peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Initial observations by a newb 650 reloader
- Thread starter peter2772000
- Start date
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
I reloaded 38 special on Sunday afternoon. Or should I say evening? Either way, it took me 5 hours to reload 500 rounds. I coulda prolly done that with a single-stage reloader
Setting up took longer than I expected (I was initially set-up for .40). I borrowed Drückers tool head with 38/357 dies and figured it wouldn't take long to set it up. I was wrong, but I guess that's just case of becoming familiar with the machine.
I did experience two particularly annoying problems, however;
#1 For some reason, the newly crimped .38 Spl cartridges seem to bind up against the ejector wire on their way out to the drop chute. I have to keep pushing down on the wire where it's held by the locating hole. It doesn't seem bent or anything, but after around 20 rounds, it manages to have snuck back up a bit, causing the finished cartridge to get stuck between the shell plate and the wire. I didn't have this issue when reloading .40
#2 Some .38 Special cases just won't fit smoothly into the shell plate at Stage I. It's the craziest thing, almost as if the rim thickness is too thick or something. I experienced this problem with at least 30-50 cases. There are two cases which absolutely positively not go 100% into the shell plate regardless of how much twisting, prodding or other digital manipulation I dole out. They check out ok visually.
I tried swapping out Drückers shell plate for my own #2 plate (as per the Dillon guide at the rear of the manual), no difference. I dunno what else to try?
Anyone else have issues like these? 'Cause $hit like this always happens to me. My pet peeve is being told "We've never heard of such a problem before", only to see a service bulletin by the manufacturer out 6 months later about that exact same issue....
Setting up took longer than I expected (I was initially set-up for .40). I borrowed Drückers tool head with 38/357 dies and figured it wouldn't take long to set it up. I was wrong, but I guess that's just case of becoming familiar with the machine.
I did experience two particularly annoying problems, however;
#1 For some reason, the newly crimped .38 Spl cartridges seem to bind up against the ejector wire on their way out to the drop chute. I have to keep pushing down on the wire where it's held by the locating hole. It doesn't seem bent or anything, but after around 20 rounds, it manages to have snuck back up a bit, causing the finished cartridge to get stuck between the shell plate and the wire. I didn't have this issue when reloading .40
#2 Some .38 Special cases just won't fit smoothly into the shell plate at Stage I. It's the craziest thing, almost as if the rim thickness is too thick or something. I experienced this problem with at least 30-50 cases. There are two cases which absolutely positively not go 100% into the shell plate regardless of how much twisting, prodding or other digital manipulation I dole out. They check out ok visually.
I tried swapping out Drückers shell plate for my own #2 plate (as per the Dillon guide at the rear of the manual), no difference. I dunno what else to try?
Anyone else have issues like these? 'Cause $hit like this always happens to me. My pet peeve is being told "We've never heard of such a problem before", only to see a service bulletin by the manufacturer out 6 months later about that exact same issue....
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1) while the wire should stay in place, try a shot of dry lube on the wire and the shellplate where the cases go in.
2) weird. try measuring the rim thickness and compare to the dimensions in your loading manual. You may have an out-of-spec batch - although that would be surprising. Failing that.... call Dillon. For example, the shellplate may not be lining up exactly right with the feedpath, and Dillon might be able to diagnose and suggest a fix over the phone.
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Believe it or not Warren, the damn game's actually making a difference. I've noticed a markedly decreased reaction time to different problem-solving questions.
I light her up every two days or so to practice. matter of fact, the little animated guy in the game (who keeps track of which player is using the game, what day it is, my progress etc.. reams me a new one whenever I skip a day between sessions or give up too easily on a question. I tell you, it's like being married all over again.....
I light her up every two days or so to practice. matter of fact, the little animated guy in the game (who keeps track of which player is using the game, what day it is, my progress etc.. reams me a new one whenever I skip a day between sessions or give up too easily on a question. I tell you, it's like being married all over again.....
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
It's definitely my shellplate. I swapped out mine and reinstalled Drückers and his will accomodate one of the problem cases which I kept aside. If I hold my shellplate in my hands and try to slip that case into the sheelplate grooves, it has trouble sliding into four of the five grooves. The fifth groove is a bit easier, but still requires some finger manipulation. Drückers does not have this problem with the trouble casing.
I'll be calling Dillon this morning if I have a chance.
Still have an issue with the ejector wire while loading .357 last night. Tried to find mention in the Dillon manual in regards to lubing the ejector wire and I found nothing. I have a feeling that the plastic cam which pushes the casing into stage I is somehow supposed to pull double-duty and lightly push down on the ejector wire, I'm guessing to keep it in place.
Again, I'll be calling Dillon to ask about this as well.
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Where do you live, Antoine?
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
I really appreciate the offer, Antoine. But I just got off the phone with Dillon and it seems that my shellplate's simply been machined with too small a rim groove. When comparing my shellplate with Drückers, even the casings with no interference issues wobble a lot more in his plate than in mine. They're sending me another shellplate by Air Mail. I'm impressed!
As far as the ejector wire issue, the customer service guy told me to put an ever-so-slight bend in the pin end of the ejector wire that fits into the platform. He says that the idea is to get the ejector wire to hug the shellplate as close as possible without touching (or more precisely, without "binding") the shellplate. The Dillon customer service guy says it's been an occasional issue with the Square Deal and with the 650 XL as well. At least it's not just me...
By the way Antoine, do you shoot at V.S.Pierre? Seeing as you live practically next door.
As far as the ejector wire issue, the customer service guy told me to put an ever-so-slight bend in the pin end of the ejector wire that fits into the platform. He says that the idea is to get the ejector wire to hug the shellplate as close as possible without touching (or more precisely, without "binding") the shellplate. The Dillon customer service guy says it's been an occasional issue with the Square Deal and with the 650 XL as well. At least it's not just me...
By the way Antoine, do you shoot at V.S.Pierre? Seeing as you live practically next door.
peter2772000
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Well, I'm finished reloading 38/357. 1000+ rounds of 38 spl, approx. 500 rounds of FMJ .357 and 100 rounds of Hollow-Points, all rounds in 158 grain. If I never have to reload these calibres again, it won't be a bad thing .
The bloody ejector wire drove me up a wall. I put a bend in it as recommended by Dillon, all was fine for around 20 rounds before it started to creep back up and cause the newly-crimped cartridges to jam up against it. I replaced the wire with a new one in my spare parts kit. That one would not only creep back up as well, it would literally pop off've the shell plate bolt within 20 rounds.
I'll be calling Dillon again today to see what else they recommend. The machine is fantastic except for this issue. I don't regret the purchase, but it figures that I'd be the one to experience these strange quirks. I'm surely paying for sins in a past life.....
.The bloody ejector wire drove me up a wall. I put a bend in it as recommended by Dillon, all was fine for around 20 rounds before it started to creep back up and cause the newly-crimped cartridges to jam up against it. I replaced the wire with a new one in my spare parts kit. That one would not only creep back up as well, it would literally pop off've the shell plate bolt within 20 rounds.
I'll be calling Dillon again today to see what else they recommend. The machine is fantastic except for this issue. I don't regret the purchase, but it figures that I'd be the one to experience these strange quirks. I'm surely paying for sins in a past life.....
