Loading primer tubes

For those who like to roll their own.

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TX Rancher
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Loading primer tubes

Post by TX Rancher »

What do you folks use to load your primer tubes? My first progressive press was a Dillon Square Deal, and it came with a flip tray and primer tubes. I used that somewhat slow setup (flip tray) for the next ~20 years. During that time, I upgraded to a Dillon 650 (which by the way is one sweat machine), but was still using the flip tray.

I gave the Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime tool a shot, and it worked pretty good. My first one only lasted a couple of months, and I ordered another one. It’s not bad, but sometimes it can be a headache getting the tubes to fill. The primers just get stuck at the opening, then sit there. But it’s still faster then the flip tray. It's also flipped a primer on me a couple of times, so I have to watch it close when I'm filling tubes.

Has anyone used the Dillon automatic system (RF 100), and if so, what’s your opinion of it? The price tag is a little steep, but if it works…

Any other suggestions on what works well, or for that matter, options you tried and disliked? No sense in me repeating them!

My 650 is set up for 45ACP, so I’m only talking large primers at this time.

Thanks for the feedback!
SRVA

Post by SRVA »

I have one of the Dillon auto primer systems.

Pro:
Fills the primer tube with no hassle and very quickly
Normal Dillon Quality

Cons:
Needs to be carefully adjusted after cleaning
Sometimes loads a primer upside down
Even though they claim it will, it is not easy to convert it from large to small or vice versa.

Overall - I like it and use it almost daily. It really works within the described limitations. Price is a little steep, but in classic Dillon fashion, it works.
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Charles L. Cotton
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Post by Charles L. Cotton »

I have had a Dillon RF100 for about 3 years and got a second one for Christmas. Only once did I change the original from larger primers to small and that's why I have a second one now. Adjusting the "gate" is far too much trouble.

The machine works great, with very few feeding problems, though they do occur. I've had to readjust the "gate" only once in the three years I've owned the first machine, other than the time I converted it to small primers. (I don't shoot nearly as much as SRVA's 25,000 per month schedule. :lol: )

I really enjoy reloading, but I hate filling primer tubes! Since time to reload is also at a premium, I have to be as efficient as possible and not stopping to reload primer tubes certainly speeds up the process. An RF 100 is hardly a necessity, but in my opinion it's the first item on the "nice to have list." (Now if I could find out how to shorten the time it vibrates with each push of the button . . .)

Chas.
TX Rancher
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Post by TX Rancher »

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I've been pleased with the Dillon products I've bought so far, and the service after the sale has been excellent.

For the situation where it runs too long after the button push, could you connect it through an additional switch? Maybe a switched power strip?

SRVA: How often does it load a primer upside down? When it does, is there anyway to tell before you load them into the presses primer tube?

Charles: How often has yours flipped a primer?
SRVA

Post by SRVA »

I usually get fewer then one primer in 200 rounds. I attribute it more to a difference in primers than to a problem with the machine. George is right, if you take the time to fine tune the machine, then leave it alone, it works great. Like Charles, I hate filling primer tubes.
TX Rancher
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Post by TX Rancher »

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the replies.

SRVA:

1 in 200 would be pretty poor performance in my book. With my <$40 current solution, it's closer to 1 in 500, and since I can see it happen, I can correct the situation by unloading the tube and doing it again.

George:

Thanks for the info. It sounds like with some "creative" modifications you've approached 100% accuracy, is that correct?

I'm probably going to get one since I too hate filling the primer tubes. Talk about getting lazy, when I started loading in the 70's, I did everything with a single stage press and a mechanical scale. It took considerable time to do a couple hundred rounds of ammo. Now I have a press which puts out a round each crank of the handle, and I'm complaining about having to load primer tubes :oops:
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Charles L. Cotton
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Post by Charles L. Cotton »

TX Rancher wrote:For the situation where it runs too long after the button push, could you connect it through an additional switch? Maybe a switched power strip?
There is an in-line switch and I use it to cut off the machine after it fills the tube. I read on some board about a guy who adjusted the duration, but he didn't give any details and I have bothered to look into the machine. It's too easy to just turn it off, then back on again.
TX Rancher wrote:Charles: How often has yours flipped a primer?
I can't recall that happening, but I spent a lot of time readjusting the machine, after my one change over to small primers. I can't say it has never happened, but I just can't recall it. Having the machine truly level could possibly make a difference, since it works by letting primers fall off the “track� at a certain point if they are not in the correct orientation.

Chas.
Houston1944
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Post by Houston1944 »

I have loaded 7,000 or so rounds this year in my 650 using the Dillon primer tube filler. I remember having two upside down primers. I certainly would not consider this a major issue. I am not even sure the RF100 was at fault on one of them. Sometimes I don't have the filler tube straight up when I pull the bottom pin. If the first few primers fall into the opening at an angle that could cause the upside down problem.
The only two things I really don't like about reloading is trimming brass and filling primer tubes. Since I got the RF100 a few years ago filling primer tubes became a non-issue.
TX Rancher
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Post by TX Rancher »

Thanks SRVA, Charles, George, and Houston, I appreciate you folks taking time to answer my question. Sounds like the consensus is to get one, so that's what I'm going to do the next time I place an order with Dillon (which will be sometime after I pay off Xmas bills!).
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