Dillon 550 Primer system

[chrt396]

Bought one of these bad boys a few weeks ago..loaded a ton of ammo with it...love it...BUT!

The amount of ammo you can load is in direct porportion to how much time that you have to screw with the priming system. THAT is the bulk of my reloading time! They say that a primer cannot get sideways in the tube. BULL. They say that as long as it's adjusted properly..it will work flawlessly...BULL. Now I know why many say that they prime on another device and load with the dillon. That always seemed kind of dumb to me. You have a progressive because it performs ALL the steps. Well..it does! Almost

I finally figured out how to change over from large to small and back again without reciting all the cuss words that I know. I did the changeover in toolheads...base plate..powder drop and primer system in less than 10 minutes! I impressed myself!

I start loading...all is well. Then all of a sudden..I get to about 78 rounds..and one of the primers pops up in the air..hits the ground and the dog eats it. Mext pull of the ram..no primer...next one is installed backwards...!! #$%$#@. I check for primers clogging up the primer bar...brush it clean...readjust the primer pocket to make sure it's centered. Nothing worked. I take apart the primer system...clean it...put some graphite lube on a few of the parts...re-install it. Works OK now. The time consumed came while just trying to cure the problem while it was together! Never found out WHAT the problem was, but it seemed to cure itself once I disassembled it. I clean the system almost every 4-500 rounds..which is one sitting.

I'm tellin' ya. The machine is great..but the primer system needs some improvement. Unless you guys and gals have some great advice on what I'm possibly doing wrong...I respectfully give up! I'm in Florida..in the garage...humid as the rain forest...sweat dripping in my eyes...shirt drenched...blood pressure rising...!! ARRRGGGHH!!!

Tell me the secret to primers that I don't know! Your years of experience on these machines would be invaluable to me. Show me the way oh wise ones! I am lost..with no direction.

 

[Hondo 60]

With my left hand, I push the deprimed case back into the shellplate just before giving it that extra umph to seat the primer.
That seems to do the trick for me.

Hope this helps.

But ya, that is the BIG issue with this press.

I wish someone would come up with a RELIABLE way to prime on the press.
This gravity feed, hope it works, is not a good system.
But it seems that all of the presses use it.

I'd like to see how the ammo mfgs handle this.
Ya gotta think they have a better system.

 

[GaryL]

There is a suggest in the helpful ideas sticky at the top to put a 45acp case over the end of the plastic push tube to add a bit of weight to it. I tried that when I first read the suggestion, and don't recall a single issue since. I do recall a couple from before then though.

 

[MCMXI]

I wish someone would come up with a RELIABLE way to prime on the press. This gravity feed, hope it works, is not a good system.
But it seems that all of the presses use it.

I've been using the gravity feed system on my RCBS PiggyBackII since '95 without any problems. I recently bought a Hornady L-N-L with a similar system to the RCBS and have already loaded over 1,000 .45 ACP rounds without incident. I've NEVER had a primer get inverted or turned sideways using the RCBS. It's too early to make any grandiose claims about the L-N-L, but so far so good. The gravity system works fine for me.

 

[EddieNFL]

My 550's priming system is more reliable than my 650's and I can't remember the last failure I experienced with either. Maybe one in 10K average.

 

[rbernie]

^^^
This.

I have a 550B that I've used to load probably 10K rounds of pistol ammo since I got it. I can count on two hands the number of primer issues that I've had, and all resolved to the pickup bar not fully sliding out and grabbing the next primer because it got dirty. If you use the appropriate small primer insert in the tube (and it's machined correctly), I cannot see how a primer could get caught or sideways.

Make sure that you're using the correct insert in the tube, lube the slider, always use the low primer stick gizmo, and it should all work just fine.

 

[gshipps]

I had a night like that once. Darn primers doing everything but going in right. Then pulled my head out of my backside and put in the small primer tube....hmmm ..dang thing works fine. Not saying thats your trouble but might double check.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

Thank you for the valuable information.

A fellow forumite from another site invited me over to his place over the weekend to see the 550 in action, and I recall seeing that the primer section was really dirty. He kept a toothbrush next to where he puts the empty cases, and just keeps a close eye on that part.

Looks like some compressed air could do the trick, too.

Additionally, he had a gooseneck lamp of sorts situated close to the bullet area where he could take a peek at the inside of the case to do a visual on the powder charge. I'll be doing the same when I get mine put together sometime this weekend.

I'll also check to make sure I'm using the correct rod for the LPPs to be used for the .45 ACP loads I'll be creating.

 

[jim8300]

Call Dillon, they can help with your problem.

I purchased a used Square Deal press a while ago and had priming issues. Tried a few things that Dillon tech support gave me to do and still had problems, they had me sent the press back to them for a rebuild. They replaced the main frame, the entire priming system, indexing pawl, shellplate, main shaft guides, bushings and other items.

Got it back, it is like a new press, problem solved. My cost was shipping it to them. No cost for parts or labor.

It is worth the time to call, they can help.

 

[loadedround]

Interesting problem. I've been running two Dillon 550B's for over twenty years now and have never experienced that type of problem. My 550's are set up with one for small primers and the other for large primers since changing out the priming system is a PIA for me. I use exclusively Winchester large and small primers if that makes a difference. However I'd call Dillon for advice as the other's have suggested.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I can count on two hands the number of primer issues that I've had, and all resolved to the pickup bar not fully sliding out and grabbing the next primer because it got dirty.

^^^
This.


If the bar the system slides on gets dirty, it will hiccup. Keep it clean. That combined with the graphite you put on it should eliminate your problem.

 

[Jason280]

Me either, and I have used two different 550s over the last 4-5 years. In fact, I use the 550 as my bulk priming tool for cartridges I don't even load on the machine.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've loaded wit a 550B for years. rarely any problems and then only if dirty or if mounted too tight. Mine seems to work best with a barely snug mounting. I also use a homespun primer pusher rod that tells me about how close I am to being out of primers.

 

[chrt396]

There is a suggest in the helpful ideas sticky at the top to put a 45acp case over the end of the plastic push tube to add a bit of weight to it. I tried that when I first read the suggestion, and don't recall a single issue since. I do recall a couple from before then though.

I did that! I think I saw it on You Tube or something. Not the problem however...still trying to figure it out!!

 

[chrt396]

^^^
This.

I have a 550B that I've used to load probably 10K rounds of pistol ammo since I got it. I can count on two hands the number of primer issues that I've had, and all resolved to the pickup bar not fully sliding out and grabbing the next primer because it got dirty. If you use the appropriate small primer insert in the tube (and it's machined correctly), I cannot see how a primer could get caught or sideways.

Make sure that you're using the correct insert in the tube, lube the slider, always use the low primer stick gizmo, and it should all work just fine.

I used super fine automotive grade sand paper (wet sand paper) and went over the primer bar to smooth out and take off any omperfections that could cause it to bind. Used powdered graphite to lubricate it..cleaned the snot out of it before I lubed. The primer tube insert is the correct one. Bent the rod a tad to force the primer bar out furthur...but I think..possibly, that the metal clamp that holds on to that rod at the top can be raised a bit to give a different tension on the bar, possibly forcing the bar out furthur. The reason I think this is I was at my supply house today and saw an older Dillon 550 set-up and noticed that his clamp was about an 1" - 1 1/2" higher than mine, which appears as if it would exert more outward pressure on that bar. If that doesn't work...I'll call Dillon and beg! My supply store states that Dillon would probably just replace the primer section..but I ain't giving up till I figure this thing out! OH...I do have a 45 case on the top of my primer stick thingamajig that I saw on you tube! I did it for the Bling factor though!

 

[horsearcherwannabe]

I have a 550. I have had few problems with my primer feeder. I agreee on the 45 brass on the top of the primer level indiactor rod. It looks cool and seems to help with the last frew primers in the tube.

I had to move my system. After set up I has having failure to feed errors on the primers. To make a long story short the silver colored rod that pushes the primer carrier back had gotten bent. I bent it out just a little untill I could see the rention pin that is inside the primer housing getting shoved out towards me. TADA. It has run ever sence.

 

[chrt396]

I have a 550. I have had few problems with my primer feeder. I agreee on the 45 brass on the top of the primer level indiactor rod. It looks cool and seems to help with the last frew primers in the tube.

I had to move my system. After set up I has having failure to feed errors on the primers. To make a long story short the silver colored rod that pushes the primer carrier back had gotten bent. I bent it out just a little untill I could see the rention pin that is inside the primer housing getting shoved out towards me. TADA. It has run ever sence.

That is exactly what I ended up doing and so far....I have been able to load up 400 rounds..with adding 100 primers at time..without any drama. I'm afraid to change cailbers in fear that I will lose my flawless set-up!

 

[bottlerocket]

There are so many things that can cause the primer not to go in straight. Worn tip on the feed tube, shellplate not bolted down tight enough, primer carrier not timed right causing it to hang up on the shellplate, worn bushing on the primer carrier. Call dillon, they'll send all new stuff

 

[EddieNFL]

With my left hand, I push the deprimed case back into the shellplate just before giving it that extra umph to seat the primer.

Adjust the cartridge spring.

 

[medalguy]

Adjust, adjust, adjust. Once you get it all adjusted properly it should work flawlessly. I've been using a 550 for many years, had some problems early on, but got everything adjusted and now it's just about as perfect as can be.

 

[Redneckly33]

I have loaded several thousand .223 on my RL550B. The only problem I had was my fault. I over torqued the 2 screws underneath the press that holds the slide bar and the primer tube on the press. I used the fine side of a Fingernail Emery board to slightly sand the bulges I caused, by over torqing, no more problems. Called Dillon and offered to pay for the part, they sent one at no cost to me. These other Guys are right, you have to keep it clean or it will hang up when it gets dirty, and it will get dirty, if you load alot. But then again, that's why you bought it, to load alot.

 

[Hondo 60]

Well I finally figured out my issue.

I do load a LOT!
I like to shoot anywhere from 100-500 2x a week.

Anyway, I actually wore out the primer seating cup.
I took it apart & the stem just pulled right through (the wrong way).

I have one of those spare parts kits & now it's working GREAT once a again.

 

[Ken70]

Could one of you "Blue People", post a link to some pictures of the primer system on a 550? I downloaded the instuction manual, but the pictures aren't clear enough to figure out exactly how the primer is pulled out of the bottom of the stack. I'm trying to figure out how it can pull just one primer, and how the primer punch is operated to shove the primer in.

Or if no pics, a description of how it works.

TIA

 

[dbarnhart]

>>Anyway, I actually wore out the primer seating cup.<<

I bet if you call Dillon they'll send you a new one.

 

[dmazur]

550B primer system

...a description of how it works.

OK, I've got the pdf file open and I'll try to describe it.

Part of the "trickery" is the flexible orifice, part number 14003/14024. When the primer slide (13920) is withdrawn under the primer housing and shield (20263), the flexible orifice is opened and a single primer drops into the primer cup (13824/13825).

The detail photo shows that the primer cup height must be adjusted to 1.215 - 1.220" (only 0.005" tolerance) to get this to work correctly.

This is done during the handle down stroke.

Then, once the handle is returned to the up position, the primer slide is once again under the shellplate, with a primer in the cup.

When the handle is pushed back, the shellplate is lowered, forcing the case down onto the primer cup, which retracts against its spring. The primer seating punch (13967/13757) holds the primer while the case is "pulled" down onto it.

Hopefully this explains it. It is really pretty simple, after you watch it a few thousand times...