ljnowell said:
A very small issue can wreak havoc with a progressive, no matter which flavor kool aid it is.
+1. I am "tinkering" more with my Dillon 650 than my four Pro 1000 presses. Hopefully in time the 650 will hum smoothly like the Pro 1000s.
Toyman, welcome to the Pro 1000 club.
THR has a Pro 1000 support thread and this post covers the primer attachment issue -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7877744#post7877744
ljnowell braved the odds and became a guinea pig to test Pro 1000 never having used one. As this update thread and first place bullseye league win attest, the humble Pro 1000 press can work to produce consistent match grade reloads. I also used Pro 1000 to load my USPSA match loads but I resized/primed separately for more consistent OAL for 9/40/45 cases that headspace off case mouth.
You can use the following summary of steps/mods/QC measures to ensure smooth reliable operation of the press and use it as a "pre-flight" checklist for Pro 1000 -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9614898#post9614898
- Lube the metal-to-metal contact surfaces with oil/grease and wipe off excess
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QC: Brace a used primer tray against the top frame to fully seat shellplate carrier on the ram before tightening with allen wrench while ensuring primer attachement pin is inside one of the column grooves (may wrap zip ties to better "shake" primer tray to fill chute with primers)
- Install 3-hole turret without dies
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QC: Lube the center hex/action rod with a drop of oil on finger tip (and relube as necessary during reloading session) and check index timing (shell plate should click into station before carrier reaches bottom)
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QC: While watching the priming rod, move the case sensor until rod drop with a "click" - If not, check case sensor spring is not riding the bottom of priming rod and correct spring position
- Make a spent primer ram slot cover from aluminum can to better capture spent primers
- Install and adjust dies with Pro Auto Disk without hopper using clean/tumbled cases and a dummy round (no primer/no powder). Lower ram lever halfway to unlock auto index. Rotate shellplate clockwise to adjust length of dummy round to determine max/working OAL/COL
- Lube Pro Auto Disk hopper wiper with fine graphite powder/number 2 pencil lead.
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QC: Install disk/hopper and bead chain/spring with the shellplate carrier and Pro Auto Disk fully retracted to avoid inconsistent powder fill of disk hole
- Using CCI/Winchester/Magtech primers will feed better than slightly larger cup Fiocchi/Tula/Wolf primers or prepare to get resistance workout seating primers
- Make a cover (paper or clear plastic) to keep primer attachment free of falling debris/powder granules
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QC: Fill hopper with powder and unlock the hopper (turn counterclockwise) - Drop several charges until consistent using auto index unlock feature - lightly tap hopper 10 times with finger to settle bulky/flaky powders
- Run a case through the progressive steps to ensure proper operation of the press and finished dimensions. Don't hesitate to push up hard on the lever to seat primers
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QC: Run finger tip over the seated primer to ensure it is seated at least flat and preferably slightly below flush
- Install case feeder and ensure feeder body does not catch/rub top frame
- For 380/9mm cases, use a penny with .22LR case in the case collator to prevent flipped case
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QC: As resized case activates the case sensor, keep an eye on the column of primers to drop to push a primer into station #2. If the column of primer does not drop, tap on the attachment/primer tray or manually push the column down to push a primer into station #2
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QC: Measure dimensions of several rounds loaded in progressive mode for consistency with all stations loaded
- Refill primer attachment when top of column is just below the top
- Refill hopper with powder when 1/3 full
- Relube center hex/action rod with another drop of oil if shell plate index becomes less smooth
- At the end of the reloading session, turn off hopper (turn clockwise) and drop several charges until no powder drops (use auto index unlock feature) and dump powder back into container
- Wipe press clean with a paper towel
