Primers Failing to Seat
Quote from Reloader on November 13, 2012, 3:54 amI just started loading 30-06 cases, and I found that the primers would not seat properly. They were 4 to 5 thousandths beyond the base of the case. This was really weird as I had just finished using the same shell plate and primer apparatus for loading a lot of .45 ACP. I double checked the solutions found in the Dillon 550B instruction manual, even to tightening the shell plate down so far it would not turn. The shell plate was right side up, and any military crimps were swaged (problem also happened cases with no military crimp. I was just about ready to call Dillon when I went through the 550B forum pages one entry at a time. Guess what? An entry by varmonter in titled "seating primers" in 2009 showed he was having basically the same problem.
Part of the response by Dillon: "Check the two small screws that attach the spent primer catcher to the underside of the platform. If the left one has backed out at all, it contacts the top of the primer slide, acting as a stop to forward travel of the handle. Next, be sure the handle doesn't touch anything when you push it forward to seat the primer. Incorrect mounting of the loaded cartridge chute bracket can allow it to interfere with primer seating." (emphasis added)
Well, guess what? I went and looked at those two small mounting bolts, and the left one had worked its way out a good bit. I tightened it up, and the primers now seat perfectly.
Thanks, Dillon for this forum. It provides a lot of good answers to problems and other suggestions. I found myself reading a lot of entries pertaining to problems different from mine (some of which I have also previously experienced and fumbled around until I found the problem).
I would like to suggest that when you reprint your manual, the information with respect these two small screws should be included in it.
I just started loading 30-06 cases, and I found that the primers would not seat properly. They were 4 to 5 thousandths beyond the base of the case. This was really weird as I had just finished using the same shell plate and primer apparatus for loading a lot of .45 ACP. I double checked the solutions found in the Dillon 550B instruction manual, even to tightening the shell plate down so far it would not turn. The shell plate was right side up, and any military crimps were swaged (problem also happened cases with no military crimp. I was just about ready to call Dillon when I went through the 550B forum pages one entry at a time. Guess what? An entry by varmonter in titled "seating primers" in 2009 showed he was having basically the same problem.
Part of the response by Dillon: "Check the two small screws that attach the spent primer catcher to the underside of the platform. If the left one has backed out at all, it contacts the top of the primer slide, acting as a stop to forward travel of the handle. Next, be sure the handle doesn't touch anything when you push it forward to seat the primer. Incorrect mounting of the loaded cartridge chute bracket can allow it to interfere with primer seating." (emphasis added)
Well, guess what? I went and looked at those two small mounting bolts, and the left one had worked its way out a good bit. I tightened it up, and the primers now seat perfectly.
Thanks, Dillon for this forum. It provides a lot of good answers to problems and other suggestions. I found myself reading a lot of entries pertaining to problems different from mine (some of which I have also previously experienced and fumbled around until I found the problem).
I would like to suggest that when you reprint your manual, the information with respect these two small screws should be included in it.