Couple of problems today
Quote from Reloader on February 14, 2012, 12:54 amI just got my new powder measures and caliber conversion kit in so I thought that I would reload a few .45 Colt rounds. I had more trouble with loading today than I've ever had.
The new powder measure is dropping powder AFTER it rises back off of the case mouth. I can see powder drop at about 3/4 way into the return stroke. Needless to say powder goes all over the place. I've got 7 other powder measure installed and they have been operating just fine. I've never seen this before. Did Dillon change manufacturers?
My large primer started hanging up. The primer disc is not coming all the way around. I completely disassembled it and cleaned all of the powder out of it. I put it back together and it worked a few times then stopped. Even when there is no case in the press.
I spent about 2 hours loading 50 rounds of .45 Long Colt. That's not why I bought a Dillon...
Any ideas?
I just got my new powder measures and caliber conversion kit in so I thought that I would reload a few .45 Colt rounds. I had more trouble with loading today than I've ever had.
The new powder measure is dropping powder AFTER it rises back off of the case mouth. I can see powder drop at about 3/4 way into the return stroke. Needless to say powder goes all over the place. I've got 7 other powder measure installed and they have been operating just fine. I've never seen this before. Did Dillon change manufacturers?
My large primer started hanging up. The primer disc is not coming all the way around. I completely disassembled it and cleaned all of the powder out of it. I put it back together and it worked a few times then stopped. Even when there is no case in the press.
I spent about 2 hours loading 50 rounds of .45 Long Colt. That's not why I bought a Dillon...
Any ideas?
Quote from Reloader on February 14, 2012, 8:05 pmFirst, be sure the powder bar fully travels to the opposite side before the handle bottoms out. This ensures the powder all drops out of the bar. You might also take a cotton swab wet with alcohol and wipe out the interior of the powder funnel, in case oil is causing powder to build up there.
On the primer disc, be sure the axle pin that goes down through the index arm and disc should be lightly lubed with grease only. gun or auto grease is fine. After lubing, cycle it by hand to see if it functions properly. If it doesn't, then the index arm needs to be replaced.
First, be sure the powder bar fully travels to the opposite side before the handle bottoms out. This ensures the powder all drops out of the bar. You might also take a cotton swab wet with alcohol and wipe out the interior of the powder funnel, in case oil is causing powder to build up there.
On the primer disc, be sure the axle pin that goes down through the index arm and disc should be lightly lubed with grease only. gun or auto grease is fine. After lubing, cycle it by hand to see if it functions properly. If it doesn't, then the index arm needs to be replaced.
Quote from Reloader on February 19, 2012, 3:34 amI'll check the powder bar travel. If it doesn't does that mean the measure is defective?
I'll lube the axle pin and see what happens. Thanks. I have a feeling that the index arm is worn but we'll see.
I'll check the powder bar travel. If it doesn't does that mean the measure is defective?
I'll lube the axle pin and see what happens. Thanks. I have a feeling that the index arm is worn but we'll see.
Quote from Reloader on February 20, 2012, 3:18 pmIf the powder bar does not travel all the way over, then you adjust the powder die down further into the toolhead until it does, and flares cases .010-.020"
If the powder bar does not travel all the way over, then you adjust the powder die down further into the toolhead until it does, and flares cases .010-.020"
Quote from Reloader on February 20, 2012, 10:46 pmI wanted to start this with saying that I bought my Dillon XL650 a long time ago and I've had to do nothing to it in the way of repair. It's been a great investment.
I lubed the pin and that solved the primer feed problem. I think that it started hanging because of all of the gunpowder that was being dropped on the plate after the case was about 1/2 way to the next station. When I cleaned all that up I didn't lube the pin when I reassembled it and that was causing it to stick.
The powder bar travels the full length of stroke. It still dumps powder on the shell plate on the return stroke.
I wanted to start this with saying that I bought my Dillon XL650 a long time ago and I've had to do nothing to it in the way of repair. It's been a great investment.
I lubed the pin and that solved the primer feed problem. I think that it started hanging because of all of the gunpowder that was being dropped on the plate after the case was about 1/2 way to the next station. When I cleaned all that up I didn't lube the pin when I reassembled it and that was causing it to stick.
The powder bar travels the full length of stroke. It still dumps powder on the shell plate on the return stroke.
Quote from Reloader on February 27, 2012, 8:21 pmI don't understand why there is mixed messages on Powder Bars. The catalogue says that the large bar is for 10-20 grains, but the manual says that erratic powder charges can be caused by not using a Large powder bar for anything over 7.0 grains? I'm getting erratic charges in .40 ACP using AA #5 at 8.0 grains (plus or minus a few grains. I wonder if I should try a Large powder bar?
I don't understand why there is mixed messages on Powder Bars. The catalogue says that the large bar is for 10-20 grains, but the manual says that erratic powder charges can be caused by not using a Large powder bar for anything over 7.0 grains? I'm getting erratic charges in .40 ACP using AA #5 at 8.0 grains (plus or minus a few grains. I wonder if I should try a Large powder bar?
Quote from Reloader on February 28, 2012, 4:13 amMy advise on which powder bar to use is to test them both. It depends on how you load, as to which will provide the best (lowest) variations.
Set one size up, fill tube to 3/4 full. Run about 10 loads. Then run 10 separate loads, measuring each. Switch and repeat.
Variations are caused by how solid the loading table is and how solid loader is to the bench. Other variations are how fast the handle pull down and up is. I have found slower and steady results in going faster and more consistent loads, less powder spillage, etc.
My advise on which powder bar to use is to test them both. It depends on how you load, as to which will provide the best (lowest) variations.
Set one size up, fill tube to 3/4 full. Run about 10 loads. Then run 10 separate loads, measuring each. Switch and repeat.
Variations are caused by how solid the loading table is and how solid loader is to the bench. Other variations are how fast the handle pull down and up is. I have found slower and steady results in going faster and more consistent loads, less powder spillage, etc.
Quote from Reloader on March 2, 2012, 7:17 pmHave you noticed that the newer 650's have the powder feeder's Fail Safe bar firmly bracketed to the main frame? Do you think that Dillon discovered that this would provide less inconsistency in the powder feed variations, providing more consistent powder charges versus the older "free hanging" bars?
Have you noticed that the newer 650's have the powder feeder's Fail Safe bar firmly bracketed to the main frame? Do you think that Dillon discovered that this would provide less inconsistency in the powder feed variations, providing more consistent powder charges versus the older "free hanging" bars?