Reloading Machine Maintenance

Mr. Lobo

August 22, 2002 05:40

I have reloaded 500 plus rounds through my Dillon 550 and the length of the finished round started to shorten. I checked my die for setting the bullet and it checked. When I ran it through the crimping die it shortened a few thousands. When I took apart the dies I noticed that there was a wax buildup in side them so I cleaned them and everything worked just fine. I also took the plates apart and cleaned them and used a gun rang to wipe them off. My question is how often do you clean you reloading machines and what procedures do you use? Is a gun rag going to deposit too much oil on the plates? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Jim

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  Smoky14

  August 22, 2002 05:50

  I clean my press, Dillon, as often as I clean my guns. Each time I use it.
  
  Respect for self Respect for others Responsible for all actions

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  Iconoclast

  August 22, 2002 09:42

  Mr. Lobo, IME, like so many other things, "it depends." I surmise you are using cast bullets? When loading cast bullets, I visually check OAL frequently and at the first suggestion of shortening, out come the calibers. I also do a measurement check every 200 - 400 rounds regardless of visual results. I do the same thing with jacketed bullets, but rarely see significant variations unless something has happened with the die setting. I do a general cleaning of my 650 every time I change calibers and any time there is any malfunction for which there is no obvious explanation. I follow this procedure with any press.

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  fergusonmorse392

  August 22, 2002 10:13

  anytime you load using cast bullets some of the lub will work it way into the die, & the OAL will change, the more lub the faster it happens, thus more cleaning of the seating die. usually does not happen with jacketed bullets.

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  Mr. Lobo

  August 22, 2002 10:53

  Iconoclast, I am using lead cast 45 acp bullets. I am belling the case a little more to try to reduce the lube buildup in the seating and crimping die.
  
  Smoky14, how many rounds do you reload at one time?
  
  Thanks for your responces
  
  Jim

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  aby80

  August 22, 2002 13:03

  I had the same problem with my square deal "B" Dillon press when loading lead bullets. After a while the bullet lube would build up in the bullet seating stem. When I notice the finished rounds becoming shorter I pull out the seating stem, clean it, replace it in the press and load some more. Just part of the reloading process.
  
  If you don't care where you are going, you can't get lost.

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