Half Cocked

I had this problem occasionally with my 550B. The solution was a piece of tape - in my case gaffer tape (duct tape) - cut to exactly fit the width of the primer cup at the bottom, then tapered to fit over the rounded top of the pivot arm the cup is mounted to. This way, the tape covers the gap between the top of the cup and the pivot arm. Any primer that isn't headed for the cup hits the tape and is redirected down into the cup. Works like a charm and cost nothing. This is a case where a photo would be word a thousand words...but I don't have a camera.

Like most guys, I basically reload to shoot. Like Sarge, if I had unlimited funds, I'd maybe just buy it instead of making it. At least, that's how I felt when I started reloading, about a year ago. But once I got into it, I found that it was kinda fun, in and of itself. Now, I enjoy my reloading time: a pleasant, quiet time, alone in my gun room, favorite tunes on the music box, no outside hassles...it's pretty cool. Maybe I wouldn't give it up if I had a million bucks....

Just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my original post...some terrific advice, which I'll definitely follow. Actually, I went ahead with the idea of weighing each of the potentially problematic rounds and did indeed get significant differences...or at least what I perceived to be significant, 5 to 6 grains. But as several of you pointed out, this was simple variance of miscellaneous cases. The powder charges were all within spec. But, I held a solo 'bullet-pulling party', and reloaded every single one, for my own peace of mind. From now on: 'an eyeball on every powder charge'! By the way, Sarge, I'm a member of your club: MRPC. Thanks for the offer of help. I'll yell when I screw up again.

Last Saturday, on the first stage of a Steel match, I fired my first 4 rounds of reloaded 45 ACP through my Les Baer normally. But when I pulled the trigger on the 5th round, all hell broke loose. The report was about 3 times louder than normal, the recoil was massive, the mag blew out the bottom of the mag well and was destroyed: follower gone, bottom plate gone, spring gone, and the feed lips distorted. The only thing I can think of is that the cheap labor I use for reloading - me - accidentally dropped a double powder charge, so the case had 10 grains of Winchester 231, instead of the intended 5 grains. Whatever, I absolutely do not want that to happen ever again. Scared the bejeezus out of me. The experience made me leery of the other 200 rounds I loaded that same session. My question: is there a reliable way to determine whether or not any of the remaining 200 rounds might also have a double powder charge? Is it feasible to weigh each one on a digital scale, to see if any are slightly heavier? How would you handle it if you were me? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

After reading the posts on this Forum (very helpful), I'm having trouble injecting grease into the 3 little holes on my 550B - one on the crank housing (part # 13409), and one on each of the index arms (Part #'s 13583 and 13747). I've tried a hypodermic-type injector, a chain saw lube injector, a micro hand pump...none can get grease into the holes. I'd love to install zerk fittings. Has anyone done it? Looks as if I'd need to disassemble the lower end of the press completely...pretty daunting. If someone has done it, I'd love to hear about it.

Brian, thanks for clarifying for me. I had figured the 'primer retaining pin hole' had to be the one that holds the little white nylon pin, but I was still unsure because I've always heard that you didn't need to lube nylon...it's supposed to be self lubricating. But whatever, you've cleared up my confusion, and those parts are now properly lubed. Thanks again.

I bought a used 550B on eBay. I want to do a thorough lubricating job on the press, but I'm having a devil of a time correlating descriptions of what to lube, with the nomenclature of the various parts of the press. I have the Dillon owners manual with the complete parts list, and I have a list of recommended lube points from somewhere on this Forum, but can't seem to identify, for example, the 'primer retaining pin hole', nor the 'connector body collar'. The parts list references the connector body collar as part #21275, but I've pored over the parts diagrams and cannot find part #21275. Is there a diagram somewhere that identifies a proper lubrication system? Can anyone tell me what the darned connector body collar is, and which of the several holes on the primer system the primer retaining pin hole is?? Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks to all for responding to this. Got some very helpful info, especially PingJockey's recommended link.

I'm a newbie to reloading. My 550B is putting out .45ACP nicely, but I bought it used on eBay. Not sure how the previous owner treated it, and I'm wondering what kind of cleaning/preventive maintenance schedule I should practice. Can't find anything on Dillon's web site about that. Any suggestions?