Dillon Precision Products RL550C User manual

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RL550C Reloading System Assembly and User Instructions
Dillon Precision, Inc.
Copyright © 2019 by Dillon Precision, Inc.--All rights reserved. This publication is for personal use only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, for commercial use without the prior written permission of
Dillon Precision.
RL550C™ and Dillon RL550C Reloading System™ are trademarks of Dillon Precision Inc.
Rev. B Oct 2021

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. THE BASIC RISK OF RELOADING---Page 4
2. MANDATORY RL550C USER SAFETY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS—Page 4
3. RL550C LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY—Page 5
4. RL550C SHIPPING CONTENTS—Page 5-6
5. RL550C ASSEMBLY GUIDE—Pages 6-15
6. OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR RL550C—Page 16
7. THE DILLON RL550C FIVE RELOADING STATIONS AND CONFIGURATIONS—Pages 17-19
8. SETUP PROCEDURES FOR RL550C—Pages 20-36
8.1. Station 1 Locator Set-up
8.2. Case Depriming and Sizing
8.3. Primer Feeding and Seating Adjustment
8.4. Powder Measure Set-up and Case Belling
8.5. Bullet Seating Cartridge Overall Length (COAL)
8.6. Bullet Crimping
9. CONVERSION LIST PART NUMBERS AND PROCEDURES—Pages 37-46
9.1. Caliber Conversion List
9.2. Caliber Conversion
9.3. Primer Size Conversion
9.4. Powder Measure Conversion
10. ADJUSTMENT AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES—Pagers 47-49
10.1. Shellplate Indexing Adjustment
10.2. Adjusting Primer Drop
10.3. Operating Rod Bracket Specification
11. TROUBLESHOOTING RL550C—Pages 50-53
12. CLEANING AND LUBRICATING THE RL550C—Pages 54-56-55
13. USING THE RL550C TO TRIM BRASS—Pages 57-58
14. DILLON SUPER SWAGE 600—Page 59
15. RL550C EXPLODED VIEWS AND PARTS IDENTIFIER—Pages 60-67
15.1. Complete Assembly
15.2. Frame and Lower Assembly
15.3. Toolhead Assembly
15.4. Platform and Components
15.5. Primer Feed Body Assembly
15.6. Powder Measure Assembly
15.7. Primer Early Warning Assembly
15.8. Primer Slide Assemblies
16. RELOADING BASICS--Pages 68-72
16.1. Cleaning Brass
16.2. Lubricating Brass
16.3. Head Space Defined
16.4. Primer Basics and Safety
16.5. Documentation
17. NOTES--Page 73-74
18. MOUNTING DRILLING TEMPLATE—Page 75

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DILLON PRECISION DISCLAIMER, EXPLANATION OF SAFETY WARNINGS, DILLON CONTACT INFORMATION
DISCLAIMER
The material in this manual is for informational purposes only. The products it describes are subject to change without prior
notice. Dillon Precision Inc. makes no representations or warranties with respect to this manual.
Dillon Precision Inc. shall not be liable for any damages, losses, costs or expenses, direct, indirect or incidental, consequential
or special, arising out of, or related to the use of or the inability to use the products described herein.Read this manual
before using this product. Failure to follow the instructions and safety precautions in this manual can result in serious injury
or death. Keep this manual in a safe location for future reference.
EXPLANATION OF SAFETY WARNINGS
DANGER!
Danger! indicates a hazard with a high level of risk that if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING!
Warning! indicates a hazard with a medium level of risk that if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION!
Caution! indicates a hazard with a low level of risk that if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
Dillon Contact Information
Dillon Precision Inc.
8009 E. Dillon’s Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
480-948-8009 1-800-223-4570
FAX [phone]
Website: www.dillonprecision.com
E-mail: [e-mail]
Sales, Technical Support and Customer Service
800-223-4570
Document Revisions
Date Version Number Document Changes
4-29-2021 0 Initial Release Updated Manual
7-12-2021 A Added PEWS-Rod Ki tPN20302
10-5-2021 B Correct Large Rifle Primer OD

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MANDATORY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS—MUST BE READ
1. THE BASIC RISK OF RELOADING, AND OVERALL RL550C DESIGN USAGE SAFETY:
1. DANGER! The reloading of ammunition and the handling of reloading components used in the reloading process is inherently
dangerous. Accidents and mistakes in re-loading can and do occur, sometimes with disastrous results resulting in, but not
limited to loss of hearing, vision, limbs or life. These accidents can occur with the novice and experienced reloader.
2. Dillon Precision Inc. has designed the RL550C with user safety in mind, doing everything Dillon Precision Inc. knows to make
the use of the RL550C as safe as possible.
2. MANDATORY RL550C USER SAFETY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
1. Dillon Precision Inc. cannot guarantee the complete safety of the reloader/user of the RL550C. To minimize the user’s risk, use
common sense when reloading and follow these basic safety rules at a minimum.
2. KNOWLEDGE: Study and learn the basics, processes and specifications used in the reloading of ammunition from reputable
sources and publications by prominent bullet and powder manufacturers such as Sierra, Hornady, Speer, Western Powders and
Alliant Powders; including reloading manuals such as the Lyman Reloading Manual and the Western Powder Reloading Guide.
3. EYE AND EAR PROTECTION: Never operate the RL550C without eye and ear protection.
4. PAY ATTENTION: Give your full attention to the reloading process. Do not watch television, the internet or converse with
anyone while loading. It is a full-time operation.
5. INTERRUPTIONS: If you are interrupted in any manner, always inspect the cases at every station and know exactly what has
been done to ensure that proper process steps have or have not been completed.
6. SMOKING/IMPAIRMENT: Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke in the reloading area. Do not allow open flames. Do not
load if you have been drinking alcohol or are impaired in any way.
7. SAFETY: Do not remove any safety device(s) from the reloader or modify the reloader in any way. Keep components and
ammunition out of the reach of children.
8. LEAD--CAUTION! Almost all bullets have a lead component, which may or may not be exposed. Be sure to have proper
ventilation while handling the lead component (bullet) or when shooting. Lead causes birth defects, reproductive harm and
cancer. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling lead components or shooting.
9. POWDERS--DANGER! There are many kinds of powders (propellants) used in the reloading process and are in general specified
as rifle, pistol or shotgun powders. Powder selection is specific to the bullet caliber, weight and type of bullet being reloaded.
There is no way to overstate the care and selection of a powder to be used in the reloading process. Again, refer to
established bullet and powder manufacturers. Using the wrong powder or amount of powder or mixing powders can result in
serious injury or death. Never mix powders. Always store the powder in its original container. Never have more than one
type of powder in the reloading area at one time—preferably store powders in a separate room. Observe all maximum load
warnings.
10. PRIMERS—DANGER! Primers contain a small amount of a shock-sensitive chemical that explodes when struck by a firing pin
or hammer or accidentally crushed. Never force primers. If they get stuck in the operation of the loader, carefully disassemble
the reloader 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 circumstance, insert any type of rod into these tubes to attempt to push out
stuck primers—PRIMERS CAN “CHAIN DETONATE.” If a primer(s) gets stuck in the magazine or pickup tubes flood the tube
with penetrating oil/WD-40, throw it away and call Dillon for a free replacement. Never attempt to deprime a cartridge case
with a live primer. Depriming a live primer is one of the most dangerous things you can do in reloading and can cause serious
injury or death. Never attempt to further seat primers on a loaded cartridge. Use only the primer for the specific application
for which you are loading.
11. BLACK POWDER--DANGER! Do not use black powder or black powder substitutes in any Dillon Powder Measure. Doing so can
result in severe injury or death.
12. LOAD AND LOADED LENGTH—WARNING! Use only recommended load specifications from manuals and information supplied
by established, known component manufacturers. Avoid maximum loads listed in loading manuals. Be extremely careful to
avoid a double charge. Dillon has no control over the components and specifications used when reloading with the Dillon
equipment. No responsibility is implied or assumed for results obtained through the use of or inability to use any such
components or reloading specifications.
13. QUALITY CHECKS--At a minimum, perform periodic quality checks every 50-100 reloads-ESPECIALLY the powder charge.
14. PROPERLY LABEL RELOADED AMMUNITION: Overall Length, bullet manufacturer, type and weight-- primer manufacturer and
type--powder manufacturer, type and powder charge and date loaded.
15. RELOADING AREA--The reloading area should be well lit, dry and comfortable without breezes.
16. BE PATIENT and OBSERVANT— Users should have no trouble achieving published loading rates that are conservative. Be
smooth and steady. The reloading process is not a process to hurry--- If something does not LOOK RIGHT, SOUND RIGHT, OR
FEEL RIGHT —STOP, LOOK and THINK! If the problem is not obvious—CALL Dillon Technical Support [phone] or visit the
troubleshooting section at www.dillonprecision.com.

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3. RL550C LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Dillon Precision Inc. warrants the RL550C for the life of the system against defects in material and
workmanship. Dillon Precision Inc. will either repair or replace any part(s) that prove defective. Dillon
Precision Inc. will provide repaired or replacement parts at Dillon’s choice on an exchange basis. This
limited warranty does not cover any damage to the product that results from improper installation,
accident, abuse, misuse, natural disaster, abnormal mechanical or environmental conditions, or any
unauthorized disassembly, repair or modification. This limited warranty shall not apply if: (i) the product
was not used in accordance with any accompanying instructions, (ii) the product was not used for its
intended function or (iii) the addition of any non-authorized equipment.
4. RL550C SHIPPING CONTENTS
4.1. Remove the following items from the top protective foam layer of the shipping box:
4.2. Remove the following items from the second layer of protective foam
•Primer Early Warning System,
Follower Rod and Battery
•RL550C System Manual
•RL550C Tube Pack—Large or
Small
•Operating Handle
•RL550C Accessory Box
•RL550C
•Powder Measure