Graham Smith Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 I'm finding that the slowest step on my new 550b is inserting a new case (.40) into position 1. Changing the position of the "paper clip" doesn't help at all and even with it completely out of the way, the case often seems to "catch" on the shellplate and have to be jiggled to get it to go in. I sometimes wonder if the primer cup is sticking up too high (it measures correctly) or if the shell plate is not in proper vertical alignment with the ramp. Anyone have any experience with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWLAZS Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 If you tighten the bolt in the center too much it holds the case a little crooked sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckr Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 (edited) I'll second what AWLAZS says - start backing out the center bolt little by little until you get smooth entry into position 1. Edited September 25, 2008 by chuckr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z40acp Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Pull your handle down to lift up the ram. Try inserting the brass, if it goes in smooth see if it is the primer cup hitting. Adjust the op rod spring. Is it big nicks in the brass rim? I always seat the bolt then back off 1/2 of a flat of the allen wrench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Burtchell Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 (edited) This may sound kinda weird but I switched from Dillon case lube to Hornady One Shot and the problem went away. The Dillon spray is a little sticky and the cases were actually sticking to my fingers and being pulled slightly out of alignment when I removed my hand after inserting the case in station 1, causing the top of the case to "hit" the die misaligned on the upstroke. I would definitely try the above suggestions as they are all good. Edited September 25, 2008 by baerburtchell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Make sure the 2 bolts that hold the silver piece where you "slide" your brass into the machine is tight. Mine sometimes comes loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Take a scale and slide it in over the primer cup... does it hit on the way in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 Take a scale and slide it in over the primer cup... does it hit on the way in? A scale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Burtchell Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Sorry, I did not read carefully enough. I see that you are having trouble inserting the case. My bad . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Man Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Two springs need to be adjusted on a regular basis. The wing nut that will raise the deck plate and the "paper clip" spring. Just keep the right sized cap screw (Allen) (hex head) tool handy for the "paper clip" spring. In my opinion, the initial set up won't keep them set up for life; they need periodic adjustments. FM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm iprod Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Two springs need to be adjusted on a regular basis.The wing nut that will raise the deck plate and the "paper clip" spring. This may sound kinda weird but I switched from Dillon case lube to Hornady One Shot and the problem went away. The Dillon spray is a little sticky and the cases were actually sticking to my fingers and being pulled slightly out of alignment when I removed my hand after inserting the case in station 1, causing the top of the case to "hit" the die misaligned on the upstroke. I think one or the other of these suggestions (or a little bit of both) will be the answer. When I set up a 550 I wind the powder failsafe wingnut spring until it is pretty well swashed all the way when the handle is pushed hard forward to prime without pulling the powder measure over too hard, some fiddling may be required until you achieve trhe desired result. This will ensure the platform will return the maximum amount it can, and clear the primer cup. Case lube. I found exactly this problem but with the Square Deal. If you overlube or leave the cases for a long time afetr lubing this can occur. The obvious answers are, use a little less lube or change, use as quickly as is practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Thanks for the responses, I'll do some more testing this weekend. I'm wondering now if, when I go to insert the brass, I'm pressing the platform down just a little bit and catching on the lip of the primer cup. Does that make sense or do I need to increase my medication again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 (edited) Scale Edited September 26, 2008 by JThompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead slinger Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 i had the same problem with my 550 and backing the center bolt out solved it for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPatterson Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Scale Oldtimers like me call that a ruler. A scale is something on a fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Bell Posted September 28, 2008 Share Posted September 28, 2008 Scale Oldtimers like me call that a ruler. A scale is something on a fish. Machinists, engineers, machine builders, draftsmen, etc would all disagree that is clearly a scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted September 29, 2008 Author Share Posted September 29, 2008 Thanks to all. Backing out a bit on the center bolt seems to have helped. I also changed the way I was inserting the brass. I had been sliding it along the back edge of the plate (deck plate?), but I changed to sliding it along the spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Thanks to all. Backing out a bit on the center bolt seems to have helped. I also changed the way I was inserting the brass. I had been sliding it along the back edge of the plate (deck plate?), but I changed to sliding it along the spring. It takes a little while to get the knack of it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmt Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Scale Oldtimers like me call that a ruler. A scale is something on a fish. Machinists, engineers, machine builders, draftsmen, etc would all disagree that is clearly a scale. That is definitely a scale - Queen Elizabeth is a ruler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Morcillo Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 It's the pivot bolt that ned to be adjusted. You'll have to trial and error it to get the proper tension. The brass should just slide in. If you are using carbide dies for the resizer you don't need case lube. Save it for the rifle brass. Don't use a spray on case lube, use a roll on pad. If yoyu get the case nbecks lubed, it could cause the case necks to collapse. I learnd the hard way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throwin Lead Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 You can eliminate the problem very easily for about $250.....buy a casefeeder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Graham, This probably doesn't have anything to do with your situation, but it's a nice trick nonetheless. Say your reloading bench is perfectly level. If you put a 1/4" or 5/16" flat washer between the bench and the press, under the right, front mounting hole, the gravity now in effect in station one will help keep a case all the way back in the Shellplate after you let go of it. (I never used the paper clip thing.) be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Graham,This probably doesn't have anything to do with your situation, but it's a nice trick nonetheless. Say your reloading bench is perfectly level. If you put a 1/4" or 5/16" flat washer between the bench and the press, under the right, front mounting hole, the gravity now in effect in station one will help keep a case all the way back in the Shellplate after you let go of it. (I never used the paper clip thing.) be That's an interesting idea... Mine runs pretty solid, but occasionally I get the case that doesn't stay under the shell plate and wants to hit the resize die instead of going into it. This might be worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted November 4, 2008 Author Share Posted November 4, 2008 If you put a 1/4" or 5/16" flat washer between the bench and the press, under the right, front mounting hole, the gravity now in effect in station one will help keep a case all the way back in the Shellplate after you let go of it. Cool idea. I've never checked the level but will. My problem was resolved by adjusting the center bolt, but I like the idea of an answer that eliminates the need for the spring. Now if I can just figure out a way to rig my old Lee Pro case feeder onto the 550.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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