Dillon 650 powder spill

J

Jeryray

New member
I have powder spill as the turret detents to the next position.
I have seen YouTube videos showing a fix which involves cutting the detent spring so the turret does not snap into place.

Seems this has been going on since 2012.
My case plate is set properly.

Does anyone know if that's the only fix?

Any other fixes?

9mm 4.2 Bullseye.
 
I use some nice heavy grease at the shell plate bolt and critically adjust the shell plate bolt to allow just a tiny bit of drag on the plate. Seems to work good for me (but i'm a new 650 user so im still in learning mode.
 
I have the polymer ball and the roller bearing on the shell plate. Helps a good bit, but not all the way with some powders in short cases.
 
Dillon XL650 has an issue with 'Over Indexing',
The shell plate actually moves PAST the detent, THEN SNAPS BACK
Watch your shell plate and see if it indexes too far then snaps back a little.

If so, the detent gets TWO chances at slinging powder out of the cases.

Left side of the frame right under the head that the shell holder bolts to...
There is a piece of metal bolted to the frame that contacts the 'Plastic' indexing ratchet.
That metal piece on the frame *Might* need to be adjusted to prevent over indexing.

The issue *Might* also be the detent spring pressure, combined with the weight (mass) of the detent ball.
I don't cut springs, I heat them... A little at a time until you de-temper the spring enough.

eBay sells an inexpense polymer ball that is much lighter weight along with a reduced pressure spring (keeps you from screwing with factory parts).
 
I added a thrust washer between the bolt head and shell plate, everything else is stock.

650bearing.jpg


A bearing supply will have them and NAPA auto parts stores too.

bearing.jpg


If you google there are also folks that sell different springs and plastic balls to replace the bearing etc.
 
Tighten the bolt to reduce the "snap" as much as possible..../ it takes a little time back and forth to get just the right tension...

and then as the case leaves station 3 on the way to station 4, where you set the bullet on the case --- just stop the lever when the case is a little past half way - on its way to station 4 ...put the bullet on the case and ride it to station 4...( it stops any spill ...in stations 3 or 4...).
 
On my Square Deal if the primer feed isn't exactly right, the primers can catch on the rotating shell plate, causing that nasty snap.
 
Or do what I do and put your thumb on the edge of the shell plate. You can easily learn to put just enough pressure on it to stop if from snapping into position.

So far the problem has only shown itself with 9mm but I bet .45 acp will do the same.
 
Putting a finger on the shell plate sounds akward, and ANY drag on the shell plate causes undue wear on the plastic indexing ramp type cam.

Not that a lot of people have an auto drive on a 650, but ANY fingers on the shell plate is a huge safety issue.
One of the things the auto drive guys talk about is smoothing out that index snap, most use lower spring pressure, lower mass detent balls & getting rid of friction points that cause torque loading & (snap/jerk) unloading.
 
I'm seriously looking at getting a Dillion press and have not heard about this powder spill issue. I don't have that with the press I have now. Is this something I'm going to have to deal with by buying aftermarket fixes?
 
I installed Hit Factory's kit which has the plastic detent ball and the bearing washers. Both helped, but I still had to trim the spring on my press. When you trim the spring, remove a little at a time then check the results. Depending on what calibers your reloading, you may not have a problem. Easy fix if your press slings a couple of pieces of powder when it indexes. The finger trick works to.

http://hitfactorshooting.com/
 
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Thanks, I ordered an ultimate kit, that should work.

I called Dillon, they told me to hold the plate with my thumb.

I am already busy "feeling" the primer and keeping an eye on the brass, I have been getting a upside down 9mm cases lately. Maybe 1 in 200 or so.
 
1) put your finger on the case mouth. I mean, why watch it happen when the fix is so simple?
2) use marine propeller grease on shell plate
3) tighten shell plate enough that it just barely moves smoothly
4) call Dillon and ask them. Maybe issue is timing, and not the detents
5) if you cut coils, be sure you have at least ONE more spring on hand
 
>Touché, we'll be sure to be at the next "Paw adjustment" thread

The problem the OP stated is common to all progressives. The solutions may vary.
I have used a Hornady progressive since they first came out in the '70s and have NEVER needed to adjust a PAWL, except when I cracked one. Even then, my memory is that I simply put it in and it worked fine (without any adjustment).
I think many of the pawl adjusters are like the amateur astronomers who are always adjusting the sub-aperture element of their 'scopes.
 
Not sure if the question Jeryray asked has been answered for him but I would like an answer to if this is a common thing with Dillion presses?
 
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