Dillon 550 Primer Seating Issue

[JayHHI6818]

I have been reloaded for 35 years and today I loaded up 100 357 Mags and found these with primers seated backwards. Never had this problem before. What causes this ?

 

[LVLAaron]

Are they in the tube upside down?

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Other than putting them upside down in the tube....If the primer holder is very slightly out of line, it can catch an edge when the base plate lowers and flip the primer. Loosen the 2 capscrews holding the primer mechanism and adjust until the primer holder clears the hole in the base plate without touching the sides. I usually start by lowering the baseplate onto the primer holder the nipping the 2 screws, testing , then tightening. It can just happen over time and isnt really a "fault".

 

[DocBII]

Jay,

With the inconsistencies I've experienced with the Dillon primer system, I've taken to seating all primers by hand. Much better results on target, and scores. Rifle or pistol, still the same experience.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[nettle]

Never had a problem with the priming set up on my 550C. In fact I am pleased with it. Buying a progressive and then doing the progressive operations by hand kind of defeats it's purpose.

 

[JayHHI6818]

Are they in the tube upside down?

No

 

[nettle]

On my 550 can see the primer in the cup when it comes out of the tube before seating. Are the primers getting flipped?

 

[Hoser]

Be sure the primer seating cup is fully retracting so it gets under the drop tube. If it doesent fully retract, the primers can get flipped.

I am very happy with my 550s and 1100s. Zero problems with the primer systems.

 

[memilanuk]

This solved 99% of the problems I was having with the priming system on my 550B. The problem was similar to what @NZ_Fclass described, and his process can help... but this helped more (in my experience).

Basically the way the primer slide return spring attaches, it ends up pulling 'down' slightly when the slide is at full extension, and very poorly supported at that point in its travel in the original configuration. The spring pulls down, and any thing - *any thing* that causes the slide to be even the slightest bit out of alignment will cause it to hang up. Sometimes only for a split second, some times you have to nudge it forward... and then the roller comes out of contact with the cam. When it snaps forward - and it will - the primer does a little flip. Sometimes a partial (sideways), sometimes all the way over. Major PITA. I tried all manner of things suggested - lubed it, ran it dry, honed it, etc. etc. etc. Nothing really fixed the occasional 'gawddammit!' until I went to that longer bearing plate. Not every machine does it, for whatever reason.

YMMV.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I also found an improvement changing to the newer brass ended primer tubes

 

[Pres100]

I've logged over 100K on my 550B and I think I've only had a handful of primers seated upside down ... I've always attributed it to a mistake when filling the tubes ... sometimes filling multiple packs/tubes at once your speed picks up considerably and you might flip one. I've never experienced a situation where the machine set up flips them during operation.
I have had the hang up issue with the primer arm not wanting to return consistently, but I found that was from over tightening the two screws on the bottom that deformed the system slightly and caused it to hang up. That had to be filed flat and now I pay attention to not over tightening - no issues since for me.

 

[big5ifty]

Are they in the tube upside down?

It's not easy to pick up an upside down primer in a pick-up tube.

You may beat the odds and do it with one, but not so many and not notice.

 

[memilanuk]

I've logged over 100K on my 550B and I think I've only had a handful of primers seated upside down ... I've always attributed it to a mistake when filling the tubes ... sometimes filling multiple packs/tubes at once your speed picks up considerably and you might flip one. I've never experienced a situation where the machine set up flips them during operation.
I have had the hang up issue with the primer arm not wanting to return consistently, but I found that was from over tightening the two screws on the bottom that deformed the system slightly and caused it to hang up. That had to be filed flat and now I pay attention to not over tightening - no issues since for me.

That was (one of) my original issue(s) with my 550B. Fixed it the same way, eventually even replaced the housing. Nothing truly 'fixed' the problem until the longer primer slide. Like I said, not every machine seems to do it.

 

[rr2030]

What does Dillon have to say about it?

 

[Hoser]

This solved 99% of the problems I was having with the priming system on my 550B. The problem was similar to what @NZ_Fclass described, and his process can help... but this helped more (in my experience).

I also added those to both of my 550s a few years back. They work awesome. I used to clean the primer housing every couple thousand rounds or so. Now I just blow it off with some air once in a while. I dont remember the last time I took a housing apart.

 

[DocBII]

Good day,

memilanuk and NZ_Fclass,

Where did you get the longer slide and brass tipped primer tubes? I'm always willing to go back and try something new. Things changed in the 25 years since I had the problems.

Thanks,
DocBII

 

[cmysix]

Are they in the tube upside down?

Oh come on. how could you even ask a question like that?

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I have had a Dillon 650 for 25 years and loaded thousands of round. Never a problem.
Also have a 550 and loaded about 1/100 of that and primers are a PIA!

 

[LVLAaron]

Oh come on. how could you even ask a question like that?

Always start with the most obvious thing.

 

[memilanuk]

Where did you get the longer slide?

Link is right there in my previous post.