NEED YOUR MENTIRING AND EXPERTICES:Dillon RL 550

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Dear seniors and all members,

I was very lucky to get hand on a RL 550 for a good price from a gentleman moving out of province.

Before tearing the press down for a deep cleaning and lub it with grease and motor oil as indicated per Dillon’d video, I would like to ask :
- if I need to replace anything to @zeit@ the unit eg. springs, bearings etc
- if the ‘85s power measure should be upgraded to the nowadays’
- it came with 45 ACP dies , my intention is to start with 9mm, should I buy a new kit with tool head, power measure, and of course conversion kit and RCBS carbide die??

The reason to desmantel the press is because the previous owner had it for 32 years but for the last 6 years was siting in the box and I just tried it and it is very hard to move the lever up and down.

Not sure what to do: to take it sort and lub it or contact Dillon to have them serviced.

All your feedbacks a really appreciated.

Thanks.
Bob
 
Tough to say what it needs without looking at it and trying it out.
Servicing should be easy for you to do on your own if you are even slightly mechanically inclined.
If the ram is hard to move, I’d use a bit of release-all or wd-40 to get it smooth, before cleaning all of it up and lubing it.
I use a ‘dry’ spray on Bostick bearing lube to keep the mess down and it seems to work ok.

I would recommend buying the deluxe quick change kit in addition to the complete conversion kit for each caliber you want to shoot.
 
beltfed said:
Tough to say what it needs without looking at it and trying it out.
Servicing should be easy for you to do on your own if you are even slightly mechanically inclined.
If the ram is hard to move, I’d use a bit of release-all or wd-40 to get it smooth, before cleaning all of it up and lubing it.
I use a ‘dry’ spray on Bostick bearing lube to keep the mess down and it seems to work ok.

I would recommend buying the deluxe quick change kit in addition to the complete conversion kit for each caliber you want to shoot.
Click to expand...

Hi Bob,

First thing I would do is purchase a RL 550 Series Spare Parts Kit.
Deluxe quick change kit and conversion kit is always a good idea if you are going to change between calibers.

Cheers,
 
1) If it ain't broke don't fix it (or in your case replace it).

2) See above. If the powder measure throws a good charge then why replace it?

3) Quick change kits are convenient but costly. Since you're just starting out I wouldn't start pouring money into the hobby just yet.

Buy your preferred brand of 9mm dies and have at 'er.

*Edit: I just read your comments about the ram being hard to move. You're going to have to tear the machine down and see what it looks like before determining what should occur next. Even if you plan to do it yourself a platform alignment tool may be required, which Dillon will send to you free of charge.
 
Last edited:
Okay!
Then, I will proceed to take the press apart and check what is the main reason the ram is sticky.
But I win’t Be surprised it is just the Lin that is needed.

Will then buy the RCBS die for 9mm
And leave the quick exchange kit for after.
But still need to buy The conversion kit for he 9mm Luger.

Not sure what needs to be alighted. Will check YouTube first and see.
If needed, then will contact Dillon for one.

Again, thanks for the quick and extensive feedbacks provided!!!!!
You guys are awesome !!!!

Thanks
 
My ram was sticky when I got it from a friend after long storage. It was dried Lube on the main piston. Some cleaner degreaser spray and fresh light oil Lube was all it took. No need to dissasssemble. If there’s no grinding mechanical fault feeling it’s likely just old Lube.
 
The change over from 9mm to 45 is fairly quick. The only fiddly bit is switching over the powder measure.

If that is the only two calibers you load, it would be handy to have a second powder measure.

I load a dozen different calibers on my 550, so use just the one thrower.
 
GreenBob said:
Hi Bob,

First thing I would do is purchase a RL 550 Series Spare Parts Kit.
Deluxe quick change kit and conversion kit is always a good idea if you are going to change between calibers.

Cheers,
Click to expand...
That is what I would suggest as well, don't over think it clean it up and take it from there
 
In the roughly 15 years of loading on a 550 and 650 I’ve broken two items and never anything out of the spare parts kits. Anything you loose or break, Dillon will send to you free of charge. Ymmv. I admit though that it is handy to have some stuff on hand if say the ball bearing or similar takes a hike on you, then you don’t need to wait the couple of days a replacement would take to get to you from Dillon.

For sure, the OP doesn’t need another powder measure if just starting out with 9mm - if he already has a die holder and a powder thrower he only needs the conversion kit for 9mm.
If you plan on loading for any other ammo though, getting another powder measure you can dedicate to that caliber is the way to go.
Changing the powder measure from one plate to another for different calibers and resetting the flair is a pain in the ass.
If one is concerned about the cost of that philosophy, the Hornady LnL is probably the better choice.
 
I have striped down and cleaned a 550b and a 1050. For the 550 Dillon will send you an alighnment tool if you want to take off the platform underneath the conversion kits which you shouldn’t have to do. The also sent me a tool, which was a long nail, to punch out a couple of pins for greasing. Princess auto had the needle ends to fit on my grease gun to push lube through the pin holes on the arms after it was all back together.

What the videos take your time and you should be fine. Call up dillon and tell them how old the press is and what
You are trying to do. They will probably send you springs to be safe.
 
I wouldn't purchase anything until you see exactly what it needs. Take it apart and give it a good cleaning first, lube it and then you should be able to see if there are any worn parts that need replacing.
 
mrspeel said:
I have striped down and cleaned a 550b and a 1050. For the 550 Dillon will send you an alighnment tool if you want to take off the platform underneath the conversion kits which you shouldn’t have to do. The also sent me a tool, which was a long nail, to punch out a couple of pins for greasing. Princess auto had the needle ends to fit on my grease gun to push lube through the pin holes on the arms after it was all back together.

What the videos take your time and you should be fine. Call up dillon and tell them how old the press is and what
You are trying to do. They will probably send you springs to be safe.
Click to expand...
They will even walk you thru the update if you ask.. I can't find a better manufacturer than them See post 4..
 
beltfed said:
In the roughly 15 years of loading on a 550 and 650 I’ve broken two items and never anything out of the spare parts kits. Anything you loose or break, Dillon will send to you free of charge. Ymmv. I admit though that it is handy to have some stuff on hand if say the ball bearing or similar takes a hike on you, then you don’t need to wait the couple of days a replacement would take to get to you from Dillon.
Click to expand...

You cant beat that kind of service, Its good to see when a company stands behind its product.
 
Just swapped out the lower crank assembly in my 30 year old 550 - much tighter on the movements now with the new design and thicker pin. Also had to change out the handle as well, as there were some minor design changes that would not fit with the new crank. The new crank assembly came with the alignment tool and the punch to knock out the upper pins. The Dillon videos are pretty instructive on what/where/how to lube the press.
 
MuthaFunk said:
My ram was sticky when I got it from a friend after long storage. It was dried Lube on the main piston. Some cleaner degreaser spray and fresh light oil Lube was all it took. No need to dissasssemble. If there’s no grinding mechanical fault feeling it’s likely just old Lube.
Click to expand...

wow, I do have exactly that.
will use degreaser and fresh oil lube as suggested.
ThANKS
 
scout said:
Just swapped out the lower crank assembly in my 30 year old 550 - much tighter on the movements now with the new design and thicker pin. Also had to change out the handle as well, as there were some minor design changes that would not fit with the new crank. The new crank assembly came with the alignment tool and the punch to knock out the upper pins. The Dillon videos are pretty instructive on what/where/how to lube the press.
Click to expand...
HI Scout,
if I may ask, did you just serviced yours by sending your press to Dillon, or you just bought all the described parts by yourself and changed without any Dillon's intervention?
Thanks
 
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