Primer feed

#1 · January 2, 2014, 8:07 pm

With blowing snow and temps below zero, it is time to work on the 550b. Both large and small Winchester primers fail to drop into the cup intermittently. Been reloading over a year, about 100 rounds per, and have had this occur but more so lately. Here is what I have done:
Used alcohol and green scotch pad on both primer bars & track bearing
Measured both cup height & were within range of 1.125 - 1.220
Operating rod is parallel to primer tube when rotated up
Operating rod bracket is within range of .002 - .004, tried different settings
Greased end of operating rod at bracket
Primer tubes are fully down
Primer housing tube screws are tight but not too, used t-square on bottom of housing bracket and side with screw holes is flat, side away from holes seems to have curved ends

All this and still a problem. Dillon was kind enough to replace rod but did not fix. I have tried to bend operating rod but as Dillon says should not need and is really harden metal. Any thoughts ?

#2 · January 3, 2014, 3:07 am

I've had that problem too. If the primer cup is a fraction to low it will not push the little white plastic tit to release the primer into the cup.

#3 · January 3, 2014, 1:20 pm

Are you changing out the primer assys or just changing the bar & primmer magazine tube?

Check and see if the primer bar is moving all the way out. If it is, Try adjusting Slide Pickup Adjustment Screw(13961) out a little

#4 · January 3, 2014, 3:28 pm

I have the same problem, I have cleaned and lubed all the primer bar using 3-1 oil then gun grease , neither seemed to help. If I just slightly touch the bar when it is all the way back it moves another 1/8 inch or so and the primer will load. I have just about used 2000 small pistol primers so could something be worn ?

#5 · January 3, 2014, 3:57 pm

Thanks for the replies. If I pull either small or large bar back, it picks up a primer. Also, on occasion you can see the jerky motion of the bar as it moves back. So, something is gumming up or hindering the slide of the bar. There is some of the black paint rubbed off of the primer track bearing, 14015. Not sure if this is normal after 5000+ rounds. Based on other posts to this forum, there are others loading much more than me without replacing worn parts but maybe I am wrong.
Maybe Dillon can comment on when to look for parts to wear out and is there suppose to be a slight bevel on the ends of the primer housing, 20263, side opposite the screw holes.
I feel that everything is in tolerances and set up correctly, just something is preventing the slide from moving freely.
Thanks again...

#6 · January 3, 2014, 5:02 pm

First, check the two small screws that secure the roller bracket (#14280) to the underside of the platform. If they are loose, then the op-rod can't push the primer slide back far enough to pick up a primer.

Check where the two screws thread up into the 20263 housing, see if you feel any bumps in the inside where the slide travels. These can occur if the attaching screws are overtightened. If bumps are present, just file them down flat.

Then test the primer system by hand, without the op-rod installed, see if it picks up a primer.

#7 · January 3, 2014, 8:51 pm

Actually this was the last item in the first paragraph in the original post. Both screws are tight and the primer housing tube was checked with a t-square. Any thoughts on the worn parts after 5000 loads, black paint rubbed off the bearing or the slight bevel on the side opposite the screw holes on the bottom of the primer housing tube, 20263 ?

As I said, I can pul back the primer bar and it works during reloading, just a pain to keep doing. Thanks

#8 · January 3, 2014, 9:54 pm

First check dillons response of screen tighten and not protruding. Then:
NO oil or grease ... just spray the primer bar with Hornaday one shot and let dry. It should slide back and forth by hand.

#9 · January 6, 2014, 7:45 pm

I had the problem with small pistol primers and after much dinking around, Dillon told me to change the blue tip on the end of the primer feed tube. I had a spare so I did and it fixed the problem. I had loaded about 2000 shells when that occurred. I have had no problems since.

Good Luck

#10 · January 8, 2014, 12:02 am

I found this on YouTube that seems to explain the marks I am seeing on the bearing below the primer bar. If you look at the video at time 4:40, that is what I see. These wear marks could be preventing the bar to move correctly. Here is the link

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=c4-feed-u&v=zI7HpdHvlco

Thanks fir the replies.