Dillon Precision AT 500 Instruction Manual

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SETTING UP THE AT 500 TO LOAD
PISTOL AMMUNITION
We are using the .45 ACP cartridge as an example in
this section. The AT 500 machine comes to you with the
shellplate (with the #1 shellplate slot ready for use) and
large primer bar installed.
Station #1 – Install the sizing/decapping die here. 
Figure 23 – Installing a sizing/decapping die in Station #1.
Move the handle down (which will raise the platform)
and thread the die completely into the toolhead until the
die comes in contact with the shellplate. Tighten the die
lock ring. Return the handle to its rest position and insert
an empty cartridge case into the #1 slot. (Figure 24)
Figure 24 – Inserting an empty cartridge case in Station #1.
Move the handle down to resize and deprime the case.
Return the handle to its rest position. Advance the case to
Station #2.
Station #2 – Install the powder die and powder fun-
nel “E” for the .45 ACP cartridge here. 
Figure 25 – Insert a pistol powder funnel into the powder die.
Slide the funnel into the powder die and tighten the set
screw, assuring yourself that it has entered the groove in
the funnel. (Figure 26) 
Figure 26 – The groove in the pistol powder funnel.
With the resized case in Station #2, move the handle
down and thread the powder die into the toolhead until
the funnel comes in contact with the case. In 1/4 turn
increments, thread the powder die clockwise while you
move the handle up and down until you begin to see a
minor bell shape appear on the mouth of the case.  
						

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Figure 27 – A properly belled pistol case.
Tighten the die lock ring. Advance the case to Station #3.
Station #3 – Install the bullet seating die here. 
Figure 28 – Installing the bullet seating die in Station #3.
Inspect the inside seating stem. Assure yourself that the
shape of the seating stem matches the bullets you will be
loading (i.e. round-nose, semi-wadcutter, etc.).
Place a bullet on the empty case and move the handle
down. Thread the bullet seating die into the toolhead until
it comes in contact with the case/bullet. In 1/4 turn incre-
ments, thread the bullet seating die clockwise while you
move the handle up and down, until the proper loaded
length is reached. 
Figure 29 – Using a dial caliper to check overall length.
(Always use a loading manual for loaded length informa-
tion.) Tighten the die lock ring. Examine the cartridge
you’ve just assembled. Advance the case to Station #4.
Station #4 – Install the taper crimp die here.
Figure 30 – Installing a taper crimp die in Station #4.
Move the handle down. Thread the taper crimp die into
the toolhead until it comes in contact with case/bullet. In
1/4 turn increments, thread the taper crimp die clockwise
while you move the handle up and down, until a crimp
appears on the mouth of the case. An average crimp is
approximately .002 smaller than the body diameter.
(Figure 30) Tighten the die lock ring to hold it in place. 
						

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Figure 31 – A properly crimped pistol cartridge.
Once you’ve installed all the dies in the toolhead, place
the black plastic funnel onto the powder die. Install the
three #1 (for .45 ACP) brass locator buttons, included in
the parts bag, on the platform. (Figure 32)
Figure 32 – Installing a brass locator button in Station #2.
THE RELOADING PROCESS
The following is a list of items you will need before
you begin. (Figure 33)
1) Empty brass casings
2) Primers
3) Powder scale
4) Loading manual
5) Powder (see manual)
6) Bullets (see manual)
7) Dial calipers
8) Safety glasses
Figure 33 – What you will need to start loading.
To begin, place an empty case in Station #1 and move
the handle down. While the handle is in the down posi-
tion, place a new primer in the primer cup. (Figure 34)
Return the handle to its rest position and insert the new
primer into the case by pushing the handle forward.
Figure 34 – Placing a primer in the primer cup at Station #1.
Measure crimp here. 
						

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Place your left thumb on the shellplate cover and
advance the shellplate to Station #2. Move the handle
down. While the handle is in the down position, charge
the cartridge case by dispensing a properly weighed
amount of powder into the black plastic funnel. (Figure 35)
Return the handle to its rest position. 
Figure 35 – Charging the case with powder at Station #2.
Place your right index finger on the shellplate cover
and advance the shellplate to Station #3. Place a bullet
on the case (Figure 36) and move the handle down, this
will seat the bullet into the case. Return the handle to its
rest position. 
Figure 36 – Placing a bullet on the cartridge case at Station #3.
Place your right index finger on the shellplate cover
and advance the shellplate to Station #4. (Figure 37) Move
the handle down, this crimps the case around the bullet.
Return the handle to its rest position. 
Figure 37 – Advancing the shellplate to Station #4.
Finally, grasp the finished cartridge with your right
hand while you advance the shellplate to Station #1 again.
Remove the completed cartridge from the machine. (Figure
38) Place the finished cartridge into a Dillon ammo box
and repeat the above steps. 
Figure 38 – Removing the completed cartridge. 
						

							J. ‘ELIMINATOR’ LOADING SCALE
This precision instru-
ment eliminates the
guesswork by a simple
triple-poise balance
beam. Easy to use for the
novice; precision accura-
cy for the professional.  
#13480 D. UPGRADE #4 –
AUTO EJECT SYSTEM
Greatly increases
your ammo production
capabilities and adds a
Cartridge
Chute/Bracket and a
Cartridge Bin to your
reloader.
#22120 B. UPGRADE #2 – 
PRIMER EARLY WARNING KIT
The device sounds when you
have approximately three
primers left in the primer maga-
zine. Allows you to focus on
loading instead of worrying
about failing to seat a primer,
and is an easy slip-on attach-
ment to the auto prime system.
#20302C. UPGRADE #3 –
AUTO POWDER SYSTEM 
Accurate to within 0.1
grain, our Automatic
Powder Measure is
world-renowned for its
charge-to-charge
consistency.
#20251
OPTIONAL MAGNUM
RIFLE POWDER BAR
#21353 A. UPGRADE #1– 
AUTO PRIME SYSTEM
Includes:
Primer Housing /Shield
Primer Slides, Lg./Sm.
Pickup Tubes, Lg./Sm.
Pickup Tube Tips, Lg./Sm.
Magazine Tubes, Lg./Sm.
Mag. Orifices, Lg./Sm.
Operating Rod
Primer Track Bearing
Housing Screws
Ret. Spring Retaining Pin
#16627
I. BENCH WRENCH
The Dillon Universal
Bench Wrench is like the old
bicycle or skate wrench. 
This handy device has all
the correct sizes for Dillon
dies, powder systems, Square Deal “B”, RL 550B and
RL 1050 adjustments, etc. 
Single,   #13770          2 pak,  #20486
H. PRIMER FLIP TRAY
Guns & Ammomagazine calls
this “the Cadillac of flip trays.”
Aheavy, high-quality tray large
enough for the new Federal
primer package.
#13606
H.J. I.
AT 500 Upgrades & Accessories
E. POWDER DIES
Extra powder dies are a
must, allowing you to move
your powder measure from
toolhead to toolhead with-
out changing the critical
“belling” adjustment.
Single,   #20064  
3 pak,  #20057
G. TOOLHEAD STANDS
The ultimate in conve-
nience for keeping your
reloading bench clean
and uncluttered.
Single,  #22055
3 pak,  #22050 F. TOOLHEADS
Don’t adjust dies when switching calibers. These
precision tool holders hold your dies in  perfect align-
ment, making caliber changes a snap.
Single,  #13909          3 pak,  #20058E.
F.
G.
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