Dillon RL 450 Upgrade Frame Change Kit, anyone done one?

[five.five-six]

RL450 → 550B conversion. I have a 550b already and enough parts that I have collected over the years that my grand total to fully upgrade my RL450 with the various rods and brackets I need from Dillon will be $156.78 shipped.

I am looking at the linkage and the ram and I am afraid I may mess it up. My Youtube-Fu is not strong enough to find a video of the frame conversion. How hard is it?


I'm just excited about having a LP press and a SP press, that way I can load both kinds of .45ACP

[BigBronco]

It is not difficult. I have completely torn a 550 down. Just need to be patient and organized to not loose small parts.

[five.five-six]

Small parts?

You may have to come over and help me with it, and as a token of my gratitude I will take any extra .45ACP brass you have cluttering up your place off your hands.


I am assuming that once you get the ram out, the top 2 pins get driven into the cylinder releasing the arms. ... how do you....Oh, just looked, there is an Alan screw at the bottom of the ram

[five.five-six]

The pins that hold the arms to the frame, how hard do you have to drive them to get them out? does that part require a press?

[mchava]

Mark I think does pins require a press I tried to punch mine out and it didnt do anything. After that I just stopped and cleaned around it.

[five.five-six]

Mark I think does pins require a press I tried to punch mine out and it didnt do anything. After that I just stopped and cleaned around it.

Cleaning is not really the issue, I am changing the frame to a 550b

[mchava]

ah i see yeah that would make a diff.

[03fatboy]

Dillon RL 450 Upgrade Frame Change Kit, anyone done one?

I have converted a 450 to 550. The ram is simple but to remove the pins is where the challenge starts. I almost broke my thumb trying to knock them out so be careful. The press will need to be bolted to a solid bench. Before mounting apply some kroil around each pin for a couple days. Dillon will send you a long hammer spike, it goes through the pin with the hole and used to knock the pin out on the opposite side. I used a hammer and it didn't budge and then I used a 10 lb sledge hammer. Don't miss or you will discover how to dance like you have ants in your pants, trust me. You need to hold the spike on the pin while you give a good hit. Once you get that one, move the spike to the other side and do it again. After that your home free, clean up any burrs on the pins and new frame. They go in much easier. Good luck.

[five.five-six]

I have converted a 450 to 550. The ram is simple but to remove the pins is where the challenge starts. I almost broke my thumb trying to knock them out so be careful. The press will need to be bolted to a solid bench. Before mounting apply some kroil around each pin for a couple days. Dillon will send you a long hammer spike, it goes through the pin with the hole and used to knock the pin out on the opposite side. I used a hammer and it didn't budge and then I used a 10 lb sledge hammer. Don't miss or you will discover how to dance like you have ants in your pants, trust me. You need to hold the spike on the pin while you give a good hit. Once you get that one, move the spike to the other side and do it again. After that your home free, clean up any burrs on the pins and new frame. They go in much easier. Good luck.

I think I am going to make a video for those that come after me, either that or I am going to ship what's left of it to Dillon and let them do it.

[03fatboy]

Update please

[five.five-six]

Update please

Dillon just said to send it to them and they would do it. I would rather not pay the shipping, but it seems that is what I am going to end up doing.

[five.five-six]

Free for 7 days RL450 frame stripped

Dillon gave the old frame back to me and it has been sitting in my garage for almost 3 years now. If you want it, yo can have it for free. no shipping Riverside/Corona. In 1 week it is going to the scrap yard.

Dillon did a great job converting my old press to a 550, I have been very happy with it for years. IMO, it's worth the wait to just ship it to them to do the conversion.

[Socalmp5]

I bought the conversion parts also, not looking forward to that conversion lol

[five.five-six]

I bought the conversion parts also, not looking forward to that conversion lol

Just call Dillon and arrange to ship it for them to do it, you won't regret it.

[Socalmp5]

Just call Dillon and arrange to ship it for them to do it, you won't regret it.

I finally swapped all the parts today lmao.. just need a powder thrower and dies.