I personally would not bend where the bar slides. There is something wrong with the bar you have or you have a Mec reloader that is been long discontinued.
The brass washer is used for fine flake powders like Win. AA Lite and Titewad for an example and you take out the rubber washer (grommet) if you use the red powder baffle..
On all my powder bottles I use the red powder baffle. This helps for even powder drops. You would be amazed at how even your powder drops will be when you measure them (10 for average) with the powder baffle and then without.
If you go to Shot Gun World, then to the Reloading part and ask your question you will get an answer to anything about reloading.
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=c41eae0f253f88c53e480ab5b989042c
