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550 primer issues


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My 550 is up and running but now I'm having issues with my primers. 1 in every three or four strokes a primer fails to fall I added some weight to the top of the rod but it didn't seem to fix it. Any suggestions?

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Start with the basics:

Make sure you have the correct magazine tube for the primers you are using. Lots of folks have dropped small primers through the large magazine tube. It works, sorta... Best to check it...

Inspect the plastic primer dispensing tip. If it is damaged at all, replace it. Make sure it is indexed correctly when you reinstall it. It only fits in one way. Gently tighten the nut on the top of the primer magazine. Overtightening it WILL cause the primer tip to deform and will cause problems.

Is your primer cup (on the slide) lining up perfectly with the shellplate and shellplate platform? If not, you will need to loosen the primer magazine bolts and realign the assembly. Dillon will send you an alignment tool and instructions if you can't sort it out.

I'm sure others will add...

Let us know if you found the problem. It'll probably end up being something simple.

Edited by Alvarez Kelly
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sounds like the primer bar is not traveling far enough to allow the primers to drop consistently.

You need to make adjustments to parts 13898 & 14037 on Page 5 of the Dillon 550 manual.

you need to loosen part 13898 the nut, then adjust 14037, I believe counterclockwise ( don't quote me ). But make SMALL turns. Its only going to take like an 1/8th of a turn, not much. Then make sure you tighten part 13898 again.

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Might also want to make sure your operating rod (Dillon P/N: 13869) is applying enough force to ensure the primer bar is traveling fully and crisply back to the screw stop (described in the above post) to pick up a primer. When the primer bar is all the way back there should be some tension on the operating rod….not a lot, but enough make sure the primer bar is held firmly against the stop screw.

To adjust the operating rod tension raise/lower the operating rod bracket (Dillon P/N: 13887) on the primer tube housing (Dillon P/N: 20263).

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Add a 45 shell to the top of the plastic rod that goes into the primer tube. It fits perfectly, and is a good weight.

Make sure the bracket that goes around the outside of the primer tube that holds the rod that moves them primer bar is tight, and set up so the rod moves "squarely" to the press.

Blow out all of the crap that accumulates around the primer bar to make sure it travels freely.

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First Thanks EVERYBODY! I really appreciate those that chimed in it can be a bit frustrating relying on an instruction manual when you have no clue where to begin.

I came home from work and went to work disassembling the primer feed system then I re-assembled slowly, and insuring I did not over tighten or misplace anything and voila it fixed itself.

I have since banged out my first hundred minus the 16 that I botched with the missing primers and some other issues that have since been figured out. I will take these out later this morning to see if they will go bang without blowing my hand off or destroying my gun.

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You also might want to use a little powdered graphite under the primer slide after you make sure all the parts are clean and dry.

Cleaning the bottom of the primer slide with a green scotchbrite pad also helps.

If you clean the the primer slide, make sure you stick with the green scotchbrite like DoubleTap recommends. Don't, under any circumstance, use sand paper, no matter how fine the grit is. Don't ask me how I know..... :ph34r:

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Make sure the primer slide rod is bent correctly so that it allows the slide to travel fully to the rear. I check/bend mind each loading session.

Looking at the press like I am reloading it, I flip the rod up and bend it out a little towards the right. This helps keep the slide bar going straight back in its motion.

Edited by JaeOne3345
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Make sure the primer slide rod is bent correctly so that it allows the slide to travel fully to the rear. I check/bend mind each loading session.

Looking at the press like I am reloading it, I flip the rod up and bend it out a little towards the right. This helps keep the slide bar going straight back in its motion.

Hey Jae are you the same Jae from calguns?

I think I finally met you at the Lopez Canyon Match this Sunday I was the bald headed Filipino shooting with Byron's crew pushing a jog stroller (dont judge, I love my wheels) but I'm not sure either way thanks for chiming in. As far as the primer issue is concerned I did end up figuring it out.

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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.

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Make sure the primer slide rod is bent correctly so that it allows the slide to travel fully to the rear. I check/bend mind each loading session.

Looking at the press like I am reloading it, I flip the rod up and bend it out a little towards the right. This helps keep the slide bar going straight back in its motion.

Hey Jae are you the same Jae from calguns?

I think I finally met you at the Lopez Canyon Match this Sunday I was the bald headed Filipino shooting with Byron's crew pushing a jog stroller (dont judge, I love my wheels) but I'm not sure either way thanks for chiming in. As far as the primer issue is concerned I did end up figuring it out.

That's me, dude! What's up?!

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