Thoughts on Progressive Reloading Machines
Lloyd read my responses, no need to shake your head.
I have multiple powder measures, not just one broken one.
I have another new powder measure on order and will send the powder measures or maybe the whole press back to Dillon after all this madness is over.
I am replacing the bars, just in my own way.
Full explanation-
I was initially just going to send the whole press back for the $90 rebuild instead of paying $60 for just two bars. Seemed like a better deal to me, spend a few more bucks and let the factory rebuild everything.
And one of the powder measures/small bars still works Ok with a new bellcrank bushing, even if it is worn a bit.
I just didn’t cast or reload much last year or most of this year and never got around to sending the press in.
No sense in spending money on something I wasn’t even using, I even toyed with the idea of selling the press, then buying a 650(now 750) when I got back into reloading.
I just really got back into reloading in the last month but it is not the time to send anything in to Dillon, they are too backed up.
It was hard to even find a powder measure in stock, actually all I could find was a kit with extra tool head and stand included. Sad thing is I wanted an extra tool head just for sizing until I got the Lee App, now I don’t really need it.
I might even buy 1 more powder measure so I can just leave all my most used calibers setup, whenever I can find just the powder measure by itself.
If I didn’t want to upgrade to a bigger Dillon it would be easier to justify more accessories for my 550.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thoughts on Progressive Reloading Machines
Lloyd here is a pic of the bad bar where the actuator rides.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3c7a4cbb47.jpg
And I suspect the cast body might be worn, hence the powder escaping the bar. Another reason I didn’t just spend money on a replacement bar.
Taking a straight edge to things, the spacer isn’t flat either.
Who knows, but I still attribute it to improper storage and operator error, the wear pictured from the missing actuator bushing was nothing but operator error. That just didn’t happen in one reloading session.
Dillon did send me new primer slides and primer track bearing.
They were worn and sticking no matter how clean/polished I got them.
New ones worked fine, no priming issues as long as I keep things clean.
Did I mention this press was not stored/maintained the best.
To give you an idea I had kept my reloading setup in totes in an unconditioned shed when I lived in southern Illinois.
I opened a tote one day and found the bottom filled with water. Took me a while to realize it was just from condensation, building didn’t leak and the tote had a lid on it.
While I have owned the press for 20 years it was in storage for at least 10 of those years.
When I really got into reloading 7 years ago I did a lot of rust removal and lubing, should have just sent the press in then.
But a testament to dillon, even after all that abuse, with a little cleanup the press was in working condition, as things got bad a few small replacement parts got it back fine.
All except the powder measure, which just got worse.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk