TWBryan

I actually used a Lee powder measure on my 650 once,in the interest of science. It worked and seemed fairly consistent,but you could say the same of the Dillon Powder measure. TWBryan

Had similar issues with 650. First off make certain shellplate is properly tensioned on,this would account for varying results when seating primers. I ended up having my primer disc replaced by Dillon, there's still 2 or 3 places where I have to reach over with my left hand and rotate the case gently until I feel the primer move into position. This is a great improvement over what it was. Also bear in mind if the priming unit is not lubed properly it may drag and not advance the primer wheel fully putting it out of alignment with the case. HTH TWBryan

Guilds4- Tried reworking primer system , parts replaced worked poorly in comparison to parts already in place. Finally got everything back together again and have no intention of dismantling again. I will simply have to live with missing one or two every hundred rounds. KevinJ-Went through manual,no mention of wave washer. Saw a few pictures of the priming system,but no mention made of wave washer position. TWBryan

Doh! Figured it out spring under bolt was getting caught under bolt when I tightened it up,when it slipped out everything was loose. This could explain the primer problem too if the bolt wasn't pressing against the shellplate evenly...

Guilds4- Dillon is sending me new primer arm,but I finished adjustments yesterday and tonight reloaded a hundred rounds ( in about 15 minutes!) and only two were missing a primer ,I can live with that. KevinJ- The wave washer is in place, not sure how else it might be positioned? 40aet-Thanks Kirk EricW,thanks I appreciate it. Weird incident- Has anyone ever had their shellplate tightened into place properly had it spontaneously get loose. I don't mean gradually there will be a snapping sound (or similar) and I have to retighten the shellplate down about 1/8 of an inch (equals several turns of the allen wrench). This has happened twice to me and I am at a loss to explain it. Though on both instances I had previously had to remove base that rests on top of the ram. Truly strange stuff. TWBryan

I checked back to look for any tips on correcting a primer problem and saw all the replies to my 'final' post. I appreciate the kindness you have displayed towards an,admittedly fuzzy-witted old fart. To EricW,I apologize for snapping at you in a moment of weakness, I hope you hold no ill feelings,but would understand if you did. To remain on topic I recall renaissance's post regarding sideways primers... I just had a conversation with a Dillon tech and he told be that the primer discs have one side in which the holes are chamfered slightly larger than the other side. The large chamfer side faces down. Why? Probably to allow better purchase for the detent ball. My issue with primers seems to that the primer wheel fails to index a primer into position or that the punch does not push the primer up into the cartridge case base. Sideways primers are usually from having tightened the shellplate down too much,or not enough (yes I have experienced this. Also,if you are like me you probably have specks of powder scattered about the shellplate. Most of us when we remove the shellplate have a tendency to wipe this area clean,it's fairly important to leave a film of 'dillon' grease in the primer assembly recess to ensure less friction tipping the primers sideways. Does anyone here recommend altering the primer assembly detent ball spring ? Just so there is a little less tension on the disc? (BTW I'm referring to the 650 system). TWBryan

This is my final post here as I have decided to leave the forum,but I wished to close with a confession of my own culpability in the matter of the inconsistent powder measure. When I went to replace the small powder charge bar in the measure I was chagrined to find that there was a jacketed bullet in with the powder. I can well imagine how this must have obstructed the powder flow causing all manner of inconsistent charges. I apologize for calling the Dillon powder measure junk, it works as well as anything would when it does not have a bullet jamming up the works. I offered to return the replacement charge bar to Dillon,but my offer was politely refused. As you can imagine I feel quite the fool for not having emptied the measure. Though to be honest I did have it emptied at one time and don't recall any bullet in the mix,and I still don't know how it got in there. Sincerely, TWBryan

First off,to the Dillon tech that told me "You can't tighten the failsafe rod too much." Yes you can and I did. Bent the little metal plate the rod attaches to upwards about 5-10 degrees. And no,tightening didn't improve consistency one bit. To give you guys an idea of what kind of charges I'm getting I recorded ten powder charges,this is w/o the fartknocker rod and w/ my own spring in place and w/o the fartknocker cam spring: 3.1,4.3,3.9,3.8,2.7,2.5,2.3,4.2,2.2,2.0. I then removed my spring and pt in place the two springs Dillon sent me: 4.3,2.2,2.8,2.8,4.0,3.8,2.8,3.5,4.4,3.7. As you can imagine I'm quite frustrated with the whole affair by now,I just wish I could reload some ammunition. Well,some with a consistent powder charge anyway... TWBryan

40AET, tried without the spring on the bell cam,but it started things varying again. I think that having the thing go clang and clunk helps the measure to settle the powder. I'll have to think about removing the primer cam if I ever dare make changes. Renaissance, have checked and double-checked scale and methodology,visual check on case indicates no powder sticking on the inside. Powder measure appears to have all the correct parts in place. To add the RCBS powder measure you have to buy the case-activated-linkage kit,comes with adapter and the case expander/powder funnel adapters,it's usually around $50-$60 . Oct 97, I don't care about the clunk,just want it to be consistent. Gm iprod, What you are describing is the way I have my powder measure set up now. I haven't messed with the darn thing since Monday, I 'll have to run ten loads and see what variations appear. Thanks all TWBryan

EricW, I do truly appreciate the offer to help. The post on adding the springs I have read as well as the one modifying the linkage. I tried adding a spring and straightening the cam, I was back to wide +- five-tenths charges. I returned the cam to original shape,kept the spring on and tightened hell out of failsafe rod. Measure clunks loudly,but there are less inconsistencies. I've found the Dillon measure to be more frustrating as it takes 10-12 cycles before charge settles down. This is,of course,unlike any other measure I have tried. There has to be a better way. TWBryan

EricW forty bucks wouldn't pay for the linkage I'd need to replace it.. TWBryan

Dillon, thasnks for advice,have one your techs sending me the springs to add to the unit. As it stands now, I am using the powder measure with the rod tightened up,and a spring in place . It makes a hell of a clang when I actuate the powder measure, charges still not as consistent as I would like ( I can live with =- two-tenths of a grain), but I guess it's the best it's gonna get. And the flare is quite pronounced. Probably too much flare,but I definetely want to make sure I am providing enough contact to make it "work right". Oct 97,thanks ,but I think the powder can still,like myself,serve as a bad example . TWBryan

1911user Per Dillon tech support I tightened the failsafe rod (with lever in all the way forward position) so that "each coil of the spring is almost touching". I tightened the living crap out of it basically,and it still wouldn't throw a consistent charge. How could it not work? Beats me,I'm going to modify the powder measure (rather gently) and get on with making ammo. TWBryan

1911user, per Diollon tech support did tighten "failsafe" rod on the machine,it did not work. Unique works in the powder measure just fine, IF I install a rubber band or spring in place. TWBryan

Dajarrel, loading Unique into .38 spl casings. I did follow the link GUILDS4 provided. I have no springs ,but I used a heavier rubber band. Instant consistency ,works beautifully. So Monday I order the springs so I can load ammo on this thing. Very dissappointed powder measure won't work right as it comes from the factory, but if I can "fix" it and load ammo then that's what I will do. Someone please tell Dillon the Failsafe rod isn't. TWBryan