Dillon Precision RL 550B Instruction Manual
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RL 550B Instruction Manual Version 7.8 illon recision Products, Inc. Manufacturers of The Worlds Finest Loading Equipment
RL 550B Parts List Part # Description 13149 Manual 13409 Crank 13573 Machine Box 13583 Link Arm, Left 13644 Powder Bar Spacer 13650 Spent Primer Cup 13673 Primer Magazine, Red, Large 13691 Powder Measure Tube 13700 Link Arm Pin 13704 Handle Washer 13707 Follower Rod 13719 Cartridge Spring Retainer Screw 13720 Index Sprocket 13734 Parts Box 13747 Link Arm, Right w/Hook 13757 Primer Seating Punch, Small 13765 Roller 13775 Main Shaft 13781 Shellplate Platform 13789 1/4-2/8 Set Screw 13793 Roller 13794 Shellplate Bolt 13795 Machine Cover 13799 Stripper Wing Nut 13801 Tinnerman Nut Insert 13803 Ejected Cartridge Chute Bracket 13824 Primer Seating Cup, Large 13825 Primer Seating Cup, Small 13830 Main Shaft Pivot Pin 13834 Solid Link Arm Pin, Left 13839 Cartridge Collection Bin 13841 Nylock Nut 13845 Collar Sleeve 13848 Bellcrank Bushing 13850 Operating Handle Knob 13857 Battery Cover 13864 Switch Lever 13869 Operating Rod 13871 Bellcrank Cube 13879 Primer Magazine, Blue, Small 13881 Hollow Link Arm Pin, Right 13882 Powder Measure Lid 13885 Return Bracket 13887 Operating Rod Bracket 13889 Primer Slide Roller 13890 Spring Washer 13891 Index Ball 13893 Powder Bar Post, Large 13898 Primer Slide Stop Nut 13899 Spent Primer Catcher Chute 13904 Bellcrank Bolt, New Style 13909 Toolhead 13917 Roller Clip 13919 Slide Roller Post 13920 Primer Slide 13921 Powder Bar Spacer Plug 13923 Brass Tip Set Screw 13924 Slide Post 13925 Ejector Wire 13926 Cartridge Spring 13928 Primer Slide Return SpringPart # Description * 13930 Locator Buttons (3) 13939 Body Collar Clamp 13940 Body Collar - Part 13943 Powder Bar Bolt 13951 Powder Bar Post, Small 13957 Magazine Shield Cap 13958 Powder Bar Bolt Washer 13961 Slide Pickup Adjustment Screw 13964 Retain Spring Screw 13966 Shellplate Platform Bolt 13967 Primer Seating Punch, Large 13979 Primer Retain Pin Spring 13996 Primer Punch Set Screw 13997 Index Ball Spring 13998 Spent Primer Catcher Pin 13999 Primer Pickup Tip, Yellow, Small 14001 Roller Pin 14003 Flexible Orifice, Red, Large 14008 Toolhead Pin 14010 Primer Pickup Tip, Green, Large 14013 Roller Bracket Screw 14014 Primer Housing Screw 14015 Primer Track Bearing 14023 8-32x3/4 BH Screw 14024 Flexible Orifice, Blue, Small 14025 Primer Slide Return Spring Retainer 14033 Spring 14037 Clamp/Bracket Screw 14040 Retaining Clip 14051 Primer Retaining Pin 14067 Die Lock Ring 14202 Powder Measure Tube Screw 14280 Roller Bracket Shell Platform 14281 Primer Slide Assembly, Large 14282 Primer Slide Assembly, Small 17085 Dispensing Tip, Large 17086 Dispensing Tip, Small 18086 Shoulder Washer 20048 Spare Parts Kit 20059 Primer Pickup Tube, Yellow, Small 20060 Primer Pickup Tube, Green, Large 20062 Powder Bar Assembly, Small 20063 Powder Bar Assembly, Large 20064 Powder Die * 20093 Shellplate 20094 Frame 20263 Primer Feed Body w/ Shield 20302 Primer Early Warning System 20303 Powder Measure Failsafe Kit 20339 Bellcrank 20636 Operating Handle Assembly 20782 Powder Measure System 21275 Connector Body Collar 22038 Crank Assembly 22273 Powder Body w/ Drop Tube 97000 Rod * Indicates caliber specific parts. See the caliber conversion chart for the correct part number for the caliber you are loading for. Some items listed are not shown in schematic illustration. Part #13149 Spot Manuals RL550B Manual Folder 550B Manual.V7.8 9/01 WJC
14040 20059 13673 13707 13794 13720 20093 13966 13925 14015 13881 14025 13928 14014 13923 1374713650 13775 13890 13409 13700 13789 13830 13890 13583 13841 1380313839 1383420094 13909 14067 13841 20636 Assembly 13781 13885 1400813891 13997 1393020302 See page 5 for more detail. 14280See page 5 for more detail. See page 4 for more detail. See page 5 for more detail. 13801 97000 18086 14033 13799 3 RL 550B Schematic 17085 (large) or 17086 (small)
13882 22273 13691 13793 14808 13940 13845 13871 97034 14041 13904 13939 14037 18086 14033 13801 13799 14067 20064 *13782 *13426 16340 14202 97000 13848 13893 20062 21353 20063 13426 * Powder Funnel, .45 cal Pistol 13644 Powder Bar Spacer 13691 Powder Measure Tube Only 13782 * Powder Funnel, .22 cal Rifle 13793 Roller 13845 Collar Sleeve 13848 Bellcrank Bushing 13871 Bellcrank Cube 13882 Powder Measure Lid 13893 Powder Bar Post, Large 13904 Bellcrank Screw 13921 Plastic Plug 13939 Body Collar Clamp 13940 Body Collar - Part 13943 Powder Bar Bolt 13951 Powder Bar Post, Small 13958 Powder Bar Bolt Washer (not pictured) 14023 8-32x3/4 BH Screw 14037 Clamp/Bracket Screw 14041 Bowed Washer 14067 Die Lock Ring 14202 Powder Measure Tube Screws 14808 Collar Roller Bushing 16340 10-32 Nylon Lock Nut 20062 Powder Bar Assembly, Small 20063 Powder Bar Assembly, Large 20064 Powder Die 20780 Powder Bar Assembly, Extra Small 21275 Connector Body Collar - Complete 21353 Powder Bar Assembly, Extra Large 22273 Powder Measure, Part 97034 Slotted Bellcrank 20303 Powder Measure Failsafe Kit 13799 Stripper Wing Nut 13801 Tinnerman Nut Insert 13885 Return Bracket (not pictured– see the main schematic to identify part) 14033 Rod Spring 18086 Shoulder Washer 97000 Failsafe Rod NOTE: * Indicates caliber specific parts – see the caliber conversion chart for the correct part number for the caliber you are loading for. W ARNING This powder measure drops a full charge of powder each time the operating handle is cycled. If, for any reason, you believe that more than a single measure of powder was dropped or you think that you may have cycled the handle more than once on a single case, you need to empty the case and start over. A double charged case can result in bodily injury or a damaged firearm. 14202 13951 2078013644 RL 550B Automatic Powder System 13921 14023 4
13757 Primer Seating Punch, Small 13824 Primer Seating Cup, Large 13825 Primer Seating Cup, Small 13869 Operating Rod 13887 Operating Rod Bracket 13889 Large Roller 13898 Primer Slide Stop Nut 13917 Roller Clip 13919 Roller Pin 13920 Primer Slide 13924 Primer Slide Return Spring Post 13957 Primer Shield Cap 13961 Slide Pickup Adjustment Screw 13964 Primer Feed Stop Spring Screw 13967 Primer Seating Punch, Large 13979 Primer Feed Stop Spring 13996 Primer Punch Set Screw 14003 Flexible Orifice Large (small 14024) 14010 Pickup Tube Tip Large (small 13999) 14033 Primer Seating Cup Spring 14037 Clamp/Bracket Screw 14040 Retaining Clip 14051 Primer Feed Stop Pin 17085 Dispensing Tip, Large 17086 Dispensing Tip, Small 20263 Primer Housing and Shield 22028 Primer Pickup Tube, Small 22029 Primer Pickup Tube, Large 22030 Primer Magazine, Small 22031 Primer Magazine, Large 20302 Primer Early Warning System 13707 Follower Rod 13857 Battery Cover 13864 Switch Lever 14280 Roller Bracket Assembly 13719 Cartridge Spring Retaining Screw 13765 Roller 13899 Spent Primer Catcher Chute 13926 Cartridge Spring 13998 Spent Primer Catcher Pin 14001 Roller Pin 14530 Roller Bracket Screw(s) Complete Primer Slide Assemblies 14281 Primer Slide Assembly, Large 14282 Primer Slide Assembly, Small 5 13707 13864 20302 13957 14040 17085 (large) or 17086 (small) 20060 14010 14003 20263 13967 13887 22031 13869 13857 13964 14051 13979 13961 13898 13924 13919 13917 14280 14530 13899 13765 13719 13889 1399614033 13824 14037 14037 1399814001 13920 RL 550B Automatic Primer System 13926
Introduction First of all, the Dillon RL 550B is a remarkably simple machine–a little care and thought while setting up will save you time and give you thousands of trouble free rounds. Suggested Minimum Equipment: 1) Loading Manual 2) Powder Scale 3) Safety Glasses 4) Primer Flip Tray * 5) Dial Caliper * (* Indicates items that are not absolutely essential, but are pretty darned handy!) Mounting the RL 550B to your bench. Place your RL 550B on the edge of sturdy bench or table. Give yourself about 12 inches of work space on each side of the machine to allow room for components. Using the machine itself as a template, mark and drill four one-quarter inch holes in your bench and bolt your RL 550B securely to it, Fig. 1. Next, mount the cartridge collection bin bracket (#13803) onto your bench, Fig. 2, allowing approximately one-eighth inch clearance between the platform (#13781) and the ejected cartridge chute. Using two screws or bolts, secure the bracket to your bench. The cartridge collection bin (#13839) simply slides on the bracket, Fig. 3, and will be in the proper position to catch ejected loaded rounds. Bolt the operating handle in place as shown in the schematic. Safety Points to Know Before you Begin Reloading ammunition involves the use of highly explosive primers and powder. Handling these materials is inherently dangerous. You should recognize this danger and take certain minimum precautions to lessen your exposure to injury. Never operate the machine without ear and eye protection on. Call our customer service department at (800) 223-4570 for information on the wide variety of shooting/safety glasses and hearing protection that Dillon has to offer. • PAY ATTENTION: Load only when you can give your complete attention to the loading process. Don’t watch television or try to carry on a conversation and load at the same time. Watch the automatic systems operate and make sure they are functioning properly. If you are interrupted or must leave and come back to your loading, always inspect the cases at every station to insure that the proper operations have been accomplished. • SMOKING: Do not smoke while reloading or allow anyone else to smoke in your reloading area. Do not allow open flames in reloading area. • SAFETY DEVICES: Do not remove any safety devices from your machine or modify your machine in any way. • LEAD WARNING: Be sure to have proper ventilation while handling lead components or when shooting lead bullets. Lead is known to cause birth defects, other reproductive harm and cancer. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling anything made of lead. * Indicates a caliber specific part. See the caliber conversion chart on page 16 for the caliber you are loading for. Fig. 2 - This photograph shows the correct mounting position of the cartridge collection bin bracket in relation to the machine. Fig. 1 - Using the machine as a template, mark and drill four 1/4 inch holes allowing 12 inches on each side for your work area. Fig. 3 - The cartridge collection bin (#13839) simply slides onto the bracket and will be in the proper position. 6
• LOADS AND LENGTHS: Avoid maximum loads and pressures at all times. Use only recommended loads from manuals and information supplied by reliable component manufacturers and suppliers. Since Dillon Precision has no control over the components which may be used on their equipment, no responsibility is implied or assumed for results obtained through the use of any such components. Seat bullets as close to maximum cartridge length as possible. Under some conditions, seating bullets excessively deep can raise pressures to unsafe levels. Refer to a reliable loading manual for overall length (OAL). • QUALITY CHECKS: Every 50-100 rounds, perform periodic quality control checks on the ammunition being produced. Check the amount of powder being dropped and primer supply. • RELOADING AREA: Keep your components safely stored. Clear your work area of loose powder, primers and other flammables before loading. • COMPONENTS: Never have more than one type of powder in your reloading area at a time. The risk of a mix- up is too great. Keep powder containers closed. Be sure to inspect brass prior to reloading for flaws, cracks, splits or defects. Throw these cases away. Keep components and ammunition out of reach of children. • BLACK POWDER: Do not use black powder or black powder substitutes in any Dillon powder measure. Loading black powder cartridges requires specialized loading equipment and techniques. Failure to do so can result in severe injury or death. • PRIMERS: Never force primers. If they get stuck in the operation of the machine, disassemble it and gently remove the obstruction. Never attempt to clear primers that are stuck in either the primer pickup tube or the primer magazine tube. Never, under any circumstances, insert any type of rod to attempt to force stuck primers out of these tubes. Trying to force primers out of the tube will cause the primers to explode causing serious injury or even death. If primers get stuck in a primer magazine or pickup tube flood the tube with a penetrating oil (WD-40), throw the tube in the garbage and call us for a free replacement. Never attempt to deprime live primers – eventually one will go off. When it does it will detonate the others in the spent primer cup. Depriming live primers is the single most dangerous thing you can do in reloading and can cause grave injury or death. • LOADED AMMUNITION: Properly label all of your loaded ammunition (Date, Type of Bullet, Primer, Powder, Powder Charge, etc.). • BE PATIENT: Our loading equipment is conservatively rated and you should have no trouble achieving the published rates with a smooth, steady hand. If something doesn’t seem right, stop, look and listen. If the problem or the solution isn’t obvious, call us. The reloading bench is no place to get into a hurry. We have done everything we know how to make yourmachine as safe as possible. We cannot, however, guarantee your complete safety. To minimize your risk, use common sense when reloading and follow these basic rules. • REMEMBER: If your machine does not perform to your expectations, or if you are having technical difficulties, give us a call. TO BEGIN LOADING Now that everything is bolted down and you understand the safety precautions, you can proceed. First, decide what caliber you want to reload and take the shellplate (*#20079) from the caliber conversion box, Fig. 4. Now, in your parts box, find a bag containing; index ball (#13891), shellplate bolt (#13794), index ball spring (#13997), set screw (#13923), and index sprocket (#13720). Insert the index ball spring (#13781) in the platform as shown in Fig. 5. Next set the index ball on top of the index ball spring. Now place the shellplate (number up) over the index ball spring and index ball, Fig. 6. * Indicates a caliber specific part. See the caliber conversion chart on page 16 for the caliber you are loading for. Fig. 4 - This photo shows a complete caliber conversion; the powder funnel, shellplate and locator buttons. Fig. 5 - This photo shows the index ball spring and index ball being placed in the platform. 7
Place the index sprocket on top of the shellplate (making sure the locator posts go into the corresponding holes in the shellplate, see Fig. 7).Next, insert the shellplate bolt through the sprocket and plate and into the center hole of the platform, Fig. 8. Tighten with the supplied Allen wrench to the point where you are unable to turn the sprocket by hand. Now, back off the bolt slightly, allowing you to push the sprocket easily with your thumb, Fig. 9. There should be no looseness or slop at this point and when you rotate the plate, you should be able to feel and hear the index ball “click” into place under the shellplate. Fig. 8 - Inserting the shellplate bolt, first through the index sprocket then the shellplate. Fig. 7 - This photo shows the index star in its proper position: the locating tabs centered in the shellplate. 8* Indicates a caliber specific part. See the caliber conversion chart on page 16 for the caliber you are loading for. Fig. 6 - Showing the shellplate in its proper position: under the ejector wire with the shellplate number up. Fig. 9 - This photo shows the proper method of indexing the shellplate and the proper installation of the locator buttons.
Take the brass tipped set screw (#13923) insert and tighten securely in the tapped hole beneath the platform on the left side of the main shaft, Fig. 10. This will keep the shellplate from tightening as you use the machine. This screw must be loosened when changing calibers, something that is often forgotten as it’s out of sight. In your caliber conversion box, you will find three brass locator buttons. These simply drop into the three remaining holes in the platform, Fig. 9. These “buttons” hold the cases securely in place while you are reloading, but by removing them, allow you to take out a troublesome case, should that occur in your reloading process. What Primer Size? Your RL 550B has been shipped to you with the primer system installed and correctly adjusted to feed large primers. If the caliber you have selected to start with requires small primers, you must change to the small primer slide bar. Observe carefully how the factory-adjusted bar fits, Fig. 11. Raise and lower the platform and notice the alignment of the primer seating cup (*#13824) as it enters the platform. This adjustment is made by turning the cap screw (#14037) on the primer feed body, Fig. 12. Now remove the two screws from beneath the frame under the primer feed body, Fig. 13. Unhook the spring and remove the primer slide. To replace, reverse this procedure. * Indicates a caliber specific part. See the caliber conversion chart on page 16 for the caliber you are loading for. Fig. 11 - This is the proper alignment of the operating rod and the position of the primer slide fully forward with the primer seating cup in the lowered platform. Fig. 12 - The operating rod has moved the primer slide into the primer feed body where it will automatically pick up a primer. Fig. 10 - Insert the brass tipped set screw (#13923) and tighten securely. Fig. 13 - Removing the primer feed body to change primer slides. Caution do not over tighten these bolts (#14014). 9 This set screw (#13961) adjusts the outward travel of the primer slide to align the primer seating cup with the primer magazine.
The operating rod (#13869) must be installed between the two white rollers before the operation of the primer slide. Refer to Fig. 12for the proper placement of the rod. Unscrew the knurled cap (#13957) and remove the large primer magazine and replace with the small primer magazine tube, Fig. 14; the plastic tip should look like the one you just took out. Replace the knurled cap. Wait until you’ve finished assembly before actually placing primers in the magazine. You will notice that the primer magazine tube tips are different colors and have an indexing ridge on the tip. The magazine tips and the primer pick-up tube tips are color coded to help identify their size, see page 13 for more information. The indexing ridge is to help you place the magazine in its proper position in the primer feed body. The Toolhead Your new RL 550B has been shipped to you with one removable toolhead. Additional toolheads are available from the factory. The advantage of this system is simple, once yourdies have been adjusted just the way you want them, they can stay that way. Plus, changing to another caliber becomes a simple matter of pulling two pins and sliding the toolhead out, Fig. 15. Choose Your Dies Your RL 550B will perform well with any manufacturer’s standard 7/8 x 14 die. However, for ease of use in your RL 550B, the dies should have a radius on the lead-in portion of the die; that is to say a taper or funnel effect to assist the entrance of the case into the die. This is especially recommended on the sizing die. We also recommend the use of separate bullet seating and crimp dies for pistol cases. Simultaneous seating and taper crimping of semi-auto cases is not recommended. Why? Two reasons. First, in a combination seating and crimping die, we have two forces that are opposed to one another. That is, forcing the bullet into the case while trying to simultaneously crimp it in place. A better idea is to seat the bullet in one die and then crimp it in place in another. With semi-auto cases (9mm & .45 ACP) you must use a separate taper crimp die to get reliable ammunition and function from your semi-automatic pistol. This type of crimp is necessary to maintain the square shoulder effect where the brass edge of the case meets the bullet. It is on this tiny shoulder that the functioning of your semi-auto pistol depends. If this shoulder is rounded or roll-crimped, the cartridge may enter too far into your pistol’s chamber and jams will result. On revolver ammunition, where the cartridge headspaces on the rim of the case, this type of crimp is not as important, but once again, by using a separate crimp die, you will obtain better and more uniform bullet seating. Carbide Dies? All Dillon pistol resizing dies are manufactured with a carbide insert. Carbide is one of the world’s hardest materials and will last the average reloader a lifetime. It also takes a high polish and being more dense is smoother than a steel die. Besides its longevity, it has another advantage. All steel dies require lubrication of your brass before resizing, but with a carbide pistol resizing die this is not absolutely necessary. Lubrication will make sizing easier, but with a carbide pistol die, it is not required. However, when using carbide rifle dies, your cases must always be lubricated. The advantage of carbide rifle dies is their long life and scratch resistant qualities. If you are a commercial reloader, you may want to consider them. Setting your Pistol Dies If you’re setting up rifle dies, use the separate instruction booklet supplied with the dies. Before you begin, make sure that the toolhead is secured by the toolhead pins (#14008). * Indicates a caliber specific part. See the caliber conversion chart on page 16 for the caliber you are loading for. Fig. 15 - A complete, removable toolhead with all of the dies adjusted. Toolhead stand is optional. Fig. 14 - The machine comes with two primer pickup tubes (#20060 Lg, #20059 Sm) and two primer magazine tubes (#22031 Lg, #22030 Sm). Each has a large and small. They are color coded for easier identification. See page 13 for color coding information. The large ones should be used together and the small ones should be used together. You will notice that the primer magazine tips have an indexing ridge to assist in their placement in the primer feed system. 10