XL 650 Case Feed Issue
Quote from Reloader on October 22, 2012, 8:31 pmWhen loading .223 on my XL 650 I'm having an issue with the case feed mechanism jamming up. When upstroking the handle (lowering the shell plate), the slide cam isn't able to activate the case feed arm. I either have to jiggle the handle or manually push the case feed arm to get it started. I have adjusted the cam as far towards the case feed are possible and this helps a bit. But, it appears as if the case feed slide mechanism is flexing (about 1/4" or so) excessively and this changes the cam angle causing it to jam. I'm using a bit of grease on the cam/case feed arm interface and the case feed arm doesn't appear to be excessively worn.
Am I missing something, or should I just replace the case insert slide system and/or case feed arm?
When loading .223 on my XL 650 I'm having an issue with the case feed mechanism jamming up. When upstroking the handle (lowering the shell plate), the slide cam isn't able to activate the case feed arm. I either have to jiggle the handle or manually push the case feed arm to get it started. I have adjusted the cam as far towards the case feed are possible and this helps a bit. But, it appears as if the case feed slide mechanism is flexing (about 1/4" or so) excessively and this changes the cam angle causing it to jam. I'm using a bit of grease on the cam/case feed arm interface and the case feed arm doesn't appear to be excessively worn.
Am I missing something, or should I just replace the case insert slide system and/or case feed arm?
Quote from Reloader on November 3, 2012, 12:27 pmStrange Dillon has not responded. I am interested in what they have to say. I recommend you call them when you are in front of the loader and tell us what they said.
Any chance you were loading pistol before and did not reverse the case insert? In the lastest manual Fig 184 has a picture of the case insert. The short side of the cam (see arrow “B” FIG 184) is for rifle.
I do not run any grease on that area. I recommend a good cleaning and then spray with Hornaday One-Shot. It is a dry lube and I have better success with it.
Keep us posted.
Strange Dillon has not responded. I am interested in what they have to say. I recommend you call them when you are in front of the loader and tell us what they said.
Any chance you were loading pistol before and did not reverse the case insert? In the lastest manual Fig 184 has a picture of the case insert. The short side of the cam (see arrow “B” FIG 184) is for rifle.
I do not run any grease on that area. I recommend a good cleaning and then spray with Hornaday One-Shot. It is a dry lube and I have better success with it.
Keep us posted.
Quote from Reloader on November 6, 2012, 5:13 amYeah, I'll probably have to do that. I've spoken to them before on this issue and thought I'd ask the question here. I am using the long side of the cam and the grease smear idea came from Dillon. The case feed arm seems to be working freely and is well fixed geometrically. I've got it set up for .45 ACP right now and I've had to adjust the short side of the cam fully towards the case feed arm to get it to feed reliably (meaning to get the case feed arm to travel far enough to drop a case). I can't see how the case feed slide mechanism can get extra free play, but from what I can see it seems to be the issue. Maybe I'll just buck up and buy the part and see where it gets me.
Yeah, I'll probably have to do that. I've spoken to them before on this issue and thought I'd ask the question here. I am using the long side of the cam and the grease smear idea came from Dillon. The case feed arm seems to be working freely and is well fixed geometrically. I've got it set up for .45 ACP right now and I've had to adjust the short side of the cam fully towards the case feed arm to get it to feed reliably (meaning to get the case feed arm to travel far enough to drop a case). I can't see how the case feed slide mechanism can get extra free play, but from what I can see it seems to be the issue. Maybe I'll just buck up and buy the part and see where it gets me.
Quote from Reloader on November 6, 2012, 4:45 pmSorry, somehow I missed this when originally posted. The case feed arm is activated on the downstroke. Adjust the cam inward, towards the shellplate, to pivot the arm over farther. If the case insert slide is binding when going in towards the shellplate, does it do this both with and without brass, or with brass only? If it binds regardless of brass being present, contact us for a replacement (sounds like yours is greased on the rails it rides on). If it only binds when cases are present, check out the station one locator, make sure cases can pass freely through the rails, and that there is a dab of grease on the underside of the locator to dampen vibration.
Sorry, somehow I missed this when originally posted. The case feed arm is activated on the downstroke. Adjust the cam inward, towards the shellplate, to pivot the arm over farther. If the case insert slide is binding when going in towards the shellplate, does it do this both with and without brass, or with brass only? If it binds regardless of brass being present, contact us for a replacement (sounds like yours is greased on the rails it rides on). If it only binds when cases are present, check out the station one locator, make sure cases can pass freely through the rails, and that there is a dab of grease on the underside of the locator to dampen vibration.
Quote from Reloader on November 6, 2012, 7:00 pmI found it. I was thinking about this and went out and took the mechanism apart and inspected the case slide. The picture below shows the issue.
The slot where the slide rides on the shell carrier is damaged. This was allowing the slide to rock back when contacting the case feed arm and messing up the geometry so that the cam couldn't get the needed leverage. This flex also requires that the cam be adjusted towards the case feed arm to get enough travel to reliably drop a case. There was enough adjustment to get it to work with pistol rounds, but not enough for rifle; as well as the jamming issue. Probably my fault for forcing something, I'll call for a new part. Thanks for your help.
I found it. I was thinking about this and went out and took the mechanism apart and inspected the case slide. The picture below shows the issue.
The slot where the slide rides on the shell carrier is damaged. This was allowing the slide to rock back when contacting the case feed arm and messing up the geometry so that the cam couldn't get the needed leverage. This flex also requires that the cam be adjusted towards the case feed arm to get enough travel to reliably drop a case. There was enough adjustment to get it to work with pistol rounds, but not enough for rifle; as well as the jamming issue. Probably my fault for forcing something, I'll call for a new part. Thanks for your help.
Quote from Reloader on November 10, 2012, 6:02 amGot the new case slide and installed it. The fit is much tighter and I can run .45 ACP with the back of the cam adjusted flush with the back of the slide. The geometry is stable and I think it should run .223 now. Problem appears to be fixed. Note, this apparently is not a warranty item. 20 bucks for the part and 10 bucks for shipping. Ouch.
Got the new case slide and installed it. The fit is much tighter and I can run .45 ACP with the back of the cam adjusted flush with the back of the slide. The geometry is stable and I think it should run .223 now. Problem appears to be fixed. Note, this apparently is not a warranty item. 20 bucks for the part and 10 bucks for shipping. Ouch.
Quote from Reloader on November 28, 2012, 2:17 am"Note, this apparently is not a warranty item. 20 bucks for the part and 10 bucks for shipping. Ouch."
Are you serious? Did you ask Dillon to warranty the item? If so, what did they say? I thought they had a Life Time No BS Warranty, especially on the 650 press. Its not like you broke it intentionally.. Im curios to know what they said
"Note, this apparently is not a warranty item. 20 bucks for the part and 10 bucks for shipping. Ouch."
Are you serious? Did you ask Dillon to warranty the item? If so, what did they say? I thought they had a Life Time No BS Warranty, especially on the 650 press. Its not like you broke it intentionally.. Im curios to know what they said
Quote from Reloader on January 5, 2013, 10:08 pm
"Note, this apparently is not a warranty item. 20 bucks for the part and 10 bucks for shipping. Ouch."
Are you serious? Did you ask Dillon to warranty the item? If so, what did they say? I thought they had a Life Time No BS Warranty, especially on the 650 press. Its not like you broke it intentionally.. Im curios to know what they said
I have worn this part out 6 times in the last 5 years. Dillon has replaced everyone of them under warranty. In fact Its going to happen again (Next week). It seems no matter how you lube the slide, it wears and then under the pressure of the case feed arm, it ends up wearing even more. This is the weak link on this press as far as wear points go.
Since its sold as a "Assembly", you have to buy parts you don't need.
Quote from Reloader on January 6, 2013, 10:52 pmI have had problems in the past with this and Dillon paid for the parts. As mention above I have gone through about 3 to 4 of these in the past 5 years and I am currently having problems with it again on loading 223. I am planning on calling Dillon tomorrow to talk to them about the this problem.
I have had problems in the past with this and Dillon paid for the parts. As mention above I have gone through about 3 to 4 of these in the past 5 years and I am currently having problems with it again on loading 223. I am planning on calling Dillon tomorrow to talk to them about the this problem.
Quote from Reloader on February 4, 2013, 9:18 pmAny update on this from anyone? No post from Dillon, and I have a new 650 on backorder to replace my 550, but I may have to rethink that if this is a chronic problem with no resolution...
Any update on this from anyone? No post from Dillon, and I have a new 650 on backorder to replace my 550, but I may have to rethink that if this is a chronic problem with no resolution...
"Note, this apparently is not a warranty item. 20 bucks for the part and 10 bucks for shipping. Ouch."
Are you serious? Did you ask Dillon to warranty the item? If so, what did they say? I thought they had a Life Time No BS Warranty, especially on the 650 press. Its not like you broke it intentionally.. Im curios to know what they said
I have worn this part out 6 times in the last 5 years. Dillon has replaced everyone of them under warranty. In fact Its going to happen again (Next week). It seems no matter how you lube the slide, it wears and then under the pressure of the case feed arm, it ends up wearing even more. This is the weak link on this press as far as wear points go.
Since its sold as a "Assembly", you have to buy parts you don't need.