Dillon 550B .38 wadcutter powder check

[SW CQB 45]

I have been loading since 1981 and I experienced my first round with no powder. definitely nothing to be proud of and it likely cost me the match. I had to take a no score for that match.

anyway, it was a .38 wadcutter round and it should have had 2.8 of BE.

my primer system has been giving me issues and I had to stop, fix it and then start again. my primer system operating rod kept popping off for what ever reason. after the match with the dud, I examined my D550 for .38s (I have 3 total) and decided to loosen the base, the feed ramp and primer system and rotate them in-line with each other....it appears that was the fix. the base and ramp have been together for year, and I am assuming they were not lined up.

this got me to thinking, it is difficult for me to see a target powder charge in .38 special case, and there is no powder check option that I know of for this particular model.....

is there any custom home job powder checkers using the D550B out there?

I do not load for speed. in fact, my pace is about 50 rounds in 15 minutes with .38s but I cannot see in the case without removing it from the Dillon.

I do recall being extremely frustrated with that particular batch but it did not dawn on me that the two pulleys connected to the primer operating rod were not in line and when I seated the primer, the rod would pop out of the top of the frame.

I have too much invested in three 550B to invest in a 650.

thanks for looking

 

[Hobie1]

I own one and love it. However, for a serious, this crud counts match, I hand load my match one by one rounds. OCD....yes. But, you go to the match KNOWING each round is gtg. That helps the confidence level right there.
It's more time consuming but I've never had a squib since I started this practice.

Hobie

 

[SW CQB 45]

this was a few years ago, but someone mounted a light or similar on their 550 to aid in powder verification as they rotated the cases.

can't recall who that was.

 

[Frank46]

One of the members on the cast boolits site had for sale some LED lights
that fit on the underside of the 550 and may still have them for sale. Look on the vendors section. Frank

 

[lmcgust]

I also use a 550 for PPC competition. the best way I found that avoid interruptions in a loading sequence is to keep the priming system in top shape. After doing so, the press hums and I have confidence in my ammo.

To do so, I :

1) put a dab of grease at the end of the primer operating rod where it enters the 550 frame (little 90 degree elbow)

2) I disassemble the priming system and priming bar and clean everything. I then put One-shot spray lubricant on a cleaning patch and coat the rubbing surfaces of the powder bar, as well as the piece of metal supporting the powder bar.

3) after each loading session, I use a portable vaccuum cleaner to suck up all crud and primer residues. These residues are visible when you raise the ram.

Using the One-shot to lube the priming bar is trick I picked on this forum and I cannot thank enough the person who posted it. Unfortunately, I forgot his name. This trick reduces tremendously the cleaning cycle of maintenance on the primer system, hence the frustration that can lead to errors.

Good luck,
Guy-

 

[Moonman]

SW CQB 45,

1in9twist, the owner (inlinefabrication.com)

has the LED LIGHT SET-UP on the Cast Boolits site.

There is a 6 light strip and a 3 light ROOF strip also for Dillon 650's and Hornady LNL presses.

I have the single 6 light strip on my Dillon 550.

He has plug in units, so you can easily switch the power source between presses.

Buy 3 light strips (plug-ins) for your 3 Dillon 550'S and 1 power source and your good to go, or a pigtail and light up 2 presses at once.

Nice set-ups, he also has GUN SAFE LIGHT Set-ups, along with other press items and improvements.

SHIPPING IS INCLUDED IN his prices.

MOONMAN

 

[SW CQB 45]

Imcgust and Moonman

thanks

I need to detail clean the primer system and get me some LEDs.

While 38 gives me the most problems with the primer system, 45acp a little, 9mil seems to be no issues what so ever.

my Dillon set up for 38 has been around since the 80s, the 45acp is brand new bought from someone who bought it about 5 yrs ago and never used, the 9mil unit was a used purchase and it runs.

 

[CGM]

All of the suggestions you have received are great.... But, If you have been reloading since 1981 and this is your first dud.... I would conclude that you really don't have much of a problem! I would say that you and your 550 have a pretty good reliability record!!!

 

[SW CQB 45]

CGM,
I have had some bad primers where it did not fire, but this is the first squib I have encountered. In fact, for a moment in the match, I was at a loss of what actually happened as my cylinder did not swing out and had no trigger function.

But in my shooting box is a squib rod and it has been there for years. After the whistle blew, I realize the slug was stuck between the cylinder and forcing cone. I grabbed my rod and it pushed right out.

I did not fire 10 rounds in a 12 round stage at the 15 yd line....so I raised my hand and took a zero but they let me finish out taking no score.

Assuming all my 15 yd shots would have been 10 or Xs, I would have likely shot a 498/500. First place was a 497/500. Thats why I am not pleased with myself. my last two scores were 498 and 491.

I am allowed to drop my lowest match.....well there it is. Of course my competition was gigging me saying I should buy my match ammo. Of course I told them I am not made of money.

thanks for the kind words

 

[tocohillsguy]

Of course the light is a good suggestion, but I'll throw this one out for your consideration. I understand that some folks (likely very few) have removed one of the stages from the 550B and inserted a powder check in its place. They either deprime, size, and prime in a separate press or by hand, or they crimp in a separate press. Seems like using a separate press or tool to crimp would be the easiest. That being said, one squib in 31 years of reloading probably doesn't call for a complete change in procedure.

 

[dirty gary]

I also use a few 550's. As much as I like them, I don't like the priming system. I prep brass on a single stage, clean primer pockets and prime. I've mounted a light above the 550's so I can see the powder charge, although the small charge weight of BE would be difficult to see (I don't use much BE). Heard of a fellow mounting a mirror at an angle that allowed him to look down into the charged case, sounds kinda complicated though.

 

[Hobie1]

............

 

[SW CQB 45]

I am in contact with inlinefabrication. I will order a light.

I did detail clean and polished my primer bar.

Hopefully the light will allow me to see the powder charge before I rotate the cases.

Thanks to all