RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 1 Dillon RL 550B Instruction Manual May 2007 illon recision Products, Inc.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 2 RL 550B Parts List Part # 13149 13409 13573 13583 13644 13650 13673 13691 13700 13704 13707 13719 13720 13734 13747 13757 13765 13775 13781 13789 13793 13794 13795 13799 13801 13803 13824 13825 13830 13834 13839 13841 13845 13848 13850 13857 13864 13869 13871 13879 13881 13882 13885 13887 13889 13890 13891 13893 13898 13899 13904 13917 13919 13920 13921 13923 13924 13925 13926 13928 Description Manual Crank Machine Box Link Arm, Left Powder Bar Spacer Spent Prim
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 3 RL 550B Schematic 13707 20302 13673 See page 5 for more detail. 13794 17085 (large) or 17086 (small) 14040 13720 20093 13891 13966 13997 See page 4 for more detail. 13930 13925 20059 13781 13885 14280 14008 See page 5 for more detail. See page 5 for more detail.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 4 RL 550B Automatic Powder System 13921 13882 14041 14067 14202 16340 20062 20063 20064 20780 21253 21275 21353 22273 97034 * Powder Funnel, .45 cal Pistol Powder Bar Spacer Powder Measure Tube Only * Powder Funnel, .
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 5 RL 550B Automatic Primer System 13757 13824 13825 13869 13887 13889 13898 13917 13919 13920 13924 13957 13961 13964 13967 13979 13996 14033 14037 14051 20263 22028 13999 14040 17086 22029 14010 14040 17085 22030 14024 22031 14003 Primer Seating Punch, Small Primer Seating Cup, Large Primer Seating Cup, Small Operating Rod Operating Rod Bracket Large Roller Primer Slide Stop Nut Roller Clip Roller Pin Primer Slide Primer Slide Return Spring Post Primer Shield Cap
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 6 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 * (* Indicates items that are not 5) Dial Caliper * absolutely essential, but are pretty darned handy!) Mounting the RL 550B to your bench.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 7 • 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. • LEAD WARNING: Be sure to have proper ventilation while handling lead components or when shooting lead bullets.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 8 Fig. 5 - This photo shows the index ball spring and index ball being placed in the platform. Fig. 8 - Inserting the shellplate bolt, first through the index sprocket then the shellplate. 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. Fig.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 9 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. This set screw (#13961) adjusts the outward travel of the primer slide to align the primer seating cup with the primer magazine. In your caliber conversion box, you will find three brass locator buttons.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 10 The Toolhead Carbide Dies? Your new RL 550B has been shipped to you with one removable toolhead. Additional toolheads are available from the factory. 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.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 11 Station Two Here, the powder is dropped and the mouth of the case is belled. This is where the Automatic Powder System is installed. The powder die is located in the automatic powder measure assembly, you will need to retrieve it before you can continue. See the schematic on page 4. Fig. 19 - The powder die can be easily adjusted by turning the die beneath the toolhead while holding the powder measure securely from above. (open) position by the case, Fig.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 12 brass in a tumbler should help. Next, attach the powder measure fail safe rod assembly to the bellcrank (#17839). Using your thumb and index finger of your right hand, move the lock-link down to align the hole with the slot on the Powder Measure bellcrank (#17839). Then insert the rod (#97000) through the two holes, Fig. 20. Next, lower the operating handle (#20636).
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 13 Adjusting the Powder Charge by trial and error adjustments, determine the correct weight of your powder charge. You are now ready to fill the primer magazine. Primer Early Warning System Installation (See item #20302 on page five for assistance.) Remove the follower rod (#13707) from the assembly bag and set it aside. Install the battery and the battery cover (#13857) in the system’s main body.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 14 be automatically carried back to the primer magazine, where it will pick up a primer. Now, raise the handle smoothly. The primer slide (#13920) will come forward with a primer and place it under the deprimed case. If you are using the handle gently, you will feel the primer contact the primer pocket. Press forward firmly until the handle stops. Your primer will now be seated.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 15 Lubrication REMEMBER Use 30 weight motor oil on the main shaft and bearing grease on the pivot pins. Do not use spray type penetrating lube such as WD40 or Break Free as you run the risk of contaminating powder and primers. Be sure to use the necessary precautions when loading lead bullets or when casting lead bullets. Exposure to lead can cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive problems. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling lead.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 16 RL 450 & RL 550B Caliber Conversion Chart Kits include shellplate, locator buttons and flow-thru powder funnel. Handgun-Caliber Conversions .22 Remington Jet - # 20165 #2 Shellplate - # 13751 #A Powder Funnel - # 13426 #2 Locator Pin - # 14062 .30 Luger, .30 Mauser - # 20175 #5 Shellplate - # 13743 #C Powder Funnel - # 13564 #3 Locator Pin - # 14060 .32 ACP, .
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 17 RL 450 & RL 550B Caliber Conversion Chart Kits include shellplate, locator buttons and flow-thru powder funnel. 6mm Bench Rest - # 20276 .30 M1 Carbine - # 20131 7.62x39mm - # 20213 6mm PPC - # 20265 .300 Whisper - # 20236 7.62x54R - # 20346 .264 Win Mag, 6.5 Rem - # 20210 .300 Winchester Magnum - # 20188 .
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 18 RL 450 & RL 550B Caliber Conversion Chart Kits include shellplate, locator buttons and flow-thru powder funnel. .356 Winchester - # 20238 #L Shellplate - # 12703 #P Rifle Powder Funnel - # 13187 #1 Locator Pin - # 13930 .35 Whelen/.358 Winchester - # 20170 #1 Shellplate - # 13692 #P Rifle Powder Funnel - # 13187 #1 Locator Pin - # 13930 .38-55, .375 Winchester - # 20226 #7 Shellplate - # 12501 #V Rifle Powder Funnel - # 13344 #4 Locator Pin - # 14047 .
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 19 RL 450 & RL 550B Caliber Cross Reference Chart Shellplate 1 Locator Button 1 Powder Funnel .22 BR A - #13426 .22-250 A - #13426 .30-06 B - #13587 AK - #13015 .300 Savage B - #13587 .308 - 7.62 Nato 7.7 Japanese Arisaka B - #13587 7.5 x 55 Swiss B - #13587 7.65 Bel-Arg B - #13587 .40 Super/ .400 Corbon W - #13600 E - #13782 .45 ACP I - #13305 .240 Wby. Mag. .243 Win. I - #13305 6mm BR 6PPC - #13085 6mm Rem.- .244 I - #13305 .260 Rem./6.5x284 Y - #12870 .270 Win.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 20 On the cover… The RL 550B is pictured with optional accessories: Strong Mount #22051 Aluminum Roller Handle #17950 Low Powder Sensor #16306 Bullet Tray #22214 Other accessories available for the RL 550B include: Video Instruction Manual #14621 Machine Cover #13795 Maintenance Kit & Spare Parts Kit #97016 The Blue Press, Dillon’s monthly catalog, has a complete listing of accessories available for all machines. Dillon Precision Products, Inc. 8009 E.
