Which Powder Bar To Use-RL550B

[alamogunr]

I'm slowly getting familiar with the 550B that I obtained used. I only reload handgun cartridges on it and low to medium loads only. The manual says: "Rule of Thumb: Use the large bar whenever possible". My loads are always under 20 grains, which is what the manual says is upper end for small bar.

I really haven't had any problem leaving the large bar installed but can't help feeling that the small bar would be more appropriate. Advice?

[hunter74]

Use the small bar. I use mine up to 15 gr. The large one above that. Works grest in my case but it may vary between powders

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[David2011]

Agreed.

[alamogunr]

Thanks!

[Lloyd Smale]

I do the same but for most powders my cut off for the small bar is 12 grains.

[L Erie Caster]

I use the small bar for 17.1g of 2400 over 125g JHP in 357Mag.
I use the large bar for 20.1g of 2400 over 240g JHP in 44Mag.

[alamogunr]

I use the small bar for 17.1g of 2400 over 125g JHP in 357Mag.
I use the large bar for 20.1g of 2400 over 240g JHP in 44Mag.

That makes sense to me. The reason I asked the question, I'm getting ready to load a bunch of 9mm with 4±gr of Red Dot or Promo with the Lee 358-105. Not my load but recommended by someone on this board. I guess I was using somewhat less than common sense in reading the Dillon manual.

Based on my needs, I doubt that I will ever put the large bar back in any of my setups.

[arclight]

That makes sense to me. The reason I asked the question, I'm getting ready to load a bunch of 9mm with 4±gr of Red Dot or Promo with the Lee 358-105. Not my load but recommended by someone on this board. I guess I was using somewhat less than common sense in reading the Dillon manual.

Based on my needs, I doubt that I will ever put the large bar back in any of my setups.

Sometimes, the large charge bar can help with smaller charges of difficult to meter powders. Otherwise, the above advice applies.

[noylj]

The first thing to learn about reloading is that almost EVERY article and manual deals with RIFLE reloading. For RIFLES, the Large is usually the best option. Always look at the pictures if you don't know if they are talking rifle/bottleneck or pistol/straight-wall.

Dillon Precision manufactures four types of powder bars.
1. Extra Small – use for less than 3 grains of powder
2. Small – use for 3 to 20 grains of powder
3. Large – use for 20 to approximately 45 grains of powder
4. Magnum – use for 50 or more grains of powder
The extra small powder bar is used when loading .32 Auto, .32 S&W and .32 SWL. Both the extra small powder bar and the magnum powder bar are non-standard items and are ordered separately. The large and small powder bar are standard equipment and are included with every press.

[scattershot]

Yep, use the small bar. By the way, you will like that 4 grain Red Dot load. It sounds a bit light for that bullet, though, you may want to bump it a little if it doesn't cycle your pistol. I use 4.0 Red Dot with 124 or 147 grain bullets.