Hornady Measure - Extra Spring

One of the things I do not love about the Dillon equipment I love is the powder measure. I don't like the shape and orientation of the cavity, a cylinder inline with the flow just seems better. I will admit this is probably just an emotional hunch on my part and I am sure scads of accurate testing has been done that proves I am full of crap, but I have my feelings. I also think that flaring the case with the powder measure is clunky. So I got a couple of the Hornady measures like they use on the Lock and Load:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I loaded probably 8k-10k rounds and was perfectly happy, then the thing started sticking in the up position and I ended up with a number of squibs. A little research showed this is not uncommon, and a more regular schedule of cleaning and lubrication (with something dry, like their One Shot) is required to keep this from happening (and I understand the supplied Dillon measure is specifically set up to eliminate this possibility, I know, I know...).

But the root cause is the spring setup is goofy, pulling on it sideways:
Attachment 37271
So I ordered some spacers and longer screws from McMaster and two identical springs:
Attachment 37272
I have only done another 2k with the tweak but it is essentially twice as much force pulling on it directly inline with the travel.

This obviously would be a good change for the folks actually using the Lock and Load, or any other goof balls like me using it on a Dillon. I bought packages of the screws, washers, nuts and spacers that I could karma, and can provide the part number for the springs.

I have been playing with a 223 based wildcat called the 277 Wolverine. It is somewhat like the 300 Blackout in concept but uses a 6.8 bullet instead of a 7.62 bullet.

Anyway, the Dillon powder funnel for the 6.8 SPC is close but not perfect. My solution was to buy the Lee Auto Drum measure. The Auto Drum has worked surprisingly well and throws a consistent and accurate charge even with the few extruded powders I've tried. The measure will leak a little around the drum with very fine ball powders but I think that's mostly a matter of figuring out how much to tighten the finger nut that holds the drum in place.

Possibly the best thing about the Lee is the price. The Auto Drum is cheap enough it should be possible to buy one for each tool head and just leave it dedicated to the various cartridges.

One down side is the plastic hopper. It is fairly small and holds about a half pound of powder. Not a big deal when loading handgun but half a pound doesn't last long when loading rifle. A good upgrade is the Pyrex hopper from Dramworx.

I hope you don't mind me drifting the thread. Just wanting to give an opinion on other options out there. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Tokarev

I hope you don't mind me drifting the thread. Just wanting to give an opinion on other options out there.

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Don't mind at all. I am curious about the Lee measure as well, interesting that it has been accurate.
Though it is still relying on the chain for return. The secondary advantage of the Hornady is I moved it over one station so I could put a Lee flare tool in the station the Dillon (and Lee) powder measure would require.

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Originally Posted by mmc45414

Though it is still relying on the chain for return.

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No chain required for the Auto Drum. The dispenser is case activated and has a big strong spring around the hopper mechanism. When the case is lowered the spring resets the dispenser.

There is a bit of linkage that keeps the measure from fully resetting fully but the linkage can be removed so that the Auto Drum is completely automatic.




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https://youtu.be/ibWOwakcWx8

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I haven't had problems with mine sticking (Hornady press, not that that difference actually matters), but that still looks like a pretty good idea.

I've thought about going this route a zillion times. There are definite advantages and the Hornady measure is the one thing I miss from when I was loading on a LNL AP (yes, I made that mistake thinking I would get 5 station 650 performance for 550 money).

If you aren't already doing it, just buy a metering insert for each caliber. The quick change makes it easy to just pop in a preset insert and you can keep then stored in your die boxes for each caliber. They are cheap enough that you won't break the bank doing this.

Moving the PM to station 3 would let me expand with a Lyman M die in #2 but I haven't jumped off and done this yet because I keep thinking I'll add a Mr. Bullet feeder.

This mod looks good. Though I never had an issue on my LNL AP it looks worth doing.

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Originally Posted by Spartan1980

I've thought about going this route a zillion times. There are definite advantages
If you aren't already doing it, just buy a metering insert for each caliber.

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So far I have been splurging and getting a Hornady measure for 9mm, 223 and 300BO. I still have a handful of Dillon measures and may or may not replace them for my lower volume cartridges. Of course, my aspiration here is someday my lower volume cartridges become higher volume...

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Originally Posted by Spartan1980

Moving the PM to station 3 would let me expand with a Lyman M die in #2

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Yes, I have been using the Lee expander for 9mm. On rifle you don't have that issue.

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Originally Posted by Spartan1980

I haven't jumped off and done this yet because I keep thinking I'll add a Mr. Bullet feeder.

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Yeah, I wonder about that myself, and then I get realistic about my current actual volume.

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Originally Posted by Spartan1980

This mod looks good. Though I never had an issue on my LNL AP it looks worth doing.

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If I had been a little more conscientious about cleaning and lubricating it as recommended I woulda never had a problem. But once I did it forced me to take a closer look and am much more confident in this setup, it is (maybe more than) twice as much force, all on the same axis.

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Originally Posted by mmc45414

....all on the same axis.

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That right there is the key I think.

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Originally Posted by Spartan1980

That right there is the key I think.

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I experimented initially with just a little piece of shock cord tied to the metering insert and that worked great, but nothing I would be as confident. It would probably work fine with most powders with NO springs, maybe if it was a little heavier.

Midsouth has a kit with a case activated powder drop, powder measure and powder hopper with a pistol rotor for ~$135.

I've been saving up for this. I ran it by some LNL guys and they echo'd the deal, ease of buying from one seller. I looked and couldn't beat it even on eBay.

I have not had an issue with my LNL powder drop unit hanging up.
Just saying...

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Originally Posted by xdmikey

Midsouth has a kit with a case activated powder drop, powder measure and powder hopper with a pistol rotor for ~$135.

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That is a good deal with an included pistol rotor!


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Originally Posted by xdmikey

I have not had an issue with my LNL powder drop unit hanging up.
Just saying...

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I didn't until I did.

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Originally Posted by Spartan1980

I've thought about going this route a zillion times. There are definite advantages and the Hornady measure is the one thing I miss from when I was loading on a LNL AP (yes, I made that mistake thinking I would get 5 station 650 performance for 550 money).


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So what was the problems you had with the LNL?

I'm giving it a hard look right now or go with the Dillon 750. I have the lee breech lock pro and I'm not impressed with the priming to day the least.


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Originally Posted by Whirlwind06

So what was the problems you had with the LNL?

I'm giving it a hard look right now or go with the Dillon 750. I have the lee breech lock pro and I'm not impressed with the priming to day the least.


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Stop looking and go Dillon.

My LNL AP wouldn't seat large primers and really struggled with small. I tried every hack there was to find on the internet and Hornady sent me a new parts which actually made it worse. There was really nothing defective, it was just not a good manufacturing design. The priming punch interfaced with a rough cast surface on the housing that had a casting draft angle and wasn't flat so it deflected but that was pretty minor. The real problem was the ram and linkage is so big and the links so damn wide that the whole thing recoiled around the axis of the ram when seating a primer. The handle is far enough off the centerline that it has too much leverage and just twists everything around that axis instead of applying enough force to the primer punch.

Another thing was the case feeder was nothing short of a dumpster fire. It was made out of thin kydex like material and was really cheap and flimsy, but I think this has been fixed. The newer versions are much heavier and look a lot like a Dillon. They also made the case funnel flat across the front instead of conical like Dillons. The damn thing rained more brass down on my head than it got into the feed tube because of clogging. Also the case insertion assembly had no "neutral". Meaning that once you had it going there was no way to turn it off without removing a piece of it which blew one its adjustments and had to be readjusted. Very disappointing.

Overall the build quality was drastically better on the Dillon in every respect. I'll give Hornady customer service credit though, they did try but I wasn't going to pack it up and send it back for repair which was the only next step. It wasn't broken or worn, it had less than 2000 rounds loaded on it. I sold it with full disclosure. Also Hornady's customer service phone message is hilarious. Everyone should call it!

Thanks for the reply.

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Originally Posted by Spartan1980

Stop looking and go Dillon.

My LNL AP wouldn't seat large primers and really struggled with small. I tried every hack there was to find on the internet and Hornady sent me a new parts which actually made it worse. There was really nothing defective, it was just not a good manufacturing design. The priming punch interfaced with a rough cast surface on the housing that had a casting draft angle and wasn't flat so it deflected but that was pretty minor. The real problem was the ram and linkage is so big and the links so damn wide that the whole thing recoiled around the axis of the ram when seating a primer. The handle is far enough off the centerline that it has too much leverage and just twists everything around that axis instead of applying enough force to the primer punch.

Another thing was the case feeder was nothing short of a dumpster fire. It was made out of thin kydex like material and was really cheap and flimsy, but I think this has been fixed. The newer versions are much heavier and look a lot like a Dillon. They also made the case funnel flat across the front instead of conical like Dillons. The damn thing rained more brass down on my head than it got into the feed tube because of clogging. Also the case insertion assembly had no "neutral". Meaning that once you had it going there was no way to turn it off without removing a piece of it which blew one its adjustments and had to be readjusted. Very disappointing.

Overall the build quality was drastically better on the Dillon in every respect. I'll give Hornady customer service credit though, they did try but I wasn't going to pack it up and send it back for repair which was the only next step. It wasn't broken or worn, it had less than 2000 rounds loaded on it. I sold it with full disclosure. Also Hornady's customer service phone message is hilarious. Everyone should call it!

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I walked away from Hornady LNL AP as well - the ammo wasn't consistent in OAL as my old Lee products were, and nowhere near as consistent as a Dillon 650 or 1050 would make them. The walking point for me though was part availability. The press ran damn smooth with the plate indexing 1/2 way with the ram going up and down, but that was also another failure point. I never had reliability issues with the press running, but the end product wasn't what I had hoped for and customer support was horrible. I do like their seating dies quite a bit, and the micrometer add-on makes them super simple to work with as well.

I wanted to make a brass feeder, and I wasn't inspired by the home brew parts for the press/brass feeding part of things. Hornady refused to sell those parts, with a blatant offer to purchase, and with the sob story of a .mil guy who lost some shit in a PCS move (kinda true).

Dillon will sell you anything you want, and if you don't know the p/n they'll find it for you. They were wonderful to work with over the phone, and their warranty program really is no bullshit (except for commercial loading products like the 1050, which is understandable to me).

@jeep45238, Dillon even told me the grade and heat treat condition of their powder funnels. I called to ask if the heat from having them PVD coated would mess with them. No problem he said, then he got up from his desk and went to the manufacturing dept. to find out. They are hardened tool steel at about 58 rockwell, so pretty close to a file. No issues with having them coated.