550B issues

[erik_26]

I have a Dillon 550B.

When loading .45ACP the shell plate gets loose. Every so often I will start to crunch brass (very annoying). I check the shell plate and find it loose. The thing that is weird about it is, I have the locking screw tight. I can't turn the shell plate bolt without loosening the set screw. I don't know how it become loose?


Also, I have started having issues with the primer slide not picking up primers from the feed tube. I have checked all the alignment, and that the slide pulls all the way back as I cycle the handle. Any ideas?


I keep everything very clean. Every 100 rounds I used a paint brush to dust off any debris and such on the press. So I can't attribute something causing a jam.

[prod39]

Call Dillon, it sounds like you are missing the spring and ball under the shell plate or washers at the allen bolt?
JB

[EWILKE]

pull the set screw out and check it it may be mashed on the end and not gripping the bolt

[erik_26]

Call Dillon, it sounds like you are missing the spring and ball under the shell plate or washers at the allen bolt?
JB

The spring is in there and so is the ball.

pull the set screw out and check it it may be mashed on the end and not gripping the bolt

It is gripping the bolt because I can't turn the main allen bolt by hand.

[Bill Steele]

One thing I would check on the shellpate loosening, the bottom flange of the big allen bolt rides on the surface of the star indexer. I had a burr on this bearing surface (of the star). I found the right sized socket and using the bottom of it and some fine sand paper got in there and smoothed it out. After smoothing both the inside of the star and the flange surface of the bolt, I use a little slide glide (any wheel bearing lube should work, it only takes a tiny amount) and lube this surace where the allen bolt rides. I found this allows me to tighten down so the difference between not being able to index the star and having in index freely was very tiny. This keeps me from getting false readings when adjusting the allen bolt before snugging up the set screw.

On the primer feed. I would replace the tip of the magazine tube (the little plastic part that positions the primer over the shuttle cup). I damaged one once (my fault) and had problems until I replaced it.

[Old Flash]

Also, I have started having issues with the primer slide not picking up primers from the feed tube. I have checked all the alignment, and that the slide pulls all the way back as I cycle the handle. Any ideas?

I had this same problem with my 550B, (same as Bill's advise ^^) I replaced the plastic tip on the primer feed tube and everything worked fine. There should be spare tips that came with your reloader.