help with dillon

[remmag]

hopefully one of you guys have run into this
have a dillon 550b , i have set it up for 223 wih the shell plate and buttons, also have the quick change with powder measure

i have the powder measure die set as per the instructions and several videos on u tube,

some times when i rotate to that station ,raise the ram the edge of my case catches the edge of the drop tube inside the die and causes my powder measure to throw a different charge when that happens,
i have noticed the buttons that hold the case at each station are rather loose and the case can be wobbly, i did put electrical tape around the edge of the brass button to tighten up and that helped alot

any suggestions

thanks guys

 

[Bentley4700]

Are you deburring the case mouth? I had that issue when I was trimming with a lee set up. If it wasn't perfectly smooth it would catch on the powder funnel and cause it to dump early.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

what number is stamped on your locator pins and shellplate?

 

[remmag]

i am using a lee trimmer , then de burring

# 3 is stamped on my locater buttons, and on the shell plate

 

[Bud0505]

Sounds like the shell plate needs to be a little tighter.

 

[remmag]

i will gie it a try

thank you

 

[243winxb]

High primer?

 

[Bentley4700]

I should have rephrased my question. Are you deburring enough? That is the exact same issue I had and that was the problem. I went through and gave each piece of brass a few more turns with the deburring tool and haven't had a problem since.

 

[Kp321]

+1 on shell plate not tight enough. Any rock in the cases can allow the mouth to catch on the powder die. I am using the small roller thrust bearing on my shell plate that lets me run it tighter and still index smoothly. I think it is available from Uniquetek (sp?)

 

[Hondo 60]

According to Dillon for 223 you should have:

Shellplate = 3
Buttons = 3
Funnel = A

That's what I use & have no problems.

Sorry, I know that's not very helpful.
Good Luck.

 

[dmazur]

I reload .30-06 on a 550b, and those are even taller...

I am using the small roller thrust bearing on my shell plate that lets me run it tighter and still index smoothly.

I'm using one of those, too. The problem I was having was primers not seating squarely, which turned out to be caused by the shellplate tipping during repriming.

The way I understand the 550b, the top of the ram is supposed to support the case, not the shellplate. All the shellplate does is position the case, and hold it during repriming.

If the cases aren't vertical and you don't have extractor burrs on the case heads, it could be a loose shellplate, as has been mentioned.

The correct adjustment for the center bolt is actually "so tight the shellplate won't index, then loosen it a little". Don't forget about the setscrew on the side of the ram...

 

[remmag]

thanks for the replies

shell plate was too loose,
243 that was a good tip on primers being too high, i had tried an unprimed case'

thanks again guys

 

[HighExpert]

I have been using a 550B for many years. Your problem is the spring under the idexing ball for the shellplate. I have to stretch and then replace mine about once a year. If too soft the shellplate will not snap into position and when you get cranking it will miss. Hope this helps.

 

[Bud0505]

HighExpert,

I'm not sure I understand your problem with the spring under the indexing ball. I've reloaded 4 to 5 thousand rounds a year for the last 25 years on my 550B and have never had to replace the spring. I have had to chase the indexing ball around the garage floor a couple of times though.

 

[Cheetos]

Every once in a while I have to stretch the spring under the indexing ball on my dillon 550 to make sure the shellplate locks in. The other thing I would do is contact dillon for an alignment tool. They send them out for free if you email them your address. The tool aligns the base plate to the toolhead.

 

[rfwobbly]

I see a lot of movement in my 223 case on my 550, but always wrote it off to the longer brass length since it's the only rifle cartridge I reload. Sometimes I see hangups coming of of the sizing die, but that's the neck sizing button, but never on the powder station.

After I trim and de-bur I rub my finger on the end of the case mouth. It should be bur-free inside and out.

 

[Ex]

HighExpert,

I'm not sure I understand your problem with the spring under the indexing ball. I've reloaded 4 to 5 thousand rounds a year for the last 25 years on my 550B and have never had to replace the spring. I have had to chase the indexing ball around the garage floor a couple of times though.

Ditto here. Never replaced any spring on my 550b other than the one on the primer pickup.

 

[HighExpert]

When I was competing I SHOT 3000 rounds a week in practice. I guess my press has loaded a few more than most. That could be why some parts get a little tired.

 

[Ex]

That's high mileage! Hows the ram look and what do you lube it with?

 

[HighExpert]

The ram is smooth and shiny. I have used a little marvel mystery oil as lube after cleaning it thoroughly and then wiping it almost dry. I have buddy who has almost as many rds on his and he uses nothing but siicone spray. I think a little more cling is a good thing.