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Table of Contents
The Toolhead
Your new RL 550B has been shipped to you with one
removable toolhead. Additional toolheads are available from the factory.
The advantage of this system is simple, once your dies have been adjusted just the
way you want them, they can stay that way. Plus, changing to another caliber becomes a
simple matter of pulling two pins and sliding the toolhead out
(see Figure 15). |
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click on image to see larger
picture |
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| Figure 15 a
complete, removable toolhead with all of the dies adjusted. The Toolhead Stand is
optional. |
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Choose Your Dies
Your RL 550B will perform well with any manufacturer’s standard 7/8 x
14 die. However, for ease of use in your RL 550B, the dies should have a radius on the
lead-in portion of the die; that is to say a taper or funnel effect to assist the entrance
of the case into the die. This is especially recommended on the sizing die.
We also recommend the use of separate bullet seating and crimp dies for pistol
cases. Simultaneous seating and taper crimping of semi-auto cases is not recommended. Why?
Two reasons. First, in a combination seating and crimping die, we have two forces
that are opposed to one another. That is, forcing the bullet into the case while trying to
simultaneously crimp it in place. |
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A better idea is to seat the bullet in one die and then crimp it in
place in another. With semi-auto cases (9mm & .45 ACP) you must use a separate taper
crimp die to get reliable ammunition and function from your semi-automatic pistol. This
type of crimp is necessary to maintain the square shoulder effect where the brass edge of
the case meets the bullet. It is on this tiny shoulder that the functioning of your
semi-auto pistol depends. If this shoulder is rounded or roll-crimped, the cartridge may
enter too far into your pistol’s chamber and jams will result. On revolver
ammunition, where the cartridge headspaces on the rim of the case, this type of crimp is
not as important, but once again, by using a separate crimp die, you will obtain better
and more uniform bullet seating. |
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Carbide Dies?
| All Dillon
pistol resizing dies are manufactured with a carbide insert. Carbide is one of the
world’s hardest materials and will last the average reloader a lifetime. It also
takes a high polish and being more dense is smoother than a steel die. Besides its
longevity, it has another advantage. All steel dies require lubrication of your brass
before resizing, but with a carbide pistol resizing die this is not absolutely |
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necessary.
Lubrication will make sizing easier, but with a carbide pistol die, it is not required.
However, when using carbide rifle dies, your cases must always be lubricated.
The advantage of carbide rifle dies is their long life and scratch resistant
qualities. If you are a commercial reloader, you may want to consider them. |
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