Dillon RL550B primer feed issue

[BHFG]

I am having a problem with the primer feed on my RL550B. When I cycle the ram the cup is not picking up a primer. If I put some downward pressure on the follower rod it will pick up a primer. I tried adjusting the set screw that controls the outward travel of the primer, slide first out and then back in, but it did not help.

Right now I am using Winchester small pistol primers. Earlier I was using large pistol primers and has different issue where the primer slide was not coming all the way back unless I pulled on it a bit.

Does anyone have a suggestion of what to adjust or try?

Tnx,
Rick

 

[MissouriBullet]

Mine has had the same problem for years. Fixed it last week. I filed the bottom and sides of the transfer bar to eliminate all the binding and it's great now.

Should have done that 5 years ago

 

[EddieNFL]

IIRC, Dillon doesn't recommend lube under the slide. I've used grease for years. Cleaned on a regular basis. Can't recall the last time I had a problem.

 

[sig2009]

I had the same problem. Changed the plastic end on the rod and problem solved. The one I replaced was cracked. Get yourself a spare parts kit. They do come in handy.

 

[44junkie]

I had the same problem. I glued a 230gr .45 bullet to the end of the plastic primer follower rod. No issues since.

 

[redneck2]

Earlier I was using large pistol primers and has different issue where the primer slide was not coming all the way back unless I pulled on it a bit.

As noted, a little lube goes a long way. I put some more bend in the rod so that it pulled the primer slide back farther

Also as noted, change out the plastic tip. Adding a slight amount of weight to the follower rod helps a lot.

 

[rfwobbly]

Get yourself a spare parts kit. They do come in handy.

Call Dillon tomorrow, They'll send you the replacement part for free and offer some super alignment tips. They are VERY nice people and very eager to help.

 

[tlen]

Sounds like the primer magazine is not properly seated after changing primer size. There is a nub on the magazine that locates it and makes it drop down into position.

 

[jagugator]

I recommend what rfwobbly said.

I was having an issue with my 26 year old 550 binding up the primers and after two emails to Dillon they sent me a whole box of parts not only fixing my problem but updating my primer tube to new condition. I am completely impressed with their customer service.

 

[Russ in WY]

Call Dillon,they gave Me an adjustment sequence that was not in the Original manual. It tunes up the feed mechanism to where I now have "0" primer feeding on both the 550's I have.

 

[BHFG]

I double checked the primer feed tube alignment as tlen suggested. That seemed to improve things a little, but not a lot. I also set a heavy socket on top of the follower rod and that helped. The problem there is when the feed tube is full and a lot of the rod is out, it is flexible and bends over.

I will swap out the feed tube tip today and try that.

I sent Dillon an email last night and am waiting for a reply.

In the meantime, is there any reason I couldn't make a stiffer follower rod out of a coat hanger or something so it would better hold a weight?

Rick

 

[GaryL]

In the meantime, is there any reason I couldn't make a stiffer follower rod out of a coat hanger or something so it would better hold a weight?

Shouldn't be necessary. Somewhere in the list of tips and tricks, someone mentioned putting a 45acp case over the end of the rod. Works perfectly. You don't want to add too much weight, as that will cause difficulties as well (binding & friction). Besides, a metal rod on a stack of primers? Think about that for a moment.....

I have this mix of synthetic grease and synthetic oil (Mobil 1) that I like to use on stuff. A very thin film on the sliding parts works wonders.

 

[BHFG]

I used a phillips screw driver to open up the tip on the feed tube and now works 100%. tNX!!