Do you weigh every charge?

[Jason]

I'm building my shopping list for a Dillon 550B setup and wondering what I need and what I don't. I have an RCBS Chargemaster powder dispenser/scale combo and usually weigh every single charge for my loads. When using my RCBS Rockchucker single-stage press, the next powder charge is usually ready within one or two seconds of when I'm ready for it. With a 550B with strongmount and trays, this will not be the case. That brings me to the question in the subject of the post. How many of you go to the effort and expense of building a custom highpower silhouette rifle and don't weigh your charges? How consistent/accurate is that Dillon powder measure that comes on a full 550B setup?

[chuck d]

I have not shot HI Power Silhouette yet, but many years of NRA HiPower. Started weighing every charge, for 600. The more I shot and talked to those who shot well, did not seem to make a big difference. In tubbs book, he has a set up for weighing every charge that is efficient. People I talked to say 600, no real need, 1000 yards, yes. I shot my average (Master) with all ammo rolled on a dillion and had a lot of extra time to make ammo for practice.
Now if weighing them makes your brain work better (ie confidience) different store. I know a couple years the Palma team has shot ammo made on dillions. That alone works for me.
chuck

[Bob259]

Jason, Curently I load my rifle cartridges with a Redding T7 and use the RCBS Chargemaster weighing each powder charge as you do. But I have a spare Dillon 550 that I'm thinking of setting that up for my rifle as well. I also asked this question and Tony T. (Loneringer) uses a progressive with the powder station set up with a conventional powder thrower, like the Redding BR30, with the adapter Dillon has for that, which I have ordered. There also was a post about the Dillon powder powder measure and some modifications that made it better, not sure where I saw that one. But there are a lot of the folks using the Dillon without any issues, as long as you check each case and check some powder drops with your scale.

As Chuck D pointed out the opinion is in paper punching a 1/10th of a grain may be critical, but for Silhouette I've been told it is not that critical. YMMV

[lone ringer]

The Dillon powder measure for the most part works fine, you can shoot rifle silhouette and get sub minute of angle results with the right powders.
I had some problems from time with the Dillon powder measure when the linkage would come off its place and if I was not careful and caught the problem I would end up with some cartridges with no powder in them which is no fun specially at an important match. After it happened to me a few times I ended up not trusting the Dillon and went to a Dillon powder measure adapter with a Redding BR30 and have been doing that for many years now.
Jason it is possible for you to come up with a powder adapter for the Dillon and with a small funnel use the set up you already have single charge your loads.
Another thing I want to mention is that I've had my Dillon 550B for more than 30 years and it is possible that in that time Dillon may have improved their product and there may not be a need to do what I did. Dillon tend to listen to their customers problems and offer solutions. I never called to tell them I had problems with the powder measure but I did call them to tell them about some problems I had with the small primers feeding correctly. They told me what to do to fix the problem and sent me spare parts free of charge. I fully recommend Dillon products.

[Toms]

I have used a dillon 550 press for several years. I loaded my 260 ammo with the dillon thrower and had very good luck with it. I made Master class with hunter rifle and tied the hunter long run pig record of 28 with ammo loaded with the dillon. I used h414 powder to load with. Found one load for both 120's and 139 Lapua's that both shot well. I only changed the seating depth. It worked for me. i felt the extra time was better spent praticing instead of sitting at the loading bench.
Wish you all happy hollidays and have a grate 2012 shooting season.
Tom Spriggs.

[Bob Mc Alice]

I do not weigh every charge. I set my Lyman 55 to the desired weight and throw right to the case. I spot check every two dozen or so, depending on the powder, with the scale but that measure throws plus or minus a half grain or better consistently. It throws Varget spot on every time. I have been known to throw all 100 at times without checking periodically. Keep the slide screws tight and it delivers all the weight accuracy needed for this game. The 55 is a real good measure.

[bwilliams]

I also use a dillon 550, however yes i weigh every charge. The dillon thrower works very well, and if powder reseviour is kept above the 1/2 point seams to be consistant. i throw my powder into a case and dump in tray for trickling. seems to work for me and fairly quick.
brett