Dillon Small vs Extra Small Powder Bars

I was making test loads for my 38 special revolver. 2.8-3.2gr of BE and 3.3-3.7gr of Titegroup. I was OCD about it and was trickling each drop up to its target powder charge. 

I noticed the throws at 3.3 and under had a lot more variability than over that. Measuring 3.5-3.7 it was right on most of the time, or about 0.1gr light. Below 3.3 this happened more often. 2.8-3gr I often got some 0.2gr light.

Is the XS powder bar a good fix for this? What I read online had mixed reviews. I can also polish the surfaces if folks think that will help.

Or am I too OCD over this variability?

Thanks.

Maybe,  but I got improvement adding 2 wavey washers instead of one on the adjustment bolt.   Some used powder measures are missing even 1, which creates a lot of variance.  Additionally I drill and tap for a set screw to hold the adjustment slide in place once I get the setting I want.

Issue comes from backlash between poor quality threads on Dillon's OEM bolts and better quality threads on powder bar inserts.  Replacing adjuster bolts with aftermarket ones (i.e. mine) would help address it.  Regardless of that, drilling and tapping bar for set screw is a good way to go.

AP

Get one of these... not cheap,  but worth it

https://www.uniquetek.com/product/T1231

Not sure I'm experiencing drift. There was certainly a pattern of correct drops, though I was only loading 18 per target weight. Over 3.3 and even the ones that are 0.1gr under I felt like I trickled 5-6 granules in and it tipped up to the right weight.

Under 3.3, and I felt like it would be something like:

3.0, 3.0, 2.8, 3.0, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 2.8, 3.0, 2.8, 3.0, 3.0, 2.8

Makes me feel like it's more about a tall, narrow cavity it's falling into not filling efficiently (there has to be a better way to say that). Figuring a wide, shallow cavity would fill more consistently. Let me know if I'm missing something.

I read the XS bar is for 3.0 and under. Also curious if that's a hard 3.0 or can it go a bit above. Want to know if I'll have to change the bar if I end up with a light short line and hotter long line load.

Making revolver loads, figure three in each cylinder will give me a good idea for each drop and for both bullets I'm testing. What a pain measuring each load for 360 rounds!  And I'll be testing cylinders at the LL after this! Yes, I know I should be dry firing...

Whether or not the x-small bar can meter over 3.0gr depends very much on the powder. The powder measure is volumetric and different powders can have significantly different amount of volume per weight.

That said, I do use the x-small bar to meter 3.2gr of VV N320 with success within about 5 hundredths of a grain.