Primer Smash
Quote from Reloader on December 18, 2011, 12:21 amIm new to the RL 550 B. Set up the press following instructions. Everything seems to work like clockwork. High quality through and through. Im noticing that some of my primers appear to be smashed. I even popped a primer while trying to seat in a unprimed federal case. My ears are still ringing. My question is if there is a way to adjust the primer cup? I dont want to pop another.
Im new to the RL 550 B. Set up the press following instructions. Everything seems to work like clockwork. High quality through and through. Im noticing that some of my primers appear to be smashed. I even popped a primer while trying to seat in a unprimed federal case. My ears are still ringing. My question is if there is a way to adjust the primer cup? I dont want to pop another.
Quote from Reloader on December 18, 2011, 1:18 amBest to call Dillon while you are in front of the loader. They will help you diagnose the problem if primer alignment with the shell plates. Make sure you are fully indexing and the primer slide is fully engaging with the shell plate.
I expect the shell plate is too lose. Make sure you are fully indexing and letting the shellplate center on the index ball. Page 7 of the manual has details for alignment:
.... insert the shellplate bolt through the sprocket and
plate and into the center hole of the platform, Fig. 8. Tighten
with the supplied Allen wrench to the point where you are
unable to turn the sprocket by hand. Now, back off the bolt
slightly, allowing you to push the sprocket easily with your
thumb, Fig. 9. There should be no looseness or slop at this
point and when you rotate the plate, you should be able to
feel and hear the index ball “click” into place under the
shellplate.
Best to call Dillon while you are in front of the loader. They will help you diagnose the problem if primer alignment with the shell plates. Make sure you are fully indexing and the primer slide is fully engaging with the shell plate.
I expect the shell plate is too lose. Make sure you are fully indexing and letting the shellplate center on the index ball. Page 7 of the manual has details for alignment:
.... insert the shellplate bolt through the sprocket and
plate and into the center hole of the platform, Fig. 8. Tighten
with the supplied Allen wrench to the point where you are
unable to turn the sprocket by hand. Now, back off the bolt
slightly, allowing you to push the sprocket easily with your
thumb, Fig. 9. There should be no looseness or slop at this
point and when you rotate the plate, you should be able to
feel and hear the index ball “click” into place under the
shellplate.
Quote from Reloader on December 18, 2011, 11:16 pmThank you for the reply. I will do that. I figure its just gonna take some time to get used to. Ive loaded rounds for a couple of years and that was the first primer pop Ive experienced. Dont want that to happen again.
Thank you for the reply. I will do that. I figure its just gonna take some time to get used to. Ive loaded rounds for a couple of years and that was the first primer pop Ive experienced. Dont want that to happen again.
Quote from Reloader on December 20, 2011, 3:23 pmI was using new federal 40sw cases. Im wondering if the primer may have been in sideways or upside down. I took apart the primer system and cleaned it. Put it back together and and pumped out 100 rounds in 15 minutes. Not a single hang-up. Ive gotten use to the fell of the primer seat and won't try to apply any extra force.
I was using new federal 40sw cases. Im wondering if the primer may have been in sideways or upside down. I took apart the primer system and cleaned it. Put it back together and and pumped out 100 rounds in 15 minutes. Not a single hang-up. Ive gotten use to the fell of the primer seat and won't try to apply any extra force.
Quote from Reloader on December 20, 2011, 3:54 pmPlease be aware some 40 S&W brass, including Federal, now has crimped primer pockets. The US Coast Guard has adpoted this cartridge, and some production overrun ammo as well as once fired brass is making its way to the civilian marketplace.
Please be aware some 40 S&W brass, including Federal, now has crimped primer pockets. The US Coast Guard has adpoted this cartridge, and some production overrun ammo as well as once fired brass is making its way to the civilian marketplace.
Quote from Reloader on December 24, 2011, 1:18 amSounds as if you were using Federal primers. These are known to use the thinnest cups of any brand. Slight primer pocket irregularities that Winchester, CCI, and other primers simply bulldoze right through seem to make Federal primers want to misbehave. I love to shoot Federal primers, but I don't always enjoy reloading with them. Due to their very nature, they can be "special" in any reloading press.
Still.....
• Make sure the primer cup is centered
• Set the hair pin spring to push the case all the way into the shell holder
• Inspect each primer pocket for correct shape and cleanliness
• Run a cleaning patch though all 4 primer tubes (dispensing & pickup)
Sounds as if you were using Federal primers. These are known to use the thinnest cups of any brand. Slight primer pocket irregularities that Winchester, CCI, and other primers simply bulldoze right through seem to make Federal primers want to misbehave. I love to shoot Federal primers, but I don't always enjoy reloading with them. Due to their very nature, they can be "special" in any reloading press.
Still.....
• Make sure the primer cup is centered
• Set the hair pin spring to push the case all the way into the shell holder
• Inspect each primer pocket for correct shape and cleanliness
• Run a cleaning patch though all 4 primer tubes (dispensing & pickup)
Quote from Reloader on January 11, 2012, 1:11 amrfwhately,
you are dead on. I was using up a 100 box of federal before I cracked the new winchesters. Im really thinking those federal primers are extremely delicate. Until now I mostly just handprimed with them. The winchesters seep to take a bit more abuse and look more uniform in the case. I havent got my hands on the CCI's yet.
I will tell you one thing... This Dillion RL 550B is about the best reloading tool I have ever handled and has proved to be well worth the money.
rfwhately,
you are dead on. I was using up a 100 box of federal before I cracked the new winchesters. Im really thinking those federal primers are extremely delicate. Until now I mostly just handprimed with them. The winchesters seep to take a bit more abuse and look more uniform in the case. I havent got my hands on the CCI's yet.
I will tell you one thing... This Dillion RL 550B is about the best reloading tool I have ever handled and has proved to be well worth the money.