Hoss Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 (edited) I’m loading some 38sp APP 3f with D750. Using large powder bar. I’m getting a lot of leakage and uneven powder drops. I don’t often load APP, it’s been a year or 2, I don’t recall having any issues before. Should I be using small powder bar? Any other tips? Edited October 18 by Hoss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 (edited) While not using a Dillon, I will give you a little of my experience with APP, and for the record it is the only powder Holli and I use since Goex stopped selling Pinnacle (which was made by APP and now APP is the same stuff as Pinnacle). The powder is very dusty, something you have probably noticed already, so there seems to always be some residue leaking out. It is much better than the original version which looked like moon rocks, which is why I think the black coating was added to the powder for Pinnacle. The bigger problem is that it has a tendency to be clump in the bottle. It was worse with Pinnacle, but APP shows the same symptoms. I will note that the newer bottles have a rubberized gasket as part of the screw lid and those bottles have almost no clumping in them, so they may have solved the problem, at least for new bottles. The clumps hang up in the powder measure and create inconsistent loads, typically a light load when the clump got stuck, then a heavy load with spillage on the next load when the clump clears and the excess powder stuck behind it comes out also. What I have personally found that works is that when I pour the powder out of the bottle into the powder measure, I pour it through a small diameter funnel and breakup any clumps that don't flow through the funnel so that everything in the powder measure is the same size and consistency, within reason. As long as I do that, we don't seem to have any problems with the load consistency and a minimal amount of spillage. Your mileage may vary, but this seems to work for us. Dogmeat Edited October 18 by Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L 'Cause I Don't Spel Two Gud! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 APP works best with the large charge bar. It can also be dusty. Like Dogmeat Dad pointed out you have to watch for clumps. I have a large mesh screen in the bottom of the funnel I use to fill the powder hopper . It catches the clumps and the little desiccant bags. I usually load cartridges in lots of 1000. Unless I am going to be reloading APP again in a few days, I remove the powder measure assembly and clean the area where the charge bar slides with soap and water. I also clean the powder funnel well and then lube inside and out with Hornady Oneshot gun lube to prevent corrosion. Because it is a dry film lube, I don't have to worry about powder sticking. I also clean the press. Especially under the shell plate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 I have had very few problems loading 3F APP on my Dillon 650 with the dillon Powder measure. For 38s, I do use the small powder bar in the measure. I use the Large bar for .44 and .45 When setting up to load, I carefully monitor the APP to be sure and break up any clumps and I also "mix" it quite thoroughly in the bottle. I don't notice a lot of dust. Way back, when APP was a funky light grey colour, it was quite dusty. I do recommend cleaning the powder measure and the powder drop after each loading session as well as under the shell plate. I do get occasional bridging but my Powder Check takes care of that alert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 Hoss... Contrary to everything everyone's told you, You shouldn't emulate the movie James Bond... But rather, the literary version... your APP is to be stirred, not shaken! As my Irish grandmother would say, "...youse a-no supposed ta shake-a da can! Dats a-how youse make-a 4F outta da 3F." Keep it in the original containers, making sure to tighten the lids when returning unused powder to the can. I've only used it in the C45S and used the large bar on the 550C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted October 18 Author Share Posted October 18 Thanks all. I’m gonna make sure I have no clumps! And will definitely do a tear down of the press for a thorough cleaning after! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 Dillon, APP and grits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 Ya ALL gotta admit larsen E gotz some really NICE TOYS!! You Betcha 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 HEY, Hoss! I know you know this, but make sure the little white plug that holds the shim/spacer for the small charge bar in place is installed with the big bar. It’s made to be put in the hole upside down to keep leakage to a minimum! I ain’t tellin’ how I know this, but that isn’t in the instructions for the powder measure!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steady Dutchman Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 17 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: Dillon, APP and grits. I use this exact setup except I use Lizard Litter (finely crushed walnut hulls about the consistency of grits). 👍🏼 Works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totes Magoats Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 Hoss, I use the small bar with 777 and FFF Goex. I've only been shooting BP since Jan this year, but I don't make a mess with it with the small bar in the 750. Not sure if APP is more prone to clumping than real BP or 777 though.... Totes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 31 minutes ago, Totes Magoats said: Hoss, I use the small bar with 777 and FFF Goex. I've only been shooting BP since Jan this year, but I don't make a mess with it with the small bar in the 750. Not sure if APP is more prone to clumping than real BP or 777 though.... Totes My experience: both APP and 777 clump, but the clumps break down easily. Real BP clumps less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seth Bradford Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 22 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: Dillon, APP and grits. I use this Lee disc powder measure on a Dillon 750 for APP except I use 2 of the risers as a mini drop tube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted October 21 Author Share Posted October 21 I switched out to small bar. Seemed to be much more uniform powder drops. Still leaked like a sieve. I got enough loaded for the upcoming BP match. Now onto shotgun. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Rich Posted October 21 Share Posted October 21 I use the Lee powder measure and die like LP, been doin it for years. Never have to clean the Dillon powder measure. kR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted October 21 Share Posted October 21 17 hours ago, Hoss said: Still leaked like a sieve I know how to fix the problem...ain't going to tell you though. Ask Whiskey...he's a nice guy. Phantom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted October 21 Share Posted October 21 Last year I loaded about 1K of .38's for the rifle with Shooter's World Multi-Black, made by APP. Using a 550, but the same powder measure. Used the small charge bar and did not notice much leakage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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