Primer Slide Issues

#1 · November 11, 2009, 2:38 am

For the last few months I have been having issues with the primer slide sticking and not always picking up primers (loading large pisto 2-300 rounds per week). I cleaned the slide and machine frame with alcohol and polished the area with steel wool. Still I would have problems after 40-50 rounds. Side not picking up primers, sticking, etc.

Yesterday I visited Dillon's show room to pick up a few items and I happen to look at the 550 they had set up in the display area. Under the primer side there is a small steel plate that runs from the back of the machine frame up to just before the ram. When I asked the helpful young lady she indicated that the presses contained this part for last 5-6 years. My press is about 12 years old and did not have the steel plate. This plate is held in place by the two screws that secure the auto primer feed to the body of the press. I is positioned between the bottom of the primer slide and the machine frame.

I installed the metal shim when I returned to my loading room and ran about 200 rounds, no more primer hick-ups.

FYI if you don't have this metal shim between the primer slide and the machine frame you might want to contact Dillon

#2 · November 11, 2009, 3:16 am

The shim I described above is called the primer track bearing Dillon part # 14015.

#3 · November 28, 2009, 2:50 pm

thanks for the info, I bought a 550B at an auction and I have been having some problems with the primers not picking up on large rifle, I will look and see about the steel plate.

thanks

#4 · December 19, 2009, 2:19 am

Thanks, I'll check.

#5 · December 19, 2009, 10:46 am

I recommend after a good cleaning you spray the primer slide with Hornaday OneShot. Because it is a dry lube it does not attract dust, etc, but make things slide much smoother.

#6 · December 22, 2009, 7:56 am

I have had my 1st 550 since 93 and my 2nd (used but older model)since 2001. The 1st did have the steel plate/shim with the unit so it has been used for more than 5 yrs. The older unit I did need to acquire the shim as I had thought it lost in storage from the previous owner. Having the same problem after installing the new shim, I cleaned, polished, lubricated, both wet & dry (dry-slide works the best so far)and still continued to have the same problem with the primer slide sticking and not always picking up primers (this press is dedicated to small primer loads) what I finally figured out was that when reassembling the primer bar/punch/spring assembly, if I didn't seat the punch deep enough, it would not have the clearance to pick up the primer properly. Check that out if you are still having problems. eT