Wiley
Well-Known Member
As I continued to load more 44 Mag yesterday the primer bar began sticking while in the fully retracted position. A few times it would become unstuck and shoot forward and in doing so it usually launched the primer to parts unknown. During all this I'd become distracted from the fact that I had a primed case in the powder station and dump a 2nd charge into the case. A 44 Mag case will not hold 2 charges of 22gr of IMR 4227 so half a case full goes everywhere, about 5 different times 
I finally got smart enough to take the powder actuating rod out, thus eliminating the ability to drop a charge. After disassembling several times for cleaning/lubing and checking alignment, etc and reassembling, I was able to identify the problem. The primer bar gets pushed just a tiny bit to the left when it's ALMOST at it's fully rearward travel point. That's where it stops and doesn't pick up a primer. Just touching the bar causes it to move the extra 1/64" to the rear and pick up the primer. So, off to web searching I go. Yep, it's a known problem with the Dillon primer feed system. It's a 2 part problem. The primer drop tube housing gets 2 bulges from over tightening the 2 socket head screws that mount it. Finger tight is all it requires. I took my 800 and 1000 grit diamond stones and ground those bulges off. Then took the 1500 grit stone and polished the surface. The final solution is an aftermarket longer bearing plate that goes under the primer bar and supports it all the way through it's rearward travel. The original bearing plate is the same length as the primer bar and there is no support as the bar is being retracted beyond the end. The replacement unit also has an exposed ball bearing on the left side that is adjustable from side to side that eliminates the motion that's causing my problem. Ebay and other places have about 3 different versions of this and I chose the one that seems to be the most simple and has about 99.9% excellent reviews. Now, all that being said, Dillon would send me all the necessary OEM parts free of charge if I call them but eventually I'd be right back in the same place. I may still do so and get the spare parts just to have on hand.
Some of you Dillon loaders on here may have already had my experience and overcome it but here's what I ordered and it will be here mid week, barring USPS deciding to take it on a scenic tour of the country.....
https://www.ebay.com/p/1785082951
So, I may place primers one at a time by hand and continue loading. Or I may take a nap
I finally got smart enough to take the powder actuating rod out, thus eliminating the ability to drop a charge. After disassembling several times for cleaning/lubing and checking alignment, etc and reassembling, I was able to identify the problem. The primer bar gets pushed just a tiny bit to the left when it's ALMOST at it's fully rearward travel point. That's where it stops and doesn't pick up a primer. Just touching the bar causes it to move the extra 1/64" to the rear and pick up the primer. So, off to web searching I go. Yep, it's a known problem with the Dillon primer feed system. It's a 2 part problem. The primer drop tube housing gets 2 bulges from over tightening the 2 socket head screws that mount it. Finger tight is all it requires. I took my 800 and 1000 grit diamond stones and ground those bulges off. Then took the 1500 grit stone and polished the surface. The final solution is an aftermarket longer bearing plate that goes under the primer bar and supports it all the way through it's rearward travel. The original bearing plate is the same length as the primer bar and there is no support as the bar is being retracted beyond the end. The replacement unit also has an exposed ball bearing on the left side that is adjustable from side to side that eliminates the motion that's causing my problem. Ebay and other places have about 3 different versions of this and I chose the one that seems to be the most simple and has about 99.9% excellent reviews. Now, all that being said, Dillon would send me all the necessary OEM parts free of charge if I call them but eventually I'd be right back in the same place. I may still do so and get the spare parts just to have on hand.Some of you Dillon loaders on here may have already had my experience and overcome it but here's what I ordered and it will be here mid week, barring USPS deciding to take it on a scenic tour of the country.....
https://www.ebay.com/p/1785082951
So, I may place primers one at a time by hand and continue loading. Or I may take a nap
