Stupid XL650 Tricks

[Topgunner]

1.
I'm adjusting the height of the shellplate on my 650 - but while the ram is in the bottom resting position, the setscrew for the shellplate bolt is covered by the shellplate advance cam.

Sometimes, when I need to make adjustments to the press mid-loading, I need to elevate the shellplate but not all the to the stable "cammed-over" position. I found that the shellplate can be temporarily supported a few inches above the resting position by placing a 30-06 case beween the press frame and the shellplate. Adjustments can then be made and the case removed, although the shellplate will advance since the cam is activated.

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I'm also wondering if adjustments can be made to the "primer punch support bracket" (part 23 on pg 50) in order to adjust the primer seating depth. Otherwise, why have a bracket in a place that could have less expensively been left as solid press frame?

Topgunner

 

[Rico567]

I guess there's only really one question in your post- the last sentence. But the first sentence intrigues me; I've never adjusted the height of the shellplate on my 650, and didn't know there was such a thing. No matter which caliber I load, when I change shellplates I loosen the setscrew with the ram up, remove the big bolt & shellplate, put on the new shellplate, screw the big bolt down all the way, back it out just a bit, as the manual states, until it just turns smoothly, and then tighten the setscrew with the ram up. All of the above operations, except for loosening the setscrew at the beginning, an tightening it at the end, are done with the ram down, where it's easy to work on. I just raise the ram to do the setscrew.

As far as the last sentence goes, I don't see any intended adjustment in part #23. As for why it isn't just part of the frame, it could be because the frame is aluminum alloy, and they don't want it bearing on the steel punch. I had a problem with high primers when I first got my press, but this was because the punch assembly (#4L - 4S on p. 52) wasn't completely screwed tight into the bottom of the platform (#1 on p. 52). I load several pistol calibers and .223 on my press, and no primer problems since.

 

[stoky]

I've written about this before. I have had high primers from the shell plate bolt being too loose. I've been setting it somewhat tighter than it says in the manual for quite some time and it works well. Thanks for the tip on checking the punch assembly mounting tightness. I have been loading on this thing for well over a decade now, maybe it's time to send it in for a rebuild.

 

[Topgunner]

Just some more stupid stuff

After wondering what exactly constituted a "sturdy" reloading bench, I vented some aggravation on the press handle while seating the primers on some more 44 mags, and I noticed the bench squeaked and wiggled back & forth. The backboard (which is anchored to the wall) had started to come loose from the rest of the bench. There is definitely more force involved seating the primer than performing all the other operations when the ram is raised (at least for the 44 mag cases - rifle may be different). I pushed back HARD on the lever, and there was a perceptible "crunch" when the primer was FULLY seated. A little circular dimple was left on the primer face, and the primers were seated below the case rim. A happy reloader am I.

I was in the middle of getting things sorted in anticipation of reloading a few other calibers, and needed somewhere to set the toolheads with the dies - I only have 2 of the fancy Dillon stands. Spent, deprimed PMC 12 ga shotshells (blue) screwed to a scrap of plywood made some sturdy toolhead stands.

To the left of the press I've got 5 holes drilled into the benchtop - 3 for the locator pins, and 2 for the toolhead pins - so I've got a place to put them while I'm fiddling with the press and they won't roll away and get lost.

 

[taliv]

i wouldn't hesitate to use dillon's tech support line

 

[Topgunner]

Speed up powder measure calibration

Measure out the proper amount of powder on the scale and fill a primed case.

Use the filled case to quickly adjust the powder checking system at Station 3.

Loading cases at Station 2 and eyeballing the results at station 3 allows you to quickly rough-adjust the powder measure.

This way you don't need to weigh anything on the scale until you're ready to fine tune the powder measure.

* Start on the low side to avoid overfilling the case and spilling powder all over the press.

Topgunner