New Dillon XL650 Priming Problem

Check if the right primer tube is in.
Look at the timing of the primer feed and adjust if needed.
Ensure that you don't short stroke that press.
Lube the brass sparingly.
Enjoy that awesome press.
ps: I have 2 of them.
 
Freedom Ventures said:
OP, Next time you're experiencing an issue, Call Dillon!

When you bought the best, you paid for the best customer service.

Their techs will walk you through any issue (they've seen it all) and get it fixed up fast - and sometimes (more often than not for me) it results in a face palm at yourself for doing something wrong.

and - nice bench you built there!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try another run of 100 tonight and see how that goes with this bench. If I have any other problems, or this one persists I will definitely give them a call.
 
tigrr said:
Check if the right primer tube is in.
Look at the timing of the primer feed and adjust if needed.
Ensure that you don't short stroke that press.
Lube the brass sparingly.
Enjoy that awesome press.
ps: I have 2 of them.
Click to expand...

It is definitely the right primer tube, I checked that when I went over the priming system. So far I do really like the press and I'm just chalking this up to a combination of a shaky work surface and first time running it. I'm sure it will be much better this time.
 
Make sure it's mounted secure and won't move like these.image.jpg then check the timing with the shell plate it should be in the manual. I would recommend you buy a bearing kit for the shell plate , it will make the 650 run much smoother.
Good luck
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    62 KB · Views: 116
Well I just ran through another 100 and everything went perfectly. No primer problems at all. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I can't get over how fast 100 rounds goes on this thing. There's no effort at all to do it in 10-15min. It used to take me the better part of 45min to do the same on my lee turret press. This thing is great. Now to set up the dies and quick change for 40S&W and give that a shot.
 
Get lots of primer tubes, a dozen is good😛

And if you really want to make that 650 sing, add a Mr Bullet feeder. It goes in place of the powder check (I do a visual inspection anyhow) and reduces one station where powder flick may occur. It also seats the bullet perfectly so it reduced my case gauging rejects drastically.


Thorvald said:
Lol, wait till you run over 1000 in a single session, it is ridiculous how fast you can go with this thing. Only limit is your wallet :)
Click to expand...
 
VanMan said:
Get lots of primer tubes, a dozen is good��

And if you really want to make that 650 sing, add a Mr Bullet feeder. It goes in place of the powder check (I do a visual inspection anyhow) and reduces one station where powder flick may occur. It also seats the bullet perfectly so it reduced my case gauging rejects drastically.
Click to expand...

Huge +1 here. It totally transforms the machine. Vibra-prime hand-held unit to feed the primers is dirt cheap and works wonders for speed (loading primer tubes 50 at a time by hand using the "chicken pecking method" for a 1000 round session is PAINFUL).

I use an EGW Case Gauge (the ones that let you do multiple of the same round at the same time) and then weigh every single finished round on my Dillon powder scale just as I'm tossing it in the box, that way I always catch anything abnormal (low powder, no powder, too much powder, improperly seated primer, etc). Never liked the powder check, didn't find it too reliable and would only pickup on no powder or double powder, didn't catch short stroke 1.5 powder and other weirdness.

70151.jpg
 
Last edited:
scott2000d said:
Well I just ran through another 100 and everything went perfectly. No primer problems at all. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I can't get over how fast 100 rounds goes on this thing. There's no effort at all to do it in 10-15min. It used to take me the better part of 45min to do the same on my lee turret press. This thing is great. Now to set up the dies and quick change for 40S&W and give that a shot.
Click to expand...


Excellent, I'd suggest a couple of options one would be to replace the spent primer ski jump with one that captures them and a led light to brighten up the shell plate area..

Happy loading..
 
gwesson said:
Sorry - hate to be the one to break the bad news to you. Your press is shot - it can't be repaired - and it might even be dangerous. If you'll ship it to me, I'll dispose of it safely. For this service - there is no charge... :redface:
Click to expand...

G-Man_Quagmire said:
Same with the powder, I'll take that.
Click to expand...

Wow!! This site is really great!! All these nice people trying to help fix my problem and then people even offering to take away my trash free of charge. I knew I stuck around here for a reason. :d
 
I just setup my 650. This is my first go at reloading. Everything went dine except for the primers. When it came to seating the primers it was sometimes hard. Or there would be a bit of resistance followed by the primer seating as the handle jerked to the back. It would work well if I operated the handle very slowly. Since this is my first kick at reloading this didn't raise any concerns but I was a bit disappointed at how carefully I had to operate the handle. After doing 50 this way I inspected what was happening and it was the small spring loaded metal tab that keeps the case on the tray. It was sitting back far enough that the case could move out of alignment. I just adjusted it to the point that it holds the case in place and it is so much smoother now! Got to the range today to check them on a chronograph and the recipe I was using gave me the results I was looking for. Grouping was good. Out of 250 rounds 3 didn't go off. On further inspection I see the primer was just not seated enough. It was just a little higher than the case. I don't know if this is user error or the fact that I'm using range brass. I ordered a 100 round case gauge and I think I'll just be checking primer seat depth 100 at a time.
 
ravohs said:
I just setup my 650. This is my first go at reloading. Everything went dine except for the primers. When it came to seating the primers it was sometimes hard. Or there would be a bit of resistance followed by the primer seating as the handle jerked to the back. It would work well if I operated the handle very slowly. Since this is my first kick at reloading this didn't raise any concerns but I was a bit disappointed at how carefully I had to operate the handle. After doing 50 this way I inspected what was happening and it was the small spring loaded metal tab that keeps the case on the tray. It was sitting back far enough that the case could move out of alignment. I just adjusted it to the point that it holds the case in place and it is so much smoother now! Got to the range today to check them on a chronograph and the recipe I was using gave me the results I was looking for. Grouping was good. Out of 250 rounds 3 didn't go off. On further inspection I see the primer was just not seated enough. It was just a little higher than the case. I don't know if this is user error or the fact that I'm using range brass. I ordered a 100 round case gauge and I think I'll just be checking primer seat depth 100 at a time.
Click to expand...

Since I built the sturdier bench and consciously make sure I don't short stroke it I haven't had any problems at all with priming. I have made and fired about 500 rounds of 9mm and 40s&w and they all went great with only one feeding problem, and group quite well for my first shot loading these calibers.

The only issue I'm running into now is that on the upstroke there is the usual resistance when pulling out of the sizing die, but then it suddenly gets easier once its out of the sizer, and quickly stops again as it is sticking on the powder funnel. This is sometimes causing a small amount of powder spillage and quite a bit of upward pressure is needed to pull it out of the powder funnel.

Is anyone else having this issue of cases sticking on their powder funnel? I can smooth it up a bit by just rubbing the end of the funnel with my fingers and that helps stop that sudden jolt for 20 rounds or so, but there is definitely still resistance.
 
Buy some lyman spray quick lube and throw 200 brass in a big ziplock bag and give it a few seconds shot of the lube spraying on the bag surface not into the brass. Then mix it up and pour it into the hopper. The jerkiness will disappear. Best reloading session in an hour was 1200 45acp. Next day I could barely move my arm though.
Also your powder funnel could be belling the case mouth too much causing the sticking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom