m657
Member
Seems handy.
I'm tired of the old slow primer tube hand-load method.
$300+ seems pretty spendy.
I'm tired of the old slow primer tube hand-load method.
$300+ seems pretty spendy.
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How many here use a Dillon primer auto-loader?
- Thread starter m657
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jayman9207
Member
I know someone who does have one and loves it. A full tube is always there ready to be used as he just dumps in some more each time he takes some and it is fast and easy. I don't load enough in mass quantity like he does so I can't justify spending that much on one. If I did though I would be buy one for sure.
Aticus
Member
I can fill a lot of primer pick up tubes for $300.
derek45auto
Member
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- Jan 13, 2012
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I bought the el-cheapo MIDWAY primer filler several years ago.
It works great.
Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime Automatic Primer Tube Filler
It works great.
Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime Automatic Primer Tube Filler
Bkreutz
US Veteran
I bought the el-cheapo MIDWAY primer filler several years ago.
It works great.
Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime Automatic Primer Tube Filler
I had kinda ruled out the auto primer option on the Dillon (figured $300 would buy a bunch of primers), but $50 is a whole lot more palatable. Thanks for posting.
Beans
Member
I got mine several years ago when they were not so expensive. As I shoot a couple of action type pistol matches plus practicing, my ammo consumption may be higher than most.
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I find that the RF-100 comes in very handy. Dump the primers in the RF-100 hit the button and then continue pulling the handle on the 650. When the 650 runs out of primers, the RF-100 has loaded another 100 primers in the fill tube. A short pause to refill the primer tube on the 650 and I am back in the reloading business. Repeat as often as needed.
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Maybe if I had been a casual shooter, 200 rds or less a month, I may have not acquired the RF-100. But I am glad I did.
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I find that the RF-100 comes in very handy. Dump the primers in the RF-100 hit the button and then continue pulling the handle on the 650. When the 650 runs out of primers, the RF-100 has loaded another 100 primers in the fill tube. A short pause to refill the primer tube on the 650 and I am back in the reloading business. Repeat as often as needed.
.
Maybe if I had been a casual shooter, 200 rds or less a month, I may have not acquired the RF-100. But I am glad I did.
Auto primer
Gotta ride with "Beans"....I also have a 650 and use the auto primer.....and like the above post I load and shoot quanities of ammo.....when I am loading thousands of rounds, the auto feed just eliminates another reason to break my rythym when I am pumping out rounds....IMO it is going to depend on how much you reload and in what quanities.
Gotta ride with "Beans"....I also have a 650 and use the auto primer.....and like the above post I load and shoot quanities of ammo.....when I am loading thousands of rounds, the auto feed just eliminates another reason to break my rythym when I am pumping out rounds....IMO it is going to depend on how much you reload and in what quanities.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
I know a family that has three active handgun competitive shooters and they use the Dillon primer machine. They also tell me it results in the occasional inverted primer. I prefer the hand held primer tubes and flip tray.
I did buy a Midway primer machine many years ago and got too many inverted primers.
I did buy a Midway primer machine many years ago and got too many inverted primers.
wheelgun28
Member
I have one, I liked it so much, I bought another...
Yes, I have two
I have one set for large and one for small primers. They are a bit of a pain to adjust and have work properly so for me it wasn't worth changing.
After having these for several years now I can give some insight on them.
They are finicky, adjustment is critical and sensitive, so different brands primers dont run the same through it the same. So if you switch from say Winchesters to CCI, it might need a slight tweek.
My large primer machine works better than the small. I dont know why, it just does.
The machine needs to be close to level, and dust free. The tray needs to be clean.
Wolf primers made a big mess and I will never use them in the machine again. Yellow powder stained the bowl and I cannot get it off. The yellow did cause operational issues until it was mostly removed.
When the machine is set properly it works really great and very rarely get a flipped primer.
The adjustment is the plastic arm it needs to be tight enough to kick out flipped primers but loose enough to let good ones pass. To loose you get upside down primers, to tight they dont get to go into the tube.
Theres a few more tricks I can add to.
The bowl must be inline with the base or the filler tube must be square when installed. You can adjust this by loosening the big nut on the bottom.
I also add a rubber O-ring on the top of the tube where it contacts the bowl. I cant say for sure it helps but it seems too.
So to sum it up, they need to be tinkered with. Its all about adjustment. If your mechanical and can see how and why things work it might be for you, if not you will be frustrated beyond belief.
I bought both of mine used via an auction site, as they didnt work properly
I guess I need to fess up here, I have adjusted, repaired many many vibratory feeder systems at work. So I have a pretty good understanding of how and why these work. As far as these systems go this is pretty basic.
Yes, I have two
I have one set for large and one for small primers. They are a bit of a pain to adjust and have work properly so for me it wasn't worth changing.
After having these for several years now I can give some insight on them.
They are finicky, adjustment is critical and sensitive, so different brands primers dont run the same through it the same. So if you switch from say Winchesters to CCI, it might need a slight tweek.
My large primer machine works better than the small. I dont know why, it just does.
The machine needs to be close to level, and dust free. The tray needs to be clean.
Wolf primers made a big mess and I will never use them in the machine again. Yellow powder stained the bowl and I cannot get it off. The yellow did cause operational issues until it was mostly removed.
When the machine is set properly it works really great and very rarely get a flipped primer.
The adjustment is the plastic arm it needs to be tight enough to kick out flipped primers but loose enough to let good ones pass. To loose you get upside down primers, to tight they dont get to go into the tube.
Theres a few more tricks I can add to.
The bowl must be inline with the base or the filler tube must be square when installed. You can adjust this by loosening the big nut on the bottom.
I also add a rubber O-ring on the top of the tube where it contacts the bowl. I cant say for sure it helps but it seems too.
So to sum it up, they need to be tinkered with. Its all about adjustment. If your mechanical and can see how and why things work it might be for you, if not you will be frustrated beyond belief.
I bought both of mine used via an auction site, as they didnt work properly
I guess I need to fess up here, I have adjusted, repaired many many vibratory feeder systems at work. So I have a pretty good understanding of how and why these work. As far as these systems go this is pretty basic.
jj2am44
Member
I agree. I had one-bought it when they were cheaper and had a hard time getting it to work right-inverted primers, the whole mess. I actually had to rock the filler back and forth to get them to move. I sold it. The only thing I had of Dillon's that ever gave me trouble.
arizona98tj
US Veteran
^^^ x2 That's the way I looked at it too. Spending time loading primer tubes is probably THE lowest item on the "time spent" list of things I do during a reloading session.
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MIAMIbaseballer
Member
Too much for the Dillon one, but the FF one has gotten great reviews from what I've seen on various websites. I'm sure one day I'll invest, but not anytime soon.
I recently bought a vibraprime as well and it is a great machine. Highly recommended! I have loaded several thousand primers and haven't had one flipped.
Chris
Chris
I bought the el-cheapo MIDWAY primer filler several years ago.
It works great.
Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime Automatic Primer Tube Filler
Even if I'm chicken-peckin' primers, I'm capable of putting out 400 to 500 rounds an hour. How fast do you need to be?
I kind of appreciate the break every 10 - 15 minutes or so. It gets me off the handle, gives me a chance to flex my arm and allows me to do a quality check where I measure OAL, do a "plunk" test and verify the powder charge. Of course since it's an XL650, none of these things ever, ever change but it gives me data. And I do love data!
I kind of appreciate the break every 10 - 15 minutes or so. It gets me off the handle, gives me a chance to flex my arm and allows me to do a quality check where I measure OAL, do a "plunk" test and verify the powder charge. Of course since it's an XL650, none of these things ever, ever change but it gives me data. And I do love data!
FWIW Safety is the "other" factor involved. My buddy, an experienced handloader, uses the Dillon primer gizmo exclusively after detonating a tube of sm.pistol primers thereby removing the tip of a finger and temp. blinding one eye.
I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have any details you care to share as to how it happened?
Oil Field Trash
Member
I've used a Dillon 550 since 1988, got most of the add-ons along the way. Just couldn't see the expense for the Dillon auto primer. I am awaiting the Double Alpha version to arrive, less than $100, will give it a go and report back.
Sam here.......Then let the press prime while loading.
Been using the Blue stuff for over 20 years..........Blue stuff good!
