primer problem picking up new primer 550-pistol primers

[shootluke62]

any ideas on this?? I have had my 550 7 months,loaded over 5000 rds ( small and large pistol) never a hickupp, my problem is when I am supposed to be picking up a primer ( happens LRG or SMLL)primers are not hapily dropping into the loading pocket. I looked in the area, no crokked primers etc. area is totally spotless, I clean and reassemble every 500 rds. I ended up taping a 90 gr FMJ to the top of the low warning sensor rod and that is helping but I hate to Jerry Rig my new press...any indeas greatly appreciated.

( I use Fed primers and CCI's) never a concern before this week, hapenned 7-8 xs today, 5-6 yesterday.

[throttleup]

I find that when I start having primer loading problems, changing the plastic tip on the primer feed tube usually does the trick. It can get slightly out of shape and is very hard to detect. It's a good place to start. Bill

[Guest]

Besides the plastic tip I'd also check the primer bar stop adjustment to make sure it is traveling fully under the pickup tube before it stops. I've had failure to pick up new primers from the tube and a little adjustment here solved it.

[21 shooter]

Both suggestions are what I do for mine and it usually takes care of the problem.

[Sarge]

oosen the assy and cycle the press and watch how much the primer bar moves all over the place. Try to find the sweet spot and tighten it back down Trial and error. Also consider bending the rod a little to get more push on the assy. Graphite also helped mine immensely.

Finally call Dillon. Turns out I had a warped bar. They sent me a new one and problem pretty much solved.

[Punkin Chunker]

oosen the assy and cycle the press and watch how much the primer bar moves all over the place. Try to find the sweet spot and tighten it back down Trial and error. Also consider bending the rod a little to get more push on the assy. Graphite also helped mine immensely.

Finally call Dillon. Turns out I had a warped bar. They sent me a new one and problem pretty much solved.

+1 on the primer bar and a sweet spot.

On mine, it would drag a bit and I cut a shim from the bottom of a tin pie pan so I could tighten the screws.

And it's not jury-rigged -- it's carefully calibrated using field-expedient engineering adaptations.

[dillon]

Also, grease the short end of the op-rod where it inserts into the bracket clamped around the primer shield.

[benos]

Also, grease the short end of the op-rod where it inserts into the bracket clamped around the primer shield.

Good one. (I had forgotten that.) I added it to the 550 primer tips copy/paste:

550 Priming Assembly Adjustment Notes:

• Thoroughly polish frame, wherever priming slide touches it, with green Scotch Brite. (Approx. every 3000 rounds)
  
• Wipe off Primer Slide with solvent or alcohol. Leave it all dry.
  
• At rest primer slide adjustment: Set so that one primer, dropped down the tube, goes all the way into the Primer Seating Cup, 10 times in a row.
  
• Angle of Primer Slide Operating Rod (13869) - Release rod from rollers and swivel it 180º so it's pointing straight up - it should be parallel with the Primer Housing Shield, or maybe outward "a little"; it should not be "inward" at all.
  
• Be sure both screws (14530) that tighten Roller Bracket Shell Platform (14280) from bottom (to the Shellplate Platform) are tight!
  
• Make sure Priming Seating Punch Assembly is fully bottomed out before tightening screw (13996): Measured from bottom of Primer Slide (13920) to top of seated Primer Seating Cup (13284/5), dimension should be between 2.125 - 2.220 inches.
  
• Be sure Priming Operating Rod Bracket (13887) is adjusted so it's within a few thousands of an inch from the top of frame/Toplhead.
  
• Be sure the plastic tips of all your Primer Pickup Tubes and the plastic tip on the bottom of the Priming Magazine are seated fully against the tubes.
  
• Grease the short end of the op-rod where it inserts into the bracket clamped around the primer shield.
  

[shootluke62]

Besides the plastic tip I'd also check the primer bar stop adjustment to make sure it is traveling fully under the pickup tube before it stops. I've had failure to pick up new primers from the tube and a little adjustment here solved it.

Primer Bar Stop Adjustment?????...is that the allen screw that is in the primer bar itself? ( rests against a 1/4 in vertical stud) I am looking at it now and it looks like that "adjuster" is to set how far it returns, I am replacing the pick up tube plastic tip ( yes, B sold me a replacement part pak) when I bought the 550. Thank you very much for replies.

- Shootluke62

[rinconjoe]

At rest primer slide adjustment: Set so that one primer, dropped down the tube, goes all the way into the Primer Seating Cup, 10 times in a row.

if it don't what do I need to adjust it made it 8 times

did the change :

Angle of Primer Slide Operating Rod (13869) - Release rod from rollers and swivel it 180º so it's pointing straight up - it should be parallel with the Primer Housing Shield, or maybe outward "a little"; it should not be "inward" at all.