It went BANG last night - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Cheesehead · 10-04-2007, 05:23 AM

Been having some trouble reloading .45 ACP using Win brass and Federal primers on my Dillon 650. Usually I would get approximately 2 or 3 not fully seated primers. I have talked to Dillon service and they gave me some advice that did help, but I was still having some problems. I read that I should push the primer in a little harder and faster than what I was doing. So last night I was using this technique. About 50 rounds into reloading, as I was seating the primer, it went off. Scared the crap out of me, wife was concerned, but no damage done except for the color of my shorts.

I ended up reloading a 100 rounds and all the primers were seated properly. I always wear safety glasses, but maybe I need ear muffs too!

Mercmar · 10-04-2007, 06:13 AM

I load on a 650. The primer's not going to be seated any deeper if you're seating fast or slow. When the handle reaches "stop", it's not going to seat any deeper. One can adjust primer seating depth on a 650.

fredj338 · 10-04-2007, 08:15 AM

Are you using all the same headstamp brass? Primer pockets vary slightly from manuf. to manuf. On tight primers, you have to push a bit harder but not faster. I've completely crushed primers on my 550B w/o setting one off, but go fast & hard, glad you weren't hurt.

mullanman · 10-04-2007, 08:21 AM

Federals are soft primers. If you are having trouble with them going into your 650, clean your system.

Brass may be the problem too, CCI or speer brass is notoriously hard to get a primer in there. Use winchester or federal.

Cheesehead · 10-04-2007, 08:28 AM

I use only Win brass. After the case that went bang, I placed it back in the feeder tube and it reloaded the next time without a problem. I think that it could be the Federal primers that are giving me the problem. I have no problem using Winchester primers (small pistol) for my 9 mm reloading. Most of the Federal primers go in very smooth, but some (2 to 3 per 100) feel like they are hanging up or sticking as I press them in. It may be that I got a brick of primers that are a little over sized. The next time that I will reload, I will use a new brick. If that gives me the same problem, I will then try Winchester primers next.

Satcomwitty · 10-04-2007, 08:43 AM

I've had problems over the years reloading rifle cartridges with the same problems.

One day I realized that it was not so much an equipment problem, but a problem with my technique on preparing the cases.

Do you clean the primer pocket on every case between reloadings?

Do you have a regime to clean the primer pockets every x amount of reloads?

I found that consistancy is the key much more than speed as well - smooth strokes every time at the same speed - force - and intervels made for much better luck during reloads.

just my 2 cents

Salilus · 10-04-2007, 08:53 AM

I dont know if it matters since this is from the Lee Pro 1000 manual but it says EXPLICITLY "DO NOT USE FEDERAL PRIMERS". I guess it is because they are so soft. I use only CCI or Win, as noted in the manual and have had great success, I can CRUSH a sideways win primer with no ill effects.

Cheesehead · 10-04-2007, 08:57 AM

Basically, I have two mentalities when I reload. If I am reloading for my rifles, I use a signal stage press, clean the primer pockets, weigh every charge, measure every OAL. In other words, I am trying to reduce the variables as much as possible. On the other hand, when I load for my pistols, I clean the brass, double check the powder weight, OAL, and crimp, then start reloading using the 650. I do not check or clean the primer pockets. For rifle, I load for increased accuracy. For pistol, I load so I can go shooting for fun. Not so worried about accuracy.

mullanman · 10-09-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesehead

I use only Win brass. After the case that went bang, I placed it back in the feeder tube and it reloaded the next time without a problem. I think that it could be the Federal primers that are giving me the problem. I have no problem using Winchester primers (small pistol) for my 9 mm reloading. Most of the Federal primers go in very smooth, but some (2 to 3 per 100) feel like they are hanging up or sticking as I press them in. It may be that I got a brick of primers that are a little over sized. The next time that I will reload, I will use a new brick. If that gives me the same problem, I will then try Winchester primers next.

I've had the same problem with federal primers in my 650. they seem sticky, i had endless problems with sideways primers. I think the primers are a little larger in diameter and don't feed well.

I switched to WSP's and have not had the same problem.

Tard · 10-09-2007, 03:50 PM

Ya, the 'don't use Federal primers' thing from Lee actually tells you everything you need to know about LEE, not Federal primers.

10-04-2007, 05:23 AM	#1
Cheesehead XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lost in Michigan Posts: 82	It went BANG last night Been having some trouble reloading .45 ACP using Win brass and Federal primers on my Dillon 650. Usually I would get approximately 2 or 3 not fully seated primers. I have talked to Dillon service and they gave me some advice that did help, but I was still having some problems. I read that I should push the primer in a little harder and faster than what I was doing. So last night I was using this technique. About 50 rounds into reloading, as I was seating the primer, it went off. Scared the crap out of me, wife was concerned, but no damage done except for the color of my shorts. I ended up reloading a 100 rounds and all the primers were seated properly. I always wear safety glasses, but maybe I need ear muffs too! __________________ It all depends if you are "buying" or "selling".

10-04-2007, 08:21 AM	#4
mullanman XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,909	Federals are soft primers. If you are having trouble with them going into your 650, clean your system. Brass may be the problem too, CCI or speer brass is notoriously hard to get a primer in there. Use winchester or federal. __________________ USPSA L2683

10-04-2007, 08:28 AM	#5
Cheesehead XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lost in Michigan Posts: 82	I use only Win brass. After the case that went bang, I placed it back in the feeder tube and it reloaded the next time without a problem. I think that it could be the Federal primers that are giving me the problem. I have no problem using Winchester primers (small pistol) for my 9 mm reloading. Most of the Federal primers go in very smooth, but some (2 to 3 per 100) feel like they are hanging up or sticking as I press them in. It may be that I got a brick of primers that are a little over sized. The next time that I will reload, I will use a new brick. If that gives me the same problem, I will then try Winchester primers next. __________________ It all depends if you are "buying" or "selling".

10-04-2007, 08:53 AM	#7
Salilus XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 232	I dont know if it matters since this is from the Lee Pro 1000 manual but it says EXPLICITLY "DO NOT USE FEDERAL PRIMERS". I guess it is because they are so soft. I use only CCI or Win, as noted in the manual and have had great success, I can CRUSH a sideways win primer with no ill effects. __________________ XD .40 Tactical M&P Compact 9mm (Wife's) Mossberg 12 ga. Persuader Remmington 20 ga. 1100 LT Remmington 700 .308 Arisaka /w Bayonet 7.7 Jap Marlin 336 30-30

10-04-2007, 08:57 AM	#8
Cheesehead XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lost in Michigan Posts: 82	Basically, I have two mentalities when I reload. If I am reloading for my rifles, I use a signal stage press, clean the primer pockets, weigh every charge, measure every OAL. In other words, I am trying to reduce the variables as much as possible. On the other hand, when I load for my pistols, I clean the brass, double check the powder weight, OAL, and crimp, then start reloading using the 650. I do not check or clean the primer pockets. For rifle, I load for increased accuracy. For pistol, I load so I can go shooting for fun. Not so worried about accuracy. __________________ It all depends if you are "buying" or "selling".

10-04-2007, 06:13 AM	#2
Mercmar XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,742	I load on a 650. The primer's not going to be seated any deeper if you're seating fast or slow. When the handle reaches "stop", it's not going to seat any deeper. One can adjust primer seating depth on a 650.

10-04-2007, 08:15 AM	#3
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,220	Are you using all the same headstamp brass? Primer pockets vary slightly from manuf. to manuf. On tight primers, you have to push a bit harder but not faster. I've completely crushed primers on my 550B w/o setting one off, but go fast & hard, glad you weren't hurt.

10-04-2007, 08:43 AM	#6
Satcomwitty XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 106	I've had problems over the years reloading rifle cartridges with the same problems. One day I realized that it was not so much an equipment problem, but a problem with my technique on preparing the cases. Do you clean the primer pocket on every case between reloadings? Do you have a regime to clean the primer pockets every x amount of reloads? I found that consistancy is the key much more than speed as well - smooth strokes every time at the same speed - force - and intervels made for much better luck during reloads. just my 2 cents

10-09-2007, 03:50 PM	#10
Tard XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Machias, WA Posts: 3,014	Ya, the 'don't use Federal primers' thing from Lee actually tells you everything you need to know about LEE, not Federal primers. __________________ The good times have been used up.

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