"best" powder for .357 Mag 125 Gr in DILLON meters.

wogpotter · June 5, 2014, 03:51 PM

Seriously, whats a good powder for the 357 125 gr that will behave well in a Dillon-type sliding powder meter

I just did the RL550 upgrade & I have to admit I'm unimpressed with the repeatability of the charges dropped by the meter with Accurate #9 & H 110.

I usually load a mid-range charge of 13.6 gr of AA #9, or 19 gr of H110, but when I ran a small test batch with a theoretical load of middle density I got 2 loads out of 10 that were definite overloads!

I dumped 15 test lots before reloading, averaged 3 weights for the charge adjustment & did al the usual good manufacturing practices stuff, but I admit I'm concerned that I can get charges this off.

NoSecondBest · June 5, 2014, 04:01 PM

You'd better call Dillon and ask them what you're doing wrong. I have two Dillons and they both drop a charge within .1 grains every time. I use a lot of 296 (same as 110) and have zero problems. I've loaded several hundred thousand rounds on my Dillons over the last twenty (?) years or so. No problems what-so-ever. NONE. Seriously, call Dillon. They can, and will, help you out.

WESHOOT2 · June 5, 2014, 04:46 PM

I have one Dillon measure (XL650) dedicated to AA9, and one to H110.

Not sure what your intended 'goal' is for that 125g, but I might suggest N350 and N110. Both have slightly larger grains than either talc-AA9 or wee-ball-H10.
Both are sufficient for actual defense ammo.

Alternatives include:
-Power Pistol
-HS6
-Universal
-2400

BigJimP · June 6, 2014, 06:37 PM

Powder drop variations like that .... are an indication you did something wrong on the setup --- or maybe there is something loose on the powder measure --- or you have a static elec problem in the powder hopper ( if any powder particles are sticking to the inside of the measure - its a static problem) ---- or your procedures in terms of how you are cycling the handle or not correct....
---------
Dillon 650 ....all the powders I've tried are plus or minus 0.1 grain...
---------
In .357 Mag....I like Hodgdon TiteGroup or Hodgdon Universal are my primary powders....( Longshot is a little too hot for my taste )...and H110 is an option but it calls for a lot of powder...so I've never tested it.

Another option is Unique...its similar to Hodgdon Universal...

Gunnels · June 6, 2014, 06:52 PM

I was having problems with inconsistent powder dispensing. I wasn't using the same measure or powder that you are using. In fact I was using a Lee Powder measure with Unique. I read on one of the forums that using a baffle would help. I tried it and now I get much more consistent powder measures. The best $7 I have spent. The baffle I used was one made by Hornady and I got it from MidwayUSA.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/171...ure?cm_vc=S014

iraiam · June 6, 2014, 07:49 PM

I meter H110 accurately all day long on a Dillon slide measure, in fact I can meter it so closely that I can weigh out 10 charges and expect it to be pretty darn close.

14 grains X 10 = 140 grains, I always do this as one of the final steps in my setup.

I got tired of changing powder measure setups so I started buying the Dillon powder measure for all my caliber setups and just leave it there. The one I measure H110 in is a pretty new powder measure, but I don't recall any problems with the old one I used for everything either.

June 5, 2014, 03:51 PM	#1
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	"best" powder for .357 Mag 125 Gr in DILLON meters. Seriously, whats a good powder for the 357 125 gr that will behave well in a Dillon-type sliding powder meter I just did the RL550 upgrade & I have to admit I'm unimpressed with the repeatability of the charges dropped by the meter with Accurate #9 & H 110. I usually load a mid-range charge of 13.6 gr of AA #9, or 19 gr of H110, but when I ran a small test batch with a theoretical load of middle density I got 2 loads out of 10 that were definite overloads! I dumped 15 test lots before reloading, averaged 3 weights for the charge adjustment & did al the usual good manufacturing practices stuff, but I admit I'm concerned that I can get charges this off. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

June 5, 2014, 04:46 PM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	so I mebbe kinda understand I have one Dillon measure (XL650) dedicated to AA9, and one to H110. Not sure what your intended 'goal' is for that 125g, but I might suggest N350 and N110. Both have slightly larger grains than either talc-AA9 or wee-ball-H10. Both are sufficient for actual defense ammo. Alternatives include: -Power Pistol -HS6 -Universal -2400 __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 6, 2014, 06:52 PM	#5
Gunnels Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 76	I was having problems with inconsistent powder dispensing. I wasn't using the same measure or powder that you are using. In fact I was using a Lee Powder measure with Unique. I read on one of the forums that using a baffle would help. I tried it and now I get much more consistent powder measures. The best $7 I have spent. The baffle I used was one made by Hornady and I got it from MidwayUSA. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/171...ure?cm_vc=S014 __________________ Beretta Model 84BB Cheetah Beretta Model BU9 Nano Beretta Model 92FS Beretta Cougar 8045F, 8040D, and 8000D

June 6, 2014, 07:49 PM	#6
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	I meter H110 accurately all day long on a Dillon slide measure, in fact I can meter it so closely that I can weigh out 10 charges and expect it to be pretty darn close. 14 grains X 10 = 140 grains, I always do this as one of the final steps in my setup. I got tired of changing powder measure setups so I started buying the Dillon powder measure for all my caliber setups and just leave it there. The one I measure H110 in is a pretty new powder measure, but I don't recall any problems with the old one I used for everything either. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

June 5, 2014, 04:01 PM	#2
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	You'd better call Dillon and ask them what you're doing wrong. I have two Dillons and they both drop a charge within .1 grains every time. I use a lot of 296 (same as 110) and have zero problems. I've loaded several hundred thousand rounds on my Dillons over the last twenty (?) years or so. No problems what-so-ever. NONE. Seriously, call Dillon. They can, and will, help you out.

June 6, 2014, 06:37 PM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Powder drop variations like that .... are an indication you did something wrong on the setup --- or maybe there is something loose on the powder measure --- or you have a static elec problem in the powder hopper ( if any powder particles are sticking to the inside of the measure - its a static problem) ---- or your procedures in terms of how you are cycling the handle or not correct.... --------- Dillon 650 ....all the powders I've tried are plus or minus 0.1 grain... --------- In .357 Mag....I like Hodgdon TiteGroup or Hodgdon Universal are my primary powders....( Longshot is a little too hot for my taste )...and H110 is an option but it calls for a lot of powder...so I've never tested it. Another option is Unique...its similar to Hodgdon Universal...