Dillon Precision RL 550B - Manual (Page 10)

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 your dies
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.
Second, 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 the 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 Rifle Dies: See the separate instruction
booklet supplied with the rifle dies.
Setting your Pistol Dies
Before you begin, make sure that the toolhead is secured
by the toolhead pins (#14008).
Station One
You will notice an adjustable retaining spring at Station
One, Fig. 16. This spring should be adjusted to almost
contact the case when it’s placed in the shellplate.
In the first station, Fig. 16, brass is resized, deprimed, and
then reprimed.
Using the die lock rings provided, screw the sizing die
into the toolhead. Raise the platform and screw the die down
until it touches the shellplate. Lower the platform and insert
an empty case into Station One. Raise the platform so the
case is in the die, tighten the lock ring on the die. This will
keep everything centered. The decap assembly should be
screwed fully into the die at all times.
A note of caution, never attempt to deprime a live primer.
An explosion may result.
* Indicates a caliber specific part. See the caliber conversion
chart on page 16 for the caliber you are loading for.
Fig. 16 - A fully loaded shellplate, directly below the
proper dies. Clockwise from Station One, the cartridge at
this station is resized, deprimed and reprimed. Station Two
bells the case mouth (pistol only) and dispenses the
powder. Station Three seats the bullet. Station Four crimps
the bullet.
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Fig. 15 - A complete, removable toolhead with all of the dies
adjusted. Toolhead stand optional.
RL 550B, May 2007 5/17/07 2:21 PM Page 10