DILLON 550 Priming Large Pistol

[kenhwind]

I have been using the Dillon 550 press for many years now but lately, the last few years or so, I seem to be having issues with the large pistol primer seating completely.

I had issues with some older CCI 350 primers loading some 44 magnums a few years ago and I traded for some CCI 300 primers that are difficult to seat. Even with some of the current primers priming the large pistol on the Dillon 550 is problematic. But yesterday I loaded 50 .45 Colt / Starline using some of the older Winchester LP nickel plated primers and they were nice and smooth to issues. Today I used the current Winchester LP primers and not so smooth at all.

Anyone else have any issues priming on their Dillon 550?

 

[DocBII]

kenhwind,

I started hand priming all cases, rifle and pistol, after finding my 550 didn't seat the primers correctly, especially if the primer pocket has been uniformed. Velocity for both rifle and pistol loads was more consistent, and scores went up. The type or brand of primer didn't really matter.

Have to admit, this was over 25 years ago. I knew(know) the difference between primer types.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[markm87]

I have the 550b, and I quit priming on that thing decades ago. I prime and size on the single stage then run through the progressive so I don't have to clear press malfunctions or load primers during a session.

 

[kenhwind]

Well at least I now know it isn't me. I do have the RCBS priming tool, so I will just use that.
Small pistol no problems but I cannot help but think that seating with the RCBS priming tool or the LEE Auto Prime would be more consistent.

 

[SecondsCount]

I've loaded thousands of small and large pistol primers on my 550 without any primer seating issues, unless the error was me.

Give Dillon a call or send them an email. They have a solid tech support team and can give you suggestions.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

I'm with SecondsCount! Now large pistol primers are shorter than large rifle. So if you uniformed the pistol brass with a large rifle unformer then you will probably not be able to seat them completely. And you may get failures to fire or other ignition problems especially with a worked over lightened action.

Frank

 

[stork]

I've loaded thousands of small and large pistol primers on my 550 without any primer seating issues, unless the error was me.

Give Dillon a call or send them an email. They have a solid tech support team and can give you suggestions.

This!
I've loaded well over 100,000 LPP and a little under half of that in small rifle & pistol primers on my Dillon 550's. Other than the occasional flipped primer, pretty flawless operating.

How long has it been since you completely tore down your priming system & cleaned it? It's an annual maintenance thing for me.
Al

Edit: Sorry, misspelled cleaned & my CDO won't let me leave it alone.

 

[Hoser]

I load all my match ammo on a 550 using a Prometheus or Autotrickler.

No issues seating primers from 17 Mach IV to 338 Lapua.

I also use my 550 for small batch pistol ammo like 45 Auto Rim, 41 Mag, 22 Jet, etc... No issues.

 

[nettle]

I have loaded thousands of LP on my Dillon 550. Never any issues.

 

[kenhwind]

I've loaded thousands of small and large pistol primers on my 550 without any primer seating issues, unless the error was me.

Give Dillon a call or send them an email. They have a solid tech support team and can give you suggestions.

Well so have I. I've been using the one 550 for over 30 years the other one about 20.
The issue is seating the primers but not a press issue.

 

[jonbearman]

Have you called Dillon to let them know? When my screws up I know the plastic end on the primer tube is going bad. They will send one to replace it. Or you can buy them as well.

 

[Rsadams]

No issues on at least ten thousand SPP and when loading 10mm lpp or spp with any brass also no problems... I do prime.223/5.56 with a handheld simply because it's almost impossible to remove all the crimps exactly perfect.... I HIGHLY suggest calling Dillon like MEC they have answers... Anytime you run a progressive it has to be tuned and fine tuned correctly.... Something isn't right with the brass or primer punch... Just btw I use CCI lpp also...

Want a challenge buy a MEC 9000gn fully progressive shotgun reloader you will learn how to tune a progressive press... I have been messing with mine since day one (about 30days )... I finally got it running good... Down to one small problem which is my fault for going to far on an adjustment.... Great loader just not 100 percent from the factory.... I have to admit my Dillon was removed from the box and setup on my bench and has run every since day one... I almost bought their shotgun reloader but it looks to complicated to me and I don't have the hair to spare anymore....

 

[Rsadams]

Have you called Dillon to let them know? When my screws up I know the plastic end on the primer tube is going bad. They will send one to replace it. Or you can buy them as well.

Yup , you know it's something simple like that... It's the stuff you don't think about being a problem that drives you nuts...

 

[Minshooter]

This!
I've loaded well over 100,000 LPP and a little under half of that in small rifle & pistol primers on my Dillon 550's. Other than the occasional flipped primer, pretty flawless operating.

How long has it been since you completely tore down your priming system & cleaned it? It's an annual maintenance thing for me.
Al

Edit: Sorry, misspelled cleaned & my CDO won't let me leave it alone.

Same here.

 

[243winxb]

primer not seating completely.

Dillon-
Troubleshooting
Problem One. Primers not seated deep enough.
A. Shellplate too loose.
B. Shellplate upside down. You should be able to see a
stamped shellplate number facing up.
C. The crimp in the primer pockets of military brass will
cause this problem. Crimps can be easily removed by use of
a Dillon Primer Pocket Swage.

 

[DocBII]

243winxb,

1a. Not a problem, occurs on several units..
1b. High spot on shell plate causing it to drag or not tighten evenly. Surface ground plate, still a problem.
2. Not the problem, occurs on several units.
3. Not military brass, occurs on several units.

Had similar problems with two RCBS hand tools. The Lee hand primers work well until they wear out. Changed to the K&M hand primers, no further problems. The adjustable shell holder works well even with uniformed primer pockets. A couple of buddies swear by the measuring tool you can get for the K&M tools, my experience has been feel is good enough for consistent results.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[DirtySteve]

Make sure your shell plate is turned completely down and then back it off an 1/8th turn...