Non-Dillon powder measure with an RL 550b press.

wogpotter · February 11, 2016, 05:13 PM

I know about the adapter to allow standard threaded types to be mounted to the powder die, but has anyone here successfully combined it with the sliding powder funnel & the RL 550 type die?

Dillon say you must "downgrade" to the RL 450's die & fixed funnel, but it seems logical that you might be able to use a sliding type with correct adjustments that allow it to just rise enough to act as a drop tube with stick powders.
FWIW I'm planning on trying this with a Lyman #55 with the thread adapter.

sawdustdad · February 11, 2016, 08:51 PM

What are you trying to accomplish with replacing the powder measure?

I don't have a 550, but I have 3 Square Deals. I think the powder measures are similar. Mine have always worked superbly. (but, on second thought, I'm not dropping stick powders, so maybe that's the reason?)

wogpotter · February 12, 2016, 10:25 AM

consistency with IMR 3031.

1100 tac · February 12, 2016, 01:45 PM

I have also had this idea, my 55 definitely runs 3031 a little better than my Dillon measure. I have plans to fabricate a spring loaded arrangement to adapt my 55 to the 450 powder die, have the die but haven't had time to work it all out yet.

**Unclenick** · February 12, 2016, 02:22 PM

The JDS Quick Measure has a Dillon adapter available for it. They even painted it blue, IIRC. Way better for stick powders.

F. Guffey · February 12, 2016, 02:35 PM

The 550 Dillon is a powder through the expander for position #2, I have a case activated powder measure that is used in position #3 if a neck expander is required in position #2. Then there are powder funnels that are not expanders. The 550 Dillon is a 4 position press.

Hornady makes an adapter kit for case activated powder measures. When it comes to sliding it helps to know what is sliding.

F. Guffey

1100 tac · February 12, 2016, 03:02 PM

Jeez, never knew my 550b was a 4 station press, after 23 years...

The JDS looks good, but just don't have the scratch right now, been pouring thru the 450 die from the Chargemaster, but wanted to work on something else in case of no electricity, other than throwing and trickling for short range practice ammo.

wogpotter · February 12, 2016, 06:12 PM

OK, to clarify. I have the Dillon adapter for any standard threaded powder meter. I have a Lyman #55.
I have several & can get more powder funnels.

None of that has anything to do with the question.

Both the RL 450b & The RL 550b are 4-station presses & both use station #2 to drop powder through a powder die. The difference is the 450 has a fixed powder funnel in the die, but the 550 has a sliding one used to activate the "fail-safe" powder system.

jmorris · February 12, 2016, 06:32 PM

Are you trying to convert the #55 so it is case activated or just mount it on top of the Dillon die and throw the charges by hand when the ram is all the way up?

wogpotter · February 13, 2016, 08:00 AM

Just trying to use it manually but with the Dillon adapter, powder through die & powder funnel instead of the 450 versions.
I have the 550 ones so don't want/need to but the 450s as well if I don't have to.

jmorris · February 13, 2016, 09:24 AM

Using 3031 I am going to assume you are throwing for rifle rounds and most all of them don't use the same style dies that pistols use with Dillon measures, one has expanders, the other does not.

So you could just remove the Dillon parts from #2 and install a case in #2 run the ram all the way up and thread the Lyman down to the case, with the 7/8-14 adapter they come with.

wogpotter · February 13, 2016, 08:03 PM

Unfortunately the length of the rifle case prevents that as the case mount will extend above the top of the press with the ram raised.
That's why we need the Dillon die & the adapter as it gives us extra "length" to the drop.

jmorris · February 13, 2016, 11:09 PM

What are you trying to load?

wogpotter · February 14, 2016, 10:38 AM

With this particular setup .303 British.

jmorris · February 15, 2016, 10:07 AM

303 is not too long for it to work.

Your case will stick above the tool head like this though.

So you will need a jam nut on the adapter and thread it in enough to stay put and lock it down with the jam nut, the case will be down inside the adapter, like this.

Now thread in the powder drop tube, with the case and ram still at the top, until it stops against the case mouth and snug that jam nut down. Then slide the measure on and lock that thumb screw and your ready to go.

And no you wouldn't want it in #4, just for illustration.

Kevin Rohrer · February 15, 2016, 11:33 AM

A Quick-Measure being used to dump BLC2 into .308 cases. The designer will sell you any length reservoir you want. I got this one that holds a full pound of powder. At 46gr. a round, I still had to fill it every hour.

wogpotter · February 15, 2016, 01:47 PM

jmorris:
Well, I'll be. . . . .
Thanks, I never realized there was quite as much adjustment in those adapter sections! It took a little fiddling to get everything line up with the handle cycling fully, & the height just right but it was worth it!

Thanks, I owe you a beer or 12!
(No, I won't put it in station 4 either!)

(image (c) wogpotter 2016)

Ignore the wallwart its an aquarium pump I use as a vibrator on all my powder meters.

jmorris · February 15, 2016, 03:19 PM

No problem, let me know when you'll be in north Texas and I'll take you up on the beer.

wogpotter · February 15, 2016, 04:54 PM

Would you believe Arkansas? Chief!

February 11, 2016, 05:13 PM	#1
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Non-Dillon powder measure with an RL 550b press. I know about the adapter to allow standard threaded types to be mounted to the powder die, but has anyone here successfully combined it with the sliding powder funnel & the RL 550 type die? Dillon say you must "downgrade" to the RL 450's die & fixed funnel, but it seems logical that you might be able to use a sliding type with correct adjustments that allow it to just rise enough to act as a drop tube with stick powders. FWIW I'm planning on trying this with a Lyman #55 with the thread adapter. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 12, 2016, 06:12 PM	#8
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	OK, to clarify. I have the Dillon adapter for any standard threaded powder meter. I have a Lyman #55. I have several & can get more powder funnels. None of that has anything to do with the question. Both the RL 450b & The RL 550b are 4-station presses & both use station #2 to drop powder through a powder die. The difference is the 450 has a fixed powder funnel in the die, but the 550 has a sliding one used to activate the "fail-safe" powder system. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 13, 2016, 08:00 AM	#10
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Just trying to use it manually but with the Dillon adapter, powder through die & powder funnel instead of the 450 versions. I have the 550 ones so don't want/need to but the 450s as well if I don't have to. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 13, 2016, 09:24 AM	#11
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	Using 3031 I am going to assume you are throwing for rifle rounds and most all of them don't use the same style dies that pistols use with Dillon measures, one has expanders, the other does not. So you could just remove the Dillon parts from #2 and install a case in #2 run the ram all the way up and thread the Lyman down to the case, with the 7/8-14 adapter they come with. Last edited by jmorris; February 15, 2016 at 09:58 AM.

February 13, 2016, 08:03 PM	#12
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Unfortunately the length of the rifle case prevents that as the case mount will extend above the top of the press with the ram raised. That's why we need the Dillon die & the adapter as it gives us extra "length" to the drop. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 11, 2016, 08:51 PM	#2
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	What are you trying to accomplish with replacing the powder measure? I don't have a 550, but I have 3 Square Deals. I think the powder measures are similar. Mine have always worked superbly. (but, on second thought, I'm not dropping stick powders, so maybe that's the reason?)

February 12, 2016, 10:25 AM	#3
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	consistency with IMR 3031. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 12, 2016, 01:45 PM	#4
1100 tac Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2012 Posts: 299	I have also had this idea, my 55 definitely runs 3031 a little better than my Dillon measure. I have plans to fabricate a spring loaded arrangement to adapt my 55 to the 450 powder die, have the die but haven't had time to work it all out yet.

February 12, 2016, 02:22 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	The JDS Quick Measure has a Dillon adapter available for it. They even painted it blue, IIRC. Way better for stick powders. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 12, 2016, 02:35 PM	#6
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	The 550 Dillon is a powder through the expander for position #2, I have a case activated powder measure that is used in position #3 if a neck expander is required in position #2. Then there are powder funnels that are not expanders. The 550 Dillon is a 4 position press. Hornady makes an adapter kit for case activated powder measures. When it comes to sliding it helps to know what is sliding. F. Guffey

February 12, 2016, 03:02 PM	#7
1100 tac Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2012 Posts: 299	Jeez, never knew my 550b was a 4 station press, after 23 years... The JDS looks good, but just don't have the scratch right now, been pouring thru the 450 die from the Chargemaster, but wanted to work on something else in case of no electricity, other than throwing and trickling for short range practice ammo.

February 12, 2016, 06:32 PM	#9
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	Are you trying to convert the #55 so it is case activated or just mount it on top of the Dillon die and throw the charges by hand when the ram is all the way up?

February 13, 2016, 11:09 PM	#13
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	What are you trying to load?

February 14, 2016, 10:38 AM	#14
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	With this particular setup .303 British. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 15, 2016, 10:07 AM	#15
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	303 is not too long for it to work. Your case will stick above the tool head like this though. So you will need a jam nut on the adapter and thread it in enough to stay put and lock it down with the jam nut, the case will be down inside the adapter, like this. Now thread in the powder drop tube, with the case and ram still at the top, until it stops against the case mouth and snug that jam nut down. Then slide the measure on and lock that thumb screw and your ready to go. And no you wouldn't want it in #4, just for illustration.

February 15, 2016, 11:33 AM	#16
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	A Quick-Measure being used to dump BLC2 into .308 cases. The designer will sell you any length reservoir you want. I got this one that holds a full pound of powder. At 46gr. a round, I still had to fill it every hour. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

February 15, 2016, 01:47 PM	#17
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	jmorris: Well, I'll be. . . . . Thanks, I never realized there was quite as much adjustment in those adapter sections! It took a little fiddling to get everything line up with the handle cycling fully, & the height just right but it was worth it! Thanks, I owe you a beer or 12! (No, I won't put it in station 4 either!) (image (c) wogpotter 2016) Ignore the wallwart its an aquarium pump I use as a vibrator on all my powder meters. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.” Last edited by wogpotter; February 15, 2016 at 03:15 PM.

February 15, 2016, 03:19 PM	#18
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	No problem, let me know when you'll be in north Texas and I'll take you up on the beer.

February 15, 2016, 04:54 PM	#19
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Would you believe Arkansas? Chief! __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”