Dillons aren't perfect

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hondo 60

Hondo 60

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
6,533
Location
Freeport, IL
No Myth Busters needed here.
Although if Kari wants to come over ... :evil:

Sorry - got a bit off topic there.
I broke a part on my Dillon & have to wait til Customer Service is open to get a replacement.

I broke the Primer feed stop pin 14051, that little white plastic thing with the knob on the end.

Seems strange they wouldn't have one in the spare parts kit.
I'm gonna suggest that when I call 'em.

So, no Dillons aren't perfect, just awful darn close!

(I just did a box of 357 mag on my Lee Pro 1000 & had 5 cases that had a primer issue (sideways - upside down)- now I remember why I bought the Dillon)
 
plastic part

I just got to know. How do you break that part?

I have a friend who lost his. And to get back in operation, a new one was made from a scrap of plastic using a dremmel.
 
For some reason it popped out & got pinched/crushed when I seated the primer.
Then all the other primers fell out.
 
(I just did a box of 357 mag on my Lee Pro 1000 & had 5 cases that had a primer issue (sideways - upside down)- now I remember why I bought the Dillon)
Click to expand...

But at least the Lee is working, the Dillon isn't. :neener:
 
I don't know of any primer system that works flawlessly.
I think all the press manufacturers could do better.

Honestly, when I made the box of ammo on my (now former) Lee it took me about twice as long as when I make 'em on my Dillon.
The main issue is the primer feed system.
With the Lee Pro 1000, that primer chute has to be absolutely pristine.
Whereas at least with the Dillon there's a guide rod to help push 'em down.

Sold the Lee this morning
(now I can buy another caliber conversion kit) :D
 
Hondo 60 said:
(I just did a box of 357 mag on my Lee Pro 1000 & had 5 cases that had a primer issue (sideways - upside down)- now I remember why I bought the Dillon)
Click to expand...
Odd, I loaded 1000 rounds on my Pro1000 and only had 5 or 6 messed up primers.
 
Nope My Dillon is certainly not perfect. Especially that primer feed. My primer feed on my Dillon is always something I have issues with.
Click to expand...

Having used a Loadmaster and a Hordady Pro7, the Dilling priming system is way closer to perfect than is the competition.

My only annoying issue with my XL650 is sometimes a case in the feeder doesn't drop right and jams at the top of the feed tube blocking the limit switch causing cases to pour onto the floor if I don't manually switch it off in time. The other glitches are my fault (getting a .40S&W in with the 9mm etc.) or are very easy to clear -- like when a primer fails to pop out and makes a bubble head.

The other Dillon annoyance is it tends to spit dud primers on the floor from time to time as the catch system is pretty lame. The Loadmaster wins big here, with the Pro-7 almost as good as long as you have a bucket under it -- the catch jar it came with is a joke.

Yes I've seen the Dillon spent primer solution threads, but my point is for the price of the Dillon you shouldn't need to do this crap.

Odd, I loaded 1000 rounds on my Pro1000 and only had 5 or 6 messed up primers
Click to expand...
Takes me about 10000 rounds to get this many on my Dillon and most of these are crimped brass that sneak in. I'm getting better at noticing these on the priming stoke, stopping short, removing the case to ream it and then put it back for priming and the remainder of the cycle.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, this was my first run on my Lee, and I didn't realize I had any crimped brass. Most of my issue has been me forgetting to fill with primers lol.

Hopefully you can get ol' blue fixed up and running again.
 
Called Dillon this morning & they're sending a couple of feed stop pins
(so I have a spare too).
Of course - no charge.

I suggested they add it to the spare parts kits, but
the guy I spoke with said that it's very rare that that particular part breaks.
 
Hondo 60 said:
I don't know of any primer system that works flawlessly.
I think all the press manufacturers could do better.
Click to expand...

I know of one but it's a slow progressive press compared to the 650. I'm referring to the RCBS PiggyBack II on a RockChucker press. I've had this setup since '95 and the priming system has been perfect for well in excess of 100k reloads. I'm not saying that the rest of the system is perfect though. It's old technology but it has auto indexing and I can produce good, reliable ammunition, albeit at a rather slow rate of 150 to 200 rounds per hour. I still have to pick up 100 primers from the primer tray (about 2 minutes) using primer tubes. Changing the press over to reload for a different cartridge takes 10 minutes or so which is slow compared to the 650. In some ways, I wish that my old PiggyBack II didn't work so well. Eventually, I'll buy a 650 and then leave the PB II set up for low volume cartridges such as .45 Colt and .454 Casull. Basically, I'd like a higher production rate for .45 ACP and 9mm Luger with faster die changes.
 
Called Dillon this morning & they're sending a couple of feed stop pins
(so I have a spare too).
Of course - no charge.I suggested they add it to the spare parts kits, but
the guy I spoke with said that it's very rare that that particular part breaks.
Click to expand...

I like Dillon but I don't think they are just eating the cost of "free" replacement parts. It has to be added to the customer cost some where doesn't it?
 
Sure, it is a case of TANSTAAFL but it is also a case of Statistical Process Control.
It costs them less to send out free replacement parts than it would to use better materials or redesign the operation. Not to mention the free advertising and goodwill they get from "good customer service." At least most Dillon stuff works when new, unlike some companies'.

My gunsmith got into the bad habit of telling the Dillon rep why a given part failed and how they could improve it as to material or design. He must be the only guy in the country that they charge for replacement parts.
Me? I just try to sound pitiful and they send me the parts I need. I did have to kick one upstairs when they redesigned a part and the first rep I talked to wanted to charge me $71 for the new style. But I asked to talk to the guy who described the fault and its cure on the boards and he sent me the new S1050 advance lever for nothing.
 
I was assuming they front loaded the cost in the price of their equipment. Sperad that out over all their customers.

Still, one day I hope to have a 550.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top