Setting up a Dillon Powder Measure for Pistol cases 

it's 2022 and this is still the best video on how to get the Dillon ready

You are the only video that explained this set up in detail.Almost all others just like to hear themselves talk but scant on info.For a novice like me,you explained it so well that it is idiot proof!!Thank you very much!!!

This is a great video on the Dillon with good demonstration of the parts you are discussing. Thanks for the lessons on setting up the Dillon powder measure.

A Dillon trick is to tighten the thumb nut that is on the end of fail safe rod until it will just let a business card pull through between two coils of the fail safe nut spring. This will ensure correct return positioning of the powder bar.

The primer in the case backwards is a good idea 💡 I’ll definitely be using that hack for my Dillon

This is a good instructional video. Red hair, black, hair, and blond hair are still units of measure.

if you want 3.2grn multiply 3.2 x 5 and weigh 5 charges at once to get a more accurate powder drop. keep weighing 5 till you reach your target (3.2 x 5) +- .1grn

This was more helpful with my problem than was the Dillon website.

Great video it really cleaned up a few rough edges. I had. Thank you.!

I just watched a great video on "press stretch" Basically, the press stretches when you size a case vs. when you don't. So, if you do your powder charge with nothing in the sizing stage, it's going to flare a little more than when you set it up. Probably not relevant to pistol rounds, but definitely on rifle, especially for precision bullet seating. Good video, man!

Well, my 550C arrived. Setting it up was no problem, with the Dillon color instructions. I really like Dillon's case activated powder measure. Today, I loaded some 115 gr Hornady hollow points and it went smoothly. When I was setting up my powder measure, I took a empty, resized, 9mm case and inserted a primer, the right way, into the case. I was loading a type of powder called Titegroup. Without the primer, that powder would spill out of the primer hole in the case. I know you can use the end of Dillon's wrench to adjust the powder measurs control, but found the a ratcheting 7/16 wrench worked even better.

Great video. I ordered my 550C from Dillon on 12/3/23 and am awaiting its arrival. I'm 72 and started reloading back in 1974. Up until now, I've used the red Hornady presses. My brother-in-law has a 550B and it reloaded, for me, much easier than my red machines - I really likes the Dillon powder measure. I'm looking forward to getting it. I'm not sure reloading saves me any money compared to buying new ammo, but reloading is very therapeutic, and fun. Plus, i can reload, things like my 44 Mag and 45-70 to a much gentler load, less recoil.

Hey thanks for the great explanation on how the powder charge is set. I just got my first press, the XL650 and that was the only part I wasn't clear on. Until now. Glad you took the time to show making the adjustments, how many times to run it, etc. and not edit out or fast forward. Nice tutorial

I found it much easier to install the dies loosely into the tool head before or after sliding the tool head into the top of the press. Also less adjustment needed by doing it this way. Then simply drop in powder funnel, attach powder measure and raise the ram with a case in for final adjustments. One more thing is to do all the final lock downs of dies with cases in all stages of shell plate and ram raised which provides best alignment fore consistency and helps with concentricity.

Thank you for an awesome demonstration of how to setup the powder measure. I was having trouble getting this station to setup but with your explanation I think I have a better understanding of what to do!

rather than chase an exact weight one at a time I use in 9 m/m a .357 mag case throw three or four charges and weigh for the average . Unless you are shooting 50 yard bullseye this will save a lot of time and have charges that are plus or minus 0.1 grain variation. For .45ACP I use a cut down .30 '06 case.

Great explanation and tutorial. I've got a 30 year old Dillon Progressive press and the technology as changed but not the basic operation and concept. This helps me out a lot.

Another great tutorial, thanks!

Great video brother... This was the hardest part to me when I first got my Dillon 550C mainly because only thing I ever used was a single stage and turret press before this... I'm still trying to learn everything about it but for handgun it's so much faster then anything I ever used before... Again great video brother!!!

Outstanding video! I just purchases my Dillon 550C and had no idea what I was doing. Your video cleared things up! Thanks, James

I'd been contemplating on getting a Dillon and this part has been confusing until now. Thanks for explaining it thoroughly and I think I have the confidence now to get this part set up correctly. Very nicely done.

Hey thanks for the video. Clear explanation helped me work out a problem I was having with mine. Great job!

Very helpful thanks for the info. On powder measure going from lee torrent press to 650 thanks for powder measure info very good a few helpful do more on 650 thanks tommy

The video is excellent and helped me a lot. I do think the case was flared a bit too much too but I think it was excellent.

Awesome! Thanks to share your setup

Thank you, very helpful

I use a small glass jar to run 10 loads which gives one more digit of precision

I used your flied primer idea..thank you.

thx bro, this solved my issue on my rl 1100

Thank you sir

Have you checked your case mouth flaring after tightened the powder measure clamp? Because it’ll open up the flaring more after tightening that clamp.

Just getting back into reloading, this is a great tutorial. Your camera work is excellent. I was able to see how much flare is needed. Also you comments, especially the warnings about double load and how to measure will lead to happy days on the range. Thank you.

That is WAY too much flare. Your cases wont last more than 2-3 reloads at that rate.

Great video thank you. I’m getting a 650 and wondering what digital scale to get? They all seem crappy unless you spend a ton of money. Which one do you have/recommend. Thanks!

There is no left or right to a round screw. Its either clockwise or counterclockwise. Using left or right with no reference could be either direction (relative to top or bottom of a screw)

I still have to set up my Dillon but the one question I have as I did not open my die set for 9mm is does the powder funnel come with the die set or do I need to buy that separately? Thank You for your answer in advance!

The case you used to set the flare - did you resize it first?

Do you use return spring(s) on your powder bar?

Is that a Dillon funnel orman after market? Looks like a cone shape.

How would you get sub 3gr?

Very disappointing you failed to mention that for a couple of dollars you can install a rotary thumb dial to increase/decrease the amount of the powder charge. The OEM nut provided by Dillon requiring the use of a wrench to make minute adjustments is ridiculously cumbersome. Additionally, good practice is once you think you have it set to the target weight, drop 10 charges and weigh the total amount of all 10. Then, divide the total weight by 10 to give you the average weight of each charge so you have a much better idea of how consistent your settings are.

Are you serious ? You say you could run (load) 5 to 10 thousand rounds before checking the weight of the actual powder being thrown. I check (verify) the powder weight thrown every 100 rounds sometimes less. Just my 2 cents worth, Sorry

Tis video would be useful if you showed the screw you were adjusting instead of hoping we have the correct one. Thumb down.

Great video, I just feel like this power measure is inferior to the Hornady powder drop set up.