Dillon reloading problem

[haroldiftb@yahoo.com69]

HELP!!!!!!
I have a Dillon "square deal re loader, and for reason I can't get the primers to load. I sent the whole unit back to Dillon they replaced almost the entire machine, with new parts at no charge.
The darn thing will not pick up the primers let alone set them, I called Dillon and their answer was to change brands of primers, which I did and still nothing.
It seems that the primer cup is a little to high to fit under the plastic part at the end of the primer feed tube, and I can't figure out how to get the cup to fit.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.. Also when I try and get a primer to load the press smashes the the plastic tip..

[rm1911]

Pics would really help. I've never had primer issues with my SDB. Going on 25+ years with it.

[someoneeasy]

Should have bought a dillon......JK

sorry, couldn't resist.

[jericho89]

It is most likely a tuning issue. Check out this guys video and see if that helps. Also are you loading large or small primers? Is the correct internal primer feeder tube in the press for what you are loading?

http://youtu.be/ATovNb-7afo

[Revoman]

haroldiftb@yahoo.com69

I have 4 SDB's and have only had a primer issue with one used one, maybe that's why the other guy sold it?

Anyway, the fix is relatively easy, but takes a little time and finesse. There are several adjustments that can be made, they are actually a part of the set up manual so I would recommend that you download that from the Dillon site. It'll give you the real names of my home made ones below.

At the front of the loader, down below the shell plate, there is a small metal flapper with a single small allen head screw holding it in (The handle actually 'hides' it when in the up position). That is a tempered spring metal piece that flexes and acts as a spring to move the small plastic plunger in and out allowing a single primer to fall into the primer seating cup.
Edit: There is also a small set screw at the front of the machine that sets the gap between the little plunger (as described above) and the primer cup. It will move it in or out depending on what is needed.

That plunger used to be metal, but changed to plastic in later revisions. That could be broken or nonexistent. Check that first.

If that's not it, then it could be that you aren't aligning the key on the side of the primer tube with the slot down inside the primer tube holder. That won't allow the tube to properly seat. It could also be that you are tightening the top knurled 'nut' too tight. If you tighten that too tight, it will crush the plastic end, not allowing any primers to go anywhere. There can be no issues with that end of the primer tube or you probably will have issues with the primer operation.

Edit: Make certain that you have the correct primer cup in the slide, if you're trying to use large primers in a small cup, it ain't gonna work. The same might be true vise-versa.

Finally, take out the primer slide itself (remove the primer tube assembly), you will need to remove the small spring hooked to the front post, you'll see it down there. Once out, there is a small adjustment set screw below the primer cup, the cup post has a spring on it, you may need to adjust that up or down (VERY slightly as there isn't much adjustment there anyway, it sits in a groove) so that it just misses the little plastic plunger (as described above), I'm sure that Dillon has a measurement for this, but I dunno it. Adjust that up or down (you may need to compress that spring a little to shorten), retighten the set screw and you should be good to go. It's really important to get this right as this is where most seem to fail.(Finally huh?)

This may require that you take things apart a few times, but once you adjust this, the problem goes away for a long time. I have 10's of thousands of rounds loaded on that particular loader without any more primer issues.

The link from the above post is a good reference too!

[Revoman]

Boy, this guy musta really needed the help.

[robert101]

Revoman did a very good write up. Also, check and make certain that your primers are in a free-fall within the primer pick-up (outside) and feeder tube inside the machine. I had similar problems with my 550B took all apart and the problem went away. I still don't know what was fixed and why it magically was broken. Once working the Dillon machine is a very reliable piece of equipment.

[liber]

Something is odd here...sent the unit back to Dillon and it came back not working?

Dillon doesn't do that, so either something was damaged in shipping or it's an operator error.

[Revoman]

"Something is odd here...sent the unit back to Dillon and it came back not working?

Dillon doesn't do that, so either something was damaged in shipping or it's an operator error. "

Which makes me believe that the wrong primer cup is in place or the wrong primer tube is not being used, large or small.

Either way, the OP must be loading like crazy because they have yet to reply what the problem was....

[David-K]

We!l, since there hasn't even been a response or thank you from the OP, I'm calling BS.

[noylj]

Maybe they found they had the small primer systems installed, when trying to load large primers and too embarrassed to admit it?

How many complaints have you read about XXX powder measure, only for the problem to be that they had the WRONG rotor installed?
It is like all the jobs I got called to where the antenna wire had loosened from the back of the TV, or the unplugged PC that wouldn't boot up...

[haroldiftb@yahoo.com69]

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS, I WAS ABLE TO CONTACT A DILLON SUPERVISOR WHO TOLD ME HOW TO SET THE PRIMER CUP WITH THE USE OF A VISE IT SEEMS THAT THE PRIMER STEM GOT LOOSE IN SHIPPING AND WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT I WAS ABLE TO SQUEEZE THE PICK UP CUP LOW ENOUGH TO WHERE IT WILL PICK UP PRIMERS, "BUT" WILL ONLY SEAT EVERY OTHER ONE (YES I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE HANDLE FORWARD TO SET THE PRIMER) THE DILLON SUPR. IS TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER FOR ME..IF ANYONE ELSE CAN COME UP WITH AN ANSWER PLEASE HELP.. THANKS AGAIN

[chasjr1]

Are you reloading military brass ?
If you are you have to take the crimp out of the primer cup

[Revoman]

It sounds like there is an issue with the little plastic end on the primer feed tube. Either it's not in the keyway, or it sometimes gets a little bent when installing, causing it to only allow one primer through at times instead of every primer through all the time.
That teeny allen screw at the front also may need adjustment, it is a little time consuming to adjust exact, but once dialed, it works great. You just need to go slow when adjusting as a minor adjustment goes a long way.
What is your location, perhaps I can help better if you're in my area.