Upgrading RL450 to RL550C chassis
Quote from Reloader on September 30, 2019, 4:45 pmI recently upgraded the chassis of my old RL450. Before I was concerned I may not be able to perform the upgrade on my own. So this is an informational post to others who may have a similar concern.
The process is very similar to Dillon's youtube video "Major Cleaning and Lubing of the Dillon Precision RL550B" video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJuMsTIKsaU
Basically in the video its take everything off the chassis, and then lube before putting it back together on the new chassis. The big difference from the video is the New Upper Linkarm Pivot Pins are different with the new chassis since they now need a wrench to install, and you only need to grease the bolts.
A few thoughts I had is in the "Dillon RL 450 / RL550C Upgrade Frame Change Kit" 20094 it comes with the RL550C instruction manual, and 1 piece of paper that shows the new upper linkarm pivot pins. I think it would be helpful for Dillon to include an upgrade specific instruction guide, possibly even referring to their youtube video. Also, it would be nice to let folks know they will need to SAE 30 oil, greece, & blue lock-tight. ( So when the new chassis arrives, one could do the upgrade that evening. )
I recently upgraded the chassis of my old RL450. Before I was concerned I may not be able to perform the upgrade on my own. So this is an informational post to others who may have a similar concern.
The process is very similar to Dillon's youtube video "Major Cleaning and Lubing of the Dillon Precision RL550B" video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJuMsTIKsaU
Basically in the video its take everything off the chassis, and then lube before putting it back together on the new chassis. The big difference from the video is the New Upper Linkarm Pivot Pins are different with the new chassis since they now need a wrench to install, and you only need to grease the bolts.
A few thoughts I had is in the "Dillon RL 450 / RL550C Upgrade Frame Change Kit" 20094 it comes with the RL550C instruction manual, and 1 piece of paper that shows the new upper linkarm pivot pins. I think it would be helpful for Dillon to include an upgrade specific instruction guide, possibly even referring to their youtube video. Also, it would be nice to let folks know they will need to SAE 30 oil, greece, & blue lock-tight. ( So when the new chassis arrives, one could do the upgrade that evening. )
Quote from Reloader on October 9, 2019, 12:44 pmMany people ask if it is worth while to upgrade the RL450 to a 550C.
That depends. If you are just reloading one caliber, then the 450 will suite you just fine. If you are reloading rifle and pistol cartridges and have only one machine, then the 550C is the way to go.
Quite a few people who have the 450 love it because the solid mount for the dies. There is a very slight and I mean very slight movement of the tool head on the 550C and all the 550's....most probably not enough to have any real effect on reloading accuracy. Yet there are those who say it does....YMMV.
I still have my original 550 upgraded to a 550C and a 450. The 450 is set for reloading .223 while the 550C is used for 6.5 Creedmoor and 44 magnum pistol. Very easy to change calibers. What I really love about the 550C is the ability to do maintenance on it. I l clean and lube up both machines every 6 months or 10,000 rounds whichever comes first. The 550C is so easy to lube up while the 450 is a bit of a job.
Many people ask if it is worth while to upgrade the RL450 to a 550C.
That depends. If you are just reloading one caliber, then the 450 will suite you just fine. If you are reloading rifle and pistol cartridges and have only one machine, then the 550C is the way to go.
Quite a few people who have the 450 love it because the solid mount for the dies. There is a very slight and I mean very slight movement of the tool head on the 550C and all the 550's....most probably not enough to have any real effect on reloading accuracy. Yet there are those who say it does....YMMV.
I still have my original 550 upgraded to a 550C and a 450. The 450 is set for reloading .223 while the 550C is used for 6.5 Creedmoor and 44 magnum pistol. Very easy to change calibers. What I really love about the 550C is the ability to do maintenance on it. I l clean and lube up both machines every 6 months or 10,000 rounds whichever comes first. The 550C is so easy to lube up while the 450 is a bit of a job.
Quote from Reloader on November 2, 2019, 2:08 amRainmaker if you have any left over 450 parts let me know, I am interested in buying them as I am building a 450 from the frame out.
Rainmaker if you have any left over 450 parts let me know, I am interested in buying them as I am building a 450 from the frame out.