Tweaking my Dillon

[Sport]

I finally got my new Dillon 550B up
and running..set up to reload 9mm.

I am having a problem with priming.
About every ten-fifteen cases, the
primer fails to seat properly. It's
either not fully seated or it is crushed.

I've followed the owners' manual and
video. I'm using clean commercial brass.

I know the amount of force used in the
priming stroke may be partly responsible,
but given all the cases are the same brand
and most of them seat easily..what else
should I look for?

Any "tweaking tips?"

[Patrick Graham]

Is the 550 seated far enough forward on the bench to allow the primer seating plug to come up far enough? This would cause the primers to not seat deep enough.

Try changing the little black plastic tip on the primer feed tube, make sure the tip is all the way on and make sure the feed tube isn't cranked down too tight, or too loose. Too tight, too lose or broke plastic tips cause the primers to flip sideways and upside down.

There is a little leaf spring/nylon screw adjustment at the base of the primer tube, might want to take a look at that..

hmmmmmm..
That's all I can think of for now.

[johnnybravo]

Sport, After you've tried Patick's method, which should be done first, try this. Loosen the two mounting bolts that secure the primer tube assembly from the bottom. With the shell plate and the primer cup empty, run the handle all the way toward the bench so the little primer feed ram comes up through the hole in the shellplate. While holding the handle in that position, tighten the tube assembly mounting bolts.
Sometimes this is necessary when switching between large and small primer assemblies. It helps line up the primer cup with the shell plate. I don't think that's in the manual, had to figure it out for myself. Hope this helps...

------------------
johnnyb
A slow hit beats a fast miss.

[WESHOOT2]

Make SURE your bench is solid, like a block of granite, and the press is mounted so securely to it you could tow your house around by it.
This can help.

What brand/size primers are you using?

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"

[Sport]

Patrick and Johnny,

I have nominated both of your for induction
into the "Great American Hall of Fame".

Thanks for the tips. With the owners'
manual, the video, and several calls to
Dillion's excellent tech department, it
only took me thirteen hours to set up the
press.
I believe I could make a good living as a
consultant to companies who want to test
their owners manuals/instructions.

I take things literally, and ALWAYS run
into "situations" that aren't addressed
in the manuals. In my case, the video
helped a lot, but it still left enough
unaddressed (like primer feeding problems)
that I wonder if these companies lose sight
that in the real world there are a lot of
folks like me who have absolutely no
mechanical savvy.

To Dillon's credit, they do have excellent
tech support. Making the fifth or sixth
call with "just one more question" does
get a little annoying though.

Thank's again.

Your nominating certificates-suitable for
framing and your checks for twenty-five
thousand apiece as first installment for
Great American nominee status, should
arive shortly.

[Sport]

Wesshoot2,


Your certificate and check are in the
mail, too.

I'm using Winchester small pistol primers.
The new "purty" gold ones. Am also using
once-fired Federal nickel plated cases.

By the way, for the first time I'm using
Accurate Arms number 7. It meters great.
I decided to go that route because at 8.3
grains, there's no question of a double
charge.
One thing that impresses me already about
Dillon press is the perfectly in spec
rounds it produces. I am a stickler for
well made ammo. I "spec" selected rounds
and chamber check every round. No problems
with the Dillon once it is properly
adjusted.

There is some flex in my bench set-up. I'll
address that and the other tips....

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by Sport (edited February 27, 2000).]

[Clint Tickler]

Don't know if the 550 and 650 have the same adjustment but I cured my primer problem by tightening up the little spring adjustment on station two to hold the case tighter in the shell holder. Stopped flinging powder also when priming was smoother. Clint

[TaxPhd]

"I am having a problem with priming.
About every ten-fifteen cases, the
primer fails to seat properly. It's
either not fully seated or it is crushed."

This is a common problem with crimped primer pockets. Dillon and RCBS both have tools to easily solve this problem.

[Sport]

TaxPHD,


Are you referring to military crimped
Primers? If so, I'm using commercial
brass.
If not, could you elaborate.

Thanks,

Sport


Incidently, one more Situation has
cropped up. I notice about 90% of
the primers have small indentations.
Not primer "strikes", but tiny dents.

Clearly, something is not right.

[This message has been edited by Sport (edited February 27, 2000).]

[HankL]

Sport, the "tiny dents" are caused by grains of powder or other crud on the primer ram.
Hope this helps.
Hank

[Sport]

HankL,


Boy, do I feel like a MORON!

I checked. You are correct.

I'm sure the total shutdown of my
logical thought process in this case
is do to the antagonism I have toward
machinery of any kind. I give that
inanimate object "power" to bamboozle
and befuddle.
Kinda scary behavior for an otherwise
nearly normal adult.

Thanks,

Sport

[10mmrules]

one more clue, check to see if the little "paperclip" like spring holding the shell in the 1st station is very close to the shell rim. that can cause primer crunching also.

[Sport]

10mmrules,


I believe on the video they mentioned
it should be the thickness of a
business card from the shell plate.

Does that sound about right?

Sport

[Trigger Jerk]

Something like that. I adjust the "paperclip" thingy (technical term for those lesser informed) just back enough for the shell plate to rotate freely. The thickness of a business card...yeah, I guess that's about right.