error!)

2) The nylon square piece that slides up and down on the powder bar was cracked/worn out, and was catching. (Warranty part)

*) Dillion CS has a check list they advise you on each problem, it may take a bit, but they can deal with every possible problem! There are often 7 or 8 causes for every symptom, let them do their thing and you'll be good to go!

My press started life as a 450 in 1984, I have upgraded several times over the years. I have turned out in the neighborhood of 500,000 to 600,000 rounds. They are a very good but manmade object, they wear out, but Dillon stands right there with you!

Ivan

 

[H Richard]

The bell-crank on the powder measure is a "punched" metal part, and mine had a slightly raised edge on one side. I filed that edge (burr) smooth and put a swipe of grease on it and have no problems.

 

[68Dave]

Thank you for all responses and suggestions.
I wanted to take a look at it just one more time and was going to call them in the morning. With no powder in the hopper I ran a case up many times. Sometimes it would stutter, most of the time not. What I found was the case was not always straight. In an effort to reduce required force to rotate the shell plate, I had not properly adjusted the shell plate. I had too much play. Occasionally the case would be over far enough to hit the non tapered edge of the funnel. The hopper would start to go up and then pop back down onto the case where it was supposed to be. Seems to be working great now.
David

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Glad it was only operator error! We know you wont let that happen again. Good luck.

Ivan

 

[Nightowl]

They have online listing of typical problems and solutions on their website too, that has been a help a couple of times that saved a phone call! A couple of weeks ago, I broke a finger on the guide for the failsafe rod to the powder measure. I sent an email asking for a couple of replacements and they sent me three!! It was redesigned and the part was a solid piece, no fingers. The part that broke was many years old.