Dillon SDB primer issue

[Dred Bob]

I purchased a Dillon Square Deal to help with loading for CAS.  I have about 15 years experience loading on a Rock Chucker for pistol and rifle.  10's of thousands of rounds  so not completely new to reloading but never saw the need for a progressive until CAS.   I bought the press used last year from SASSNET and it's in nearly perfect shape but was missing the small primer feed tube which I purchased new from Dillon direct.   I'm shooting .38 and the press is fantastic EXCEPT that the primers keep jamming.  I bought a bunch of the replacement blue small primer tips and even when I replace them I can't get through a box of primers (100) until it flips a primer and ruins the tip .  See attached photo.

 

** edit :  when I load the feed tube I only do 50 primers at a time.   I put the plastic follower in the pickup tube to push the primers from the pickup tube into the feed tube when I remove the clip and then I move the follower to the feed tube for loading.   Trying to avoid flips in the tubes if that is even possible. 

 

Any suggestions or advice?  

Edited March 25 by Dred Bob

[Eyesa Horg]

Couple things to check. Be sure the cup height is correct, there is a measurement in the manual. Sounds like it's a hair high and hitting the feed tip. I found the best way to adjust the slide distance screws is to remove the unit from the press, put just a couple primers in the tube, then adjust the screw to stop it in alignment with the primer feed tube so it just drops into the cup. It's easy cuz you can see it! Be sure you have the follower installed, you may need about half a dozen primers in there. Then put it back in the press and adjust the other stop screw until the cup comes up into the shell plate smoothly.

Worst case, call Dillon, they'll guide you thru it. Pretty sure the issue is with the cup being a bit too high and hitting the plastic tip.

I have 2 primer feed setups on my SDB making changing calibers faster and not having to readjust it. You still may get flipped one every now and then then as they seem to flip falling down the tube. I try to let the plastic follower follow them down the pickup tube to keep them from separating as fall into the primer feed tube! It sorta works!!

Good Luck

Edited March 25 by Eyesa Horg
Typo

[Sedalia Dave]

As EH stated make sure everything is perfectly adjusted. 

 

Make sure the screw on cap of the primer magazine isn't over tightened. It should just be tight enough to keep the tube seated.

 

Make sure the tips on your primer pickup tubes are fully seated. I had to use some fine sandpaper on mine to get the caps to fully seat.  If the tube is not seated against the shoulder inside the cap it can allow the primer to turn.

 

For my SDB I have the primer follower rod capped with a 45 ACP case. I found this tiny bit of extra weight helps.

 

 

[Rip Snorter]

Tape a nickel to the top of the primer follower?

[Cayuse Jack, SASS #19407]

First off call the Dillon help line.

They are great at fixing issues.

 

You replaced the blue primer tube feed tip… You are using the small primer tube not the large tube?

[Sedalia Dave]

28 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

As EH stated make sure everything is perfectly adjusted. 

 

Make sure the screw on cap of the primer magazine isn't over tightened. It should just be tight enough to keep the tube seated.

 

Make sure the tips on your primer pickup tubes are fully seated. I had to use some fine sandpaper on mine to get the caps to fully seat.  If the tube is not seated against the shoulder inside the cap it can allow the primer to turn.

 

For my SDB I have the primer follower rod capped with a 45 ACP case. I found this tiny bit of extra weight helps.

 

 

 

Forgot to add that besides adjusting the primer cup make sure it is clean inside. 

[Dred Bob]

41 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Couple things to check. Be sure the cup height is correct, there is a measurement in the manual. Sounds like it's a hair high and hitting the feed tip. I found the best way to adjust the slide distance screws is to remove the unit from the press, put just a couple primers in the tube, then adjust the screw to stop it in alignment with the primer feed tube so it just drops into the cup. It's easy cuz you can see it! Be sure you have the follower installed, you may need about half a dozen primers in there. Then put it back in the press and adjust the other stop screw until the cup comes up into the shell plate smoothly.

Worst case, call Dillon, they'll guide you thru it. Pretty sure the issue is with the cup being a bit too high and hitting the plastic tip.

I have 2 primer feed setups on my SDB making changing calibers faster and not having to readjust it. You still may get flipped one every now and then then as they seem to flip falling down the tube. I try to let the plastic follower follow them down the pickup tube to keep them from separating as fall into the primer feed tube! It sorta works!!

Good Luck

 

I've never made any adjustments.  I'll see if Dillon has some videos for adjusting the cup and stop.   I'll look to see if the cup is touching.   I've never actually had a primer end up in the cup inverted/flipped.  But I'll get a missing a primer and when I pull the primer feed assy this is what I see.

[Dred Bob]

32 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

As EH stated make sure everything is perfectly adjusted. 

 

Make sure the screw on cap of the primer magazine isn't over tightened. It should just be tight enough to keep the tube seated.

 

Make sure the tips on your primer pickup tubes are fully seated. I had to use some fine sandpaper on mine to get the caps to fully seat.  If the tube is not seated against the shoulder inside the cap it can allow the primer to turn.

 

For my SDB I have the primer follower rod capped with a 45 ACP case. I found this tiny bit of extra weight helps.

 

 

 

I have a new magazine tube but to your point the plastic tips go on pretty hard and maybe I'm not seating them good.  I'll sand off a little from the end so maybe it seats easier.   I do have a 230gr bullet glued to a 45 ACP case for a follower cap to add weight.

 

[Dred Bob]

16 minutes ago, Cayuse Jack, SASS #19407 said:

First off call the Dillon help line.

They are great at fixing issues.

 

You replaced the blue primer tube feed tip… You are using the small primer tube not the large tube?

 

I haven't called Dillon but I did submit a ticket and attached the picture.  haven't heard from them yet.  Thought I'd check with the real experts here while I waited.   I'll check the tube.  I'll feel pretty stupid if I'm using a large magazine with a small tip and they're just flipping in the tube.

[Eyesa Horg]

Another issue I found was that the follower isn't long enough to help feed the last couple or so primers in the magazine. I made another one that is a bit longer to feed those last ones after the buzzer. Lift up the buzzer switch and put the follower back, but it still won't reach the last couple. If you make a new rod, be sure it doesn't stick below the tip or the slide will grab it and crack the tip. Be sure to have a couple spare tips on hand as they do fail occasionally. Generally I get thousands of rounds out of one, but sometimes only a few hundred!! Dillon will give you a few if you call and ask. A maintenance kit is handy as well. It comes with almost every part that can fail and Dillon will replace it for free, but at least you can stay up and running if you have the kit while you wait for the mail .

17 minutes ago, Dred Bob said:

 

I haven't called Dillon but I did submit a ticket and attached the picture.  haven't heard from them yet.  Thought I'd check with the real experts here while I waited.   I'll check the tube.  I'll feel pretty stupid if I'm using a large magazine with a small tip and they're just flipping in the tube.

Try sticking a large primer in it, if it fits, ooops!!

[Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L]

re:  putting on new blue tips: 

I just gently put the tip on the tube then put it in the housing and screw on the top--that fully seats the tip

assuming you are using the primer rod that rides on top of the column of primers?

 

I have found that one the blue tips get bent I can't use them again--new one always works

 

clean out the in- and outside of the metal primer cup--looks like yours might have some corrosion or "junk in it.

 

also make sure the wheel rolls smoothly

 

best of luck

[Null N. Void]

Gave up.  Hand prime now.

[Sedalia Dave]

6 hours ago, Dred Bob said:

 

I have a new magazine tube but to your point the plastic tips go on pretty hard and maybe I'm not seating them good.  I'll sand off a little from the end so maybe it seats easier.   I do have a 230gr bullet glued to a 45 ACP case for a follower cap to add weight.

 

 Remove the bullet, it’s too much weight. 

[WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L]

The small primer pickup tip is yellow in color, the tip that feeds the primers into the loading tube is blue and I've never replaced those in 2o plus years so I'm confused on why you think you need to place them...

[Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L]

1 hour ago, WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L said:

The small primer pickup tip is yellow in color, the tip that feeds the primers into the loading tube is blue and I've never replaced those in 2o plus years so I'm confused on why you think you need to place them...

 

sometimes I would get a primer sideways in the tip--it would never work right after than--a new one installed: back to full production

[Dred Bob]

2 hours ago, WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L said:

The small primer pickup tip is yellow in color, the tip that feeds the primers into the loading tube is blue and I've never replaced those in 2o plus years so I'm confused on why you think you need to place them...

 

the problem I'm having is with the feed/magazine tube (blue).  Once a primer flips as shown in the picture then the little plastic retention arms are bent and I have even more feed issues.   I absolutely believe that these Dillon presses are capable of running for months / weeks / years without issues or they wouldn't be as popular as they are.  I'm just having issues figuring out why mine isn't in that category so that I can be a happy progressive reloader like the rest of you.

 

I have not attempted any of the suggestions here yet but by this weekend I should be able to get some quality garage time to work on it again and try some of the suggestions here.  Plus I had to order more blue tips since I ran through what I thought would be several years of inventory of the blue tips.   I need at least 1 good new one. 

[WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L]

Call Dillion and replace the little white nylon spear which controls the primer flow, you can see it in your picture, and flip the little oval tab on the front of the primer mechanism.  Also I take off the low primer alert and drop the primers, it's a more direct flow.  I was having a problem with a few Federal Match primers so I took off the knurled silver knob on top, and put a something in the tube to align the tube and with the opening of the knurled knob, problem fixed....

[Rye Miles #13621]

Dillon has some great videos, I was having some issues with my 550 and after watching a video about cleaning and adjusting the primer feed it works fine again. As was said you can also call them, they’re very helpful.

[Eyesa Horg]

13 hours ago, WymoreWrangler SASS 46187L said:

Call Dillion and replace the little white nylon spear which controls the primer flow, you can see it in your picture, and flip the little oval tab on the front of the primer mechanism.  Also I take off the low primer alert and drop the primers, it's a more direct flow.  I was having a problem with a few Federal Match primers so I took off the knurled silver knob on top, and put a something in the tube to align the tube and with the opening of the knurled knob, problem fixed....

On my SDB there is zero interference from the knurled knob or the low primer alarm, the switch just flips out of the way and the nut tapers right down to the edge of the tube and centers it. The pins on mine are over 30 years old and show no wear. Just lube at the head per the manual once a year. YMMV

[Dred Bob]

I didn't see any videos on adjusting the feed system for the SDB but I did call Dillon (they never responded to the ticket I entered online).  The guy was very helpful.  He told me to adjust the primer cup height to 1.41".   I did that along with some of the other recommendations in the thread; polishing the end of the primer magazine tube for more consistent fit of the tip, I cleaned that nylon pin, adjusted the cup stop screw, cleaned and polished the inside of the primer cup etc, dry lubed the nylon stuff.   I just ran a 100 rnds without an issue.  I don't think I've ever gone a full box of primers without a flip/jam.

 

the height of the top of the primer cup is set to very slightly below the top top edge of the nylon primer stop pin.   

 

I ordered a complete new primer assembly in case this doesn't work long term.  $100 I don't want to spend but if needed worth it to fix the problem.  There is very little wear on this press so I really want to figure out why and fix it.  These things are too reliable to have one not working 100%

[Dred Bob]

On 3/25/2025 at 5:21 PM, Null N. Void said:

Gave up.  Hand prime now.

 

Don't let it beat you

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409]

I had the same issue with my SDB and it was the height of the primer cup needed a little adjustment. Back in business. But am going to spring and send the press back to dillon for a overhaul.

 

 

Hochbauer 

[Null N. Void]

I sent it back once and it did the same failure once every 100 cycles or so.  

[Chili Pepper Kid, SASS #60463]

My SDB will have problems feeding the primers if I over tighten the round nut at the top of the primer feed, the one that holds the primer tube in. 

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, Chili Pepper Kid, SASS #60463 said:

My SDB will have problems feeding the primers if I over tighten the round nut at the top of the primer feed, the one that holds the primer tube in. 

 

Mine does this as well. I install mine so that it just touches the primer tube.