Red Dot woes

[1950jcb]

Does any one have a preferred method for throwing small charges of Red Dot accurately?

 

[fredj338]

My Dillon measure throws dwn to 4gr fine & my old RCBS Uniflo goes lower. What are you trying to load?

 

[1950jcb]

Never, repeat never had a squib until I started using a Dillon. Trying to throw 3 grains. I went to a Uniflo and it doesn't do a whole lot better--plus a couple of tenths here and there. I'm pretty much a plinker, but it's still irritating. Part of the problem is big flakes, but the load works so well, I'd like to get it to work a little better. Not to mention I have a lot of it laying around.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Do you have a air pump on the dillon cylinder to help? Spend 10 bucks and it will help with your problem.

 

[CGM]

John,

How does this air pump thing work? I don't have a metering problem but, I'm curious about what you suggest.

 

[scattershot]

Me, too. What's an air pump?

 

[Blaidd]

How many are you looking at loading at 3gr? I had problem also and ended up just using a trickler.

 

[1950jcb]

When I load, it's usually 500-1000 in a batch. That's a lot of trickling. I am also waiting for the air pump update.

 

[John R]

Originally posted by Bullseye Smith:
Do you have a air pump on the dillon cylinder to help? Spend 10 bucks and it will help with your problem.

I want to know what's up with this air pump too.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Well, I'm not the poster that originated the "pump" information but I can explain it. Somewhere on the forum, there is a picture too.

You buy a cheap aquarium air pump and tape it to the side of your Dillon powder measure. Turn it on for tough metering powders and the gentle vibration of the unit helps to "settle" the powder into the measuring chamber.

I say switch powders. Too many powders out there now that meter MUCH better than these large flake powders.

 

[1950jcb]

Thanks for the info. Hard to let as much Red Dot as I have just sit. At this point ready to try any workable solution. Could be a lot of trickling in my future.

 

[45cal]

Throwing that light a charge you are probably going to call Dillon and buy a small charge bar.
I throw four grains in the Dillons for the cast bullets in 38 Win 231 in one and Red dot for the 230 45 apc's

 

[RidgwayCO]

Was it this forum where someone confessed that they taped a a battery-powered "pleasure" vibrator to their powder reservoir?

I've never tried this technique for making powder drops more uniform, but I also couldn't ever get the image out of my head...

 

[Sven]

I've never had a problen with my Dillon and 3.7 gr. of Red Dot.

800X -- now that's a different story!

 

[flash60601]

I think that with a problem like that, and that much Red Dot on hand, I'd seriously consider a season of trapshooting for the RD, and buy a ball powder for the pistols.

Flash

 

[1950jcb]

I have been using the small charge bar. Tried to find a shotgun reloader to trade with or sell to, no luck yet. Really like the load, so will probably suffer with it. Thanks for all the input. I use 231 a lot for other calibers, and will work on developing a load for it in the 38.

 

[John R]

I use Red Dot and Green Dot in my Dillon 650 with no problems at all, I do use the smallest charge bar available.

 

[TSQUARED]

With a bulky powder like Red Dot I believe the extra small p;owder bar it not required. I drop 3.2 gr. of American Select with the normal small bar and excellent reproducibility.

 

[fly rodder]

Light charges of Red Dot are a problem for my Redding 3BR. I discovered that tapping the hopper for 30 seconds or more, prior to loading, helps to settle the powder and results in more accurate loads, but I sit have to keep a close on eye on things.

 

[mkk41]

Originally posted by fly rodder:
Light charges of Red Dot are a problem for my Redding 3BR. I discovered that tapping the hopper for 30 seconds or more, prior to loading, helps to settle the powder and results in more accurate loads, but I sit have to keep a close on eye on things.

Hmmm , I use a Redding PM too. I've found that a consistant 'tap' of the lever hitting the housing , up and down , is the key. For many years , 5grs of Red Dot and a 185-200gr H&G SWC was my favorite .45 bullseye load.