I've been using Dillon equipment for some time now. My main press is an XL650. I have 2 powder measures for it and several powder charge bars. I load 7 calibers now and plan on increasing that to 9 very soon. I love the press, the service and the company with one exception. Mike absolutely refuses to make a micrometer adjustment attachment for his powder measure. The lack of which, makes repeatable powder drops the biggest chore in setting up the press. I've grown to hate changing calibers due to the long drawn out process of "finding" the proper setting to drop the desired powder weight.

Coltshooter,

www.mrdial.com

They apparently have noticed the same problem as you (and me)and are making at least a partial solution.

Great another $25 I "need" to spend Or is that $50 since I have two measures.

Thanks for the heads up on this product.:Thumbs up:

[ 11-19-2003, 22:44: Message edited by: Dave In LB ]

Most, if not all the other major companies make easily repeatable micrometer type adjustments on their powder measures. This really ticks me off.

Most, if not all the other major companies make easily repeatable micrometer type adjustments on their powder measures. This really ticks me off. Does anyone know of a machine shop willing to make the parts neccessary to convert a Dillon measure so easily repeatable measurements are possible?

P.S. The approval delay and the "flood protection" really suck cheese on this board.

Coltshooter,

Here is the answer to your dilemma - an upgrade that Dillon should incorporate in all of their powder measures. I have 4 of the upgrade kits on Dillon powder measures for my 550 & 1050 presses and along with some judicious polishing of the internal surfaces of Dillon's powder measure using #0000 steel wool, make a night-to-day difference.

MRDial Powder Measure Adjustment System for Dillon Powder Measures

I've got one of the MRDial products on my 650. Dont even hesitate to get one. It works and it'll save a little on your sanity trying to get the powder measure set right.

OK this is a step in the right direction. But, it looks to me as though you still will have to weigh the charge repeatedly until you get it to within 1, 360 revol;ution of the target weight and then you can use the dial. Unlike a micrometer, you only have the axial graduations to work with. For instance, a setting of "4" sould be as much as 2 grains or more off. You might have to turn it a complete revolution or more than 1 to "4 again" to get where you were before.

am I wrong about this or what? I figured I'd get a reply or two.

Coltshooter,

If you are looking for a RCBS or Redding style powder measure adjustment system for the Dillon you are in for a long wait. If I remember correctly a micrometer uses 40 threads per inch and the Dillon is no where near this. Besides the designs are totally different. A micrometer knob moves in or out depending on direction turned and the Dillon design has the knob stationary. Aside from the options already mentioned you're stuck with the bolt head.

Option two is to not use the Dillon measure and substitute a Redding, Horady or RCBS in its place and manually operate it.

Good Hunting,

[ 11-21-2003, 21:33: Message edited by: Byron ]

Are any of the other measures suitable for use with a dillon toolhead? They would have to use a standard die base and be case actuated of course.

Coltshooter,

the short answer is yes. The Redding and RCBS BR Powder measures will work in the Dillon press. You may need to do your case mouth expanding in a differents step however and you will have to throw the charge yourself rather than having it done automatically. Just adds a few extra steps.

I am curious about this Mr. Dial product, but is it repeatable? Are the marking only good for referencing +/- charge weights? Does look like a nice product though.

I guess I dont know what you mean by repeatable. You'll have to turn it to increase or decrease your powder charge, weighing the thrown charge until you get it set where you want it. What it does is take out the "slop" that is found when trying to adjust the original bolt supplied with the Dillon with a wrench, thus making very small powder increases or decreases easier to achieve, and the markings take away the guesswork of which way to turn the wrench to increase or decrease the charge. If you mean can you dial in a number for a given caliber and write it down in a reload book so that you can easily return to that measurement at a later date then no, its not set up to work that way. You'll have to turn the dial and weigh the charge for each caliber each time you change the set up. Thats the way I do it, anyway.

Thanks Hold'em that was the perfect answer to my question.