Dillon 650 loading question

so, I find myself loading several types of 45 acp rounds.  A few with th same type of bullet but different powder charges.  I’m finding it a pain in the butt to keep dialing in the right charge on the one charge bar I have for pistol.

Does anyone use different charge bars for different loads?  Or just different powder measures for each load?  Would like to find the least expensive route to take.  It’s painful once you have a load dialed in and then have to change the setting on the charge bar for a different load.

I use the Lee auto disc measures on my 550 and Lee turret.

Have several discs marked for powder type and grs.

I use different measures. I have several set up with different powders. I have different seating dies set up for FMJ, JHP, and LSWC.  I can make changes for numerous combinations pretty quickly. 

Time is my most precious asset, and I try to optimize.

You can go with differing charge bars.  Or swap out the Dillon measure for a Hornady or RCBS.  Hornady and RCBS both sell spare adjustable cylinders so you can easily swap them out.  Either are a better measure than the Dillon.

I like that seating die idea as well..great post and thank you.  I assume you just use a lock ring on each die?  I have a few rifle powder measures I could convert to pistol I guess.

Wobbley wrote:You can go with differing charge bars.  Or swap out the Dillon measure for a Hornady or RCBS.  Hornady and RCBS both sell spare adjustable cylinders so you can easily swap them out.  Either are a better measure than the Dillon.

Ok, I thought that as well.  Was thinking the Hornady and just get different cylinders.  Cost seems about the same.  I would also have to get the case activated set up and a new powder funnel to expand correctly. I use the mr bullet powder thru expander and I love it

Don’t you have to get a Dillon adaptor to use others?

I have different toolheads setup for each caliber on my 650 and different powder measures dedicated to different powders. Each bar has a uniquetek micrometer. 45 is on a dedicated 1050 with Redding pro dies. If I need to change for a different profile or powder I just change the powder measure and turn the micrometer on the seater die.

lablover, when you say 'different powder charges', do you mean same powder but different charge weights?  If so, try the UniqueTek powder bar micrometer, as shown below.  Find the correct setting for your different charges and record the number on the micrometer so you can return to it when needed.
http://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1231

If you mean different powder, I do what (I think) Dewey Hales does by swapping out the tool head.  This means duplicating the reloading dies, but as Dewey says, time is precious and dies are a onetime cost.

lablover wrote:

Wobbley wrote:You can go with differing charge bars.  Or swap out the Dillon measure for a Hornady or RCBS.  Hornady and RCBS both sell spare adjustable cylinders so you can easily swap them out.  Either are a better measure than the Dillon.

Ok, I thought that as well.  Was thinking the Hornady and just get different cylinders.  Cost seems about the same.  I would also have to get the case activated set up and a new powder funnel to expand correctly. I use the mr bullet powder thru expander and I love it

Don’t you have to get a Dillon adaptor to use others?

The case activation system is threaded 7/8-14 same as any die set.  The Hornady system and the RCBS system have expansion capability and do not create the “trumpet flare” of the Dillon measure.  Both of these systems use external springs to return them to battery.  And the expansion adjustment does not require screwing in or out the “die body” at least for the final settings.

Edit:  PhotoEscape also makes expander setups for the Hornady and perhaps the RCBS systems as well.

I subscribe to the notion of DeweyHales, that time is the most valuable asset.  I have two complete toolheads for my XL650s, - one for loading with Bullseye powder, second for everything else.  I use my own powder adjusting bolts, that make dialing charges easy, - I will try adding pictures.

In your case, the least expensive solution would be just setup different powder bars on same toolhead.  Replacing bars is quite easy and fast........ as long as you don't drop a little white square insert, that drives powder bar.  It takes much longer to drain powder from the hoper.

Yes, some different powders but same bullet.  However some same bullet but also same powder but different charge.  I like those screw adjusters in the pics, very nice. I don’t mind dumping powder if need be, takes a tiny bit of extra time.  Yes, toolhead with a new set of dies for each load combo would be nice and after doing inventory might be the best option.  Still interested in ideas.  I like where this is going

Hope I don’t end up with another new press after all is said and done.  For pistol right now I load 45,9mm, 380. The wife loves to shoot and she shoots tons of Ammo...oh darn

joy2shoot wrote:lablover, when you say 'different powder charges', do you mean same powder but different charge weights?  If so, try the UniqueTek powder bar micrometer, as shown below.  Find the correct setting for your different charges and record the number on the micrometer so you can return to it when needed.
http://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1231

If you mean different powder, I do what (I think) Dewey Hales does by swapping out the tool head.  This means duplicating the reloading dies, but as Dewey says, time is precious and dies are a onetime cost.

Going to check this out, thanks a million.

One more item from my portfolio might be beneficial as well - my PTU (powder transfer unit), or in simple terms replacement funnels for Dillon (I have them for Hornady LNL as well).  They have expander step, and don't require flaring cases to Liberty Bell size.  Several of forum users purchased them from me or f
rom Uniquetek or from Mr. Bulletfeeder.

PhotoEscape wrote:One more item from my portfolio might be beneficial as well - my PTU (powder transfer unit), or in simple terms replacement funnels for Dillon (I have them for Hornady LNL as well).  They have expander step, and don't require flaring cases to Liberty Bell size.  Several of forum users purchased them from me or f
rom Uniquetek or from Mr. Bulletfeeder.

So then one can be had for the Hornady...hmmmmmmm.  I may be sending you a pm in the near future once I decide what the heck I’m going to do

Lablover, Where did you get such wife???? 
My wife gifts me two joint trips to the range a year - one for birthday, and second for our anniversary (today happen to be our 42nd!!)
AP

PhotoEscape wrote:Lablover, Where did you get such wife???? 
My wife gifts me two joint trips to the range a year - one for birthday, and second for our anniversary (today happen to be our 42nd!!)
AP

Lol, introduced her to shooting a few years after we got married.now she’s addicted, and that was 25 years ago.

I use the Hornady LNL AP press, have 2 of them. You can buy $10 powder stems that are tool-less to swap, that along with the quick bushings that allow me to change the seat die in seconds allows me to change my load in under a minute. I do stay with WST so I don't have to change powder or use multiple hoppers.

zanemoseley wrote:I use the Hornady LNL AP press, have 2 of them. You can buy $10 powder stems that are tool-less to swap, that along with the quick bushings that allow me to change the seat die in seconds allows me to change my load in under a minute. I do stay with WST so I don't have to change powder or use multiple hoppers.

Yea, had the opportunity a while back to g t one and passed.might of been a bad move.  Maybe set up the Dillon for LPP and the lnl for SPP.

I like the idea of saving time so I have different tool heads set up for all my different calibers.  (5 or 6 in all) For .45, I load three different bullet types with three different powder charges.  I use two different tool heads so one is set up for jhp with bullseye powder (HB), the other is set up for wad cutter loads with bullseye and clays.  The seating die uses a stem that my friend Steve made so it seats on the shoulder and I change powder measures for this one.  I haven't adjusted a powder measure or a set of dies in years.  While it could be pretty expensive I added most of these things over time, mostly as birthday and Christmas presents so the cost doesn't hurt that much.  Good luck.
John

I use the armanov clickable dial ($27). You can get dialed in pretty fast when swithcing between powders.

https://www.amazon.com/ARMANOV-Clickable-Precision-Adjustment-Assembly/dp/B077J5DVRP/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536325497&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=armanov+clickable+dial

Another suggestion is for $22 you can get a powder hopper quick disconnect. This would mean needing separate hoppers though for things you want to keep pre-set

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Quick-Disconnect-for-Dillon-Powder-Measure-/132757019701?oid=253626374794

Many thanks for that info, PhillySoldier, interesting & quality looking products. I foresee the adjustable click powder measure sometime in the near future.

PhillySoldier wrote:I use the armanov clickable dial ($27). You can get dialed in pretty fast when swithcing between powders.

https://www.amazon.com/ARMANOV-Clickable-Precision-Adjustment-Assembly/dp/B077J5DVRP/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536325497&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=armanov+clickable+dial

Another suggestion is for $22 you can get a powder hopper quick disconnect. This would mean needing separate hoppers though for things you want to keep pre-set

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Quick-Disconnect-for-Dillon-Powder-Measure-/132757019701?oid=253626374794

Thanks for the links.

I must disclaim myself regarding this post.  It is not about shutting down competitor, but rather questioning accuracy of the "precision" in definition of the product.  Armanov Adjuster uses original Wilson adjuster bolt, and ads press on head gizmo.  Gizmo itself is very good engineering design.  However using OEM adjuster negates benefits.  Underlying reason is that OEM bolts don't have full tread, and there is a huge backlash in bolt-powder insert tread linkage.  You can check this very easily by taking powder bar in your hand, and moving insert against bolt in horizontal axle.  Backlash you notice is sufficient to generate .2 grains of powder charge variation (+/- .1)!! This issue was highlighted in multiple reviews left by users who bought my adjusters, - https://www.ebay.com/itm/283130389094#rwid
AP