Best primers to use in a Dillon

[High_Cap]

Just got a new Dillon Square deal, for cheap.

Wondering what the best primers to use.

CCI, Winchester...

 

[1911user]

any of the major primer brands should be fine in the press.

 

[HSMITH]

Dillon will tell you to use Winchester or CCI.

I use Federal and Winchester in my Dillons primarily.

 

[High_Cap]

Thanks guys.

New to the forum and I think this is one of the best places for information.

I was wondering if there were any primers really to steer clear of. You guys clarified any questions I had.

Thanks

 

[jdkelly]

High Cap,
I’ve read that Dillon reloaders, like the 650, can have problems of detonating a tube of Federal primers on occasion. I only use them when loading for revolvers with light strike problems.


Respectfully,

jdkelly

 

[Ares45]

As long as you treat primers with the respect they deserve you'll be fine, what ever you choose. I reload Fed and Win primers by the thousands in my 550 with zero problems. I do clean out the residue from the pick up tubes and feeder assy every so often just in case.

FWIW, Federal primers are by far the most sensitive.

 

[redneck2]

I've got a 550.

I use a lot of WW LP primers since they work for regular and mag pistol.

I use Federal rifle because they seat easy and work with the light strike on my Contender. Had trouble with CCI's lighting off.

I've set primers sideways, jammed them, folded some in half, decapped more than a few live ones. Never had one go off. I can't imagine what you'd have to do to get a detonation short of whacking one with a hammer.

FWIW...primer brand can have a significant effect on the pressure of your load.

 

[P0832177]

The old Dillon line was stay away from CCI as they have a reputation for being on the large size so to speak. I have been loading on a Dillon for 20 years. I can not begin to count the # of Fed and Win primers I have used. Detonations occur secondary to people not paying attention! :banghead:

 

[Bottom Gun]

CCI primers are harder and require a bit more pressure to seat properly in the pocket.
Federal and Winchester have always worked well for me in both my 450 and my 550.
I have been using Winchester lately because they are the least expensive around here.

 

[shark40sw]

I've used a Dillon for over 10 years now and have used every brand of primer you've ever seen without so much as a hic-up. CCI sometimes would seat with a little click as you had to exert a bit more pressure to get them to seat. But it was never a problem. Lately I've been using PMC (I got a deal on a couple of cases) and just like everything I've used before, no problems.

 

[redneck2]

The old Dillon line was stay away from CCI as they have a reputation for being on the large size so to speak.

I'd second that. I had a hard time getting CCI's to seat. No problem with Federal.

 

[distra]

I'm new to loading, but have used Federal 150's in my 550B. The only issue I had is one box had a few cups out of spec, i.e. too large and they first jambed in the seating process and then in the primer mag. A little frustrating, but I learned how to gently clear the primer mag.

 

[g56]

I've been using a Dillon RL550 for over 20 years, probably loaded over 100,000 Federal small pistol primers without a problem.

 

[loadedround]

I happen to like Winchester primers and so do my two 550's.

 

[The-Fly]

just got a 550 recently, been using winny primers. No issues yet.