Issues with Dillon 550 and .223

[Buzznrose]

This is a strange one…

I borrowed a .223 conversion kit for a Dillon 550 from a friend. For some odd reason, it is very difficult to seat the brass on the shell plate. I’ve not had this issue with any other cartridge so far. It is perplexing.

I’ve set up and taken off the shell plates twice, wiped and lubed everything. No luck.

The shells fit very tight in the shell plate when it is off the press.

I am using Lee full length resize die and reset it twice before realizing that wouldn’t matter as the shell had to go into the shell plate first anyway…DUH!

Anyway, with much pressure, the shells will eventually go in. But also at the end, they won’t come out easy like every other cartridge. I have to wiggle them out.

Otherwise, I’m loading. All shells line up fine with dies.

Triple checked I have the correct shell plate (#3) and pins (#3) and I should be good.

I am using Hornady One a shot for lube.

What am I doing wrong? Will call Dillon tomorrow.

 

[Soonerpesek]

The shells fit very tight in the shell plate when it is off the press.

Please do not take this the wrong way, but the shellplate isn’t upside down is it…?

Did the person you borrowed it from have issues…?

 

[JO JO]

does this happen with every case ? if I understand you said even with the shell plate off the press manually insert a case is tight ?
can you post a picture , I ask because depending on the history of the case some extractors on some guns will mess up the rim of the case and cause exactly what you are having issues with

 

[JO JO]

this is an extreme example of what I mean

 

[MarshallDodge]

I use a #3 shellplate with #3 pins dor 223 and have had no issues.

What is the rim diameter on the cases?

 

[Buzznrose]

Please do not take this the wrong way, but the shellplate isn’t upside down is it…?

Did the person you borrowed it from have issues…?

Not upside down.

Haven’t had a chance to call him as he’s out of town

 

[Buzznrose]

does this happen with every case ? if I understand you said even with the shell plate off the press manually insert a case is tight ?
can you post a picture , I ask because depending on the history of the case some extractors on some guns will mess up the rim of the case and cause exactly what you are having issues with

I will post pics tomorrow when I get a chance

 

[Buzznrose]

I use a #3 shellplate with #3 pins dor 223 and have had no issues.

What is the rim diameter on the cases?

Good question…not sure. All are FC headstamps.

 

[Jonny2guns]

If every piece of brass does not fit, I would think the shell plate is wrong. Try other brands of brass, if they don't fit, I would order a new shell plate.

 

[Blue68f100]

Federal being soft brass, measure the extractor groove and compare it spec. It's possible the extractor groove has expanded due to hot loads..

 

[jmorris]

This is what one of mine measures.



And a .223 case I picked up.



How much that case can droop if held horizontal.

 

[small town life]

How us the expander ball and decap pin adjusted? If the expander is inside the neck sizing it WILL be tough to size.

 

[jmorris]

How us the expander ball and decap pin adjusted? If the expander is inside the neck sizing it WILL be tough to size.

He's not to that point yet.

For some odd reason, it is very difficult to seat the brass on the shell plate.

 

[Wildbillz]

I would check the rims of the cases. I had issues with some fired from a mini 14 do to the ejection style of the Mini. It would deform the rim of the case and make it next to useless.

See if a factory round will fit in the shell plate?

WB

 

[DILLONHELP]

First, switch to a case lube that uses lanolin as the lube agent. We see more cases stuck in dies using One Shot than any other lubricant. Be aware that FC headstamped brass often has a crimped primer pocket.
This crimp must be removed prior to seating a new primer. Try some different headstamped cases and see how they fit in the shellplate. Try some live ammo as well.

 

[BreechFace]

First, switch to a case lube that uses lanolin as the lube agent. We see more cases stuck in dies using One Shot than any other lubricant. Be aware that FC headstamped brass often has a crimped primer pocket.
This crimp must be removed prior to seating a new primer. Try some different headstamped cases and see how they fit in the shellplate. Try some live ammo as well.

What does the first three sentences have to do with a case not fitting into a shell plate?

 

[BreechFace]

Check the thickness of the shellplate that engages into the extractor groove of the cartridge case. Measure your clearance between cartridge base and the case body that would interact with the previous measurement requested on the shell plate.

It could be there isn't enough clearance on an out of spec shellplate or out of spec cartridge rim. See red edit's below in attached picture.

 

[Buzznrose]

Check the thickness of the shellplate that engages into the extractor groove of the cartridge case. Measure your clearance between cartridge base and the case body that would interact with the previous measurement requested on the shell plate.

It could be there isn't enough clearance on an out of spec shellplate or out of spec cartridge rim. See red edit's below in attached picture.

View attachment 1192425

 

[Buzznrose]

What does the first three sentences have to do with a case not fitting into a shell plate?

Actually, this was my problem!

Again, I am bitten by the “cases are too clean” issue. All these cases were wet tumbled in AAWW and citric acid.

I used One Shot and sprayed the necks and bodies but not much lube hit the rim.

I cleaned and sprayed the shell plate, sprayed the rims betted, and problem solved!

Embarrassing!!!!!!!!!

But this never happened before with other cartridges with regards to the shell plate…but lesson learned.

I am sorry to cause any confusion, and again, grateful to this board for all your support and suggestions!!!!

Buzz the Reloading Clown!. LOL!