Dillon 550b Powder Measure

[MrWolf]

I was having an issue with my powder varying by .5 a grain or more when I was reloading 223 with Reloader 15. Decided to polish the inside base and installed the powder baffel and micrometer from Unique-Tek. Put it all together and ran a few to settle the powder. I started at a load of 24.76 of Reloader 15 which is extruded powder so not as easy to get a consistent load. Recorded ten test cases to see if there was an improvement. Four of the ten were dead on at 24.76. Three had a variation of +.12 of a grain. The other three variations were .08, .04, and -.10 of a grain. I think my efforts were well worth it as I am happy with the results. YMMV

[Love Life]

I did the same thing for mine. I was having issues with Benchmark and IMR4895. Polishing and adding a baffle are well worth the time and money.

[Bishop]

I just recieved my First Dilion 550B today. What and where did you guys polish?
Thanks,

[MrWolf]

I would first try your unit with whatever powder you use and see if your results are acceptable. If not, I would remove the plastic powder hopper and buff the metal parts everywhere that the powder flows through. Check the web for how folks have done it. I used a dremel like tool and also did my powder bar. I purchased a powder baffel which was harder to get in than you would think and a micometer, both from Unique-Tek. As stated, I am very happy with my results as the 1/2 grain variance was not acceptable. If you do purchase the baffle or micrometer, do some research as others are offered besides what I purchased, but I am happy with mine. Also don't forget to look for coupon codes. Good luck.
Wolf

[fredj338]

IT needs very little polishing, 600gr paper & just start in on all the interior surfaces. GO easy on the charge bar, you do NOT want to increase tolerances, you'll get powder leaks w/ finer powders. The other issue is adjust the powder retuen rod to be snug w/ little to no play. This pulls the slide back into place the same each time. Still, I can't get stick powders much better than 0.2gr so go spherical for loads done on the 550.

[r1kk1]

IT needs very little polishing, 600gr paper & just start in on all the interior surfaces. GO easy on the charge bar, you do NOT want to increase tolerances, you'll get powder leaks w/ finer powders. The other issue is adjust the powder retuen rod to be snug w/ little to no play. This pulls the slide back into place the same each time. Still, I can't get stick powders much better than 0.2gr so go spherical for loads done on the 550.

This is why I use a Quick Measure on mine. It works very well.

Take care

r1kk1

[grampa243]

i have never found a powder that is more then .15 +/- off in my 550b
i must have got a good one form the get go.

[MtGun44]

What is the ID of the 550 measure reservoir?

Bill

[ffries61]

What is the ID of the 550 measure reservoir?

Bill

I checked 2 of mine, just under 2 3/8", 2.368" - 2.372" to be exact.

Fred

[MtGun44]

Thank you!

Bill

[HATCH]

check out this link -> http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=154783
It shows pictures on what to polish. Before and after pictures.

I used Flitz metal polish and had mine mirror bright in under 5 mins using just a towel and the flitz.