Dillon Rant
- Thread starter Gearhead Jim
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I also have a Dillon press that I have some issues with (an early production Square Deal, not the SDB), and can sympathize with the OP's rant a bit. I have spoken to them on the phone a did get some help, and some fixes for some things, but also got some disheartening comments from them on one issue.
On station 2 (the case flaring, priming, powder charging station), my press will not always provide a uniform flare around the case. One side might, at times, have more flare than the opposing side. They couldn't answer to what that might be. Whether that is a real problem or not I am not sure.
But I told them I thought that was what contributed to another bigger problem I have of bullets being seated off-axis on Station 3. They actually look like they are slightly canted in the case. And those rounds do not fit in the chamber like they are supposed to (and like most of the other rounds do). To that they said that off-axis bullet seating was normal on that press(!) That bothered me.
The press used to work well in the early years and has only recently started showing the "crooked bullet" problem. But is sounds like I am kind of stuck with the what I have.
g.willikers stated:
I know a lot of folks here love Dillon, and I am kind of one of them, but for the record, just know there are few of us that have unresolved important issues.
Lou
On station 2 (the case flaring, priming, powder charging station), my press will not always provide a uniform flare around the case. One side might, at times, have more flare than the opposing side. They couldn't answer to what that might be. Whether that is a real problem or not I am not sure.
But I told them I thought that was what contributed to another bigger problem I have of bullets being seated off-axis on Station 3. They actually look like they are slightly canted in the case. And those rounds do not fit in the chamber like they are supposed to (and like most of the other rounds do). To that they said that off-axis bullet seating was normal on that press(!) That bothered me.
The press used to work well in the early years and has only recently started showing the "crooked bullet" problem. But is sounds like I am kind of stuck with the what I have.
g.willikers stated:
I am curious as to what the issues were (are). Are they at all similar to mine?
I know a lot of folks here love Dillon, and I am kind of one of them, but for the record, just know there are few of us that have unresolved important issues.
Lou
Last edited:
Catpop
Member
I love my two SDBs regardless. Since 1973. Catpop
Gearhead Jim
Member
Otto-
My 650 is one of the very earliest, I used it for a while when new (.38 and 9mm) but then my agency started giving me (almost) as much ammo as I wanted to shoot, so I stopped reloading. Just recently shot up the last of my .38 reloads from 1993.
Between then and now, I would occasionally load small batches for fun or to get a specialized load.
With retirement and no more free ammo, I've started reloading again.
Hence, the gaps in my reloading timeline and the relatively low round count on the machine (approx. 5,000)
My 650 is one of the very earliest, I used it for a while when new (.38 and 9mm) but then my agency started giving me (almost) as much ammo as I wanted to shoot, so I stopped reloading. Just recently shot up the last of my .38 reloads from 1993.
Between then and now, I would occasionally load small batches for fun or to get a specialized load.
With retirement and no more free ammo, I've started reloading again.
Hence, the gaps in my reloading timeline and the relatively low round count on the machine (approx. 5,000)
Gearhead Jim
Member
Update on the Dillon 650:
The new parts are installed, finally. It was a very frustrating experience as mentioned before, the two sets of instructions (Manual and Alignment) did not cover everything that I needed to do and sometimes used different terms for the same part. Sometimes, I would need to call twice about a problem and would get contradictory answers from different reps. More of the original parts weren't compatible with the new platform, so more phone calls and delays.
During one of my calls, I asked about just boxing up the machine and sending it back to them to do get it working. The rep strongly advised against doing that, he was almost vehement. He also said that I would need to pay shipping to them, and an additional $77 for the work. If I had been offered that deal at the beginning, I would have jumped on it. But by this time I was almost (yeah, right) finished and decided to keep going.
When it was all back together, I discovered that the new platform sits about 1/8" lower than the original, so all of my dies had to be readjusted. It's tough to get the wrenches in there with all the dies installed, I would have been better off to remove them all and start from scratch. It would have also been nice for either the instructions or one of the several reps I spoke with, to suggest that.
Yesterday it was all back together, dies adjusted, everything working properly. Just to be sure, I loaded 100 dummy rounds exactly the same as I would when making live ammunition, except for no primers or powder. My buddies and I will use them for speedloader drills, so not a waste. It was perfect.
So I put in the primers and powder, started loading just like before, and the second case hit the edge of the sizing die- it wasn't getting pushed far enough into station 1. Same thing on the next case.
***, I've just loaded 100 dummies perfectly and the second "live" shell hangs up?
That's a simple adjustment, but...???
Anyway, I fixed it and loaded 100 rds live, everything worked fine.
Next week, I'll do more loading and see how it goes.
Fingers crossed...
The new parts are installed, finally. It was a very frustrating experience as mentioned before, the two sets of instructions (Manual and Alignment) did not cover everything that I needed to do and sometimes used different terms for the same part. Sometimes, I would need to call twice about a problem and would get contradictory answers from different reps. More of the original parts weren't compatible with the new platform, so more phone calls and delays.
During one of my calls, I asked about just boxing up the machine and sending it back to them to do get it working. The rep strongly advised against doing that, he was almost vehement. He also said that I would need to pay shipping to them, and an additional $77 for the work. If I had been offered that deal at the beginning, I would have jumped on it. But by this time I was almost (yeah, right) finished and decided to keep going.
When it was all back together, I discovered that the new platform sits about 1/8" lower than the original, so all of my dies had to be readjusted. It's tough to get the wrenches in there with all the dies installed, I would have been better off to remove them all and start from scratch. It would have also been nice for either the instructions or one of the several reps I spoke with, to suggest that.
Yesterday it was all back together, dies adjusted, everything working properly. Just to be sure, I loaded 100 dummy rounds exactly the same as I would when making live ammunition, except for no primers or powder. My buddies and I will use them for speedloader drills, so not a waste. It was perfect.
So I put in the primers and powder, started loading just like before, and the second case hit the edge of the sizing die- it wasn't getting pushed far enough into station 1. Same thing on the next case.
***, I've just loaded 100 dummies perfectly and the second "live" shell hangs up?
That's a simple adjustment, but...???
Anyway, I fixed it and loaded 100 rds live, everything worked fine.
Next week, I'll do more loading and see how it goes.
Fingers crossed...
lauderdale
Member
I hope this is the HAPPY ENDING!
and am glad for you! I also love my SDB! and T-7 TURRET!
and am glad for you! I also love my SDB! and T-7 TURRET!ljnowell
Member
I can't get over the people that get upset and even go so far a to question the honesty of the OP. Probably the same people that feel the need to comment on EVERY thread about a Lee press with unhelpful "buy a Dillon" statements.
Dillon presses have problems too, hate to break it to people.
Dillon presses have problems too, hate to break it to people.
Jim Watson
Member
I have no experience with the 650. When I wanted to upgrade from SDBs, I looked at the lineup and jumped all the way to 1050 for .45 ACP. Then "backed up" and got a 550 for the other calibers.
Dillon has always been good to me.
They rebuilt my SDB twice, the second time returning it with a reinforced frame that would not be likely to break off the mounting flange again. They can learn. The guy I sold my 9mm SDB to has used it a lot and had it overhauled more than once. The .45 setup kind of disappeared. I think the guy I sold it to flipped it pretty soon after.
My Super 1050 - I got an early one, just after they phased out the original version - was kind of herky jerky in operation, flinging powder out on the shellplate advance. A Dillon rep on this board told me that they had already revised the advance lever and said to call in for one. When I did, the clerk tried to charge me for it. I asked to talk to the guy who had posted here and he sent me one at no charge.
The primer feed, like all Dillons', was very tedious to adjust. This is the weak part of their design. My old CH AutoCHamp progressive has a better primer feed even though troublesome in other areas.
Dillon has always been good to me.
They rebuilt my SDB twice, the second time returning it with a reinforced frame that would not be likely to break off the mounting flange again. They can learn. The guy I sold my 9mm SDB to has used it a lot and had it overhauled more than once. The .45 setup kind of disappeared. I think the guy I sold it to flipped it pretty soon after.
My Super 1050 - I got an early one, just after they phased out the original version - was kind of herky jerky in operation, flinging powder out on the shellplate advance. A Dillon rep on this board told me that they had already revised the advance lever and said to call in for one. When I did, the clerk tried to charge me for it. I asked to talk to the guy who had posted here and he sent me one at no charge.
The primer feed, like all Dillons', was very tedious to adjust. This is the weak part of their design. My old CH AutoCHamp progressive has a better primer feed even though troublesome in other areas.
ljnowell
Member
It seems that the priming system is the weak point in most progressives. The Dillon, LnL, of course Lee. Though Dillon does have a very good system.
I don't currently own a Dillon but they do make some fantastic presses. I am planning on a 650 eventually, though another Pro1000 will probably come before then.
grubbylabs
Member
Yup I agree, I think its possible for every company to put out a lemon every now and again. Quite a few people complain about priming on the LnL and about a few other things with it, but I have loaded a few thousand on mine by now and not a single issue that was not my fault.
And who knows, maybe some one near buy will read his rant and stop by to help him out, and then he will be happy.
And who knows, maybe some one near buy will read his rant and stop by to help him out, and then he will be happy.
Gearhead Jim
Member
I've now loaded about 300 rds on the rebuilt 650, it generally works well but...
Spent primers occasionally bounce out of the catch cup. I had lined the previous cup with Dr Scholl's Moleskin, which prevented blisters (j/k) and also reduced the "bounce-outs" to almost nothing. Anyone have a better idea?
About 1 loaded round (.38 Spl) in 20 will simply fall over on the platform instead of going down the chute to the catch bin. I never seem to be looking when this happens, any ideas?
More significantly, about 10% of the time there is a "hitch" as the primer gets inserted into the pocket. Not enough to stop my stroke, but enough to make me say "what?". And about once every 100-150 rds, the primer ends up seated sideways in the pocket. I see the potential for a big bang and would like to stop this problem.
The machine was aligned per Dillon instructions, as closely as possible. The entire primer assembly is new and clean, I just cleaned each hole in the primer wheel as it came around. The primer seating punch and surrounding area are clean. The primer punch comes up in the exact center (as nearly as I can tell with a magnifying glass) of the shellplate hole, so everything should be perfectly aligned.
Cases are the same as before the problem started: twice-fired Winchester brass and Winchester primers.
Can't figure this one out.
Spent primers occasionally bounce out of the catch cup. I had lined the previous cup with Dr Scholl's Moleskin, which prevented blisters (j/k) and also reduced the "bounce-outs" to almost nothing. Anyone have a better idea?
About 1 loaded round (.38 Spl) in 20 will simply fall over on the platform instead of going down the chute to the catch bin. I never seem to be looking when this happens, any ideas?
More significantly, about 10% of the time there is a "hitch" as the primer gets inserted into the pocket. Not enough to stop my stroke, but enough to make me say "what?". And about once every 100-150 rds, the primer ends up seated sideways in the pocket. I see the potential for a big bang and would like to stop this problem.
The machine was aligned per Dillon instructions, as closely as possible. The entire primer assembly is new and clean, I just cleaned each hole in the primer wheel as it came around. The primer seating punch and surrounding area are clean. The primer punch comes up in the exact center (as nearly as I can tell with a magnifying glass) of the shellplate hole, so everything should be perfectly aligned.
Cases are the same as before the problem started: twice-fired Winchester brass and Winchester primers.
Can't figure this one out.
ljnowell
Member
To me one in 100-150 priming failures is still too many. My $175 dollar progressive beats that.
lauderdale
Member
I would call them on that. I had a problem w/a shell plate.One hole was not centerd and it would turn them also. If I remember correct the shell plate hole was cut off center. They sent me a new one next day. Not saying that's what your problem is but you should not be having any of them issues! I would think! Some one else on THR will prob. chime in. Good luck!
highlander 5
Member
There's a vendor on e bay that sells a conversion kit that replaces the primer catcher with a piece that uses a length of flexible tubing to drop spent primers into a trash can. Cost was $20.
Jim Watson
Member
I don't know about 650, but all the others, SDB, 550, and 1050, you have to be really careful to get the priming punch lined up with the holes in the shellplate. It may take repeated tries; my 1050 was the hardest. Of course if you have one hole out of position, it will be impossible.
UniqueTek charges $25.95 for the spent primer tube coupling if you don't ebay.
http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1346-650
UniqueTek charges $25.95 for the spent primer tube coupling if you don't ebay.
http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1346-650
Gearhead Jim
Member
Thanks for the comments!
jmorris
Member
- Joined
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I have at least one of all of the Dillons and over the last 30 years or so using them can understand the OP's frustration. If I ever get close to that point, I just walk away and come back when "refreshed". They are not really complicated machines once you know how they work but they can give you fits.
Gearhead Jim
Member
A good idea and a nice photo, thanks!
grubbylabs
Member
I have to admit, its kinda odd to see someone with this kind of issues with a Dillion. But like I said every one has an off day, I mean look at ljnowell, it looks like he might have got a Lee that works.
ljnowell
Member
I have to admit, its kinda odd to see someone with this kind of issues with a Dillion. But like I said every one has an off day, I mean look at ljnowell, it looks like he might have got a Lee that works.
It's really not that uncommon. I know several people that have issues with their Dillon. They usually go straight to Dillon and never come to the forums looking for help.
Part of that is the people that buy dillons usually buy it for the warranty and that's the first call. Those of us who buy Lee presses usually go straight to the internet for solutions, and usually find them.
Potatohead
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