Reloading Tutorial - Setting up Pistol Dies on a Dillon Precision RL550

Join Jerry from Extreme Reloading on "How to setup Pistol Dies on a Dillon RL550 using a combination of Dillon, Lee, and Hornady Dies". We are using a Dillon sizing die, a Lee Precision pass thru powder die, a Hornady bullet seating die, and a Dillon crimp die.
For items shown in this Reloading Tutorial video, please visit www.ExtremeRelo... for great deals, current inventory and special offers.
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Extreme Reloading is a ammunition reloading supplier with a retail location in Henderson, NV, just minutes from the Las Vegas strip.

[@REBooner30]

New to reloading with an RL550 and this video was so helpful. I know it’s 5yrs old but thanks again for this tutorial. 👊🏻

[@ExtremeReloading]

You are welcome! Glad you found it helpful.

[@rictuma9787]

with the micrometer adjustment there is no need for guess work. you measured the length at 1.212 you wanted 1.160 math says .052; adjust the mic that much and your golden.

[@NoName-dn8nv]

Great video thanks. Next time try to put the press in the center of the screen it was hard to see what your doing off screen since you're really only using the right 1/3 of the view. Thanks again great vid!

[@bltefft]

Good video. I use a black magic marker and make a mark in the top of the rim of my dies, so I can more easily see when I've done a portion of a turn, (like 1/4 a turn) of a die

[@readingforwisdom7037]

Great tutorial thanks!

[@michaeldickerson873]

Good explanation on die set up. It might be helpful to viewer if you panned to show the crimped bullet in the picture. Thanks

[@DVCkoto]

my dillon RL550b measures differently when the 3 stations are empty, so what i did is painstakenly loaded all 4 stations, everytime unloading station 2 of powder every cycle, till i get the COAL of 1.130" on my 40 S&W that my pistol cycles the best.

[@ExtremeReloading]

Very interesting...have you contacted Dillon about this? I can't think of any reason as to why this would happen. When you say differently, how much different?

[@DVCkoto]

I used to have an CAOL setting of 1.150" with the 3 stations empty, But when I start loading all the 3 other stations, the CAOL changes to 1.170" so a difference of 0.020" (+/- 0.005")

[@toddb3105]

I would imagine while the press is very stout there is always going to be the smallest amount of flex. When all stations are working you have all the forces of case sizing, flaring, primer extraction and crimping. Not just bullet setting. So it makes sense that they "grow"

[@CRA677]

I know, I'm replying to an old post. I, too, have the same issue as DVCkoto on my Dillon 550.

[@jamesglenn520]

A little late but I had that issue and it was the proper tension while tightening the shell plate. If it's too loose the shell plate will rock a little when it's not full in all stages. Hope this helps 🧐

[@toddb3105]

If I could suggest. When setting your OAL you have the nice die for setting. Your method for measuring OAL as a go no go is not the best way. You have the micrometer die so I would use it. Actually measure the OAL. Then adjust the micrometer to achieve the difference you need. Not to sound insulting but do you know how to read the micrometer? I only ask because you made your adjustments as "turns" instead of reading the micrometer then adjusting to a number on the micrometer. Theoretically that step could be done in one shot. Although I'd make one major adjustment to get close then make one or two small adjustments, or "sneak up" on it.

[@ExtremeReloading]

Sorry for the late response. I get your point and as a more experienced loader I would totally agree. This video was originally made for our beginner reloading classes and then iI just made them public. We found that many of our students would spend a lot of time trying to adjust that die because of the precision of the setting. My idea was by using the micrometer style it would take out the loosening and tightening of the locknut and therefore speeding the process up for them. Once you are a bit more experienced and aren't focusing on all the other little things it becomes much easier to fully explain the reasoning behind that exact die.

[@YouTubeChannel-wy7yz]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@ExtremeReloading]

Your welcome! Glad it helped you.

[@juander4]

Espeso

[@jamesglenn520]

So may I ask what is the purpose of using different Brands of dies? I have a carbide set of Dillon 9mm dies that I have been using for 20+ years and never had any issues with them.

[@ExtremeReloading]

This was a training video we had for when we taught reloading classes. We wanted to teach the basics of loading single stage but still use a progressive style press to help speed up the process. I normally recommend sticking with the same dies unless there are special circumstances.

[@GregwGa]

Very nice video. Easy to follow. I agree with DVCkoto, the OAL seems to be different when all stations are full rather than when the bullet seating station is the only one full.. What brand of bullet seating die is that in your video?

[@ExtremeReloading]

The Bullet seating for is a combination of Hornady dies. You have to buy the die and the micrometer separately which is pricier than I was hoping for but it. I have several that were used about a dozen times during classes that I would be interested in letting go if you are interested in one. If so, contact us at [e-mail]

[@foxtrot5154]

If you mind me asking why are you setting the bullet to 1.160? All my books say 1.100

[@ExtremeReloading]

Ultimately you have some variance. You may find that your gun likes them a little longer. Most stock guns will be fine at the 1.100. Slightly longer is just less pressure too. At the end of the day it’s a pretty slight difference.

[@foxtrot5154]

Extreme Reloading thanks

[@TheJimmyjam1958]

I am just getting ready to start purchasing my reloading equipment. Do you have to buy the powder thru die separately or does it typically come with a die set? Is there a different powder thru die for each caliber or is it universal? Thanks

[@ExtremeReloading]

Jim J the machine comes with a powder hopper and die. The powder thru die you are seeing in the video is something we did just for teaching purposes. So, you have a couple options. While you can use the machine for multiple calibers, most people end up buying multiple change over kits so that they don’t have to readjust everything every time they want to change calibers. Feel free to give us a call at 888-702-2341. It will be much easier to go into greater detail that way.

[@TheJimmyjam1958]

Extreme Reloading thanks for your reply. I have done a lot of reading and video watching in the last few days and figured out where the powder thru dies come from. I didn’t realize they came with the conversion kits. I had bought them but hadn’t opened them. Thanks for the great videos!! Without folks like yourself us newbie reloaders would be in big trouble or wouldn’t get into reloading at all...it can be quite intimidating!!

[@rictuma9787]

You buy it separate, it will work with all except those calibers that require a diff. Powder measure which is a couple magnums.

[@itemps]

Why does my decapping die feel really tight?

[@ExtremeReloading]

Isaac Temple can you give a bit more detail?

[@itemps]

@@ExtremeReloading it feel like super tight, or hard to push down when decapping. Should it feel this way?

[@ExtremeReloading]

Isaac Temple yes it should. As long as your die is set properly and not screwed in to far as to where it is hitting the shellplate prior to you fully pulling the handle down then yes. Because it is resizing it you will feel the resistance. Some more than others. Please feel free to contact us at 888-702-2341 and we can answer any questions you may have as well.

[@veerchasm1]

Lee/ Hornsdy dies??? Blasphemy 😄

[@ExtremeReloading]

veerchasm1 I know I know. When teaching a basic class though. Gotta teach the basics.