Dillon RL 450, Should I? Pictures Added

[ko41]

The index star is part of the Auto Eject upgrade, it is not standard on the 450.
The powder measure has been upgraded to case activated auto drop, but lacks the failsafe mechanism.

KO

 

[Lou_NC]

The shell plates are designed to grab your cartridges by the rim, aligning them with the dies, and preventing them from tipping during the reloading process. It's a precise fit.

You'll need a shell plate that matches the head of each cartridge you intend to reload. Some are usable for several calibers that share the same case head dimensions (example includes .45ACP and .308win which have the same case head dimensions).

Dillon provides a table on their website that you can use to identify the plates you have, and you can figure out all the calibers that they will work for.

The brass pins are also matched to the shell plates, so that they will provide the correct tolerance for retaining the cartridges as they turn around the press. I'm not familiar with documentation that describes the numbering of the pins, but I'm sure you can figure out which pins go with which shell plate since you have only two plates.

Lou

I noticed the indexing star was missing and no where to be found as shown in your photo. I think the brass pins are in the bag in the photo below? I do have two shell plates, one installed with a number 1 stamped into it and the other in the bag with a 2 stamped on it, why 2 and I think it's called a shell plate, maybe not?

 

[FTG-05]

As stated above, the 450/550 machines are an excellent way to learn how to reload. Instead of constantly being interrupted changing dies or whatever, you can focus on the mechanics of reloading at each step, moving at your own pace. It's the way I learned and it was great.

I got a single stage later, for free. If I had started with that thing I would have never gone into reloading, what a pain in the butt!

Good luck.

 

[03Fatboy]

I'm missing the manual for the 450. I have been searching for one, but to no avail yet. Does anyone know where I can get one or does someone have it in .pdf format for email?

 

[03Fatboy]

Can you tell me what the failsafe mechanism does? How important is it and can I get the components needed?

The index star is part of the Auto Eject upgrade, it is not standard on the 450.
The powder measure has been upgraded to case activated auto drop, but lacks the failsafe mechanism.

KO

 

[Skip Sackett]

The failsafe rod is for the powder measure. It makes sure that the slide is pulled all of the way to the rear when the press is opened. When the press is closed, the powder measure slide goes forward and dumps powder. The rod makes sure that the slide is physically pulled back to its starting position so it can get refilled with powder.

Get the manual for the RL550 from the Dillon website. Disregard the stuff about the removable tool head and the other parts you don't have. Basically, setup and running them are exactly the same.

FWIW

 

[Skip Sackett]

p.s. If you do download that manual, look at the parts breakdown. # 97000 is the failsafe rod.

 

[03Fatboy]

Thanks Skip, I'll download the manual and get familiar with the fail safe system.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Long Beach, huh, small world! I used to visit my Uncle Max there when I was a wee tad! We lived in the San Fernando Valley then although I was born in Oceanside.

Glad to be "from" The People's Republic of Kalifornia though and not still a resident!

 

[03Fatboy]

Any input on whether or not I should add the fail safe mechanism to the powder measure? Pros and cons to be considered? It's only about $24 bucks to add from Dillon.

 

[Skip Sackett]

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the only way to guarantee a full stroke on the measure. Just a little binding of the bar because of using a fine ball powder and you will be glad you did!

FWIW

 

[03Fatboy]

Will do, thanks again

 

[03Fatboy]

Update here:

I took it apart this weekend and cleaned it up, working very very smoothly now. I noticed the powder die for the auto measure doesn't have a set screw for the powder funnel. It's not even drilled and tapped for it. Any idea what this means? Is it the wrong powder die or an older one? Does it function differently, powder die with set screw vs. one without? Do I need a new one with the set screw from Dillon? Thanks

 

[Skip Sackett]

The "set screw" type of powder die is the oldest system out there. No, you do not need one. On your powder measure, where the Allen bolt fastens the pivoting arm on, is where the fail safe system will go on. You will replace that arm with a new one and the rod will attach to it. Make sure when you order it, you ask if it will work with your measure. There might need to be some modifications done to make it work. Just ask Dillon, they will know.

 

[FTG-05]

I'm missing the manual for the 450. I have been searching for one, but to no avail yet. Does anyone know where I can get one or does someone have it in .pdf format for email?

Apparently, it's not available electronically, but you can call and they'll send you a hard copy: RL 450 Manual Needed

Good luck.

 

[03Fatboy]

The "set screw" type of powder die is the oldest system out there. No, you do not need one. On your powder measure, where the Allen bolt fastens the pivoting arm on, is where the fail safe system will go on. You will replace that arm with a new one and the rod will attach to it. Make sure when you order it, you ask if it will work with your measure. There might need to be some modifications done to make it work. Just ask Dillon, they will know.

Thank you again! I called Dillon and the case activated powder drops do not use the set screw for the powder funnel and this in fact was for the older manual powder drops.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Okay! Glad you figured that out!

Have you made any rounds yet? You know that will require pictures, right?

 

[03Fatboy]

No rounds made yet, just got my second book today, Lymans 49th and I just completed reading the ABC's. I plan to order a few things from Dillon first after the new year. After that pending funds, I'll be in position to make a list and order some powder, bullets, primers and cases and start.

I will post pictures of the updated machine and my first projectile then.

 

[03Fatboy]

I may need to start a new thread but I'll ask a question here. My local indoor ranges requires the use of plated bullets like X-treme or berry's due to lead issues. I would like to purchase a small amount of .38/.357 and .44 of the plated flat points which have a cannelure. Can the copper plated bullet be roll crimped without damage or is a taper crimp required so they aren't damaged? These will be used in my revolvers as well. How do I manage this? Thanks

 

[Jebus35745]

Can't answer the question on the bullets. I can get a 450 with a lot of accessories for 150.00. The primer part needs attention, maybe a cleaning. Good post when I needed it. Think I'll buy it and sort through it and keep only what I'll need. This way I'll leave my 550 with small primers and the 450 with large primers. Not sure how much comes with it, he mentioned a lot of shell plates I won't need for rifle calibers. Larry