Dillon 550 Shell Plate Issue

Roland Thunder · February 9, 2012, 12:08 PM

At the moment the problem I am having is that when there is a primer in the primer cup and a case in the shell plate, the operating arm won't go all the way forward to seat the primer, it stops just a little bit short. If I remove the case from the shell plate, I can then push the operator arm all the way to completion of the stroke and the primer punch pops up out of the primer cup with a primer on the end of it as it should. It's just that the arm won't go all the way forward as it should when there is a case present. It appears to me like the case is blocking the primer punch from extending upward. Does this sound logical, if so, how to correct?

Thanks for everones help, I've been getting really frustrated with this. I don't get home from work until 7pm est and Dillons support ends at 8pm so I only get one shot per day with them, so I'm getting most of my help here.

SDC · February 9, 2012, 12:27 PM

It sounds like you might need to adjust the travel of the priming slide slightly, either forward or back.

flintshooter · February 9, 2012, 01:44 PM

If you can't sort it out don't hesitate to call Dillon. They have THE BEST customer service I have ever encountered. I'm sure they can figure it out.

Roland Thunder · February 9, 2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

If you can't sort it out don't hesitate to call Dillon. They have THE BEST customer service I have ever encountered. I'm sure they can figure it out.

That's what I try to do but I don't get home until 7pm and their technical support closes at 8pm est so that only gives me an hour to try something new and then call them if it doesn't work.

tim s · February 9, 2012, 02:28 PM

It's simple, you need to realign the shellplate/primer arm by loosening the primer arm and with it slightly loosened, seat a primer and snug it back up with the seater extended. It should now be aligned. Remember the case spring retention deal is really easy to have more than necessary pressure agrivating any missalingment of the primer arm, you want it to barely push on an indexed case or it will missalign the case.

dmazur · February 9, 2012, 02:46 PM

I haven't had this problem with my 550b, but I am familiar with how it works, generally.

I don't believe there is any kind of "indexing adjustment" for the sprocket. The index ball hole is in the shellplate platform, as is the hole for the primer punch.

There are two adjustments I'm aware of for the primer slide. The first is a setscrew (#13961) and this controls the travel in the "out" direction, so the primer cup properly locates under the primer magazine. The second is a capscrew (#14027) and the primer slide return spring post (#13924) hits it to contol travel in the "in" direction.

From what you are describing, the primer slide is centered in the hole in the shellplate platform, and the primer punch can fit through the shellplate platform as it is lowered onto the primer punch. (The primer punch doesn't actually pop up out of the primer cup, as it is fixed and the case is moving...)

So, the only thing I can think of is the shellplate is so loose it is permitting the case to "cock", interfering with proper primer seating.

Is the shellplate tight? It should be almost so tight it won't index.

excelerater · February 9, 2012, 05:44 PM

sounds like your out ......loosen the primer chute (2 allen screws) a tad
then with the bolts loose pull the handle and let the primer cup certer itself
into the shellplate hole,tighten 2 allen head screws and recheck...rock on

1Hobie · February 9, 2012, 08:18 PM

I too own a 550b and enjoy loading with it. It can be challenging sometimes but only because I fix something until it's broken.

Everyone has already given good advice.

Here's a link to Dillon's site:

http://www.dillonhelp.com/rl550enghe.../rl550_pg1.htm

Good luck to you and rolling your own is always more fun.

Hobie

Roland Thunder · February 9, 2012, 10:46 PM

I finally found out what is causing this problem. I can't believe it.

Left:Winchester 45ACP Right: Federal 45.ACP

I tossed all my Federals and haven't had a problem since

1Hobie · February 9, 2012, 10:52 PM

Forgive my ignorance. Enlighten me on the difference. All I've ever loaded for the most part have been Feds. .45 ACP with no problems.

I'm curious as all I can see is that the WC's primer pocket is dirty and the Fed isn't. It also looks like a bevel on the Fed rim but I don't know how that effects the way the cartridge sits in the shellholder.

Regards,
Hobie

Roland Thunder · February 10, 2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Hobie

Enlighten me on the difference

The opening is smaller on the Federal. So, the primer punch could not push the primer into the pocket. Every case I had trouble priming was a Federal. I tossed all the Federals and have had no more problem.

Quote:

It also looks like a bevel on the Fed rim but I don't know how that effects the way the cartridge sits in the shellholder.

Now that you mention it, I did have trouble getting them to stand up straight in the shell plate, I thought it was the way I had the "paper clip" set, I guess not.

Anyway, no more Federals

Btw........thanks for the Dillon link

flintshooter · February 10, 2012, 09:15 AM

I believe some ammo manufacturers are using small primers in their 45 acp rounds now. Obviously Federal and at least one other I think. One more thing to sort after collecting brass at the range.

1Hobie · February 10, 2012, 09:32 AM

I do see the difference once you pointed it out. All of my Feds. are at least 10 years old so they have the larger primer pocket. That's why I never had any problems with large pistol primers.

BTW, you're welcome.

Hobie

Roland Thunder · February 10, 2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Obviously Federal and at least one other I think

I saw on another board where Speer also uses small primers for 45's. Where would you get load data for 45's with small primers. Lymans and others manuals all specify larger primers.

BigJimP · February 10, 2012, 06:19 PM

Any case I've ever seen using a small pistol primer in a .45acp case ...is marked as an " NT " case on the headstamp as well as "win" or "Fed" or whatever.....but "NT" cases are showing up in a number of mfg's .... ( but I can't tell if the case in your photo is marked NT or not...

It means an extra step ...to sort the brass ...and toss out the " NT " marked cases / and they'll often jam in the resizing / decapping station.

February 9, 2012, 12:27 PM	#2
SDC Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2001 Location: People's Republic of Kanada Posts: 1,652	It sounds like you might need to adjust the travel of the priming slide slightly, either forward or back. __________________ Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936.

February 9, 2012, 02:46 PM	#6
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I haven't had this problem with my 550b, but I am familiar with how it works, generally. I don't believe there is any kind of "indexing adjustment" for the sprocket. The index ball hole is in the shellplate platform, as is the hole for the primer punch. There are two adjustments I'm aware of for the primer slide. The first is a setscrew (#13961) and this controls the travel in the "out" direction, so the primer cup properly locates under the primer magazine. The second is a capscrew (#14027) and the primer slide return spring post (#13924) hits it to contol travel in the "in" direction. From what you are describing, the primer slide is centered in the hole in the shellplate platform, and the primer punch can fit through the shellplate platform as it is lowered onto the primer punch. (The primer punch doesn't actually pop up out of the primer cup, as it is fixed and the case is moving...) So, the only thing I can think of is the shellplate is so loose it is permitting the case to "cock", interfering with proper primer seating. Is the shellplate tight? It should be almost so tight it won't index. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

February 9, 2012, 08:18 PM	#8
1Hobie Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2010 Location: west central Illinois Posts: 277	Good advice I too own a 550b and enjoy loading with it. It can be challenging sometimes but only because I fix something until it's broken. Everyone has already given good advice. Here's a link to Dillon's site: http://www.dillonhelp.com/rl550enghe.../rl550_pg1.htm Good luck to you and rolling your own is always more fun. Hobie

February 9, 2012, 10:46 PM	#9
Roland Thunder Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Gwinnett County Georgia Posts: 1,136	I finally found out what is causing this problem. I can't believe it. Left:Winchester 45ACP Right: Federal 45.ACP I tossed all my Federals and haven't had a problem since __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead, go, instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

February 9, 2012, 12:08 PM	#1
Roland Thunder Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Gwinnett County Georgia Posts: 1,136	Dillon 550 Shell Plate Issue At the moment the problem I am having is that when there is a primer in the primer cup and a case in the shell plate, the operating arm won't go all the way forward to seat the primer, it stops just a little bit short. If I remove the case from the shell plate, I can then push the operator arm all the way to completion of the stroke and the primer punch pops up out of the primer cup with a primer on the end of it as it should. It's just that the arm won't go all the way forward as it should when there is a case present. It appears to me like the case is blocking the primer punch from extending upward. Does this sound logical, if so, how to correct? Thanks for everones help, I've been getting really frustrated with this. I don't get home from work until 7pm est and Dillons support ends at 8pm so I only get one shot per day with them, so I'm getting most of my help here. __________________ Do not follow where the path may lead, go, instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson

February 9, 2012, 01:44 PM	#3
flintshooter Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 46	If you can't sort it out don't hesitate to call Dillon. They have THE BEST customer service I have ever encountered. I'm sure they can figure it out.

February 9, 2012, 02:28 PM	#5
tim s Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2011 Posts: 223	It's simple, you need to realign the shellplate/primer arm by loosening the primer arm and with it slightly loosened, seat a primer and snug it back up with the seater extended. It should now be aligned. Remember the case spring retention deal is really easy to have more than necessary pressure agrivating any missalingment of the primer arm, you want it to barely push on an indexed case or it will missalign the case.

February 9, 2012, 05:44 PM	#7
excelerater Junior member Join Date: June 27, 2011 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 694	sounds like your out ......loosen the primer chute (2 allen screws) a tad then with the bolts loose pull the handle and let the primer cup certer itself into the shellplate hole,tighten 2 allen head screws and recheck...rock on

February 9, 2012, 10:52 PM	#10
1Hobie Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2010 Location: west central Illinois Posts: 277	Forgive my ignorance. Enlighten me on the difference. All I've ever loaded for the most part have been Feds. .45 ACP with no problems. I'm curious as all I can see is that the WC's primer pocket is dirty and the Fed isn't. It also looks like a bevel on the Fed rim but I don't know how that effects the way the cartridge sits in the shellholder. Regards, Hobie

February 10, 2012, 09:15 AM	#12
flintshooter Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 46	I believe some ammo manufacturers are using small primers in their 45 acp rounds now. Obviously Federal and at least one other I think. One more thing to sort after collecting brass at the range.

February 10, 2012, 09:32 AM	#13
1Hobie Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2010 Location: west central Illinois Posts: 277	I do see the difference once you pointed it out. All of my Feds. are at least 10 years old so they have the larger primer pocket. That's why I never had any problems with large pistol primers. BTW, you're welcome. Hobie

February 10, 2012, 06:19 PM	#15
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Any case I've ever seen using a small pistol primer in a .45acp case ...is marked as an " NT " case on the headstamp as well as "win" or "Fed" or whatever.....but "NT" cases are showing up in a number of mfg's .... ( but I can't tell if the case in your photo is marked NT or not... It means an extra step ...to sort the brass ...and toss out the " NT " marked cases / and they'll often jam in the resizing / decapping station.