[Thor2j]

Hi,
Just got my 550 today and having a few issues. First it says to adjust your resizing die by screwing it down until it touches shell plate. Fine. But that little cartridge spring there after rides on top of the shell plate thus being smashed between die and shell plate. Obviously I'm doing something wrong. What is the proper alignment of that cartridge spring and what does it do.
Thanks

[RustyFN]

Sorry I have a 550 but have no idea what a cartridge spring is.

[owen]

are you talking about the paperclip shaped spring on station 1?

[Thor2j]

Yes, that stupid paper clip

[EddieNFL]

You need to move it back. It should just touch the case when inserted in the shellplate.

[Thor2j]

The rim of the case or the body?

[EddieNFL]

Rim

[dmazur]

You are correct - Dillon calls the stupid paper clip a "cartridge spring".

One of the pictures in the manual (Fig. 16) is captioned, "...Notice the
cartridge retaining spring holding the case in place." So, apparently it can also be called a cartridge retaining spring.

That's about all it does - holds the case in place while you raise the ram, and makes sure it is still in place when it comes down for primer seating.

The picture shows the placement. As the top of the shellplate is roughly 0.125" from the shellplate platform (the ram), there should be plenty of room for the cartridge spring. On my press, the shellplate rides above it and does not catch.

[owen]

If you are screwing the die down far enough for it to bind on the cartridge spring, I'm guessing you don't have the shell plate on the press yet.

[rfwobbly]

That spring should lay flat on the shell entrance shelf, and push ever-so-lightly on the rim of the cartridge. It simply makes sure the empty cartridge case stays centered under the die.

Adjusting that spring position can be a delicate affair because it will go in-and-out, as well as side-to-side. It only needs to be moved .010" to make a big difference. If you go too deep then you can't spin the shell holder. Once it's set though, you're good to go.

[RustyFN]

Yes, that stupid paper clip

You are correct - Dillon calls the stupid paper clip a "cartridge spring".

Well that's a new one on me.

[Thor2j]

Got it all figured out. Thanks everyone.