Dillon Square Deal set-up for 357 Magnum

[campfire]

I have only been reloading for a couple of months so I am still feeling my way with everything.
I am curiously concerned about the accuracy and consistency of the Square Deal powder measure.
I drop powder into five cartridges and weigh each one before I start reloading.
Once I get going I have been re-checking the powder weight after about say the first thirty or so rounds, just to be sure the quantity is still correct.
Once I have finished a batch I then weigh each bullet individually in-case there is any considerable weight discrepancy. I am probably being a little bit overly cautious but I would prefer to continue doing this until I get more comfortable with the whole process.
For those of you who are familiar with Dillon equipment; just how accurate are the powder measures and is there a possibility that there can be variations in the amount dispensed during normal operation.
As always any help most appreciated.
Campfire

 

[campfire]

I have only been reloading for a couple of months so I am still feeling my way with everything.
I am curiously concerned about the accuracy and consistency of the Square Deal powder measure.
I drop powder into five cartridges and weigh each one before I start reloading.
Once I get going I have been re-checking the powder weight after about say the first thirty or so rounds, just to be sure the quantity is still correct.
Once I have finished a batch I then weigh each bullet individually in-case there is any considerable weight discrepancy. I am probably being a little bit overly cautious but I would prefer to continue doing this until I get more comfortable with the whole process.
For those of you who are familiar with Dillon equipment; just how accurate are the powder measures and is there a possibility that there can be variations in the amount dispensed during normal operation.
As always any help most appreciated.
Campfire

 

[Ignatz]

I find.....The first thing I do when loading for on a Dillon is fill the powder measure to the top. Then I take a small mallet and lightly tap the clear resivour until the powder lowers itself and will not go down any further. In five minutes or more the powder might settle down over 1 inch. Then I start weighing charges to get in the ballpark. In the next hundred or so reloads things should settle in pretty good. This is where I do a lot of spot checking. Once it settles in and your happy with that load....just leave it alone and check before a loading session. ...(My) key is to never empty the powder measure...That gives me the most consistant results. Many people will empty their powder from the clear tubes at the end of a reloading session (for safty reasons). ..I don't, because I feel the Dillon powder measure needs time to settle in for consistant powder throws. My way also is to have several complete setups for different calibers and specific powders, so there all ready to go. I'm also a firm believer that weighing powders on a scale gets you in a Known ballpark of "loads" for that Pistol caliber. Firing your 38/357 at the range over a Chrony tells what is really going on. In a nutshell....Once a Dillon powder measure is settled in...I trust it to throw consistant charges. You still need to follow safty practices that You are comfortable with.

 

[dennis40x]

Powder measures measure volume which is affected by density/compactness of the charge being distributed. The operational mechanics tend to settle the powder in the measure. That said I'll tap the measure several times at the beginning of operation to help settle the powder. I only let the powder reservoir go down to approximately half its volume before refilling to capacity.

I never keep powder in the measure for an extended period of time. The powder may stay in the measure overnight but not for several days. Using masking tape with the powder type and charge weight noted taped to the reservoir is a good reminder and check. I check the setting to insure that it is correct as noted per the masking tape written powder type and charge weight.

If one pays attention to detail the probability of over charging the case is remote but you may bet your sweet molasses that manure happens. There have been recorded incidences of powder bridging in power measures dispensing a under charge followed by and over charge. You may simply want to use a powder that flows easily thru the measure and is consistent in charge weight.

Rate of production for progressive reloading equipment is a double edged sword. One needs to go slow to go fast in the long term. The emphasis should be quality not quantity. Quantity comes with experience but never at the expense of quality.

 

[MrPhil]

I have 2 Dillon Square Deal B's and 5 powder measures. In my experience charge variation is +/-0.1 grain. A little worse with flake powders, a little better with ball powders. This is over a range of 3.5 grains of Clays to 23 grains of H110.

As far as weighing loaded cartridges you should realize there are multi-grain variations in bullet and case weights. That said, you might be able to detect the absence of charge in something like a 357 magnum or 44 magnum.

Dennis' advice about the need "to go slow to go fast" is spot on. Pay attention. Stop processing when anything seems different.

 

[Skip Sackett]

This is what I use to help with consistency in all of my Dillon machines.
Whether it is one of my 3 SDBs or the XL650.

It seems to help quite a bit. Consistent weight on top seems to help.

I like what Dennis says about not leaving powder in the measure. I do my best not to either. I don't like the measure to get stained like some I have seen. If it leaves a residue on the plastic it would seem to me to get into the pores of the other material as well. I'm not sure that is a good thing.
His other point about the type of powder is a good one. Any one of the Accurate Arms powders or some of the smaller flake powders such as Bullseye, Power Pistol, SR7625, SR4756, W231/HP-38 and some others that won't come to the forefront of my mind at this time!

Personally, with the variations in powder/primers/cases/bullets being what they are, I don't think weighing each cartridge is going to tell you much. You will need a "window" of acceptance anyway. What will it be? 5gr? What happens if it measures 4.5gr and the difference is all in powder? Do you know what a double charge of 4.5gr Bullseye will do to a small alloy revolver or auto?

FWIW

 

[campfire]

Thanks for the advise so far.
I think I will start keeping the reservoir filled with powder well above the halfway mark and then empty leftover powder back into the container at the end of each session. As I said earlier, probably being a bit overly cautious weighing each bullet given that there can be variations in the projectile and case weights as I have now discovered.
Campfire

 

[AzShooter]

Don't worry about weighing your bullets. As long as they are all the same size it doesn't matter.

I always take 10 drops from my Dillon powder dispenser and average it out for the load I want.

I find it accurate enough to get consistent 1 1/2 inch groups to 2 inch groups at 25 yards from the bench.

 

[H Richard]

When I set up for a cartridge, I throw loads until I get 5 loads to weigh the same, then go with it. I always use a ball type powder, as flake or stick powder will not measure as accurately. Most of my pistol loads are with 231, AA#5, AA#9, Tightgroup, HS6. They all meter very well.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I have two Dillion press's and most of the time I only use Tite-group except for my 32 long. I leave my power in the power measurer all the time. I have a brass rod that I stick down in it and give a stir. Measure the first four or five and go for it, check when I put in primers. I also weight each round when I'm putting them into boxes. Can't beat a Dillion, there must be a Deere in there someplace

. Here is my set-up.

 

[arkypete]

I set my "357" Square Deal up 15 or 18 years ago. Aside from removing the seating stem and cleaning off the Lee Liquid lube, when I tried it, the machine has not been re-adjusted.
Same thing goes for my '45' Square deal.
After an extended period of not using the machine I'll weigh the powder charge thrown five times then load a 100 and weigh five more.

Jim