sfort Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Is it normal for a small amount of powder to drop after the case is out of the powder die? This is happening when the case is about .5 inch below the die. I bought my press used & the powder bar shows signs of wear. I cleaned the bearing surfaces with alcohol and lubes it with dry graphite. Is it something to do with my stroke or could the powder bar be worn out? Any help is greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I don't know what you are loading but I have had that happen when I was running a pretty heavy charge in a small case. The funnel still had powder in it as it came up out of the case. The funnel could be dirty inside or could be holding a static charge maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfort Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 I've loaded both 9mm & .357. It happens with both cases and both spherical and flake powder. Sorry I didn't mention that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan550 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 (edited) Kevin's right about the heavy charge in a small case, especially if it's a rifle case. If you're reloading for rifle, you need to hesitate just a bit at the top of the ram stroke to give the powder time to drop. If you get into a set rhythm loading pistol ammo, then change over to a bottle-neck rifle, it's hard to slow down, but it has to be done. You'll be dumping a lot more powder into those cases and it just takes time. Alan~^~ ETA: I'll go along with the static charge too. If you've had the press for a while, the inside of the powder drop may be partially clogged with old powder residue. Try cleaning out the expander with soap & water, dry thoroughly, wipe it down with an old dryer sheet and try again. Edited January 9, 2010 by Alan550 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfort Posted January 9, 2010 Author Share Posted January 9, 2010 (edited) I'll try the cleaning and drier sheet first. Maybe the funnel built up static while being bagged/shipped. The funnel is new, replaced when I set up my 550B. I haven't loaded any bottleneck cases, only 9mm and .357 mag. Edited January 9, 2010 by sfort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfort Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 I just got a chance to check, and I was right. I had thought I used 2 different powder funnels for loading and I had. I don't think static is the problem. I used a seperate powder funnel for each caliber. Any ideas? Could it be something with my measure or charge bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrg Posted January 16, 2010 Share Posted January 16, 2010 I've never seen this with straight walled pistol cases. I've only used a 550 for about 9 months, so I don't have years of experience to go back on, I do reload about 300 rounds a week. What powder's are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfort Posted January 16, 2010 Author Share Posted January 16, 2010 (edited) H-110 for .357 and 700x for 9mm. using diff toolheads/powdefunnels for both Edited January 16, 2010 by sfort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfort Posted February 6, 2010 Author Share Posted February 6, 2010 The only thing being used in both setups is the powder measure and charge bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anoshoot Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Call Dillon and they have some good advice and send you what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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