[Boris]

I ahve a Dillon Press, I think it's a 550, I have had it for nearly 16 years but because I have been working almost contantly the press has been in storeage. Anyway to cut a long story short I have decided to get back into reloading as I have a little more time for recreational shooting.

This is a little embaressing.......I have found all the bits to the press and got it on the new reloading bench, but for the life of me I can't get my head around how the transfer bar connecting the powder measure is assembled to operate the powder measure on the downward stroke. I have the exploded diagram from the internet but I just can't remember how it went together.

Any ideas?..........

 

[Zappa]

The powder measure mounts in a special die on station #2. Before mounting the measure, you must install the caliber correct powder funnel into the powder die.
The powder funnel comes as part of the shell plate kit.
On the handle stroke, this funnel drives itself into the case and "bells" the mouth, while at the same time pushing up on the powder measure to throw a powder charge. Unless a case is in station #2, the powder measure won't dump a charge.

 

[Boris]

Zappa,

Yes, it's all together, and I know it's difficult to explain but here goes. There is a connecting rod attached (somehow) to the shell plate, and the top of the rod attaches to the powder measure bar (that I remembered and figured out) On the downward stroke of the handle the shell plate assembly rises to meet the dies, the rod must rise with the shell plate to activate the powder measure bar, sliding it along to dump the powder into the die and delivery into the shell case......right, my problem is I can't for the life of me work out how this bleeding rod attaches to the shell plate.

It's frustrating because I am so close to getting the thing working, unfortunately the press has been humped across the globe and I have mislayed the original paperwork. I would be extremely obliged for any assistance, I am running low on ammo...........

 

[Zappa]

Zappa,
Yes, it's all together, and I know it's difficult to explain but here goes. There is a connecting rod attached (somehow) to the shell plate, and the top of the rod attaches to the powder measure bar (that I remembered and figured out) On the downward stroke of the handle the shell plate assembly rises to meet the dies, the rod must rise with the shell plate to activate the powder measure bar, sliding it along to dump the powder into the die and delivery into the shell case......right, my problem is I can't for the life of me work out how this bleeding rod attaches to the shell plate.

The rod does NOT activate the powder measure.
The powder measure is activated when the shell plate rises and the shell pushes upward into the powder funnel. The top of the powder funnel pushes upwards on the powder measure and causes it to rise. This rising action is what makes the measure bar slide and dump the charge down the funnel. The rod is there to make sure the powder measure closes all the way when the shell plate reaches the bottom of its travel. Stroking the press won't activate the powder measure unless a shell is inserted in station #2. It was designed this way as a safety so you don't dump powder over an empty slot on the shell plate.

 

[Boris]

Thanks.....I'll give a little more thought and tackle the problem tonight....

 

[Catfish]

The only function the bar has is to pull the powder measureback to the measure posision. I have not had the linkage to the powder measure of mine for years. I have never had any trouble with the powder measure returning so I just leave it off.

 

[cpttango30]

go to http:www.youtube.com/ and do a search for dillon RL550B. There are some really good set up vidoes on it there.