Anyone using Dillon's 1200 trimmer and dies

[joelogic]

I trimmed 1000 .308 cases with no problems. Last week I trimmed a couple thousand .223 cases and all of the sudden the die started scratching the neck of the case. I sent the die back and they sent me a brand new one. I just trimmed 500 .223 cases and now it has started again. They are vertical scratch marks around the neck of the cases only. There are about 30 vertical lines and you can feel them with your nail. I called Dillon and they told me to use some bore cleaner and scrub. I use two different cleaners and a bronze bore brush. No Luck. The cases were tumbled for more than an hour, Dillon asked if they were cleaned. Dillon asked if I was using a vacuum and I said yes. If anyone can help me out I would be super grateful. Thanks.

[anyracoon]

Check with Randal. I had same set up several years ago but sold it and bought a Giraud.

[mvpatriot]

Check with Randal. I had same set up several years ago but sold it and bought a Giraud.

Hmmmmmm...
trying to decide what trimmer to buy for my 650xl.....

[Gnzrme]

slightly off topic but I always wondered if you had to chamfer the cases after using the 1200..

Also, what prevents the case from wiggling around on the shellplate as there is always some wiggle...

[C.G.]

slightly off topic but I always wondered if you had to chamfer the cases after using the 1200..

Also, what prevents the case from wiggling around on the shellplate as there is always some wiggle...

The cut is clean, so no chamfering is needed.

The die keeps it from wiggling.

My only problem with the 1200 is that on occasion the motor gets loose and spins off the die, in spite of being tightened well. I do not want to use blue locktite to hold it down.

[American_pride]

I use that die and trimmer for all my .223 and to this date I have never had that problem. I just lube once fired brass and size/trim. I do use the carbide dies backed out 2 turns to presize for me though.

[joelogic]

instead of a carbide dies to "presize" you can use a dillon universal decapping die. It does what the carbide one does for 1/5 the price.

[ZakAttackMan]

I had the same issue with mine didn't realize it till 300 cases or so in. I'm still going to shoot them the scratches don't seem severe enough to warrant throwing them away.

I think it might be from not lining up the cartridge perfectly with the die and having the case scratch against the die creating a burr on the die that than burs the case.

[ar15barrels]

Check with Randal.

I have not run into this problem in my dillon trimmer, but I have seen it in traditional sizing dies.
Sounds like build-up of brass due to poor lubrication.
You will want to either electrochemically clean the die (outers foul-out) or hone it with a small ball hone.
You have to get every trace of that brass out or it will start building up again.
The built-up brass sticks to the cases and pulls more brass off each case as you continue.

[dhenry132]

I had the same problem at first. But what I found in the process was that the holes in the vacum attachment on top of the die was not enough. I cut more holes so the vacuum can pull more air. Now the die stays clean, motor runs cooler and the brass shavings stay out of the neck of the die.

http://pages.suddenlink.net/brassprocessing/

[joelogic]

So, no dice with just some bore cleaner and a bore brush, huh. Well I guess back to dillon it goes and I will just have to try to keep the brass and die cleaner. Dillon said the dies are hardened but everything has micro pores that can clog. My first couple thousand were mixed head stamp beforee the scratches happened but this time it was only 500 or so lake city cases.

[joelogic]

This is what is does.


I tried to clean it 3 times and still no change. Dillon is getting another die back.


Edit: Am I just making a big deal or should I expect it not to do this. The .308 trim die works fine.

[ZakAttackMan]

Thats what mine look like.

I wonder what spray lube to use ???

Should I scrap the ones that I did that look like that or not???

[joelogic]

I use Dillon's Spray lube. No need to toss them, the scratches are only cosmetic. I ordered another die and got a RMA for this die. Rep on the phone said make sure brass is clean and the vacuum is working. I will use my shop vac instead of my mini vacuum and I will rig up a collar to keep the blue vacuum attachment from rising.

[dhenry132]

I had to do a trim to fit on the vac collar to make it tight on the die lock nut. Also I do not use Dillons lock nut on any of my dies.