Notes on .223 Conversion
Quote from Reloader on November 20, 2013, 9:35 amI converted my XL650 from 45ACP over to .223 for the first time. I ran 100 of assorted brass at 2.390" OAL (per book) pushing 75gr projectiles, Winchester SRP, and IMR powder. Here's some notes I'd like your input on;
The black guide block (if I remember correctly) at Station 1 has the small angled side facing inward similar to .308 setup.
Aluminum guide plate (Size 3) at Station 1 will occasionally not hold the cartridge and the shell pops out or doesn't seat entirely into station when the handle is fully up. This causes misalignment to the depriming pin.
Small rife primers are occasionally getting pinched/jammed at Station 2 causing the toolhead itself to jam/seize.
No other issues at Station 3, 4, and 5. Powder is still trickling out from somewhere, but given some of the issues I was having I couldn't tell if it was from a shell I had to pull out of the shell plate or just from the shells rotating around and some of it shaking out. The Powder Check shows throws are still usually coming in at tolerance (which I estimate as +-.5gr).
Any other suggestions?
I converted my XL650 from 45ACP over to .223 for the first time. I ran 100 of assorted brass at 2.390" OAL (per book) pushing 75gr projectiles, Winchester SRP, and IMR powder. Here's some notes I'd like your input on;
The black guide block (if I remember correctly) at Station 1 has the small angled side facing inward similar to .308 setup.
Aluminum guide plate (Size 3) at Station 1 will occasionally not hold the cartridge and the shell pops out or doesn't seat entirely into station when the handle is fully up. This causes misalignment to the depriming pin.
Small rife primers are occasionally getting pinched/jammed at Station 2 causing the toolhead itself to jam/seize.
No other issues at Station 3, 4, and 5. Powder is still trickling out from somewhere, but given some of the issues I was having I couldn't tell if it was from a shell I had to pull out of the shell plate or just from the shells rotating around and some of it shaking out. The Powder Check shows throws are still usually coming in at tolerance (which I estimate as +-.5gr).
Any other suggestions?
Quote from Reloader on November 20, 2013, 4:51 pmBe sure to put a dab of grease on the underside of the station 1 locator where it sits in the platform extension. This serves to dampen vibration.
When changing calibers, you will need to adjust the camming pin, #13371 on the casefeed boy assembly. From 45ACP to 223, this rod will go up. you need to have a primes case in station 2 when setting this, as the primer seating punch stopping against the primer is what stops forward movement of the handle.
IMR powders don't meter as well as ball-type powders into small calibers. Slow your downward handle speed so the powder bar takes at least one full second to push the powder bar over. This gives the powder time to fall through the funnel into the case. Faster often results in this type of powder logjamming inside the funnel, then spilling out when the funnel moves again.
Be sure to put a dab of grease on the underside of the station 1 locator where it sits in the platform extension. This serves to dampen vibration.
When changing calibers, you will need to adjust the camming pin, #13371 on the casefeed boy assembly. From 45ACP to 223, this rod will go up. you need to have a primes case in station 2 when setting this, as the primer seating punch stopping against the primer is what stops forward movement of the handle.
IMR powders don't meter as well as ball-type powders into small calibers. Slow your downward handle speed so the powder bar takes at least one full second to push the powder bar over. This gives the powder time to fall through the funnel into the case. Faster often results in this type of powder logjamming inside the funnel, then spilling out when the funnel moves again.
Quote from Reloader on December 3, 2013, 8:46 pmAs noted previously;
"Small rife primers are occasionally getting pinched/jammed at Station 2 causing the toolhead itself to jam/seize".
I ran a batch of 100 rounds and lost four shells to primers either being off center and crimped as it was being pressed into the primer pocket, or the primer didn't align up correctly again causing a jam in the toolhead. Sometimes if I would reach in and press the shell back into Station 2, the primer would line up and I'd be able to seat the primer into the brass. Nothing seems lose, and all other stations are working great except for Station 2 and the primers. Is this just typical of small rifle primers?
Also I switched to CFE 223 poster and it meters great with a high level of consistency!
As noted previously;
"Small rife primers are occasionally getting pinched/jammed at Station 2 causing the toolhead itself to jam/seize".
I ran a batch of 100 rounds and lost four shells to primers either being off center and crimped as it was being pressed into the primer pocket, or the primer didn't align up correctly again causing a jam in the toolhead. Sometimes if I would reach in and press the shell back into Station 2, the primer would line up and I'd be able to seat the primer into the brass. Nothing seems lose, and all other stations are working great except for Station 2 and the primers. Is this just typical of small rifle primers?
Also I switched to CFE 223 poster and it meters great with a high level of consistency!