Lake city brass won't go fit shell plate on my 550?

[gshipps]

Just started trimming 223 on a 550 with power trimmer. Some of the brass will not slide into the the shell plate. What's my problem? The ones that will fit don't slide out very well.

Read every post I could find on the power trimmer. Think I'm good there. Kind of a pain to get set but think I have now. Need three hands.

Also where's that locator pin I dropped? I know one of you saw it hit the floor.

 

[Speed Trap]

I had the same problem this weekend....

 

[Wildbillz]

Look at the rims of the cases. They may have a bend in them from the extractor or ejector of the gun that fired them. I found some that were fired from a Mini 14 Ranch rifle that had a dent in the care rim that was enough to keep them from fitting the shell holder on my RCBS press.

WB

 

[WNTFW]

On .223 the brass is sometime deformed in the head/rim area. Most likely the problem unless there is some debris in the shellplate. I have seen it with some .30-06. If you put the head (case backwards) into the case gauge you can feel it.
On the .223 I run across one that will not fit a case gauge and can't figure out why. It won't be the rim/head. I don't spend too much time trying, trash it & move on. It is pretty rare.
Some heads are cup shaped from the rim pulling back. Toss them.
A slight bur is fixable. Just keep in mind if it damaged it may fail at that spot. Any cracked rim would get tossed. Some get dented from hitting the ground on ejection and have high spot.

 

[243winxb]

Can you back out the Shellplate Bolt a hair on that model? Might help. Has a Hot load expanded the web area of the brass? My old RL450 is different. Always use a case gage to check cardridge headspacing on sizing.

 

[Floppy_D]

I'm with 243winxb. I used a Dillon 450, and simply backed out the shellplate bolt just a hair.

 

[gshipps]

Did an ejector pull on them so hard it bends them? I'll look and see if they stand up strait. We are talking about half of them. Once fired with the primer still crimped in. Wouldn't think they were loaded hot. Ran plate loose too and same deal.

 

[243winxb]

If the brass came from the LC plant, the web area could be expanded. Roll sizing is needed to put the web area back to spec. Take measurements of the brass. Should not be larger that what is in the drawing. http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html Could be a bad shell plate, i have one. Make sure you have the correct shell plate also. sorry, but u never know.

 

[gshipps]

Well they slip right in case gauge. Less than half the rim left out and just a hair short in the other end. Before sizing. Nice and flat on the rim end. They won't slide in with the plate clear off either. Hmmm

 

[amlevin]

I have several thousand pieces of LC brass and noticed this problem, also while trimming with the Rapid Trim. Found the rim to be deformed by the extractor of whatever rifle it was fired in.

I now use a Wilson Case Gauge to check all the brass before I process it. I check it by inserting it head first into the large end of the gauge. Only takes a second and those with the deformed rim are set aside to be dealt with later. Most just take a little touch up with a flat file to knock off the burr or nick that is keeping it from freely sliding into the case gauge or shell plate. If they are badly damaged they go into the "salvage" can and I sell them for scrap.

 

[DILLONHELP]

Check the shellplate with a deifferent brand of brass, see if the cases slide in easily or not. If not, contact Dillon and request a replacement shellplate.1-800-223-4570

 

[Floppy_D]

^^^ See that right there? That's where they get their reputation from. They come find you to fix your problems.

 

[medalguy]

+1 on Dillon help!!

 

[gshipps]

It appears the plate is suspect. Other brass will not fit as well. They are sending me one. Plus that locator pin that you guys were no help in finding.

 

[Seedtick]

Plus that locator pin that you guys were no help in finding.

I looked everywhere I thought it could have been.

Honest.

But I'll look again just to be sure.

ST

 

[GaryL]

^^^ See that right there? That's where they get their reputation from. They come find you to fix your problems.

Did take them 12-1/2 hours though.

Between them and MB packing up your order for shipping before you even get off the phone with them....

And RCBS shipping out replacement parts for free when you tell them you broke the decapper with a stuck case....


We are fortunate to have a hobby with a number of honest vendors that have very good customer service.

 

[jerkface11]

What's next will they just send a guy to your house before you can even ask what's wrong?