Problems Dillon XL650 Sizing die brass catches

[Viagrow]

Every once in a while I notice a case mouth will catch on something inside the sizing die just as the brass passses above the die mouth causing it to possibly hit the button on the deprime rod. The case does not go far enough up into the die for the deprime pin to possibly be hitting the bottom of the case so we can rule that out. To fix the issue I will usually reach across the shell plate and gently wiggle the case and it pops free and I continue sizing.

I'm thinking the case is not lining up properly with something causeing it to catch, but what can it be catching on and how do I fix it? Is this possible an index position issue? Has anyone else had this problem?

I am loading .40 SW and .45 ACP when this happens. Dillon dies on an XL650, factory brass, no crimps.

Ask if you need more detail.

Thanks in advance

[RaymondMillbrae]

The shell may not be getting pushed deep enough into the shell plate.

Check the adjustment of the "case insert slide".

Or you may also be getting media in the grooves of the shellplate. (Which is why the case will not fully set into the shellplate). Use compressed air to clean it out.

Worst case scenario, you are getting 9mm or smaller cases WITHIN your brass cases.

In Christ: Raymond

[Chief-7700]

Sounds like you may short stroking the handle, going to fast or movement in your reloading bench.
Chief

[tommyid1]

Clean the case feed slide, and make sure your not short stroking the handle

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[bruce381]

SORRY re read you are using dillion dies yeah what others say about setup and smoothness of pulling handle

[Viagrow]

Thanks for the reply.

The case insert slide has proper tension, it pushes the case correctly into the clean shell plate. I thought maybe the case was pulling back away from the shell plate but that was not the case. Also checked the cases for debris trapped under the rim and ruled that out. No 9mm in the 40SW brass.

Thanks again Raymond.

The shell may not be getting pushed deep enough into the shell plate.

Check the adjustment of the "case insert slide".

Or you may also be getting media in the grooves of the shellplate. (Which is why the case will not fully set into the shellplate). Use compressed air to clean it out.

Worst case scenario, you are getting 9mm or smaller cases WITHIN your brass cases.

In Christ: Raymond

[Viagrow]

Chief, thank you for the reply.

I always work the handle to maximum travel and pause while I maintain pressure before working back in the opposite direction. I keep the speed at a reasonable rate since I am expecting the case to possible catch. The XL650 is atop a strong mount that is securely bolted to a rock solid work bench that was built into my workshop.

Very good answers. Thank you.

Sounds like you may short stroking the handle, going to fast or movement in your reloading bench.
Chief

[Viagrow]

After reading all of the great replies to the above I am starting to wonder what is actually catching the case.

More detail about the problem. When the case catches in the sizing die I will maintain slight pressure on the handle and jiggle each case on the shell plate to confirm the problem is the case at the sizing die, and it is. I will usually just pull lightly on the case and it will pop free and continue up into the die for sizing. I have no idea what it is catching on since the button on the decapping rod is centered and it is too small to be catching on the case mouth, and the decapping pin is not deep enough into the case to be missing the flash hole at the bottom of the case and bottoming out. The inside of the size die did did reveal any ridges or obstructions for the case to catching on, although it sure feels like it's catching on a lip or something.

I'm thinking about trying to work a test batch of brass in the size die minus the decapping rod assembly via the process of elimination.

[EWILKE]

dillon

did you have a case in the sizing die when you tighten it if you did not you may be a little out of alignment. loosen the sizing die push a case up into the die and re tighten it. good luck

[Viagrow]

did you have a case in the sizing die when you tighten it if you did not you may be a little out of alignment. loosen the sizing die push a case up into the die and re tighten it. good luck

Sounds worth a try.
Thanks for the suggestion, I will let you know if it works.

[Viagrow]

Anybody know to align the shell plate to the die in station 1 ?

[Chief-7700]

Call Dillon.

[sargenv]

Has the top end of the press been removed for cleaning or replacing parts? Dillon will send you an alignment tool to aid inthe alignment of the moving shell plate holder. I broke the indexer and didn't know about having to align it until I called Dillon and they figured it out.

[Viagrow]

I called Mike and he is sending me the alignment tool. He also suggested that I check the plastic index ring to be sure it is not worn or damaged. He thought the shell plate could not be aligned properly to the size die. Not a common problem but it does happen enough that they supply the alignment tool to remedy the issue.

I will keep you posted...

[LGB Loader]

Sounds like you may short stroking the handle, going to fast or movement in your reloading bench

This was my first thought when I began to read the thread. This is why my bench is
42" high and I still have my 650's on strong mounts. To make sure I get 100% stroke action. This and make sure that the bench is rock solid and doesn't wiggle one bit.

LGB