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Dillon 550b primer issue

Adjust the wing nut on the powder measure return bar to keep the shell plate from sitting so low. You only need to adjust it up a 1/16 of an inch higher. I believe they are dragging as the move under it and when the drag is relieved by going into the opening they flip side ways..
 
milanuk said:
That's all well and good... but doesn't actually fix the problem.

There can be two (or more) potential issues if the slide is sticking / hanging up and then snapping forward.

One is that it's very easy to over tighten the two screws that hold the primer tube assembly to the press. The threads are *very* close to the inner surface, and the housing that holds the tube, and that the slide runs thru, is fairly soft aluminum. Overtighten those screws just a little, and you can warp the interior surface of that housing just enough to where it causes additional friction on the primer slide as it passes through. On mine, I could literally feel a little bit of 'wave' on that surface with a finger tip, once I knew where to go looking. A few licks with a small, fine file fixed that easily enough. This fixed about 90% of the flipped primers for me, but there were still a few that were driving me nuts.

Another is that the very design of the 550 primer slide and the way it is supported and the way the return springs bear on it are a little questionable. Basically when the primer slide is out all the way, well over 50% of its length is unsupported... and the return springs attach to a pin on the bottom side. They don't just pull it forward, they pull the back end *down*, ever so slightly. This can bind the slide up just a little, just enough, that it will hang for a fraction of a second as you lower the ram and the pressure holding the slide back eases. Then the slide snaps forward, catching up with its operating rod and stopping suddenly, which can flip the primer in the cup... or completely out of it. The solution here is not a replacement OEM primer slide 'bearing', but an extended plate that keeps the slide more fully supported all the way out at full extension, never letting it be levered down by the return spring. Some version also include a roller bearing to help keep the slide better aligned side to side.

Like I said, there are a number of places on the Internet now where you can get this little 'fix-it' part nowadays. The guy I bought mine from years ago had made his by hand as he was testing the design. Trust me, it works *amazingly* well. Not everyone experiences the same problem(s); I know people who swear they've *never* had the primer slide hang on their 550. Mine... went largely unused for a number of years because having to grab the primer slide every single time and ride it forward to keep it from snapping and flipping a primer made it effectively useless to me. So for me, it turned the 550 from a POS collecting dust, to something that has become my primary loading press.

YMMV,

Monte
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Monte
thanks for all the information, I really appreciate it. I found this one on Amazon,
41G%2BYYYTxXL._SS100_.jpg

JW Systems Dillon 550B Primer Track Bearing Plate w/Ball Bearing, cost $27, I will try this. Thanks
 
oley55 said:
this may be embarrassing for you, as it was/is for me, but I highly suspect you are/did us a large primer feed tub.
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Oley 55 no embarrassment here, mistakes are how we learn, I appreciate your input. I had Dillon send me a new one so I assume it was the small primer, however, I will go check. Thanks again, I do appreciate it.
 
The only time I've ever experienced this issue was when the primer bar got slow, causing timing to be off or that dreaded "snap". Most times it required pulling off the entire primer system and giving it a thorough cleaning. A couple of times I found I got overly zealous in tightening the two bottom screws that hold the tube on during converting from one primer size to another. That caused the "sticky situation" as well. The 550B I have has loaded right at 500,000 rounds of pistol and rifle loads over the last 30+ years. The few times I've need parts Dillon has been more than willing to help. They are a great company!
 
Another thing to look at is the inside of primer tube for oxidation you can push steel wool threw it back and forth with a cleaning rod
 
Hey all, I just spoke with Dillion, they are sending me a new assembly and a timing tool. As soon as I get them in an installed I will update you on the status. I will try timing the press first to see if that fixes before I install the new assembly. This will let us know the actual fix. Thanks for everyone help so far. vr tw
 
Update, I received the new Assembly and alignment tool from Dillon along with the extended slide plate. After reading the instructions for the new slide plate, I decided to install it first. Attached are three pics. The instructions state to check for bulges on the assembly where the screws are threaded into that mount the assembly to the press (see assembly pic). Mine had slight bulges so I honed it with a 2000 grit diamond stone I use for sharpening chisels. I then honed the remaining pieces with the stone as best I could. After I reinstalled and tightened the assembly it worked much smoother and I loaded 50 rounds without incident. There are two other pics to show the install from each side of the press. So far I am very impressed with the upgrade, worked very well. If I experience issues with product I will let you all know. I did not need/use the parts or alignment tool from Dillon so I will call them on Monday and ask about returns.
 

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keep the alignment tool and parts! you will need them at some point and they are happy for you to have them. Glad you got it working good.
 
Whit holman said:
Another thing to look at is the inside of primer tube for oxidation you can push steel wool threw it back and forth with a cleaning rod
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They do get pretty groady inside. I just make up little paper wads then soak them in alcohol and push then thru with the low primer rod. Makes a big difference in the way the primers slide.
 
milanuk said:
Whew... for a second there I thought you were going to say you used 'em to shoot spit-wads... :D
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At 71 I remember that day like it happened yesterday. I was in second grade and got caught shooting wet spit paper wads, that old teacher really made me pay the price, God she was mad.
 
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