XL650 woes: case positioning & primers

[MikeChandler]

I am having some problems with my XL650, and I am starting to think there is a "timing" issue with my press.

1. Every few cases, for some reason the case jostles slightly out from position under the sizing/de-priming die. Messes me up entirely, of course, because I cannot complete the stroke (and will usually forget to prime the case under the powder funnel). EDIT: I don't think I am forgetting, I think primers are having issues too.

2. Primers are not seating, going in sideways, and sometimes (possibly) falling out - I know I am finding primers in my bullet tray, often separate (cup, anvil and agent, all scattered), and lots of un-primed bullets. Something is amiss here. They are Remington 2.5 large pistol primers. I am about to head to sportsman's warehouse to buy some CCI ones. If the timing is off, or the detent is causing a problem, could that explain them going in sideways?

3. The whole thing was jostling a bunch when operating, spilling powder, so I clipped off 1.5 coils from the detent ball spring.

This is being non fun now.

 

[wheelgun28]

Is the press mounted securely to a stable bench with no shaking?

Is the case pusher adjusted so that it pushes the case far enough?

I have found recently some ammo has a thicker rim and get stuck in the chute going into the plate.

Is your plate adjusted properly to loose or to snug gives problems. This can also effect the primers.

I would remove the plate, clean all the parts. Id grease the bolt. Make sure the primer unit is bolted snugly. Install the shell plate and make sure it indexes with out shells. Check the primer unit for full indexes as well, adjust as needed.

I tried the cut spring on the detent ball and didnt like it, it would not always snap fully into position. I dont like the bearing thing on the shell plate either, I didnt see any benefit to it.

Check it out let us know.

 

[andyo5]

Seeing as how this is a Dillon press, I would recommend:
1. Watch the Dillon setup and operation video.
2. Call Dillon if #1 does not solve your problem. They are VERY helpful and will get you up and running.

Sorry to hear of your problems. I have a 550.

 

[blujax01]

You didn't say - .45 ACP?
If you're reloading range brass, look out for small primer Blazer cases. Causes all sorts of chaos...

 

[MikeChandler]

Is the press mounted securely to a stable bench with no shaking?

Yes, using a strong mount, and mounted to a heavy duty work bench.

Is the case pusher adjusted so that it pushes the case far enough?

Great question, that was not in the setup video. Checking the manual… It appears to be pushing it as far as possible. Maybe too far?

I have found recently some ammo has a thicker rim and get stuck in the chute going into the plate.

I hope that's not the case.. I should have stuck to my own brass.. I lost so much brass downrange (in a indoor range) last session that I took some of the random brass they offer. They have piles of it you can pick through.

Is your plate adjusted properly to loose or to snug gives problems. This can also effect the primers.

I'm thinking this is the problem. I'll head out and pour over it again.

I would remove the plate, clean all the parts. Id grease the bolt. Make sure the primer unit is bolted snugly. Install the shell plate and make sure it indexes with out shells. Check the primer unit for full indexes as well, adjust as needed.

Is there any way to turn off the primers? I have a full tube, this is such heartache.

I tried the cut spring on the detent ball and didnt like it, it would not always snap fully into position. I dont like the bearing thing on the shell plate either, I didnt see any benefit to it.

Check it out let us know.

Do you mean this race bearing kit from ebay? I bought one, it hasn't arrived yet.

I appreciate all this advice… I'm heading out there now to run through this list.

Seeing as how this is a Dillon press, I would recommend:
1. Watch the Dillon setup and operation video.
2. Call Dillon if #1 does not solve your problem. They are VERY helpful and will get you up and running.

Sorry to hear of your problems. I have a 550.

I watched the video before unboxing the unit, and worked through it, though it's lousy. They have the steps wrong, I am certain. It's insane to load the primer tube before you have adjusted the powder and seating dies. I will be calling them on Monday morning, but I won't be able to load again until next Saturday. I was hoping to salvage my weekend.

Thanks!

You didn't say - .45 ACP?
If you're reloading range brass, look out for small primer Blazer cases. Causes all sorts of chaos...

Uhmmmm…. Well, I do have some range brass, and I didn't check for that… I'll check that as well - thanks for the head's up!

 

[MikeChandler]

The case cam was WAAAAYYYY out of whack.

I also stretched out the indent spring and it's working better. I stepped through all those adjustments.

And I found a crushed primer wedged down in there.

And now I have a live primer (wrong size primer, thanks to remington QA) lodged in the pickup tube. It's stuck, and I couldn't smack it free with the plastic primer feed rod, and I have no intentions of hitting it with a welding rod (kaboom).

I am down hard until I get a rod from dillon. I didn't buy the spare pickup tubes kit. LOL. Go figure...

 

[MikeChandler]

Well, I managed to make 25 rounds without a hitch, before the primer tube ran out. I think I got all the issues squared away - just the jammed primer tube is left.

I am strongly considering a welding rod, tapped in with a hammer, while the tube is held in a vise, my self in ears, eyes, and and leather gloves.

EDIT - IT WORKED! Odd thing is - it didn't even go off. It just went flying. I found the explosive, and I found the cup, no anvil.

I finished up. I used the rest of my berrys, I am finished for now. The press is working!

 

[wheelgun28]

Glad you got it working!!!

You can turn off the primers.

On the right side front part of the frame you will see a black plastic cam. This activates the primer arm. Its held on with one screw, just take out the screw and slip out the cam. You can actuate the primer with you hand, you just need to be off the bottom of the stroke so the punch isnt in the disk.

 

[David Sinko]

The Remington large pistol primer is the only one that my 650 will NOT feed. I have used practically every other commercial primer out there and all the rest work fine, but that Remington 2.5 primer simply does not work. Switch primers and many of your headaches will probably disappear.

Dave Sinko

 

[blujax01]

Glad you got it all worked out, Mike.

From the time line of your posts, it looks like you had a long night!

When I set up my 650, I ran into a buzz saw because of the issue with small primered 45. Didn't know any better, couldn't figure it out, and was afraid I had wasted $$$$ on some over-priced piece of junk blue monstrosity! But I did as you have - came here and got some excellent advice from a group of folks who are way smarter than I am! (I didn't know until just now that you can turn off the primers - duh!)

Now go downstairs, apologize to your machine for cussing it out, and make some more ammo!

 

[dirty gary]

I prep all my brass including priming before loading on a 550. Never liked the Dillon priming system, plus I clean the primer pockets - sometimes my reloads sit on the shelf for a long time, the thought of the crud in some pockets seems bad for primers. Be VERY CAREFUL with any primer removal, I had a full tube (120) of SP primers detonate in my left hand some years ago.

 

[haggis]

If you're having trouble with primers turning on their sides, or turning upside down, your press is out of adjustment. Call Dillon and get their adjustment tool (for free) which will fix that problem.

Buck