Shell plate bearing

[inspector71]

Anybody use one of those shell plate bearings? I saw one on E Bay-it's a Torrington bearing, like those used in car transmissions-goes under the shell plate to eliminate snapping of the shell holder when the silver ball hits the hole.

[MT_Bear]

I've used the one from UniqueTek for over a year. It allows me to tighten the shellplate a little more, and still allows good movement. I can't say that it has made my loads more consistent or anything like that, but it does smooth the indexing.

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1281

[01G8R]

DIY

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=86570&st=0entry996740

You can buy the parts from McMaster Carr for about $4.50. I made this mod on my 650 and it works well.

[kmitchl]

I installed the bearing on my 650. Seemed to help but the biggest improvement came from cutting a coil from the spring.

[granderojo]

Does this mod work on the 550B? If so, are there any things that need to be done other than install the bearing and washers?

[Alan Adamson]

Does this mod work on the 550B? If so, are there any things that need to be done other than install the bearing and washers?

This mod *will not* work on the 550 as is... the 550's star, doesn't have a hole large enough for these washers. Uniquetek.com has an upgrade for the 550 with a new star that fixes this issue.

Alan

ps. If *anyone* buys one from ebay for $12.95, they need their head examined... I figured all this out, see the other thread and you can buy the parts for $4.25 from McMaster Carr (www.mcmaster.com)... PN's and info in the original thread.

[RoryW]

i have the parts but unlike alot of people here, mine is installed on top of the shell plate between the bolt, is this correct or am i missing something. i have a 650.

[fred fague]

Rory you are right. One washer on top of shell plate then the bearing on top of the washer, and then the second washer on top of the bearing. The center bolt keeps everything in position. I load 9major with powder near the top of the case. Before installing the bearing I had some spillage of powder. Now I have minimal spillage.

[rwnielsen]

I find that, even with the bearing setup, (mcMaster) I still get an abrupt stop and small amounts of powder flicking out on full cases. What I do now is hook a finger on the case at station 3 (650) on the upstroke, with bullet in hand, and gentle back pressure to slow it's indexing. It doesn't slow me down at all. 357's with H-110 are the worst I've dealt with, small diameter case, almost full, fine grain powder. It's all part of the bullet setting rhythm