Powder Check

By izthebye
Published on: 2012-01-20 at 4:13 PM

Replies: 0

I am loading .223 on my XL-650. These are my first attempts with a rifle round. I have been loading pistol rounds (.45 and 9mm) for several years.

First Problem: My powder check rod occasionally will not enter the case. The diameter of the rod is pretty close to the diameter of the case mouth and I have checked it for straightness, etc. This happens for about 30% of my loads. Should I try reducing the diameter of the rod by polishing?

2nd problem: When the shellplate rotates, it is a little snappy and spills powder when moving from stations 2 & 3. I am careful to work the lever at a slow, steady rate and have to put a finger on the shellplate to slow it down.

Thanks for any suggestions anyone can offer!

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Posted by: cobbcj

Posted on: 2012-01-21 at 04:47:32 AM

Your abrupt, powder-spilling indexingis likelythe result of theShellplate 'jumping' into its final position because the spring loaded Index Ball is pushing it intothe final position rather than the Indexer Pawl driving it there.

The Indexer Block can be adjusted fore and aft. It drives the Ring Indexer which houses the Indexer Pawl. You could try loosening the two bolts on the Indexer Block and adjust it fore or aft until the Indexer Pawl drives the Shellplate exactly into its final position.

Theoretically, the jump and resulting spilled powder should disappear. I'm not sure why Dillon ships XL650s adjusted to jump the shellplate like that, but there's a mess of smart guys over there so there must be a reason. I just got a 650 last week and it does the same thing, so I'll probably put the above theory into practice myself. However, I'l LOVE to hear what the Dillon guys have to say about this one ...