Dillion 550B reloading question about the machine.

[sig22018]

My Dillion 550B is all set up for .357mag with one problem. When I feed the primers through the tube they all dump out the bottom. I have the full instruction booklet yet I realize I am mentally challenged here... Which screw or part do I need to adjust to keep the primers in the feed tube so that they will only release one at a time when I pull the lever?
Thank you for your time.

[Fjold]

You need to change the primer feed tube from the large primer size to the small primer size. Unscrew the steel top off the primer feed tube and remove the large primer tube from inside the black tube and install the small primer tube. Look at the direction that the open side of the tip faces when you remove the large primer feed tube from the machine and make sure that the tip on the small primer feedtube faces the same direction.

You have three more primer tubes two of them are for loading and stacking the primers the other one is the feed tube that goes in the machine. Look at the tip of the tube carefully you can see the differences between a loading tube and a feeding tube and between large and small primer tubes.

[PLINK]

There should be a little white plastic post that pushes back when the primer cup hits it. When you push the lever forward the plastic post should move forward also closing the hole. Would need some pics of the primer loading system for more info (front, back, side to side).

[sig22018]

Thank you for your quick response, yet...

You need to change the primer feed tube from the large primer size to the small primer size. Unscrew the steel top off the primer feed tube and remove the large primer tube from inside the black tube and install the small primer tube. Look at the direction that the open side of the tip faces when you remove the large primer feed tube from the machine and make sure that the tip on the small primer feedtube faces the same direction.

You have three more primer tubes two of them are for loading and stacking the primers the other one is the feed tube that goes in the machine. Look at the tip of the tube carefully you can see the differences between a loading tube and a feeding tube and between large and small primer tubes.

I used to load .357 years ago and have not touched the machine or used any other caliber through it as it has been in storage. I've cleaned it up and know for a fact that it is set up for the small pistol primer feed tube as I can see the large tube on the table. Again, it's been a long time since I've done this and I hope I'm not making a beginner's error. .357 are the only dies I have ever owned, yet I recentley purchased some .45acp and 30.06 dies. I'm starting with the old .357s just to get back in touch with the machine and will graduate to the others once I am safely making magnum rounds.
I will double check and try everything you mentioned above. Thank you for your quick reply.

[Fjold]

I used to load .357 years ago and have not touched the machine or used any other caliber through it as it has been in storage. I've cleaned it up and know for a fact that it is set up for the small pistol primer feed tube as I can see the large tube on the table. Again, it's been a long time since I've done this and I hope I'm not making a beginner's error. .357 are the only dies I have ever owned, yet I recentley purchased some .45acp and 30.06 dies. I'm starting with the old .357s just to get back in touch with the machine and will graduate to the others once I am safely making magnum rounds.
I will double check and try everything you mentioned above. Thank you for your quick reply.

Cool, I thought you were a first timer setting up a new machine. Unscrew the top of the primer feed tube and then the black protective tube and remove the primer feed tube. You'll see how the slide pushes the primers out of the bottom of the tube. Clean that area out and check that everything works right. Check the bottom of the feed tube and make sure the plastic tip is not broken. Remember, Dillon will replace anything that you break on it under warranty.

[Ninja45]

"Check the bottom of the feed tube and make sure the plastic tip is not broken."

+1 on this suggestion. The tip on my feed tube was either broken or worn out when I experienced the same thing you described.

Replace the plastic tip with one that should have come in with your spare parts or order a couple from Dillon.

Ninja45