Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 I've loaded 32-20 for 25 years on a Lee Turret, but Texas Red gifted me a 32-20 shellplate and locator buttons for the 550, so I ordered a powder die and funnel, got it set up with my Lee dies except for the Powder station which is Dillon. But I could not seat a bullet straight to save my life. 115gr Hi-Tek coated from Mo.Bullet Co. plus 115gr from Desperado which I've used many of with no problem. I didn't matter how much I belled the case mouth at the powder station. I finally switched to the Lee AutoDisk powder measure which took care of that problem but added another problem (more on that later). I compared the Dillon and Lee powder funnels (see pic below), and you can see that the Dillon only expands the case a short distance before the bell whereas the Lee expands quite a ways before a minimal bell. I am curious if others have had a problem with seating straight on the Dillon and if not, what dies are you using? As for the other problem, I first loaded 100 rounds of smokeless 32-20 with no problem (3.5gr Unique). But then loaded 400 rounds with Shooter's World Multi-Black (APP - and yes I broke up all the clumps). The powder bridged in the powder funnel of the Lee powder measure quite often, causing a hassle to clear and making a mess. It took me 6 1/2 hours to load those 500 rounds. Then I started thinking more about it. When I used to load 32-20 on the Turret, I was hand dipping the powder, into a red Lee plastic funnel on top of the powder die. Occasionally the powder would bridge in that red funnel, but I could see it so I'd flick it with my finger and it would drop. If I poured the powder out of the dipper more slowly into the funnel instead of just dumping it, it never bridged in the red plastic funnel. That is the only place it ever bridged, it never bridged in the powder funnel inside the powder die. So why was it bridging there now? On the last 100 rounds loaded, I pulled the loading arm down quite slowly, so the powder isn't dumped all at once but spread out just a bit. It did not bridge at all. So lesson learned and a possible hint for others using the Lee powder measure. Small calibers are of course going to be more likely to bridge. I would still like to know if anyone else has had the problem of not seating straight when using the Dillon powder funnel. The other calibers I load on the Dillon have been no problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 How well does the seating die conform to the bullet profile? Assuming you are using RNFP bullets is the seating plug flat or a different shape? As for the bridging, How does the diameter of the hole in the Dillon powder funnel compare to the Lee? Shooter's World Black like 3F APP is pretty coarse. Make sure the inside of the powder funnel is really clean. I use a brass brush chucked up in a drill to ensure there is no rust in the power channel. If the hole in the Lee die is smaller than the Dillon you could try to drill it out a little. However I'm betting that the powder funnel is made of some pretty hard metal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 Because the Lee powder die is essentially 3 pieces. Compare the diameters of each transition. How well do they line up? is there a lip or ledge that could cause the bridge? The Dillon powder die is designed so that there can be no ledges for the powder catch on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Sombra Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 As for bridging in the funnel, try polishing the inside of the funnel. @Sedalia Dave indicated drilling it out might be nigh on impossible. Also are you sure it is the correct powder funnel? Also AD might have a suggestion as to loading the 32-20. La Sombra 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Spade Mikey Wilson Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 I also load 32-20 with Lee dies. I had that same problem once. Did all kinds of die and press adjustments to no avail. Turns out there was a build up of bullet lube on the seater die causing the bullet to cock when seating. I scraped it all out and everything worked correctly. You may want to check that out if you haven't already. I also had an issue with uneven flairing of the case when I moved to a progressive press. I solved that with a Lee universal flaring die. No issues since. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 I never had any luck with that short funnel. This is what I use. I also had to trim about .060" off the sizers on several sets of .32-20 to set the shoulder back far enough to get them to feed in a variety of antique and modern .32-20s. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 Hey Larsen Just 'cause I are a curious sort Zactly what is that Powder Funnel Die thingie you be using for 32-20?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 It is a Dillon size SW powder funnel. The S next to it is what comes with the .32 H&R. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
"Big Boston" Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 I use a very similar set-up. I have older RCBS dies, decapping is not an option with this FL die. The short funnel works OK for me. I seat with the RCBS seating die and crimp with a LEE FCD. Although not perfect, it works OK. I just decap first, then load. It's a bit of a fiddly-furt caliber to load for. I have a new three die set of LEE dies to try, just haven't got around to it. I'm just in the beginning steps of load development, so far the best is 2.7 grains of Trail Boss. 2400 was position sensitive and 100 fps too fast, and I haven't chronographed my Unique load. I really thought it would be an easy caliber to load for, but it doesn't seem to be yet. When I'n up for the challenge I'll try my 310 tool set, that should be fun - I'm thinking - NOT. BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 1 hour ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: I never had any luck with that short funnel. This is what I use. I also had to trim about .060" off the sizers on several sets of .32-20 to set the shoulder back far enough to get them to feed in a variety of antique and modern .32-20s. What powder die is on the right? Custom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 42 minutes ago, The Original Lumpy Gritz said: What powder die is on the right? Custom? It is a Dillon size SW powder funnel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted November 30 Share Posted November 30 7 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: It is a Dillon size SW powder funnel. TNX, I now see that on my tablet, hard to tell on the phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted November 30 Author Share Posted November 30 20 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said: How well does the seating die conform to the bullet profile? Assuming you are using RNFP bullets is the seating plug flat or a different shape? As for the bridging, How does the diameter of the hole in the Dillon powder funnel compare to the Lee? Shooter's World Black like 3F APP is pretty coarse. Make sure the inside of the powder funnel is really clean. I use a brass brush chucked up in a drill to ensure there is no rust in the power channel. If the hole in the Lee die is smaller than the Dillon you could try to drill it out a little. However I'm betting that the powder funnel is made of some pretty hard metal. The Lee seating stem isn't a great fit, it always puts a little groove around bullet, but it symmetrical and always seated straight using the Lee dies on the Turret. Cleaning the inside couldn't hurt but it looks pretty clean. You know 32 is a pretty small hole so I can understand it bridging when dumped in all at once. But on the Dillon measure I loaded 1000 rounds of .38 for the rifle with this same powder, no problem. Knowing that slowing the powder drop eliminates the bridging really solves that for now, just wish I'd have thought of it sooner, but I would really like to use the Dillon if I can. The Lee powder measure "barely" works for this with the Dillon. The powder die has to hit the shell plate to get a bell on top and it is minimal at that but useable. And the disk that slides and dispenses the powder doesn't move all the way over the drop hole. The charges seem fairly consistent (enough for this use). Plus the sizer has to hit the shell plate to push the shoulder low enough to fit all my three .32's, so it is a balancing act with those two dies. 20 hours ago, La Sombra said: ...Also AD might have a suggestion as to loading the 32-20. La Sombra Now La Sombra, I thought you were my friend. 11 hours ago, High Spade Mikey Wilson said: I also load 32-20 with Lee dies. I had that same problem once. Did all kinds of die and press adjustments to no avail. Turns out there was a build up of bullet lube on the seater die causing the bullet to cock when seating. I scraped it all out and everything worked correctly. You may want to check that out if you haven't already. I also had an issue with uneven flairing of the case when I moved to a progressive press. I solved that with a Lee universal flaring die. No issues since. cleaning the die is always a good idea, but it was pretty clean and seats fine if I use the Lee powder die to open the case neck. 3 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said: I never had any luck with that short funnel. This is what I use. I also had to trim about .060" off the sizers on several sets of .32-20 to set the shoulder back far enough to get them to feed in a variety of antique and modern .32-20s. I had to trim the bottom of my Lee 44-40 sizer, but this one has pushed the shoulder low enough for my 3 .32's (old SAA, old '92, Uberti '73). Thank you very much for telling me about that "SW" powder die, I think that should be the ticket! I probably won't need to load 32-20 again for quite a while, but I will get that. Texas Red, see what you got me into? It was a learning experience, but I now have more 32-20 loaded than I ever did before and they look good! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Red Posted December 1 Share Posted December 1 Not all journeys are bathed in Sunshine!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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