Powder drop not lining up with case

#1 · December 21, 2023, 4:58 pm

On my XL 650 I Cant get the powder funnel to line up with the mouth of the case and it takes a chunk out of the case mouth if I dont catch it before it goes up to drop the powder and bell the case mouth. I have read through all the try this solutions here where guys had the same problem. I tried raising the die higher to where it barely belled the case mouth, I adjusted the arm on station 2 that keeps the case from falling off the plate, 3 thou. from the rim of the case. I checked the shell plate and made sure there was no up or down play in it after I took it off and cleaned every thing. I took the powder funnel out and polished it and cleaned the assembly completely. I have two RL 550c presses that run like a clock ,never once have I had a problem. Where do I go from here? Thanks for any help! Jack

#2 · December 22, 2023, 3:49 pm

Push down on the edge of the shellplate at station 4. If it feels springy, then the shellplate bolt needs to be a bit tighter.

Be sure the ejector wire is around the head of the shellplate bolt, and not underneath it.

Loosen the powder die lock ring. With a fired case in station 1, and a sized case in station 2, pull the handle down. While the handle is down, tighten the die lock ring on the powder die. This centers the die in the toolhead.

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#3 · December 22, 2023, 8:26 pm

Has your platform moved? I had to replace the ring indexer on my 650 and that required aligning the platform to the tool head. There is an alignment fixture, PN 13713, required to check the alignment. My symptoms were very similar where the powder funnel was crunching the case mouth. Make sure to torque the Platform Mount Bolts properly because the Platform will move under use.

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#4 · December 23, 2023, 7:21 pm

Quote from tlbaker on December 22, 2023, 8:26 pm

Has your platform moved? I had to replace the ring indexer on my 650 and that required aligning the platform to the tool head. There is an alignment fixture, PN 13713, required to check the alignment. My symptoms were very similar where the powder funnel was crunching the case mouth. Make sure to torque the Platform Mount Bolts properly because the Platform will move under use.

I tried what Eric said to do and it made no difference, still damaging case mouths. What you recommend is probably my problem, thanks for you input. I will try to figure this out. Jack

#5 · December 23, 2023, 8:22 pm

Ok I did find a video of how to use the alignment tool on you tube and the guy did the best he could I’m sure, but he blocked 75 percent of the video with his body, I noticed in the comments someone posted that Dillon had already made a video of this procedure? Do any of you guys know where I can find that video? I did check Dillon Precision but didn’t see it, maybe I missed it? Thanks - Jack

#6 · December 23, 2023, 8:37 pm

Never mind, I found it , it’s under the XL 750 videos! Now to order a new alignment tool, if that doesn’t fix it it’s headed back to Dillon! Thanks-Jack

#7 · December 24, 2023, 8:55 pm

ok a buddy of mine had a 650 alignment tool and following the video I took the press apart and aligned the platform and tightened the bolts put it back together checked it with an empty case and it was good started loading and about the 5th case the powder funnel crimped and ruined the case . Got another case on and sure enough its out of alignment again. Thought maybe I did something wrong, took it apart and when I got it back in alignment and tightened the bolts I held the case slide on the platform and there is at least 5 thou. play in the platform left to right. checked the alignment and out of alignment again. no way this machine will ever hold alignment . guess I will pack it up and send it back to Dillon. Jack

#8 · January 23, 2024, 3:17 am

also see the video & manual on station 2 adjustment,

I had the same issue until I made that adjustment, I believe it takes the 5/64" allen wrench

#9 · January 26, 2024, 5:34 am

I came to the forum to look for help with the exact same problem. When the platform lifts, the case in station #2 more often than not does not align with the powder funnel and one edge of the case mouth is crushed. It is only minutely out of alignment, because I can use my finger to slightly push the top of the case mouth over so that the funnel will enter it.

Note that I loaded 12-15,000 round successfully before the problem started to occur.

Ran through the steps with Dillon support to try to resolve the issue (post #2 in this thread was the first thing they asked me). They finally sent me the alignment tool with instructions. Received the tool and set it up correctly, then followed the instructions to the letter. But with no success. I cannot twist the platform clockwise enough to let the alignment tool slide into the primer punch hole without hitting the sides. Only a millimeter out of alignment, but that's the same as a mile in terms of solving the problem. Have gone back to Dillon support, and awaiting their response.

This image shows the mis-alignment:

Here is a video of the platform impacting the alignment tool:

https://youtu.be/AsXCkbejW2s

Again, the instructions were followed, and the platform has been rotated as far clockwise as it will go.

#10 · January 26, 2024, 5:31 pm

My suspicion is that one or both of your link arms might be torqued slightly. We have created a return authorization for you to send the loader to us, emailing it to you. Then you detach the handle, case feed post, locator pins, spent primer cup and powder measure, and ship the loader to us. We'll make whather repairs or adjustments are necessary, then ship it back to you.

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