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Dillon RL550. Help......Now with Dillon PM tuning (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/3/2026 8:00:28 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dryflash3][Edited]
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An estate contacted me concerning a large quantity of reloaded ammo. Long story short, I now have a Dillon RL550 with head plates containing 30/06 and 38/357 mag dies. I dont really reload either thing. All of this guy's notes are very detailed with the ammo, making me believe it is likely this press has not been used since 1998. It appears to have been greased with something that is now sticky. I need to tear this thing down, clean it, properly lube it, put it back together. If someone has a link to a video, that would be helpful, as I am kinda a visual learner. I have only reloaded on single stage and a lee three hole turret...... so this is completely foreign to me. I seem to have a priming tube, priming tube inside has a red cap. Both sets of dies have powder hoppers, with powder through dies. Appears that everything is complete. Just...... sticky and dirty. |
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Congrats that is a fine machine. Been using one since 87. https://www.dillonprecision.com/ That is a great resource, grab a schematic and you’ll be pulling it apart in no time. You’ll probably need some new primer feed tips, they work great until they don’t . |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: An estate contacted me concerning a large quantity of reloaded ammo. Long story short, I now have a Dillon RL550 with head plates containing 30/06 and 38/357 mag dies. I dont really reload either thing. All of this guy's notes are very detailed with the ammo, making me believe it is likely this press has not been used since 1998. It appears to have been greased with something that is now sticky. I need to tear this thing down, clean it, properly lube it, put it back together. If someone has a link to a video, that would be helpful, as I am kinda a visual learner. I have only reloaded on single stage and a lee three hole turret...... so this is completely foreign to me. I seem to have a priming tube, priming tube inside has a red cap. Both sets of dies have powder hoppers, with powder through dies. Appears that everything is complete. Just...... sticky and dirty. On my Dillons I use Cherry Balm on everything else. The red end means large size primer, blue is small size. |
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Finally found this video...... which is not on their RL550 playlist. https://youtu.be/cJuMsTIKsaU?is=I4R0_fvprLjKUn9L Which pointed me to what I was missing, the brass tipped set screw on the side. This bad boy is dirty. But it seems like its all here. Should have it back running soon. Looks like I have the #2 shell plate for the 38/357 dies, but am missing the 30/06 shell plate, which I was hoping i had to load 308/6.5cm ect. Of course already made my midwayusa order for the week...... lol |
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You should be pretty happy with it. Only reason mine doesn’t get used much is I also have a 750. The manual indexing on a 550 is my only gripe. If you dig around this place there was an excellent thread on cleaning up/polishing the primer feed assembly and powder measure funnel. I think Dryflash did it years back. I like to wax my primer slide assembly, it smooth as a babies butt. Primer systems can be a pain, but mine rarely is and it’s always been because it got dirty or the plastic tip it feeds from wore. I lube the ram with motor oil. You might need to pull the link pins for clean/grease. Plenty of vids on that out there. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: An estate contacted me concerning a large quantity of reloaded ammo. Long story short, I now have a Dillon RL550 with head plates containing 30/06 and 38/357 mag dies. I dont really reload either thing. All of this guy's notes are very detailed with the ammo, making me believe it is likely this press has not been used since 1998. It appears to have been greased with something that is now sticky. I need to tear this thing down, clean it, properly lube it, put it back together. If someone has a link to a video, that would be helpful, as I am kinda a visual learner. I have only reloaded on single stage and a lee three hole turret...... so this is completely foreign to me. I seem to have a priming tube, priming tube inside has a red cap. Both sets of dies have powder hoppers, with powder through dies. Appears that everything is complete. Just...... sticky and dirty. There should be a low primer alarm that looks like this: Attached File There is a thin, black plastic rod that drops through that “hoop” on the alarm. Must people put an empty .45ACP case on top of the plastic rod to give it more weight and to ensure positive primer feeding. If that press has been sitting since 1998, then chances are the alkaline battery inside the primer alarm has leaked and corroded everything inside the alsrm. You can try taking it apart and cleaning it up. Or just buy a new one. Then put a lithium rechargeable in it. |
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Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad: There should be a low primer alarm that looks like this: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369122/IMG_8205_jpeg-3805893.JPG There is a thin, black plastic rod that drops through that “hoop” on the alarm. Must people put an empty .45ACP case on top of the plastic rod to give it more weight and to ensure positive primer feeding. If that press has been sitting since 1998, then chances are the alkaline battery inside the primer alarm has leaked and corroded everything inside the alsrm. You can try taking it apart and cleaning it up. Or just buy a new one. Then put a lithium rechargeable in it. For sure dont see that anywhere. |
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You can often find shell plates on eBay for considerably less than Dillon will charge. For loading multiple calibers, I found it handy to compile a chart for each caliber which lists numbers for shellplate, locator buttons, and powder funnels. Tack it up near your press. |
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Originally Posted By ken_mays: You can often find shell plates on eBay for considerably less than Dillon will charge. For loading multiple calibers, I found it handy to compile a chart for each caliber which lists numbers for shellplate, locator buttons, and powder funnels. Tack it up near your press. Toolheads are cheaper and a better fit from ebay as well. For some reason Dillon doesn't want to learn from the aftermarket and update their machines. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: For sure dont see that anywhere. Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad: There should be a low primer alarm that looks like this: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369122/IMG_8205_jpeg-3805893.JPG There is a thin, black plastic rod that drops through that “hoop” on the alarm. Must people put an empty .45ACP case on top of the plastic rod to give it more weight and to ensure positive primer feeding. If that press has been sitting since 1998, then chances are the alkaline battery inside the primer alarm has leaked and corroded everything inside the alsrm. You can try taking it apart and cleaning it up. Or just buy a new one. Then put a lithium rechargeable in it. For sure dont see that anywhere. You can have mine if you want, I dont use them. Send me a IM |
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https://www.dillonprecision.com/s000403 RL550 Overhaul Service From $145.00 Overhaul Services include 1. Disassembly + Solvent Tank Bath 2. Detailed Inspection & Replacement of Worn Out Parts 3. Re-assembly and Full Machine Lubrication 4. Testing all Pertinent Systems, Including Machine Timing 5. OEM Packaged and Shipped Right Back to You |
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Originally Posted By Colt653: https://www.dillonprecision.com/s000403 RL550 Overhaul Service From $145.00 Overhaul Services include 1. Disassembly + Solvent Tank Bath 2. Detailed Inspection & Replacement of Worn Out Parts 3. Re-assembly and Full Machine Lubrication 4. Testing all Pertinent Systems, Including Machine Timing 5. OEM Packaged and Shipped Right Back to You They do a great job. But if OP is handy it’s a great way to learn the press. Might even drill/tap in some grease zerks like they should have done. |
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Originally Posted By ken_mays: You can often find shell plates on eBay for considerably less than Dillon will charge. For loading multiple calibers, I found it handy to compile a chart for each caliber which lists numbers for shellplate, locator buttons, and powder funnels. Tack it up near your press. Cool. I will look around. I put the dies I wont use on the EE, to help fund the stuff i need to buy. |
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Potentially stupid question. Can i put the powder die in one of the stations, and manually pour powder in from the top using a plastic funnel, instead of using the powder hopper? Or would i maybe need a differsnt die than the one that attaches to the powder hopper that holds the internal dillon funnel. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: Cool. I will look around. I put the dies I wont use on the EE, to help fund the stuff i need to buy. Here is my 550 caliber conversion chart, it may be helpful if you reload any of these calibers. |
https://www.guntechtips.com
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: Potentially stupid question. Can i put the powder die in one of the stations, and manually pour powder in from the top using a plastic funnel, instead of using the powder hopper? Or would i maybe need a differsnt die than the one that attaches to the powder hopper that holds the internal dillon funnel. If I understand you correctly, you are basically going to do this: Attached File So it looks like Dillon makes and sells their own plastic funnel that fits the Dillon powder through dies: Attached File Here is the link to that funnel: https://www.dillonprecision.com/16617 |
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Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad: If I understand you correctly, you are basically going to do this: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369122/IMG_8209_jpeg-3806078.JPG So it looks like Dillon makes and sells their own plastic funnel that fits the Dillon powder through dies: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369122/IMG_8210_jpeg-3806079.JPG Here is the link to that funnel: https://www.dillonprecision.com/16617 Perfect. |
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Originally Posted By ken_mays: Here is my 550 caliber conversion chart, it may be helpful if you reload any of these calibers. Very cool. Looks like i have everything on order except i will need a powder funnel "I" at some point, as I wont need the whole conversion kit, just the bit that goes in the powder die. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: Potentially stupid question. Can i put the powder die in one of the stations, and manually pour powder in from the top using a plastic funnel, instead of using the powder hopper? Or would i maybe need a differsnt die than the one that attaches to the powder hopper that holds the internal dillon funnel. No dumb questions here. Like Ken said, yes. I just want to say the Dillon powder system is incredibly accurate with ball powder. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: Perfect. Just as an FYI… There might be other powder dies out there that acts like an adaptor or “go between” so that you can use non-Dillon powder measures on top of your 550. Whether they are automatically activated by the case or if you still have to crank say an RCBS powder measure by hand…. I don’t know. Just to put that bug in your ear. EDIT: Attached File That appears to be a Redding powder measure. Just about 40 years ago, top rifle shooter G. David Tubb put out a “how to reload” video on VHS video tape. Here is a screen shot from that video: Attached File If you look closely, you will see that he is still using a Dillon powder measure on top of his 550. There are tweaks or polishing that can be done to the Dillon PM to make it throw more consistent charges. |
| I have only run Dillon powder measures with their powder through expanding dies but on both my 650 and 550 the powder station also bells the case mouth while dropping the powder charge. On the funnel assembly listed above I don't know if the case mouth expander would still function. Perhaps someone who has used that particular accessory could chime in? |
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Originally Posted By Bushman_269: I have only run Dillon powder measures with their powder through expanding dies but on both my 650 and 550 the powder station also bells the case mouth while dropping the powder charge. On the funnel assembly listed above I don't know if the case mouth expander would still function. Perhaps someone who has used that particular accessory could chime in? I will not be loading any straight wall cartridges. I would prefer to throw my rifle charges off the press, and use the linked funnel to dump the powder. I think that will be fun to play with. This press came with two complete dillon powder hopper, throwers, that go on top of the die, with the linkages. So if i want to try them, i now have two. Plus my redding thrower, rcbs thrower and lee thrower. Lol. I just prefer the electronic trickler scale for non-bulk rifle rounds. |
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Also update on the press...... some of the pins were a real chore to get out. Whatever lube was used...... turned into a tree sap like substance. Scrubbed it all down. Lubed all pins, and pivot points, with red axle grease. She is slippery smooth now. Ordered a new top plate from inline fabrication. Will be moving my lee three hole turret off my bench, and will mount it in the garage for dedicated decap, cam lock bullet puller, etc, tasks. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: I will not be loading any straight wall cartridges. I would prefer to throw my rifle charges off the press, and use the linked funnel to dump the powder. I think that will be fun to play with. This press came with two complete dillon powder hopper, throwers, that go on top of the die, with the linkages. So if i want to try them, i now have two. Plus my redding thrower, rcbs thrower and lee thrower. Lol. I just prefer the electronic trickler scale for non-bulk rifle rounds. As a side note…. Here is another screen shot from that G.David Tubb “how to reload” video: Attached File I don’t know what your accuracy requirements are…. Somewhere out there on the internet is an article that appeared in Dillon’s “Blue Press” magazine/catalog that details what that particular shooting team did as far as their process or tweaks they did to the 1050’s and/or the Dillon powder measures. As you might know already, in the rifle shooting world mentioning “G. David Tubb” is like saying Tiger Woods, or Michael Jordan, or Babe Ruth. Tubb just passed away about a month or two ago. |
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Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad: As a side note…. Here is another screen shot from that G.David Tubb “how to reload” video: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369122/IMG_8216_jpeg-3806183.JPG I don’t know what your accuracy requirements are…. Somewhere out there on the internet is an article that appeared in Dillon’s “Blue Press” magazine/catalog that details what that particular shooting team did as far as their process or tweaks they did to the 1050’s and/or the Dillon powder measures. As you might know already, in the rifle shooting world mentioning “G. David Tubb” is like saying Tiger Woods, or Michael Jordan, or Babe Ruth. Tubb just passed away about a month or two ago. Interesting. I will give that a read. My last rifle match for the year is in about 7 weeks. In the winter, I will run some tests on throwing powder on the press. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: Interesting. I will give that a read. My last rifle match for the year is in about 7 weeks. In the winter, I will run some tests on throwing powder on the press. I looked and looked last night for that article, but I could not find it. It was probably in the Blue Press about 18 years ago. The article was probably more focused on using two 1050’s to process and load all that ammo. I’m guessing now that one 1050 was set up to size and trim with the toolhead mounted trimmer, the RT1200 at the time. Maybe they chamfered and deburred off the press via sone other means. (Shrugs shoulders) Then the other 1050 was strictly set up as the load machine. It primed, dropped powder, and seated bullets. There probably wasn’t anything in the article about doing a “fluff and buff” on the Dillon powder measure. How accurate/precise or consistent the Dillon PM throws charges is going to be partly a function of the powder type you throw. Ball type propellants should be most consistent. Extruded type powders that are almost like rice are going to be the worst (Varget and say 4895). |
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Originally Posted By dryflash3: I don't understand not wanting to use the Dillon powder measure. Get a different powder funnel if you change calibers. That had me scratching my head, too. But then again I’m not a competitive (long range) rifle shooter. I’m fairly certain I had started a thread years ago titled something like “How anal retentive of a reloader are you?” I probably started that thread when I saw a pic somewhere of a reloader using a fluorescent light grid to separate out his cases by weight. But…who knows…maybe our OP has one of those high fallutin’ auto tricklers. And he has more confidence in that machine and scale than a new to him Dillon PM. |
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Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad: I looked and looked last night for that article, but I could not find it. It was probably in the Blue Press about 18 years ago. The article was probably more focused on using two 1050’s to process and load all that ammo. I’m guessing now that one 1050 was set up to size and trim with the toolhead mounted trimmer, the RT1200 at the time. Maybe they chamfered and deburred off the press via sone other means. (Shrugs shoulders) Then the other 1050 was strictly set up as the load machine. It primed, dropped powder, and seated bullets. There probably wasn’t anything in the article about doing a “fluff and buff” on the Dillon powder measure. How accurate/precise or consistent the Dillon PM throws charges is going to be partly a function of the powder type you throw. Ball type propellants should be most consistent. Extruded type powders that are almost like rice are going to be the worst (Varget and say 4895). I am currently only loading with Varget, H4350 and R17. I will do some testing over the winter, when i have time away from loading for rifle matches. Maybe i will get a 223 plate, funnel, and try some bulk loading. But its not really what I like doing on the reloading bench, except in the winter when I have more time. |
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Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad: Tubb just passed away about a month or two ago. Wow!, that's bad news. I learned a LOT from him through his sharing of information. RIP, Mr. Tubb. I've learned a lot from all of those on this Forum, too. All of you. Thanks, to all of you. |
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I stopped in to say this. The powder measures all across the Dillon line are as good as any volumetric dispenser out there, anywhere, no matter the cost. They are better than most. Hand weighing or electronic dispensing by weight is the only way to throw more consistently. Then, we have to talk about whether that consistency is actually any "better". I do it, too, but... I like the functional, simplistic look of that funnel. |
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Originally Posted By WillieTangoFox: I am currently only loading with Varget, H4350 and R17. I will do some testing over the winter, when i have time away from loading for rifle matches. Maybe i will get a 223 plate, funnel, and try some bulk loading. But its not really what I like doing on the reloading bench, except in the winter when I have more time. The high flow powder funnel by armanov and DAA seem to really improve powder throw accuracy with the Dillon powder measure. Also helps with stick powder. At least it did for me in 223. I load bulk though. |
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Originally Posted By snackle: The high flow powder funnel by armanov and DAA seem to really improve powder throw accuracy with the Dillon powder measure. Also helps with stick powder. At least it did for me in 223. I load bulk though. What's the polishing trick (materials and process) that some use to improve the Dillon thru-die powder funnel? |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: What's the polishing trick (materials and process) that some use to improve the Dillon thru-die powder funnel? Dip into a fine polish and slowly go up and down turning at slow speed. Go too fast and the wood shaft will break and you start over. |
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Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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How I tune a Dillon powder measure. First buy a can of paste wax I use Minwax finishing wax. If you don't use wax you are wasting your time. You wipe it on, let dry and wipe film off. No the wax does not effect the powder, I have been doing this for 15+ years, I would of noticed by now if there was an issue. That out of the way, dissemble powder measure, PM from here on out.  I use a scrap of wood slightly smaller than a powder bar, wrap 400 wet/dry sandpaper and gently go over the inside surfaces. NOTE, we are polishing, removing burrs, and casting flash. We are not removing metal. Use the 400 laid flat on a table and run the powder bars over it, easy again not removing metal. Also go over the corners of the powder bars.  Note the wood handle "Q-tip" on the wax can. I use one of those dipped in fine polish chucked in a drill to go up and down in the powder funnel. Easy does it or the wood will break. Optional, polish the bowl of the PM with a Dremel and fine polish.  Clean off all surfaces you worked on with alcohol and a rag. When dry, time to wax. Take a clean rag rub it in the wax and spread on polished surfaces.  Let dry, it dries to a dull film. Wipe off with a clean soft rag. All that is left is to reassemble.   I also take this opportunity to coat the inside of the hopper with graphite. Kills all static before it can form. That's an Easy Dial from Titan reloading that has a micrometer scale for recording powder charges. I have one on every one of my Dillon PM's. Say goodbye to that stupid 7/16 bolt to adjust PM. When I'm done reloading and PM has been emptied, I store it with 2 dryer sheets inside and replace the lid. Another anti static procedure.  I also store all my presses under a plastic bag, keeps the dust and shop airborne junk off. |
Selling agent for Algores carbon credit scam.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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Originally Posted By WeimaranerDad: There should be a low primer alarm that looks like this: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369122/IMG_8205_jpeg-3805893.JPG There is a thin, black plastic rod that drops through that “hoop” on the alarm. Must people put an empty .45ACP case on top of the plastic rod to give it more weight and to ensure positive primer feeding. If that press has been sitting since 1998, then chances are the alkaline battery inside the primer alarm has leaked and corroded everything inside the alsrm. You can try taking it apart and cleaning it up. Or just buy a new one. Then put a lithium rechargeable in it. Or just call Dillon they may send you a new one. |
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Originally Posted By RogueSpear2023: Or just call Dillon they may send you a new one. Last thing I do when putting my press away is remove the battery from the primer warning buzzer. Of course when you start off with a used press, it's either missing or corroded. |
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Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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Neat. I got a 550 and use it a good bit now. JMHO, but I only use it for rifle. I would not run pistol rounds through one. With rifle, the manual indexing is fine, and doesn't slow things down any. But for pistol, I still run my LnL progressive with autoindexing. |
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Originally Posted By lazyengineer: Neat. I got a 550 and use it a good bit now. JMHO, but I only use it for rifle. I would not run pistol rounds through one. With rifle, the manual indexing is fine, and doesn't slow things down any. But for pistol, I still run my LnL progressive with autoindexing. No way to double charge a pistol case, which can happen on a 550. You just have to pay attention to what you are doing. |
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Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
Shooting and Reloading, one hobby feeds the other.
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Originally Posted By dryflash3: That's the exact reason I loaded my pistol rounds on s SDB that has auto index. No way to double charge a pistol case, which can happen on a 550. You just have to pay attention to what you are doing. As a SO in IDPA and uspsa, I see all the gun problems. 2 blown up .45s, one .38 super, all loaded on a 550 by an inattentive reloader. |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: As a SO in IDPA and uspsa, I see all the gun problems. 2 blown up .45s, one .38 super, all loaded on a 550 by an inattentive reloader. "My spoon makes me fat." It isn't the 550, it's the inattentive reloader. No drugs, no TV, not divided attention, none of that, just reload. |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: As a SO in IDPA and uspsa, I see all the gun problems. 2 blown up .45s, one .38 super, all loaded on a 550 by an inattentive reloader. Yep I've seen 2 nice USPSA guns KABOOM, both times, the RO asked " 550b ??" "yep" I like the 550, but it would be much better with auto index, like the 650/750 
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Renewed my membership so I can post pics. Progress moves forward. Top plate got delivered from Inline Fabrication........ Seems to have extra holes for the bullet tray and tool holder I dont have....... might as well order those. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Colt653: I like the 550, but it would be much better with auto index, like the 650/750 https://i.imgur.com/TrnmqAQ.gif I see the manual indexing of the 550 to be a benefit, not a shortcoming. |
Dillon RL550. Help......Now with Dillon PM tuning (Page 1 of 2)
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