Powder dispenser recommendation

Thats manual measure, you would also need this and the correct expander as your dillon conversions powder funnel won't work with the Hornady measure.

www.hornady.com

Case Activated Powder Drop & Powder Accessories - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Case Activated Powder Drop & Powder Accessories Case Activated Powder Drop Item #050073 Engineered with quick change-overs in mind, the case activated powder d...
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If you are trying to get better results with extruded powders, I'll save you the money though, I bought my first LNL AP for the same reason and the measure didn't do any better with 3031 than the dillon and you lose the fail safe rod and linkage that prevents short stroke doubles.
 
mofosheee said:
Sometimes it sneaks a +/- .1 to .5 grain weight varience in on me.
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I would probably be taking things apart for a closer look if I were getting a 1.0 grain difference in charge weight (+/- .5), somethings wrong.

If its a problem that just showed up, I would remove the measure and check to see if the collar sleeve is still in there.

3B3369A4-78E3-4FA1-9C4F-1D74A8C4CE63.jpeg

I have seen them fall out when cycling the measure to empty it, if its removed from the die.
 
I've used the Dillon PM on the 650 and the Hornady PM on the L-N-L. Both work OK with ball and many flake powders. Neither works well with typical extruded rifle powders. I'd say performance of the two measures is very similar with most powders. The biggest difference is the quick change insert feature on the Hornady.
 
I doubt that the Hornady will be significantly better than the Dillon and it might be worse. Plus all of the headaches involved retrofitting it to your 650.

I've found that all of my measures, including a several Dillons, generally throw extruded charges +/- 1%. If you can't live with that you need to weigh your charges or start using ball powder.

Save your money.
 
For precision rifle rounds I plan on (still do all of my precision rifle on my Redding T7, but eventually will if the kids get more into shooting sports) taking the powder measure off and use a funnel on top and throw each with an RCBS Chargemaster.
 
You could say I’m pretty well invested in Dillon powder measures……

O5C3oYK.jpeg


I did a quick analysis on the accuracy of the Dillon powder thrower. You may find that it’s better than anything else out there.

Statistical variation of the Dillon powder thrower

I was doing some loading this morning and decided to record the data on what the Dillon throws Powder was H4895 Scale was an A&D FX 120i (0.02g resolution) Population = 15 High = 26.06g Low = 25.74g Sample SD = 0.0979 Mean AVG = 25.89g 99% confidence level = 25.83g - 25.96g
www.thehighroad.org

If you are getting really serious about powder accuracy then you might consider an A&D FX120 with integrated Auto Trickler and you can hold +/- 0.02gn accuracy

PGtBJyt.jpeg
 
Okay, I'll be the one to say it:

Powder dispensers dispense volume, not weight. Checking a volumetric dispenser via weight checks doesn't make sense.

I know what most people think about measuring powder, and they're all welcome to their thoughts. There are some glaring deficiencies in that way of thinking about it that are not relevant here. Choose a method and stick with it. Wait to see if you encounter consequent problems before freaking out about something that makes no sense to do in the first place.
 
However, the only way we can quantify an adjustment in volume is by the weight dropped. Not like he can just swap out a bushing and go by the chart, the measure is infinitely adjustable (within its range). So we have to weight the charge to set it, check weights to ensure your scale is reading correctly isn't a bad idea. Same for measuring tools, I check them from time to time, to ensure their accuracy.

Not completely unlike checking your zero before a match or hunt...trust but verify.
 
Last edited:
Do you check your scale by putting a volume on it, or a weight? See the difference?

Again, I know what most people think, and that's fine. It's nonsensical to check color with a hardness tester.
 
MZ5 said:
Do you check your scale by putting a volume on it, or a weight? See the difference?

Again, I know what most people think, and that's fine. It's nonsensical to check color with a hardness tester.
Click to expand...

But one does follow weight for load data. So converting volume throws into weights makes all the sense in the world, when trying to see if a volume thrower is consistent from throw to throw on weight as that is the end result one wants to be operating off of.

Will the weight be the same per volume from powder to powder? Of course not. But to gauge a powder thrower it makes sense to make sure it’s consistent with the desired measurement one is using from the load data sheet.

I’ve never seen load data that says measure out 25mm^3 of H110 or 2.1cc’s of Varget.
 
JohnMc said:
Lee load data has volumes, for the dippers and Auto Disks.
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Yeah you’re right. I don’t ever use Lee data wasn’t thinking about them. But who else uses volumes, the lion share of reloading data is by weight.

The simple fact that 90%+ of data is by weight should say something about the validity if checking a volumetric powder throws consistency with weight of each charge.
 
BreechFace said:
Yeah you’re right. I don’t ever use Lee data wasn’t thinking about them. But who else uses volumes, the lion share of reloading data is by weight.

The simple fact that 90%+ of data is by weight should say something about the validity if checking a volumetric powder throws consistency with weight of each charge.
Click to expand...
Weight is a great way to check volume; through the density relationship of weight per volume.
Seriously though, I don't even care what the volume actually is from my Hornady thrower, I set it by weighing the charges. :)
 
You don’t mention what powder you’re having problems with. Fine grain powders and flake meter better than extruded.

There is always going to be some drift in the weights. Sometimes we cause our own problems by not having a consistent handle stroke or by running too fast with progressives.

If you’re having issues w/ a ball/flake then I‘d echo the advice of tearing down and cleaning. I’m not a fan of crunching extruded in a powder drop.

I happen to own an LNL progressive. I’ve used Dillions. Both are good, accurate presses and will load both quantity and quality pistol rounds given the right powder. I load .308 and under rifle on mine, but I break the process down so that I can hand weigh powder for more consistent, accurate rounds. I also have a single stage for when I really want to tighten up.
 
mofosheee said:
can someone tell me why I shouldn't? Thanks
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I wouldn't tell you why you shouldn't because I also dislike the Dillon powder measures that I've use on a 550, three 650s, and a 750.

I will however let you know that there are other choices if you prefer the Rotor type PM as opposed to the Slider type.

The first I used was the Hornady and it's been great for what I load; handguns only, The RCBS Uniflow is the same PM as the Hornady. I'm even growing somewhat fond of the Lee Autodrum. However my favorite Rotor type PM is the current mechanical Mark 7 powder measure (they also offer a digital one). I currently have all three PM on different progressive presses.

The Mark 7 is an optimized Hornady/RCBS PM for loading on a progressive press
 
MZ5 said:
Do you check your scale by putting a volume on it, or a weight? See the difference?
Click to expand...

A weight and you check the setting of your measure by weight as well, you simply adjust the volume of powder it holds, the density of said powder determines the weight in any given volume.

The load data we use isn’t given In terms of volume, why we have to go back to weight.

With the exception of BP subs, one needs to measure them in “grains volume” of what actual BP is.

Even when I am using bushings, I still ensure they are dropping the correct weight and they are non adjustable.

8DCA9F58-95D5-4692-AC99-7C96B722EE04.jpeg

How would you set a Dillon measure to throw say. 24.5 grains of any powder, without a scale?
 
The powder I am using is HP-38. As suggested, inspected and cleaned it up.
"Do you check your scale by putting a volume on it, or a weight? See the difference?" I checked by weight with a calibrated Pact digital scale
As suggested, inspected and cleaned it up. Work good, last long time now.
Shoulda done that before creating a post.
 
mofosheee said:
The powder I am using is HP-38. As suggested, inspected and cleaned it up.
"Do you check your scale by putting a volume on it, or a weight? See the difference?" I checked by weight with a calibrated Pact digital scale
As suggested, inspected and cleaned it up. Work good, last long time now.
Shoulda done that before creating a post.
Click to expand...

I learned some things in this thread…I am glad you asked the original question.
 
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