Issues with my new 650XL

peter2772000

peter2772000

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I have a coupla issues with my new reloader. I'd appreciate any help/advice anyone may have.

#1 Ejector wire issues; The ejector wire literally rises when loading 38/357 Mag, causing the case to bind against the wire and stick there following the crimping stage . A slight push down on the wire where it sits in the platform usually frees up the cartridge and I'll be good to go for another 10-20 rounds before binding occurs again. The original ejector wire was used successfully and without issue when previously loading 1000 rds of 40 S&W. Switched over to 38/357 and had the above problem. Put a slight bend in the part of the wire sitting in the platform (as per Dillon's recommendation over the phone) with no improvement. The wire would have to be pushed down every 10-20 rounds or so in order to allow ejection of the freshly-crimped cartridge at Station #5

Replacing the ejector wire with a (new) spare made the situation worse. Now the wire just plain jumps outta the platform after 10-20 rounds. Oh, and switching over to .45 made the problem disappear. So to date, it's an issue with 38/357 only. I'll be loading 9mm within the next coupla weeks and I'm almost terrified to experience the same isues.

#2 I purchased RCBS carbide dies in .45 ACP. The case seems to stick after going thru the powder-funnel/flaring process. I get binding on the upstroke after belling. Didn't experience this with .40 or 38/357. It's allmost as if I need to lube the cases. Which I understand to not be necessary when using carbide dies. What am I doing wrong?

#3 The 38/357 shellplate was machined with insufficient clearance, therefore preventing some shells from entering the plate at Station# I. Swapping over to my buddy's shellplate cured that problem. Dillon is shipping me another shellplate. And yes, I was using the good shellplate when experiencing the issues in #1




Anyone have any suggestions? The ejector wire issue is frustrating. If I was only reloading 38/357 and no other calibres, I'd have simply loc-tited the damn thing in place and be done with it. But that's not the case....
 
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No one? Nuthin'? Why am I always the only one to experience stuff like this? Is it true that actions in one's life affect the outcome of one's life?

Is it possible that due to one little, itty bitty "incident" between me and a goat up on the hillside in Greece those many years ago is the root cause of my chagrin? :p
 
ask Dillon to send you a new ejector wire n/c
Next time you call Dillon ask to talk with Gary,explain whats going on.He will get your problem fixed.I have a XL650 for about 2 years now,the only problem I had with it I was breaking the housing oh the powder check.Took 2 replacement housing till I got it right.
 
I just got a used 650 XL (albeit not much use) It was equipped to reload .223 I purchased everything to convert to 9mm (conversion kit plus complete powder measure etc)

I cycled some .223 cases before I switched to 9mm - everything seemed fine. Converted to 9mm no issues either. As far as dies go I would only use Dillon - do you have an access to dillon dies?

I'm trying to understand your ejection wire issue - how can the wire rise when its held by the shellplate screw? Just curious?
 
I had a problem with my 550 lining up on the primer feed
I ended up taking the base apart and realigning all the parts (slightly)
Before that it would work for awhile then give me grief
The very slight misalignment only seemed to affect one station
Your second problem seems to be after belling
How much are you belling your brass ?
 
Paulinski said:
I just got a used 650 XL (albeit not much use) It was equipped to reload .223 I purchased everything to convert to 9mm (conversion kit plus complete powder measure etc)

.......I'm trying to understand your ejection wire issue - how can the wire rise when its held by the shellplate screw? Just curious?
Click to expand...

The ejection wire is simply held in place by being pushed into a small hole in the platform. The other end is the one being held centered around the shellplate screw.
 
fisherking said:
ask Dillon to send you a new ejector wire n/c
Next time you call Dillon ask to talk with Gary,explain whats going on.He will get your problem fixed.I have a XL650 for about 2 years now,the only problem I had with it I was breaking the housing oh the powder check.Took 2 replacement housing till I got it right.
Click to expand...

I loaded .45 ACP after the problematic 38/357 with no issues. And I did indeed try swapping the wire with a new spare I'd ordered when I purchased the reloader a few weeks ago. Matter of fact, the spare ejection wire (without the little bend I'd put in it as instructed by Dillon) actually made the wire jump out of place.The original wire simply caused binding. The spare got into an acrobatics routine....:D
 
flinter said:
I had a problem with my 550 lining up on the primer feed
I ended up taking the base apart and realigning all the parts (slightly)
Before that it would work for awhile then give me grief
The very slight misalignment only seemed to affect one station
Your second problem seems to be after belling
How much are you belling your brass ?
Click to expand...

I'm under the impression that I'm not belling anymore than with the other calibres. But I sure as hell can try reducing the bell to see if that makes a difference. Sure is weird that I'd feel so much resistance removing the bell tool. I'll try it out tonight...;)
 
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Well, reduced belling didn't fix the sticky issue. Also rechecked the resizing die depth and lowered it to the absolute max so's to assure that the case is being completely resized. No difference.
Looks like another call to Dillon....:(
 
peter2772000 said:
Well, reduced belling didn't fix the sticky issue.
Click to expand...
if you're sure it's sticking pulling the case off of the expander (check by taking the expander out for a few rounds), have a look at the machining on the expander. If it's rough, it will stick coming out. I've only ever seen that on Lee dies, but could happen on RCBS.

Or it could be the goat.
 
I've had my Dillon 650 for almost a year now. I've found there is a learning curve to using this machine. I'm starting to get the hang of it now. I added several pieces that really made a huge improvement to using the machine such as UniqueTek Micrometer Powder Bar Kit and Light-Load to help with the lighting on the shell plate. I've never encountered a problem with the wire stopping a round . But I have had my share of primers getting stuck in the primer magazine. If you ever get a primer that will not fall in easily take it ASAP don't force it at all. I wish I could help with your issue. Moderators should make a sticky about Dillon presses IMO.
 
Paulinski said:
I just got a used 650 XL (albeit not much use) It was equipped to reload .223 I purchased everything to convert to 9mm (conversion kit plus complete powder measure etc)

I cycled some .223 cases before I switched to 9mm - everything seemed fine. Converted to 9mm no issues either. As far as dies go I would only use Dillon - do you have an access to dillon dies?

I'm trying to understand your ejection wire issue - how can the wire rise when its held by the shellplate screw? Just curious?
Click to expand...
Good to hear it's working out for you. I never had a prob with it and would have kept it had space not become an issue...
 
You have to use grub set screws that are knurl on the end to lock in your shoulder bolt on your indexing plate.
If you don't, it will loosen up and everything else goes to hell in a hand basket that starts with the ejector and other small springs.
One missed primer and you've got powder every where and that’s more headaches too unless you keep it clean.
Don't try to drill a countersink into the shoulder bolt. The steel is too hard and the bolt will only be good for that set of dies.
Worse case is chewing the set screw threats and you don't want to get into that even with a life time warranty.

Driller
 
Ok guys, I've shot a video of the "rising ejector wire" phenomenon, just so's you guys don't think I'm makin' this $hit up.

The ejector wire still gets a hard-on when loading 38/357, but it's also become rather aroused when reloading .40 S&W as well. Below is a vid clip of today's reloading session with 38 special. In the 1st clip, you'll actually see the reloader jam up as the ejector wire rises.





In this clip, the index ring breaks as I'm shooting the video. Is this a normal occurence? Or is this yet another example of "I've never heard of this ever happening to anybody else, you must be cursed...". Thank the Lord I ordered a spare parts kit.
:p



















I ended up posting all the video clips I shot this afternoon. Please indulge me. I'm hoping someone will be able to see something I'm missing....
 
Had it for about 6 months now. In it's defence, I seem to be the only one with these issues. My buddy Drucker has the same exact unit and his runs flawlessly.

Bought it in the states. Which is one more reason to ALWAYS buy from an outfit in Canada. Dillon wants me to ship the press back to them in the states. Even if they pay the shipping back to Montreal, the shipping costs to send this thing stateside will kill me. Not to mention that I don't have any of the original packaging.

The ejector wire is the single most pressing issue with this reloader. The other issues seem to have more or less been resolved. When this puppy is running smoothly, she's dream to operate. Until that darned ejector wire starts to rise .....:(
 
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There is definetly something wrong with your press. I suspect something is out of alignement or grindind/rubbin because it's not working smoothly. Let me know if you need a second advice, I'm not too far from you can I have some spare time. I am pretty sure you overlooked something here.
 
The ejector wire looks funny to me... That curve looks really strange.. But It's been a while since I sat in front of my press.

How tight is your shell plate? The brass can't lift the wire but the shell plate can..


Have you sent your video to Dillon?
 
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