Figured out Case Notching

Status
Not open for further replies.

Olon

Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2018
Messages
1,108
Location
Roaming around the Heartland
Howdy,

Since I started reloading 357 mag I’ve been using R-P nickel brass. On my Dillon 550, the powder die will catch on the lip of every tenth round or so. About halfway up the stroke, it will center and slam down on the case, usually creating a notch in the brass (pictures when I get home). I think the notch is caused by the die prying on the edge of the case. On my drive to work today it finally hit me that the brass is slightly undersized and it’s likely this is why the die catches on em every now and then.

Glad I finally figured out the issue (I think) so now I can try to fix it. I’m thinking I might take an emry cloth and put more of a taper on the die. Either that or bell the cases before running them through the powder station. Any other suggestions?
 
I wonder if you have the center bolt a bit too tight and it’s not fully indexing (Having the detent ball center it under the dies)?

On the 550 you don’t need the shell plate very snug at all. It’s not like all of the other Dillon’s where the cases are “in” the shell plate. On the 550, the shell plate just locates the cases radially and pulls them from the dies.

46606ADE-6603-4445-A0E5-77FE3D683B0C.jpeg

There is a pretty good radius on the powder funnels for the SD, 550 and 650 (center) but there was a bit more on the old ones (left). If it’s an issue you can’t figure out you could always use a 1050 funnel (right) but it just bells/flares the mouth as the expander is at a different station (I know folks that use it anyway though).

1763FBB5-4C66-4EEB-80BD-BC1873EF37C7.jpeg

There might be debris under the case that are making it off center too.

How much “under” SAAMI specifications are you sizing your brass and why?
 
Last edited:
I wonder if you have the center bolt a bit too tight and it’s not fully indexing (Having the detent ball center it under the dies)?

On the 550 you don’t need the shell plate very snug at all. It’s not like all of the other Dillon’s where the cases are “in” the shell plate. On the 550, the shell plate just locates the cases radially and pulls them from the dies.

View attachment 847612

There is a pretty good radius on the powder funnels for the SD, 550 and 650 (center) but there was a bit more on the old ones (left). If it’s an issue you can’t figure out you could always use a 1050 funnel (right) but it just bells/flares the mouth as the expander is at a different station (I know folks that use it anyway though).

View attachment 847614

There might be debris under the case that are making it off center too.

How much “under” SAAMI specifications are you sizing your brass and why?

Thanks for taking some time to write up a response.

I’ll do a bit more investigating. As far as how far under spec they are, I’ll have to measure when I get home. I just got through the new brass and now I’m doing once fired, so I’m not sizing them too small. Oddly enough, they are under spec even after being fired and it doesn’t feel like there’s really any resizing going on. Using them a few more times might allow them to stretch out some more and then maybe the problem will go away. I’ll check the shell plate for debris; usually I keep my stuff in pretty good shape so I don’t imagine I would’ve let it get that bad...

Also, it looks like my powder funnel has a different contour on the end. I’ll try to get a picture of that too.
 
It would be easier if the events were consistent-happening every time the case went into the die. What brand of dies are you using? I don't think this is an indexing problem since misalignment would be for all the stations. How about making sure you have the right funnel in the powder die. Also, make sure the right locating button is in place. It's hard to visualize how a Dillon powder funnel could nick a case. I'd look to the simple stuff. Before doing anything drastic call Dillon. Over time, I have learned calling is the easier way. If you were sizing too small cases would stick on the funnel. Pictures needed.
 
Last edited:
Looks like my powder funnel is quite different... maybe I got sent the wrong one or something. The cases are .375 so only .004 undersized. Maybe I should give Dillon a call and bring up the issue with them. Weird situation. 20190627_190829.jpg
 
It sounds like a timing issue with the plate not being fully indexed when the shell case gets to the die. The press may be fine you may be trying to run too fast not giving the plate enough time to completely index before you are at the die. This will usually be seen on the expander die more than the other dies. Slow your speed down just a little bit and see if that helps.
 
Did you load something different on the 550 before 357 and was it ok?

Do you have the correct locator pins installed?

With an empty at station 2 does the brass sit straight or is it tilted to one side?

When I set up my dies once I get it set the way I like it with the ram up and a case in the die I will loosen the lock ring and let the die center.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top