lrf Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 After assembling my 550 and indexing the shell plate setting up each station I noticed the shell plate would snag every once in awhile. I didn't notice what it was snagging on, a couple wiggles would free it. I loosened it and tightened it back up. I started loading my first batch progressive(9mm Federal American Eagle and Winchester White Box Brass, Federal Small pistol primers)and now I have a jam at the resizing station. I resized the brass and went forward to prime, now the shell plate will not index. I removed the case and cartridges from the other three stations,but I have a case firmly stuck in the first station, will not move, wiggled on it with pliers, no luck, I don't want to be too forceful because it has a primer in it. Planning on disassembling and calling Dillon tonight after work. But, I know this is a great place to get a pool of suggestions. Has this ever happpened to anyone? (New to reloading as well) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrf Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 I think this was a piece of milspec brass I picked up. It said WCC 10 on it and the primer didn't seat. I was able to get it out easy this morning? I rotated the shell plate a few times and it is still snagging (with nothing on it ) it will seize then break free. Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay870 Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Pull the shell plate and make sure you don't have any powder or other grit under it that could be hanging up at the index, and also inspect the plate, indexing star and through-bolt for any burs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98sr20ve Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Did you tighten the set screw on the side of the ram? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrf Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 Pull the shell plate and make sure you don't have any powder or other grit under it that could be hanging up at the index, and also inspect the plate, indexing star and through-bolt for any burs. To Jay 870: I will try that tonight. 98sr20ve: I tightened the set screw. The problem I'm having feels like the plate is hitting resistance, not a complete tightening. It's jerky. Thanks for your replies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Bob Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 IIs the primer punch sticking up thru the sheer plate. In other words, the press is coming down too low at rest, and the primer pinch is entering the hole for it in the shell plate. Probably just a fraction to cause the jerky feeling you describe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 Does it feel like it is hitting something or does it just seize up? The shellplate on my 550 has a low spot on the bottom of it. If I tighten it down just a hair too much it binds up tighter than Dick's hatband at only one specific spot on the press. I back the bolt off less than a 16th of an inch and retighten the set screw and it stops doing it. I have thought about getting a new one from Dillon but it works fine as long as I don't snug it up too much. Depending on how many rounds you have through the press it is easy to see if you turn the plate upside down. The paint will be gone in one spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillon Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 A more common cause is the index sprocket can try to gall around the head of the shellplate bolt. Grease the recess in the index sprocket where the shellplate bolt rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrf Posted April 26, 2011 Author Share Posted April 26, 2011 Thanks for all the suggestions. I will give it a once over tonight or tomorrow night whenever I can get to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrf Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 Postal Bob hit the nail on the head. When the press is at rest the primer cup is contacting the shell plate(sometimes). I can lift up slightly when I index, I loaded up 100 rounds that way tonight. Any suggestions on an adjustment for this? It is running ok otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Bob Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 (edited) If the primer punch is coming up that far, it is either because the primer punch spring is weak or worn(unlikey as it's a new press), or you put the primer cup and punch together wrong somehow. You might have put the cup too far downthe punch(compressed the spring too much)when you tightened the set screw. The primer punch spring is what holds up the whole shell plate holder when the press is at rest. Read the manual. The measuremnt from the top of the primer cup to the bottom of the primer slide slide should be between 1.215"-1.220". See the attached schematics: http://www.dillonprecision.com/docs/RL_550B_Auto_Primer_System.pdf Edited April 27, 2011 by Postal Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98sr20ve Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Tighten the blue wing nut on the powder return knob. Instructions have it a little too loose IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 If the primer punch is coming up that far, it is either because the primer punch spring is weak or worn(unlikey as it's a new press), or you put the primer cup and punch together wrong somehow. You might have put the cup too far downthe punch(compressed the spring too much)when you tightened the set screw. The primer punch spring is what holds up the whole shell plate holder when the press is at rest. Read the manual. The measuremnt from the top of the primer cup to the bottom of the primer slide slide should be between 1.215"-1.220". See the attached schematics: http://www.dillonprecision.com/docs/RL_550B_Auto_Primer_System.pdf Beat me to it! You'll find all this out when you change from large to small primers (or vice versa!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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