February 27, 2000, 07:51 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: October 4, 1999
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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?" |
February 27, 2000, 08:04 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: January 18, 1999
Location: Kokomo, Indiana USA
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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. |
February 27, 2000, 08:28 AM | #3 |
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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. |
February 27, 2000, 11:11 AM | #4 |
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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" |
February 27, 2000, 11:18 AM | #5 |
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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. |
February 27, 2000, 11:27 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: October 4, 1999
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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).] |
February 27, 2000, 12:32 PM | #7 |
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Location: Seattle Area
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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
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February 27, 2000, 03:35 PM | #8 |
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Location: Colorado
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"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. |
February 27, 2000, 04:17 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: October 4, 1999
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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).] |
February 27, 2000, 07:05 PM | #10 |
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Sport, the "tiny dents" are caused by grains of powder or other crud on the primer ram.
Hope this helps. Hank |
February 28, 2000, 09:36 AM | #11 |
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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 |
March 1, 2000, 12:37 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: July 29, 1999
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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.
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March 1, 2000, 01:08 PM | #13 |
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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 |
March 2, 2000, 07:38 PM | #14 |
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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.
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