A Dillon press question

sar4937 · #1 01-11-2009, 09:35 AM

I have been noticing as my shellplate moves postions that it snap into the next detent, sometimes causing a little of the powder to spill. There does not seem to be any adjustment for this problem. At first I thought I was working the lever a bit too fast, but even working slow and deliberate the last little bit of travel causes the case to rotate into position and spill. I'm working on a 650. Does anyone have any suggestions?

sar4937 · #2 01-11-2009, 09:35 AM

I have been noticing as my shellplate moves postions that it snap into the next detent, sometimes causing a little of the powder to spill. There does not seem to be any adjustment for this problem. At first I thought I was working the lever a bit too fast, but even working slow and deliberate the last little bit of travel causes the case to rotate into position and spill. I'm working on a 650. Does anyone have any suggestions?

epj · #3 01-11-2009, 09:55 AM

I have a 550, and not sure your shellplate attaches the same way. However, when I adjust my shellplate, I make sure that the center bolt is tight to where I feel resistance turning it and then back off about 1/8 of a turn or less and then lock the setscrew. This makes for the smoothest movement and the least play in the cases. Still, if you have the cases slap full,

jbouwens · #4 01-11-2009, 09:56 AM

You must be loading small cases--9mm I'm guessing. My 550 does the same to me and I have tightned the bolt that goes down through the shellplate. It feels a little stiff but when you advance the shellplate it doesn't shock/shimmy the case when it detents. The adjustment is a fine one but if you play with it a little I think you will get it. Good luck.

butchd · #5 01-11-2009, 09:57 AM

So the spilling is coming from the case that is traveling to the next stage and not from the case as it is receiving the charge?

jbouwens · #6 01-11-2009, 09:58 AM

Dang it epj, You must be faster at typing.

epj · #7 01-11-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jbouwens:
Dang it epj, You must be faster at typing.

I can hunt and peck about 30 WPM

sar4937 · #8 01-11-2009, 10:25 AM

I'm loading 5gr W231 in 45ACP cases. They are about 1/3 full, and this is the lightest W231 load so it would only get worse. And yes the cases are spilling after they are filled. The center bolt tightness might fix the problem, it is as the factory assembled it.

Skip Sackett · #9 01-11-2009, 11:01 AM

I had the same problem with my XL650 only in loading 223. The powder I used was Varget and filled the case almost to the neck. I had to change powders to get mine to stop! You shouldn't need to do that with the 45ACP though.

Snugging up the shell plate is the answer, to a point. It can be over tightened too. The instructions for it is in the manual.

There is a forum on the Dillon site too: Click here
With a section especially for the XL650.

There may be some good information there.

Wheelgunner840 · #10 01-11-2009, 11:12 AM

I have two 650s. I had the same problem."I fixed it by properly adjusting the shell plate (not too tight, but snug), and then, the most important step. I place the bullet on the next case coming into the seating die position and just hold it in place with a slight downward pressure JUST BEFORE IT SNAPS INTO PLACE.

The round coming up behind it (I leave that position free of dies, as I usually remove the case from there to check/weigh the powder charge) will never snap and spit powder over the rim, and of course the case with the unseated bullet on it loses no powder either. This process becomes very natural in no time at all. Give it a try!

WG840

sar4937 · #11 01-11-2009, 11:17 AM

I am using a powder check at that position.

epj · #12 01-11-2009, 11:28 AM

You should not have to hold a bullet over the mouth to keep it from spilling powder. Try the shell plate adjustment and get back to us with the results.

socal s&w · #13 01-11-2009, 11:28 AM

The SDB does the same thing on shorter cases such as the 45 ACP. The shellplate becomes loose. I usually keep the bolt snug and recheck before each load session.

sar4937 · #14 01-11-2009, 11:48 AM

I tightened up the shellplate to where there was a liitle drag on it. I will not have a chance to load for a couple of days, but it does not snap into the detent hard like it did. I think this will fix the problem as long as I stay on top of the tightness. I looked at the Dillon site and someone had posed the same question, and was told not to jerk the handle(which I'm not doing) and the tighten up the shellplate drag.

John R · #15 01-11-2009, 12:29 PM

OK, no one else has said this, so here's what I did to mine years ago to solve this problem.

Note this is on a Dillon XL 650, don't know if this works on other presses

Under the shell plate is a detent ball for the shell plate, remove this ball and take the spring out of the hole under the ball.

Cut one loop off the spring, and one loop only.

Mine works great with this mod, and never had any problems with powder spilling again.

Hope This Helps Ya.

Joni_Lynn · #16 01-11-2009, 01:16 PM

I have the same issue on an RCBS auto index progressive. Installed a weaker spring which helped a good bit but didn't solve the problem.

VonFatman · #17 01-11-2009, 07:33 PM

John R hit the nail on the head...it's the most recommended method...I just place my finger on the shellplate (similar to WG840) as it starts to come to a stop and I have no issues...it's all memory muscle now.

IMHO this would be a mandatory bookmark for Dillon users...LOADS of info on all models.
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=52

Bob