Dillon press problem
- Thread starter swiens
- Start date
you are going to have to be a little more specific. are the primers falling out of the tube or is it a matter that the primer feed is not picking up the primers?ii if the primers are running right through the tube then you have to replace the plastic end on the tube. if the primer feed is not picking up the primers then it could be either you don't have the tube mounted right in the housing. it sorts of drops in and you can't turn it. the other problem might be is that the primer feed if not coming back far enough. if you can pull it back with your had and it picks up a primers then it is probably a matter that you have to bend the rod slightly to move it further back.
As you cycle the press and the priming arm moves back, you should briefly see the end of a small pin at the base of the primer tube housing poke out, then move forward again, under the pressure of the small, flat spring covering it. This pushes the primer into the cup on the priming arm, at the end of its rearward travel. If everything is working normally, the primer, now sitting in the primer cup moves forward with the arm and back into place under the waiting case, ready to complete the priming cycle.
If it does not, then it is likely that the hole inside which the pin fits is clogged with dirt or other debris and needs to be cleaned out. This is a simple process: After removing the housing and all primers from the priming tube, remove the small allen screw holding the spring in place and remove the pin. Clean the channel and pin( ordinary rubbing alcohol works fine) and reassemble. It should work fine after that.
Another likely cause, could be that the primer tube (two sizes: small and large) is not seated all the way down into the primer tube housing. The end with the plastic tip should be seated all the way down to the bottom. When properly seated, the tip's plastic bottom edge should just about touch the top of the pin. If not, the primers can't drop down far enough to be caught by the pin. When inserting the tube, rotate it about a quarter turn, first one way, then the other, until you feel it drop into place. It should then be seated.
Also, check the entire feed path, to see whether a spent primer may have lodged somewhere inside and won't let the primer arm go back far enough.
Hope this helps.
If it does not, then it is likely that the hole inside which the pin fits is clogged with dirt or other debris and needs to be cleaned out. This is a simple process: After removing the housing and all primers from the priming tube, remove the small allen screw holding the spring in place and remove the pin. Clean the channel and pin( ordinary rubbing alcohol works fine) and reassemble. It should work fine after that.
Another likely cause, could be that the primer tube (two sizes: small and large) is not seated all the way down into the primer tube housing. The end with the plastic tip should be seated all the way down to the bottom. When properly seated, the tip's plastic bottom edge should just about touch the top of the pin. If not, the primers can't drop down far enough to be caught by the pin. When inserting the tube, rotate it about a quarter turn, first one way, then the other, until you feel it drop into place. It should then be seated.
Also, check the entire feed path, to see whether a spent primer may have lodged somewhere inside and won't let the primer arm go back far enough.
Hope this helps.
If the above remedies don't work...you could just have an upside down primer at the very bottom of the tube.
Cycle the primer feed assembly by hand...pull it out as far as you can...and after a few cycles...the offending primer should come out (assuming this is the issue)
Cycle the primer feed assembly by hand...pull it out as far as you can...and after a few cycles...the offending primer should come out (assuming this is the issue)
As mentioned, it could also be a cocked primer jamming the tube. Remove the primer tube and primers and look down the tube. You should be able to see all the way through. If not, a primer is jammed in the tube. As noted, try cycling the primer arm manually a few times before taking this step. A couple of gentle taps with a brass or plastic rod usually solves the problem. When re-inserting the primer tube, ensure that the ridge on the tip's side drops into its corresponding slot in the base of the tube housing to seat it all the way down (this is the reason for rotating the tube when inserting it).
Since you're a new reloader, the problem could be even simpler. Is the press set up and working properly? Does the primer arm move smoothly back and forth, as the ram is raised and lowered? Is the guide rod installed properly, so it travels smoothly along its grooved wheels(side of primer arm/ base of shell plate assembly), and pushes the primer arm back ?? Is the primer arm return spring (underneath) attached to its post on the bottom of the primer arm? A bunch of little things, but any of which could create problems.
Dillon presses are simple and easy to use. Generally speaking, any problems that arise with them are equally easy to fix.
Since you're a new reloader, the problem could be even simpler. Is the press set up and working properly? Does the primer arm move smoothly back and forth, as the ram is raised and lowered? Is the guide rod installed properly, so it travels smoothly along its grooved wheels(side of primer arm/ base of shell plate assembly), and pushes the primer arm back ?? Is the primer arm return spring (underneath) attached to its post on the bottom of the primer arm? A bunch of little things, but any of which could create problems.
Dillon presses are simple and easy to use. Generally speaking, any problems that arise with them are equally easy to fix.
