Dillion 650xl primer punch die issue

[Rac97crawford]

Hey guys,
I just switched my 650 over from 45acp to 40 and seem to have an issue now.

I'm noticing that more often than not, the cases are not lining up in the first stage before the primer punch reaches the bottom of the case to be right in line with the primer pocket. The result is that the punch pin stops on the bottom because it missed the primer hole. Then I have to reach in with a finger to hold the case into the shelf plate and finish the pull.

When I look right in at the station as the case comes into it, I can see it's not perfectly lined up but that the die has a bevel on it to get the case to center before the punch touches down.

My first thought was that perhaps the shell plate wasn't lined up properly except the other stages look like there perfectly inline with their die.

Then I thought, maybe the primer punch pin is too far down to allow for the case to center before impact but I'm not sure if that can be adjusted or should be to allow the old primer to push all the way out.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

[MrElectric03]

If the primer rod is that far down and is hitting before the case is in the die then yes it's too far down. It should be just a bit below where it needs to be to fully push the primer out. This way the case is supported and centered when it's pushing the primer out. What kind of dies are you using? I use mostly rcbs and they are adjustable with the center screw on the sizing die.

[Pauliedad]

So if I get this right, the shell plate is not lined up with the sled that feeds the case over from the feeder?

[Rac97crawford]

They are Dillion dies. I'm not sure if you can adjust the primer rod depth. I honestly thought it was set like that from the factory and all I had to do was set the die depth to properly reform the case. I'll pull the die once I get back from the range and see if I can bring the primer rod up a tiny bit.

Is it normal for the case to not line up perfectly between the shell plate and the die as it enters?
It seams to me that it should be by default and the beveled die entrance would be just for assuring the case is centered but not required for each case.

[Rac97crawford]

Pauliedad,
The shell plate and sled are good as far as I can tell. The cases slide into the shell plate properly and then during the forward push, it seats well in the shell plate. The next movement where you raise the shell plate with shell to the decapping/ resizing die is where I see the case mouth not line up perfectly with the die entrance. It comes up to kiss the die mouth just off center and then the bevel of the die slides it to center before the decapping rod makes contact with the primer pocket. In my situation, this is causing the primer decapping rod to hit the bottom of the case and not the primer pocket sometimes.

[Pauliedad]

Weird.
All I can guess is maybe the tool head is funky.
Station 1 not located correctly?
I'd compare that and then put back on the set up that functioned properly. Make sure it does and then switch back over and see if you can catch anything.
I've never had to mess with my dillon dies for adjustment but did have a pin bend so far it caught the inside of the case. Bent it back, or tried anyway, broke, put new one in.
Good luck.

[jameshenry]

Check the station one set up with a primer in the primer post. Without a primer the #1 locator will set a case in the proper position, add a primer and the #1 case position will change. The primer will keep the shell plate from moving too far down on the handle push. A primer must be in position to correctly set the #1 case location.

[bruce381]

you have to re adjust the case pusher into station 1.
It has to be adjusted for diferent diameter cases.
If it "over" pushes the case will lean and hit the die mouth.
Adjust the "rod" up or down so that the case is pushed only to fully into the plate NO more than that.

This cured my 357 from catching the die edeg every once in a while.

[Rac97crawford]

I think you guys have put me on to the right track with this alignment talk. Now thinking back, when I started to set up for 40 cal, I bought another priming system for small pistol so that I could keep my large pistol setup for 45acp when I wanted to switch back. The priming system came with an alignment tool which I didn't bother to use became everything at the time seamed to line up just fine in the priming station. Now I'm realizing that it also relates to station 1.. I'm going to take it apart again and this time go through the alignment process as the manual mentions..

[Pauliedad]

Please report back. I'm invested in figuring this out. Was out and about today and kept wondering.
Good luck.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

If the casing is not lining up correctly, is it because the shell plate is rotated too much/not enough or because the casing is not fully inserted into the shell plate?

When you switched shell plates, you didn't remove the detent ball did you? You can check to see if it's installed by rotating the shell plate, the last 1/16 of an inch of travel or so, it should snap into the correct position.

If it's because the casing is not inserted completely, I had that problem with mine when I first got it (used). The retaining screw on mine was stripped and I couldn't get it to stay where it needed to be. I ended up modifying mine by drilling a hole all the way thru it and installing a nut and bolt to apply the proper tension and position. Haven't had a problem with that issue since.

[Davisje011]

Did you make sure to flip the big slanted black thingy around?
It has different angles for different types of cases.

[Rac97crawford]

OK. I figured it out! It did have to do with a misalignment of the primer system and platform. I had to use the primer system alignment tool to get everything to line up properly.
The process was relatively simple. I had to put the tool in the power feeder and remove the primer seater. Then you have to pull the handle all the way down until the tool is perfectly in the primer seater hole and then tighten the 2 platform screws in while everything is lined up.
This is where I failed before. I guess there is a little bit of play in the platform screws and if you don't have the platform lined up with the primer system, they will be a tiny bit off. This misalignment effected the way the cases came into the resizing die. Now, everything is good to go. I have an older machine from the early 90's. Maybe dillion has tightened up the tolerances of their gear since then. For me and this machine, I'll have to make sure everything is lined up anytime I remove the primer system and platform.

[Pauliedad]

Good to hear its all good.
I'm guessing you're right and Dillon has made slight mods over the years.

[JMP]

I think people missed the crux of the issue. Glad it's resolved. This happens from time to time. From what it sounds like, the primer plate isn't indexing properly, NOT the shellplate.
1. Nudge the spring loaded primer plate advancement a few times, and it will often go back to proper indexing.
2. Take apart the primer plate assembly, clean and lube it.
3. The advancing spring may be off, missing, or needs replacement.
4. Yes, you can alter the primer seating depth with the spring loaded screw beneath the station.