33
•
WARNING! Avoid loading shorter than the minimum length. This will seat the bullet deeper into the
case. This decreases the case volume and increases the pressure, which could lead to an overpressure
condition especially in pistol cartridges due to their smaller internal volume.
8.5.2
Installation and Adjustment of the Pistol Seating Die--Determine the overall length required in your reloading
manual--write it down. Again, loading manuals provide the COAL based on SAAMI (Sporting Arms and
Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) standards. The cartridge overall length specified in the reloading manuals for
a cartridge is usually the minimum length for that bullet/powder charge combination.
•
The Dillon Pistol Seating Die has a removable double-ended Seating Stem. One end is for flat nose
bullets and the other for round nose bullets. There is another Stem for “wadcutter” bullets for 38/357
only.
•
Select the Seating Stem that matches the nose of the bullet being seated. Assemble the Seating Die as
shown below. This design allows for quick cleaning of these items without losing the adjustment.
•
Screw the Seating Die down in Station 3 until the bottom of the Die is flush with the bottom of the
Toolhead. At this point, the Die will not be down far enough to begin seating the bullet. Place a belled
case into Station 3. Place a bullet on the belled case mouth and lower the Handle. Then, raise the
Handle. Remove the Cartridge and use a dial caliper to measure the overall length of the cartridge
(COAL). If the bullet is not seated deep enough, screw the Seating Die down 1/2 turn at a time. As a
guide, one full turn moves the Die about .070”, about the thickness of a nickel. Replace the cartridge in
Station 3 and repeat these steps until the correct overall length is achieved. (A quick method for pre-
setting the Die is to place a previously loaded “good” cartridge in the seating station and adjust the Die
down until it touches the bullet.) Tighten the Die Lock ring with a 1” Dillon Bench Wrench while
holding the Die with a 7/8” end wrench with the Platform up (Handle Down) and a cartridge in the Die.
8.5.3
Installation and Adjustment of the Bottleneck (Rifle) Seating Die with Adjustable Seating Stem—
•
Check the overall length required in your reloading manual. Again, loading manuals provide the COAL based
on SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) standards. The cartridge overall length
specified in the reloading manuals for a cartridge is usually the minimum length for that bullet/powder charge
combination.
•
It is a good idea to chamfer the inside of the neck on a bottleneck/rifle cartridge before the bullet seating step.
This helps the bullet get started into the case and minimizes damage/scratching of expensive precision bullets.
Chamfering is easily accomplished with a chamfer tool such as the Wilson Deburring Tool available from
Dillon—PN16038. This tool can deburr the inside as well as the outside neck of the case.
•
The Dillon Rifle Seating Die has an adjustable seating stem.
Dillon Pistol Seating
Die
Bullet contacts edge of Seating Stem during Seating
Dillon Pistol
Seating Die
interchange-
able stems
Measuring
Pistol COAL
Wilson ID/OD Deburring Tool PN16038
Summary of Contents for RL550C
Page 44: ...44 9 4 Powder Measure Conversion refer to the Exploded View below ...
Page 60: ...60 15 RL550C EXPLODED VIEWS AND PARTS IDENTIFIER 15 1 Complete Assembly Exploded View 1 ...
Page 61: ...61 15 2 Frame and Lower Assembly Exploded View 2 ...
Page 62: ...62 15 3 Toolhead Assembly Exploded View 3 ...
Page 63: ...63 15 4 Platform and Components Exploded View 4 ...
Page 64: ...64 15 5 Primer Feed Assembly PN 20263 no Operating Rod Exploded View 5 ...
Page 65: ...65 15 6 Powder Measure Assembly ...
Page 66: ...66 15 7 Primer Early Warning System PN20302 Rod and PEWS Kit PN14497 PEWS Alone ...
Page 75: ...75 18 RL550C TEMPLATE FOR DRILLING MOUNTING HOLES IN BENCH ...