colt1969

I have 2 new revolver finds, a .38 and .44 special. I dont know at this point how much I will shoot either one. I use dillon dies in the 550b and rcbs or redding in the rockcrusher. Using the dillon dies in the single stage would require another die to bell the case and using the redding dies in the dillon press would require a way to use the powder measure. I have probably forgot something,but which way would you guys go? I would like to buy only one set of dies for both presses.

Sorry guys, I misspoke. The bullet that I will be using is a hollow-base wadcutter. Also, I read about a m-die that I believe someone makes that only bells the case.

Just thought of something. How would I bell the case?

This is probably a stupid question, but is there any reason Dillon carbide pistol dies in .38 special could not be used in a single stage press? The reason I ask is I have a smith&wesson 52 coming and I want to reload the hbswc bullets and I have read where the crimp has to be right for reliable feeding. Thought working up the load on a single stage would be handy. Thanks for any suggestions or ideas. Ron

had the same problem. After searching on this forum I found the answer. I had over-tightened the 2 bolts that hold the primer assy. housing to the machine. This caused the aluminum to swell in the primer slide channel. It was obvious once I looked. Took a small file to it until everything was smooth. A ok now.

had the same problem after buying a case of 5000. Using them in my single stage rcbs.

I had the same problem with winchester primers. Federals and cci's are fine.

got my 2 primer bars on Friday. Reassembled the primer system and ran about 75 .45 acp's with no problem what so ever. Idid measure the new bars and the measurements fell with-in specs. After eyeballing the two bars side by side, it appears the set screw holes are drilled in different places. It is difficult to say for sure, and I can't get a caliper on it. Should I e-mail Dillon to see if they want the old ones back? Many thanks to all here who helped me through this puzzler. Ron

got ahold of Dillon on Fri. after a pretty long wait. At least they kept telling me what number I was in line. Talked to a very friendly guy named Dave and after explaining my problem said he would mail out 2 complete powder bars on Monday. So far very satisfied with Dillon's customer service. Will let you guys know if the problem is fixed.

808 Win. I think we are both barking up the same tree.I got my head and a flashlight behind the press and worked the handle just to see what is going on. It appears what you described is what is happening. Am going to try to contact Dillon tomorrow. Just for kicks I measured my small primer bar and get a 1.183 measurement on it. Checked both primer bars with two other calipers to make sure my caliper wasn't off. I have a small parts replacement kit and changed out the primer punch and the seating cup with no change. The only thing I can come up with is the set screw(13996) hole is not drilled in the correct spot. Will let you guys know what Dillon says. Thanks, Ron

question for benos, Is the dimension limits for the measurements from the bottom of the primer bar to the top of the seating cup 1.125 to 1.220 or 1.215 to 1.220? Thanks, Ron Mine is 1.180

Dillon, is the primer retaining pin you are refering to the primer feed stop pin(14051)?

the press has a little over 4000 rounds on it. Ron

checked all the suggestions you guys gave me. After watching the whole primer operation closely, I discovered that the primer feed stop pin(14051) was not returning all the way into the housing, sometimes, and this is when I am getting my double drops . I could nudge it a little and it would go back in. Checked the primer feed stop spring(13979), even turned it around and made sure the hole and pin were clean. Still the same problem. Removed the primer slide and measured the distance from the top of the seating cup to the bottom of the slide, it measures 1.180, less than the specs call for. Removed the cup, spring and punch and found nothing broke or bent. Short of calling Dillon, any more ideas for me to try? Thanks to all who have responded. Ron

Dillon, this sounds like something that might be a possible cause. I have checked and cleaned most of the other possibilities, but never thought of the little white pin. I can understand how a sticking slide bar would cause all kind of problems, but the two primers dropping, one in the primer cup and one on the slide bar, not at the same time, had me stumped. Will try this, Thanks, Ron

have been experiencing something strange with my 550b loading .45 acp. After inserting a case in the shellplate and placing a bullet on the case with powder, pull the handle down, make sure that a primer is picked up by the primer arm, push the handle up to seat the primer,all is good. After I rotate the star and am checking a new piece of brass for loading, I hear a small (tink), and when I cycle the handle again there is a new primer in the primer cup and one laying on the primer arm. I am using cci primers. After reading the various topics on primer issues, I took the primer system apart and cleaned it. I checked the primer tube plastic end inside the primer magazine and it looked ok. With the return spring removed I manually cycled the primer arm back and forth with no binding or sticking noticed. How can two primers drop with one cycle of the primer arm? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Ron

I had mine mounted in the middle of my 5 ft. bench. Took up too much room. Just moved it to the left side so I can lean my left arm against the wall to set the bullets. Model 550b.

just a heads up. I recently got a new case of winchester lp primers for my .45 acp. started to have problems, sometimes the primer loading arm would not pick up a primer. checked and cleaned for dirt, checked adjustments, but could not find any problem. then I started having trouble loading primers in the pick-up tube. could load a few and then one would not go in. pushed on it pretty hard and still no-go. I had to poke them out backwards of the tube. Picked up a case of federal primers and have loaded 300 or so and no problems whatsoever. Any of you guys ever run into this before? Just thought I would mention this in case anyone else has this issue arise. Ron. Press is 550b.

for .223 I have found H-335 and cfe-223 both measure accuratley for me. Bullseye and WST for .45