Dillon 550 b problem

[captn-tin]

Just cleaned and lubed my 550b. Put it back together using alignment tool, and now the cartridges will not slide into the shell holder slots at station 1,2,3 or 4. I'm using a Level10Innovations sprocket bearing kit with the long bolt. Any ideas as to what might be the problem? Thanks

[Ironfether]

Sounds like you have the wrong shell holder in place. Send a picture.

[captn-tin]

Shell holder #3 is the correct shell plate. It is mounted correctly with the #3 facing up.

[furrly]

Put the stock parts back on and try it again.

[captn-tin]

Put the stock parts back on and try it again.

Tried that-same results.

[MrElectric03]

If you can take a video or picture that would really help. So no cases will fit in the shellplate? I assume you aren't using the casefeeder so aren't they placed in the plate by hand?

[McGuiver]

Try unscrewing the center fastener holding the shell plate down. Loosen it up a little, make sure the shell plate is not upside down...


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[racinjason233]

Try unscrewing the center fastener holding the shell plate down. Loosen it up a little, make sure the shell plate is not upside down...


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[McGuiver]

Dillon 550 b problem



If all else fails, call Dillon Tech Support. They are really good. They can walk you thru the problem.
Team Blue is always happy to help.

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[captn-tin]

.Removed aftermarket parts. Verified #3 shellplate and pins. Same problem. Tried 45 acp shellplate with factory parts, and aftermarket parts. Worked great. Shellplates ever go bad?

[racinjason233]

Not in the amount of time one man has on earth. I could ever put enough rounds through a 550 to wear out a shell plate

[LMan57]

OP, did you ever figure it out?

[captn-tin]

OP, did you ever figure it out?

Sent shell plate to Dillon yesterday. I'll letcha know what happens.

[LMan57]

Cool thanks I have had my 550b for about three years with no problems I here Dillon's service department is second to none I hope all goes well.

[Richbutnotwealthy]

I've had and used a 550 for just over 30yrs, all manner of handgun and rifle calibers, multiple shell plates and I cannot fathom how the OP could manage to misalign anything. The only way I can even imagine things not lining up - given properly installing and tensioning the shell plate with the spring and bearing underneath it in place - is to put the tool head in backwards. And if you do that you can't get the 2 pins in place anyway.

never even heard of the Level10 product and after having looked at it

https://lvl10i.com/products/bearing-kit-w-modified-sprocket-for-dillon-550

I have to say it's totally unnecessary. You put in your shell plate change, get the capstan piece in place and tighten down the center allen bolt until it is almost snug and then slightly back it off until the plate turns and clicks cleanly, without the plate rubbing on the press base.
The plates are hard steel. My 9mm/223 plate has been used all those decades and has no signs of wear besides the coating. 10s of 1000s of rounds. There won't be anything wrong with the plate.

If you set the shell plate properly there is no powder-spilling wobble. And you'd have to literally flick the shell plate deliberately hard to even sling any power out. I'm getting ~250 rounds an hour with pre-prepped rifle brass and no sizing die and ~350rds/hr for pistol calibers and I'm not sloshing any powder out of the charged cartridges.

If the OP can be more descriptive of the behaviour and feel of the rotation or even supply some pictures of things assembled, someone with a 550 should be able to readily spot the trouble. It's a very weird problem, something must be put together incorrectly, or something wrong with the aftermarket kit. It sure isn't likely that it's the Dillon parts.