Dillon 550 help. Bullets seating sideways.

[growr]

peppercorn,
perhaps you can find a colleague that has a 550 as well and have a mentor go through set up with you. Another set of experienced eyes can catch something that we can easily overlook.

I was fortunate in having the original owner of my 550 tutor me while I was getting used to it. I did the the set up and changing of things like small to large primer and back etc. while he guided me through.

Helped ME greatly. Maybe it will work for you as well.

Randy

 

[2hawk]

Not to speak for pepper, but I did help him set up his 550 and get him going, and he's turned out a ton of good looking ammo in the short time he's been at it. Unfortunately our schedules have not allowed me a chance to get back over to his place since he first posted, so I have just tried to help over the wire. Doesn't really do it compared to seeing and touching, though.
Although, just as an aside, I noticed that upon close (really close) inspection of my own ammo loaded on my 20 year old 550, it does show a little of the same bulge on some of the rounds. I attribute this to the differences in the case diameter and bullet and figure that if the rounds are chambering and shooting well then I don't really have a problem other than cosmetic. I would still like to see if his seating plug or shell plate appear to be contributing to the issue, but I suspect if any 550 users gave their rounds the kind of micro-inspection that peppercorn gives his they would also see some variances. IMHO

 

[BobR1]

I had a problem with my old 550B. The Dillon Rep sent me an Alignment Fixture to attempt to cure the problem.
The Fixture positions the Platform in correct alignment for propper operation. The 1/2 page of written instructions for a 550B has 23 steps to follow. Not a real big deal, and cured my alignment problem.
The Number on the package is 13713 Alignment Fixture

Bob

 

[2hawk]

^^^^^
Excellent and helpful information!
Thanks Bob, I'll pass the info on to pepper if he doesn't show up here first.

 

[GCF]

As previously suggested, adjust & tighten all 4 dies w/ cartridge - or case in place. This will help improve die alignment.

Also, I would suggest backing off your sizing die a bit. Not TOO much - maybe 1/4, or 1/2 turn off the shell plate. I've noted that Dillon sizes down a little farther the really necessary. It's done in the interest of safety, I'm told. Regardless, backing off the sizer has helped me, w/ the same common problem you describe.

You will want to assure that partially sized / loaded brass chambers fully - before loading up a ton...

For the record, concentric ammo is helpful w/ a tight chamber. Throw moon clips (for your mod 625) into the mix, & an even bullet bulge is essential.

 

[H Richard]

One thing I don't think has been mentioned is how much case mouth bevel are you putting in at the powder stage? If you have too little bevel for the bullet to sit into the case mouth it can cause the bullet to catch and possibly tilt.

 

[Engineer1911]

From personal experience, I suggest a little more bell on the case mouth when you dump the powder. Get the shell holder alignment fixture to check alignment between the ram/shell plate, and toolhead. If all the tolerances go one way, your problem happens with regularity. If the tolerance stackup varies or goes to zero, you get perfect ammo. The alignment fixture minimizes tolerance stackup.

 

[GCF]

From personal experience, I suggest a little more bell on the case mouth when you dump the powder. Get the shell holder alignment fixture to check alignment between the ram/shell plate, and toolhead. If all the tolerances go one way, your problem happens with regularity. If the tolerance stackup varies or goes to zero, you get perfect ammo. The alignment fixture minimizes tolerance stackup.

I think that when a problem occurs, we frequently go looking for one bogeyman as the cause - when TOLERANCE STACKING is the true, overlooked issue. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[GCF]

I had a problem with my old 550B. The Dillon Rep sent me an Alignment Fixture to attempt to cure the problem.
The Fixture positions the Platform in correct alignment for propper operation. The 1/2 page of written instructions for a 550B has 23 steps to follow. Not a real big deal, and cured my alignment problem.
The Number on the package is 13713 Alignment Fixture

Bob

I just hit the Dillon site looking for one of these items, but no cigar. Anyone got a link?

 

[dutch686]

I had the the same problem on my 550. It was the bell at the mouth. I increased it slightly, and the bulge went away. Dillon certainly stands behind their products. It's a good machine.

 

[andyo5]

I have owned a 550 for many years and have loaded several pistol and rifle calibers, perhaps 20,000 rounds so far.
It is typical for my 45acp rounds to show the bulge that you describe, but all the way around instead of only on one side. Same with my 38 special and 357 magnum rounds. I have the impression that the resizing die sizes the case to below its original diameter, and that pressing in the new bullet bulges the case (where the bullet is) back to the necessary diameter to house the bullet. I have never had functional or safety problems associated with this, and case life has been very good.

 

[growr]

2hawk...good for you in helping set the 550....hope you find the REAL problem, I suspect not enough belling on the powder die station....let us know how it all turns out.

Randy

 

[TdocZ]

The first thing I would check would be the neck bell, certainly. However,you may have a separate problem, not involving a faulty press or shellplate alignment. By the look of the OP pics, you have way too much crimp. You should only use a very light taper crimp on .45acp rounds. The excessive pressure placed on the case during the roll crimp may be causing the case to collapse. Too heavy crimp plus lack of sufficient neck belling would certainly produce results similar to the OP's. Also, an incorrect seating plug would explain the rings on the bullet itself.

Just food for thought.

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[TdocZ]

Hmm, I am looking at the photos on my cell phone and it's kind of difficult to see the images well. I just noticed that the bullets are lead cast. At first glance I thought they were copper plated. My previous comment about crimp was based on what I thought appeared to be a roll crimped plated bullet. Unfortunately I can't see the pic when I am typing a comment. Sorry about that.

However, why does the cast bullet appear to be so wide for case? I don't load cast bullets in .45acp so without looking up bullet profiles in a reference manual I am not familiar with common round nose bullet base shapes. That said, to my inexperienced eye it looks like the seated bullet us significantly wider than I would expect for a played round nose bullet. Is this common?

I guess I better spend some time researching lead cast bullets and the common dimensional differences between them and their plated bullet counterparts. It never hurts to be better informed. Cheers.

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[TdocZ]

Out of curiousity, what type and weight of bullet is that in the OP photos? Anyone know off hand?

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[Engineer1911]

I have received 2 Alignment tools from Dillon. I think one came with a primer feed upgrade and one with a powder mesasure upgrade. When I ordered a second powder measure, I cancelled the alignment tool during my conversation with Customer Service. I believe the Alignmet tools are free, if you have a need.

Increase the case mouth bell and verify correct taper crimp may solve your case bulge. Tummy bulge requires greater effort (exercise) .