Sticking problem on .45 in a Dillon 550

[maxxpower]

I've loaded .38 and .40 S&W in my 550 and didn't have this problem.

I just bought components to load 45ACP. I'm having an issue on the powder die where the cases are quite tight and I have to really pull up hard on the handle to get them to disengage. These are mostly Federal and Winchester once fired brass but there's a pretty good mix in there. I've cleaned the brass overnight and it's quite shiny and clean.

The force required to get the brass is significant. All of the other stations are working fine.

 

[jt1]

This seems to occur most often with 45 acp, although I don't know why. You can:

Polish the powder funnel if it has any machining marks on it.

Use a little dry lube on the funnel, just a little goes a long way. I usually use what ever I'm using for case lube.

Use a spray case lube and give the batch of cases a shot. Enough lube will get on the inside of the case mouths to help the sticking. Once again, it doesn't take much.

Buy a stepped powder funnel from Dillon, which seems to help, although not eliminate, the problem.

The problem varies from one lot of brass to the next, so some experimenting to see what works best for you is probably the best approach.

John

 

[maxxpower]

The die does have marks on it. Here's a close-up:

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Call Dillon, and send them that picture. They will make it right quick, fast, and in a hurry.
Strangely,
all of the problems I have been reading here lately about Unique not working in the 550, and now your problem, is all new to me. I bought my 550B when they first came out in 1988, and have never had one issue with it, ever.

I use Unique almost exclusively. I'd sure like to have back all of that podwer that has gone through my press in the years since I bought it. It'd be worth a small fortune.

 

[jt1]

Dillon will send you another powder funnel, but that one isn't bad at all. Polish it up, removing the vertical streaks, and try a little case lube. The vertical streaks are brass on the funnel.

I think a powder that uses graphite, like Unique, helps out too, the graphite acts as a lube. New brass is always the "stickiest" in my experience.

John

 

[dg101win]

Call Dillon, and send them that picture. They will make it right quick, fast, and in a hurry.
Strangely,
all of the problems I have been reading here lately about Unique not working in the 550, and now your problem, is all new to me. I bought my 550B when they first came out in 1988, and have never had one issue with it, ever.

I use Unique almost exclusively. I'd sure like to have back all of that podwer that has gone through my press in the years since I bought it. It'd be worth a small fortune.

I agree contact Dillon they will solve it for you.

Only serious problem I ever had with my 550 was keeping enough components on hand. I also use a LOT of Unique.

 

[maxxpower]

I just called Dillon. Extrememly helpful service... never felt rushed. The fellow I spoke to seemed to know exactly what was going on and he said that this was epecially common with the larger calibers.

He said to get some ScotchBrite and work the funnel with it. He thought this would provide enough lubrication. His other suggestion was to wipe my finger on the side of my nose and use some of that oil. I liked that one a lot.

 

[Paul105]

Try using you 40 S&W powder funnel. Recently i've run into the same problem (most noticeble with new brass). I now use one size smaller powder funnel with both .44 Mag (.44-40 pwdr funnel) and .45 Long Colt (.44 Mag pwdr funnel). As long as you don't bottom out and get enough flare to seat bullets it should solve your problem.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[maxxpower]

Try using you 40 S&W powder funnel. Recently i've run into the same problem (most noticeble with new brass). I now use one size smaller powder funnel with both .44 Mag (.44-40 pwdr funnel) and .45 Long Colt (.44 Mag pwdr funnel). As long as you don't bottom out and get enough flare to seat bullets it should solve your problem.

FWIW,

Paul

That's an interesting idea. I never thought of that. I could have saved myself some money if that works.

 

[Paul105]

I Just checked my 10mm powder funnel (same as 40 S&W) in a .45 ACP case -- didn't bottom out and there was plenty of shoulder on the funnel to flare the case.

Here's an example -- I got a good deal on some primed .454 cases and bought 500. The first time I tried to load them with the .45 powder funnel it was a MAJOR effort to get the powder funnel to release the case. After some serious head scratching, it turned out that there was some type of asphalt cement inside the case mouth to increase bullet pull and prevent crimp jump. The problem was easily solved using the .44 Mag powder funnel.

Paul

 

[Chuck Jones]

The funnel in the photo actually looks pretty rough to me. You might take a deremel, felt wheel, some rouge, and polish out the tool-marks. That, and a tiny bit of lube, should solve the problem.

I usually hit my case mouths with a chamfer tool (inside) very very lightly and bell them as little as possible in order to keep the brass useable longer.

/c

 

[maxxpower]

The funnel in the photo actually looks pretty rough to me. You might take a deremel, felt wheel, some rouge, and polish out the tool-marks. That, and a tiny bit of lube, should solve the problem.

I usually hit my case mouths with a chamfer tool (inside) very very lightly and bell them as little as possible in order to keep the brass useable longer.

/c

That funnel has had less than 200 rounds loaded with it...

 

[Joed49]

I too had the same problem. Cleaned the powder funnel I used bronze wool. To prevent it from happening again chamfer the inside/outside of the new cases.

 

[maxxpower]

Fixed

I did what the service rep suggested.

I hit the powder funnel with some ScotchBrite and the brass residue lines are completely gone. He also suggested that using brass that had been reloaded more than once would be easier- less "sticky" on the powder funnel. I tried a few that are on their third time around and they are much easier.

 

[andyo5]

I have loaded 45ACP cases thousands of times on my 550B, using Unique as well as Bullseye and others. Never had a problem such as you have described. From your photo, I think your powder die is defective in that a final machining or polishing step was skipped. The copper adhering to the die indicates a great deal of friction and transfer of copper to the die. This should not happen. Make sure also that you are sizing correctly. Screw your sizing die down until it just contacts the shell plate with the handle activated. Back off a very slight amount, then tighten the lock nut.
Loading 45ACP should be EASY on your Dillon. I have had some trouble with nickeled 45 Colt cases sticking, but in the sizing die not the powder die. I have to lube them to get them to work well.

 

[Joed49]

No one has asked you yet, if it's new brass did you chamfer the case mouth? I almost guarantee it will solve the problem.

 

[Joed49]

Strangely,
all of the problems I have been reading here lately about Unique not working in the 550, and now your problem, is all new to me. I bought my 550B when they first came out in 1988, and have never had one issue with it, ever.

I use Unique almost exclusively. I'd sure like to have back all of that podwer that has gone through my press in the years since I bought it. It'd be worth a small fortune.

I still say you've been lucky. Whatever you're doing with Unique keep doing it. It's weird because not everyone has the problem with Unique.

I got to about 10k before I ever had a problem with Unique and have a feeling it's the level of powder in the measure.

 

[maxxpower]

No one has asked you yet, if it's new brass did you chamfer the case mouth? I almost guarantee it will solve the problem.

It was once-fired brass

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I still say you've been lucky. Whatever you're doing with Unique keep doing it. It's weird because not everyone has the problem with Unique.

I got to about 10k before I ever had a problem with Unique and have a feeling it's the level of powder in the measure.

I may be, I don't know, but before I came here and started hearing all the stories of everyone's troubles, I hadn't heard any of my local shooting aquaintances having any trouble either.

I generally keep my powder hopper between 1/3 full to 3/4 full, and I don't have the newer style hopper with the baffle at the bottom. Mine is from early 1988.

 

[Joed49]

I generally keep my powder hopper between 1/3 full to 3/4 full, and I don't have the newer style hopper with the baffle at the bottom. Mine is from early 1988.

Ahhhh, my presses are all from 2000 or newer with the baffle. Wonder if the baffle isn't part of the problem. You killed my theory on keeping the powder measure full though. Darn, back to more thinking.