Dillon SDB Primer drop issue: follower too light

[rhodesengr]

Been loading 45ACP lately. I had previous problems with primers occasionally not dropping. Advice was to add some weight to the primer follower-rod. Then I bought the aftermarket rod from Uniquetek. This is made of aluminum and is heavier than the OEM plastic rod. I looks to be a bit longer as well. I did two runs with Remington LPP and within the last one or two primers, I had a fail to drop on both runs. I glued a 200gr bullet to the top of the rod and did another run. Every primer dropped.

I took the primer feeder out to look where the end of the primer follower ends up after the last primer. The position of the rod tip looked pretty good to me. Right at the bottom of the plastic tip. I even guess even the aftermarket rod is not quite heavy enough.

I have been checking the plastic tip of the primer magazine for burrs because I had that happen once.

Anyone else see this sort of thing?

[Revoman]

Hmmm....have you cleaned the primer tube? There can be a lot of gunk in there, it happens. It's easy enough to clean, then run a carnauba waxed patch down a few times, let it 'dry' then polish with clean patches.
It is usually the plastic goody at the bottom of the tube that gets slightly deformed or is not in the slot at the base. Perhaps there is a broken piece of the plastic in the slot?
The spring loaded cup at the base may also need adjustment. There is a small Allen grub screw that hold it in place, might have come loose.
The only other thing that I can think of is the little white plastic pusher may be damaged?

[rhodesengr]

The metal tube is fine. I think it has something to do with the plastic tip. Since it is always one of the last one or two primers, really seems like a follower weight issue or the plastic tip is too tight. I am going to take the magazine out and see how primers move in the plastic tip. Adding weight to follower definitely helped and I've seen this method in other threads. Also, since there is an aftermarket, heavier follower, that also suggests its a common issue.

[Revoman]

I have had the standard follower for years with no issues.
Likely the plastic piece as you stated.
I believe that all of the Dillon loaders use the same priming system, so you might try looking at say a 550 for some information.

[ar15robert]

Lol I had the same issue on mine too. When I first got it in like 2001 I had no issues. Then I didn’t use it for a while and began having all kinds of problems with it. Upside down primers here and there and some empties.

I figured out if I taped a 230 grain bullet to the follower problem solved. Since then no problems. Now that I am 30 min from Dillion I may take up issue with them if I have one.

[rhodesengr]

The follower from Uniquetek is supposed to add that extra weight and it worked ok until the last 1 or 2 primers. I glued a bullet to that and even the last primer dropped. I need to check the position of the primer pick-up. Dillon's documentations says "a little over-travel is OK" So maybe it not going quite far enough. Simple adjustment with a set screw but you have to rely on a visual view down the mag tube to see how far the pickup is going.

[bruce381]

if the extra weight fixed it that's your answer for now

[rhodesengr]

if the extra weight fixed it that's your answer for now

seems to be

[mofo1111]

If anyone needs to try a little more weight, just stick a 45 ACP case (upside down) on top of Dillon plastic rod to add a little weight. It's free.