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December 4, 2011
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After the ejector star on the 7445, I decided to load some 270 brass I've had for a long time. I just got the caliber conversion kit from Dillon for my XL 650 today. I loaded the first 40 or so no problems then I started having primer jams in the feed plate. I took the thing apart at least three times and never did see anything wrong. Well the last time was a real BLAST, literally! Somehow a primer must have jamed and when I pulled the handle to resize and seat the next stroke, all hell broke loose. A pinched primer must have detonated and it set off the almost totally full primer magazine. 
Talk about LOUD in a basement with concrete walls and floor. Family ran down stairs to see what happened and then complained about the smoke/smell. Blew the primer warning system all to bits and ruined the primer dispenser. Swelled the aluminum tube inside the steel outer tube tight .
So, looks like I'll be on the phone to Dillon in the AM to order a new large primer system and a new low primer warning unit. Maybe the ringing in my ears will be done by then
. Just glad it didn't light off the half pound of 4350 in the powder measure. I'm glad Dillon decided to use steel tubing for the primer system outer tube, it acted like a gun barrel and directed the blast up and away from eveything, including me.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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May 2, 2009
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I had a primer go off in a hand primer once—ear rang for a day or so…scared the kids pretty good too…
Dillon should comp you the parts–they take care of their customers.
SHOOT
February 11, 2010
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Glad your ok man..... I SAID GLAD YOUR OK
-Blacktop
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December 4, 2011
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Ya, me too. Its amazing how much punch 85+ large rifle primers have to them.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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November 17, 2008
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glad you were not hurt but I bet whoever does your laundry will get a surprise!
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
January 22, 2008
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Glad you are okay! Let us know how Dillon treats you this morning.
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January 24, 2009
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Blacktop said:
Glad your ok man..... I SAID GLAD YOUR OK
LOL!!
Glad nobody was hurt, I bet you'll be finding little primers in nooks & crannies months from now.
November 14, 2009
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Never had anything like that happen, but always wondered what would happen if a primer went off while reloading.
Now I know!!!
Yes, I hear Dillon is really good with customer service for their products also. If you have time, and want to, post some pics of the destruction.
Thanks for the info...
Happyness is a Hot DW and a pile of used brass!!! Rich
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December 4, 2011
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Called Dillon this morning, they told me that the primer assemblies are only rated to handle one detonation and I will need to replace the entire assembly (DUH!). They are sending me a complete primer assembly, follower rod and primer warning system, no charge! 
THAT is customer service. There really isn't too much visable damage, the steel outer primer tube contained the damage. The main damage is the aluminum primer tube inside, it partially melted and was blast welded to the inside of the steel tube.
On this style press, the primers feed down a tube and drop into a disk with holes in it. This disk rotates with each pull of the handle bringing a fresh primer into place. Anytime an empty case isn't present, any unused primers are supposed to drop into a shoot and can be reused later. What I think happened was one stuck in the hole for some reason and continued to rotate until it came to the cast housing where it started from and could go no further. At that point, it got pinched and when I pulled the handle the next time, BANG!
The flash from that one set of a chain reaction detonating the rest of the magazine. The whole thing took like a tenth of a second. Not even time to really be scared. At first I thought only one primer went off, but then I saw the damaged primer warning system etc. and realized the magazine went up. A few good primers landed on the bench but most were just pieces.
I can tell you that the better part of 100 large rifle primers going up at once is about as loud as standing next to the muzzel of a 9mm when shot. About the same level of blast wave too.
NOT something I want to do ever again. I'll be extra careful from now on if I feel ANY resistance while pulling the handle.
I thought it was just a case that didn't get lubed enough, never thought a primer would be stuck in the disk like that.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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February 22, 2009
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I've never owned a Dillon, but know a few people who have and they also used customer service with the same level of satisfaction. Me, I'll stick with the Forster Co-Ax.
Glad you're OK.
Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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March 27, 2009
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Man, glad you made it through the blast! count your fingers again! and that ringing will stop sometime! 
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December 4, 2011
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Parts came from Dillon today free of charge and the press is back in operation. I WILL be watching the primer feed more closely from now on.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
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