Author Topic: Dillon press users - how do you swap powders in your powder measure hopper?  (Read 1464 times)

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Offline Dan_69GTX

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Considering at adding another press to my collection (of 1 currently).

I currently have a Hornady LNL.

For those with Dillon presses, how do you drain/remove powder from your powder hopper to load with a different powder?   Looks like the powder dispenser is screwed into the tool head.  For the LNL, since it uses their quick change bushing, it is easy to just unscrew and dump.

Thanks!
Some trust in chassis, Some in Horsepower, But we trust in the Lord our God.

If it goes "boom" or "vroom" I'm intersted.

Offline rckendall

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Dan,
I can only speak about the 550/650 powder measures as that is the only ones I have used. Also, I don't know the correct terminology so I will just wing it and hope you can look at the Dillon photos and see what I am trying to tell you?

The main body of the powder measure is held in place by 2 allen head screws, and that allows pretty much the whole mess to come off. Then just pour out the powder and actuate the mechanism a few times to make sure all the powder is out, then reinstall and fill it up. I left out the fail-safe system, but it is easy to figure out. Also if you are changing calibers, the funnel will need to be changed and this method gives access to it.

If I failed to get you steered correctly and nobody else chimes in, let me know and I will try again.

Richard

Offline 2morechains

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On the 550 I remove the tool head from the press and pour the powder out.  Replace tool head and run a couple pieces of brass thru the press to get the last of the powder out. 

Offline Wobbly

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We "remove and dump" with the Dillon too. There are 3 ways I know of....

• As per Mr 2morechains, some people leave the PM permanently mounted to the Tool Head with all the dies. The tool head is held in place by 2, slip-in, locating pins. When you yank those out, the entire tool head with dies and PM will slide right out of a 550/ 650/ 750.

• As per Mr rckendall, some people use a ball-end Allen (hex) wrench to loosen the two 10-24 socket head cap screws. Then the entire PM will slip off the top of the Powder Die (which is a permanent part of the die set and Tool Head). This is quick and easy because the screws don't need to be really tight, they only need to be run down and snugged. (That is, I insert the long end of the hex key into the screw heads and loosen/tighten with the short end. So we're talking about a torque value of ~1/2 ft-lb ?)

People who share a single PM between many die sets do it this way since the PM has to be removed from the existing tool head to be placed on the next tool head anyway. So it's simply best to do this in-the-press, since the press is "holding" the tool head while you turn the 2 screws.

• The third method is something I saw on this forum first, and is really a short-cut to the second method. It entails buying an accessory from Entirely Crimson that replaces the Dillon PM "keeper" with a spring-loaded and finger-actuated part. You can see the silver part in this photo. They are now offered in more colors...



You simply tug on the finger pull, and the PM is free to slide up and off the Powder Die. These are offered by several 3D printer guys on Ebay and elsewhere for less than the $26 EC wants. Removal time is reduced to about 2 seconds with this item.


Hope this helps.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2020, 04:05:37 PM by Wobbly »
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Offline Dan_69GTX

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Thanks to all for the quick answers. 

I don't know anyone locally that has a Dillon and only looked at one "in person" a few years ago so I appreciate it.

Some trust in chassis, Some in Horsepower, But we trust in the Lord our God.

If it goes "boom" or "vroom" I'm intersted.

Offline Earl Keese

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Cant say I've use this, but it looks handy. . .
http://uniquetek.com/product/T1347