Dillon 550 Primer feed

[loaded round]

Any of our astute members really know the ins and outs of a Dillon 550 primer feed. My 25 year old 550 crashed and burned last night after a jam and now refuses to feed primers. After my 550's(have 2, one each for large and small primers) for these many years, I thought I knew my Dillons inside and out, but obviously I don't. Love to chat with an expert before I call Dillon in the morning.

 

[wwb]

Make sure it hasn't dropped a primer in behind the block that slides in and out.... prevents it from coming back far enough to pick up a new primer. If so, call Dillon and have them send you a replacement for the plastic part at the end of the primer drop tube. If you look closely, it's split and has a couple "fingers" that keep the primers from dropping when the primer carrier is in place at the turret. The get tired when they're old (like some of us) and occasionally let a primer go when it shouldn't.

 

[loaded round]

WWB: Thanks for your reply. I have checked and cleaned my 550 reloader twice and I'm positive I don't have any stock primers anywhere on the press. I thought it may be that plastic tip causing the problem and replaced it after chamfering it's tip like Dillon suggested a few years ago. Everything cycles and lines up perfectly but primers just won't drop. I'm completely perplexed until I talk with Dillon tomorrow. In case someone asks, no, I haven't mixed large and small primers while I load .223's

Make sure it hasn't dropped a primer in behind the block that slides in and out.... prevents it from coming back far enough to pick up a new primer. If so, call Dillon and have them send you a replacement for the plastic part at the end of the primer drop tube. If you look closely, it's split and has a couple "fingers" that keep the primers from dropping when the primer carrier is in place at the turret. The get tired when they're old (like some of us) and occasionally let a primer go when it shouldn't.

 

[Eliminator]

Loosen and re-seat fully the primer punch/primer cup assembly to the primer slide. I have seen the punch work loose just enough to be too high to pick up a primer. If it was a really hard crash you might try replacing the punch and cup. I know you replaced the plastic orifice so the only thing I can add would be to ensure it is brand new and undamaged. You could also remove the operating rod and return spring and manually cycle the primer slide to see if it will pick up a primer.
Also, I have worn out a primer housing on my 550 but this is probably not your problem as it doesn't show up as a hard fail. It starts happening gradually and you would experience intermittent primer feed issues that gets progressively worse. This results because of the slight side load the primer slide places on the housing when actuated. Plus it takes a bazillion cycles. Hope this helps.

 

[loaded round]

Thanks for the suggestion, but did that twice. The primer punch is working OK and I can seat primers singly by hand. Problem has to be in the primer housing unit. Call to Dillon first thing in the morning.


cHas t

Loosen and re-seat fully the primer punch/primer cup assembly to the primer slide. I have seen the punch work loose just enough to be too high to pick up a primer. If it was a really hard crash you might try replacing the punch and cup. I know you replaced the plastic orifice so the only thing I can add would be to ensure it is brand new and undamaged. You could also remove the operating rod and return spring and manually cycle the primer slide to see if it will pick up a primer.
Also, I have worn out a primer housing on my 550 but this is probably not your problem as it doesn't show up as a hard fail. It starts happening gradually and you would experience intermittent primer feed issues that gets progressively worse. This results because of the slight side load the primer slide places on the housing when actuated. Plus it takes a bazillion cycles. Hope this helps.

 

[loaded round]

Talked with Dillon this morning, fellow I spoke with was helpful but didn't seem to know what the problem was. Sending me some replacement parts to see if that fixes the problem. If not my 550 is going back to Dillon for rebuilding.

 

[Eliminator]

Keep us updated; I’m curious what the cause is. As you know, they will take care of you.

 

[Mus408]

I have found my loading on the 550 goes much smoother leaving out the priming operation.
I deprime clean the brass and then hand prime. Had some troubles with primers not seating square so just went with hand prime tool.

 

[loaded round]

Dillon finally solved my problem after two phone calls to their tech service. The operating rod bracket for the primer arm loosened and moved out of position. This is part 581 on the 550 schematic if anyone cares to check.

 

[Mobuck]

Happy you got it fixed. When I have Dillon priming problems, I usually dis-assemble the priming system, wipe it down, and look for damaged parts. Then re-assemble and most often it works.

 

[clintsfolly]

The most used tool on my Dillon Bench is a 3/4” cheap paint brush to wipe out the dust,spilled powder and primer anvils!