dillon at500 User Guide

illon

AT 500

Instruction Manual

Version 3.3

recision

Products, Inc.

2

Table of Contents

Subject Page #

AT 500 Parts List 2

AT 500 Machine Schematic 3

Minimum Equipment to Begin Reloading 4

Reloading Safety 4

Parts List 4

Mounting the AT 500 to Your Bench 5

Configuring the AT 500 5

Changing Shellplate Position 5

Caliber Conversion Chart 6

Changing Primer Size 7

The Toolhead 7

Setting Up to Load Rifle Ammunition 8

Setting Up to Load Pistol Ammunition 11

The Reloading Process 13

AT 500 Upgrades and Accessories 15

Dillon Precision Products, Inc.

8009 E. Dillon’s Way

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

[phone]

[phone] FAX

For Technical Assistance

or to place an order call: [phone]

For an issue of the Blue Press: call:

[phone]

For additional product information,

see our web site at:

www.dillonprecision.com

#16618 Spot Manuals AT500 Folder AT500 Manual. V 3.3 9/01 WJC

AT 500 Parts List

Part # Description

13409 Crank
13435 1/4” Hex Wrench
13583 Link Arm, Left
13593 5/32” Hex Wrench
13650 Spent Primer Cup
13700 Link Arm Pin
13728 1/8” Hex Wrench
13738 Rod Washer, #10
13747 Link Arm w/ Hook, Right
13757 Seating Punch, Small
13775 Main Shaft
13781 Platform
13789 Main Shaft Pin Set Screw
13794 Shellplate Bolt
13817 10-32 Kep Nut
13824 Primer Cup, Large
13825 Primer Cup, Small
13830 Main Shaft Pivot Pin
13834 Solid Link Arm Pin, Left
13841 Nylock Nut
13881 Hollow Link Arm Pin, Right
13886 3/32” Hex Wrench
13890 Spring Washer
13891 Index Ball
13904 Bellcrank Bolt
13909 Toolhead
13923 Brass Tip Set Screw
13966 Platform Mount Bolt
13967 Seating Punch, Large
13996 10-32 x 3/16 Set Screw
13997 Index Ball Spring
14008 Toolhead Pin
14013 Roller Bracket Screw
14033 Primer Cup Spring
14280 Roller Bracket Assembly

13719 Cartridge Spring Screw

13926 Cartridge Spring
16609 Conversion Kit
16610 Universal Shellplate
16611 Shellplate Cover
16612 Primer Punch Holder
16617 Plastic Funnel
16629 Powder Die
20094 Frame
20636 Handle, Knob & Nut Assembly

Not all items are shown in schematic illustration.

2

13794

16611

16610

13966

13781

14033

16612

13996

13757 (Small)
13967 (Large)

13825 (Small)
13824 (Large)

14280

assembly

14013

13881

20094

13891

13997

Locator
Buttons

14008

16617

16629

13996

13909

13904

13738

See box above
for more detail.

13834

13817

13923

13747

13650

20636

Assembly

13775

13890

13841

13409

13789

13830

13700

13890

13841

13583

AT 500 Schematic

3

Suggested Minimum Equipment
to Begin Reloading

(Figure 1)

1) Powder scale

2) Dies

3) Loading manual

4) Case lubricant (for bottlenecked cases)

5) Safety glasses

6) Primer flip tray*

7) Dial calipers*
(*Not absolutely essential, but pretty handy.)

Figure 1– Minimum equipment needed to begin reloading.

Reloading Safety

At this point you’re anxious to finish your assembly
and start cranking out rounds. But for your own safety,
stop now and read the following:

Reloading small arms ammunition involves the use of
highly explosive primers and powder. Handling these
materials is inherently dangerous. You should recognize
this danger and take certain minimum precautions to
lessen your exposure to injury.

Never operate the machine without ear and eye protec­tion on. Call our customer service department at (800) 223­4570 for information on the wide variety of shooting/safe­ty glasses and hearing protection that Dillon has to offer.

• PAY ATTENTION: Load only when you can give your
complete attention to the loading process. Don’t watch
television or try to carry on a conversation and load at the
same time. Watch the automatic systems operate and make
sure they are functioning properly. If you are interrupted
or must leave and come back to your loading, always
inspect the cases at every station to insure that the proper
operations have been accomplished.

• SMOKING: Do not smoke while reloading or allow any­one else to smoke in your reloading area. Do not allow
open flames in reloading area.

• SAFETY DEVICES: Do not remove any safety devices
from your machine or modify your machine in any way.

• LEAD WARNING: Be sure to have proper ventilation
while handling lead components or when shooting lead
bullets. Lead is known to cause birth defects, other repro­ductive harm and cancer. Wash your hands thoroughly
after handling anything made of lead.

• LOADS AND LENGTHS: Avoid maximum loads and
pressures at all times. Use only recommended loads from
manuals and information supplied by reliable component
manufacturers and suppliers. Since Dillon Precision has no
control over the components which may be used on their
equipment, no responsibility is implied or assumed for
results obtained through the use of any such components.

Seat bullets as close to maximum cartridge length as
possible. Under some conditions, seating bullets excessive­ly deep can raise pressures to unsafe levels. Refer to a reli­able loading manual for overall length (OAL).

• QUALITY CHECKS: Every 50-100 rounds, perform peri­odic quality control checks on the ammunition being pro­duced. Check the amount of powder being dropped and
primer supply.

• RELOADING AREA: Keep your components safely
stored. Clear your work area of loose powder, primers and
other flammables before loading.

• COMPONENTS: Never have more than one type of
powder in your reloading area at a time. The risk of a mix­up is too great. Keep powder containers closed.

Be sure to inspect brass prior to reloading for flaws,
cracks, splits or defects. Throw these cases away.

Keep components and ammunition out of reach of
children.

• BLACK POWDER: Do not use black powder or black
powder substitutes in any Dillon powder measure.
Loading black powder cartridges requires specialized load­ing equipment and techniques. Failure to do so can result
in severe injury or death.

• PRIMERS: Never force primers. If they get stuck in the
operation of the machine, disassemble it and gently
remove the obstruction.

Never attempt to clear primers that are stuck in either
the primer pickup tube or the primer magazine tube.
Never, under any circumstances, insert any type of rod to
attempt to force stuck primers out of these tubes. Trying to
force primers out of the tube will cause the primers to
explode causing serious injury or even death.

If primers get stuck in a primer magazine or pickup
tube flood the tube with a penetrating oil (WD-40), throw
the tube in the garbage and call us for a free replacement.

Never attempt to deprime live primers – eventually one
will go off. When it does it will detonate the others in the
spent primer cup. Depriming live primers is the single
most dangerous thing you can do in reloading and can
cause grave injury or death.

• LOADED AMMUNITION: Properly label all of your
loaded ammunition (Date, Type of Bullet, Primer, Powder,
Powder Charge, etc.).

4

5

• BE PATIENT: Our loading equipment is conservatively
rated and you should have no trouble achieving the pub­lished rates with a smooth, steady hand. If something
doesn’t seem right, stop, look and listen. If the problem or
the solution isn’t obvious, call us. The reloading bench is
no place to get into a hurry.

We have done everything we know how to make your
machine as safe as possible. We cannot, however, guaran­tee your complete safety. To minimize your risk, use com­mon sense when reloading and follow these basic rules.

• REMEMBER: If your machine does not perform to your
expectations, or if you are having technical difficulties,
give us a call. Technical Support [phone]

All electrical/electronic components in Dillon equip­ment are covered by a one-year warranty.

Your AT 500 comes complete with:

• AT 500 Machine

• Operating Handle Assembly including:
Handle Shaft
Handle Knob
Nylock Nut and Washer

• Accessory Bag including: (Figure 2)
Small Primer Cup and Pin

Note: The Large Primer Assembly comes installed in
the machine.

Plastic Funnel
Spent Primer Cup
Hex Wrenches: 1/8”, 1/4”, 5/32” and 3/32”
Powder Die with Lock Ring

• Conversion Kit including: (Figure 2)
Powder Funnels: A, B and K for Rifle – W, E, D

and F for Pistol calibers
Locator Pins: #1, #2 and #3

Double-check now to make sure all the parts needed

are present. (Figure 2)

Figure 2– A) Spent Primer Cup B) Plastic Funnel C) Hex
Wrenches D) Powder Die with Lock Ring E) Powder
Funnels F) Small Primer Cup and Pin G) Locator Buttons

MOUNTING THE AT 500
TO YOUR BENCH

Place your AT 500 on the edge of a sturdy bench or
table where you plan to mount it. Give yourself about 12
inches of work space on each side of the machine to allow
room for components.

Using the machine itself as a template, mark and drill
four 1/4” holes in your bench and bolt your AT 500
securely to it. (Figure 3)

Figure 3 – Using the reloader as a template to mark your bench.

Avoid using wood or lag screws to mount your
reloader to the bench. These types of screws can loosen
over time.

CONFIGURING THE AT 500

Install the handle and spent primer cup. (Figure 4)

Figure 4 – Installation of the handle and spent primer cup.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

Spent

Primer

Cup

Use hole in handle

for leverage while

tightening nut.

6

Changing Shellplate Position

Your AT 500 is shipped with the “universal” shellplate
installed. The “universal” shellplate has four shellholder
slots: #1, #2, #3 and #5. This allows you to reload a wide
variety of calibers.

All AT 500 reloaders are shipped with the #1 slot visi­ble. If the caliber you wish to load requires one of the
other slots on the shellplate (see the caliber conversion
chart on page 3 to be sure), you may change this by first
loosening the brass-tipped set screw (Figure 5) at the top
left side of the shaft, just below the shellplate platform,
with the supplied 1/8” hex wrench.

Figure 5 – Location of the shellplate bolt set screw.

Next, loosen the shellplate bolt with the 1/4” hex
wrench. Then reposition the shellplate cover to display the
slot you desire to use. The shellplate cover has two dim­ples (Figure 6) to help you align it with the shellplate.

Figure 6 – Locator “dimples” on the AT 500 shellplate cover.

Tighten the shellplate bolt with the hex wrench – then
back the shellplate bolt out about 1/4 turn so that you can
rotate the shellplate easily. There should be no looseness or
“slop” at this point. When you rotate the shellplate, you
should be able to feel and hear the shellplate “click” into
place. Re-tighten the brass-tipped set screw under the
shellplate platform to prevent the shellplate bolt from
rotating as the shellplate is indexed.

Caliber Conversion Chart

Caliber Shellplate Powder Locator

Slot Funnel Button

Rifle Calibers

.222 Rem. 3 A 3

.22-250 1 A 1

.223 Rem. 3 A 3

.240 Wby. Mag. 1 K 1

.243 Win. 1 K 1

.250 Savage 1 K 1

.25-06 1 K 1

.257 Roberts 1 K 1

.257 Ackley Imp. 1 K 1

.270 Win. 1 K 1

.284 Win. 1 K 1

.30-06 1 B 1

.308 1 B 1

.358 Win. 1 B 1

.35 Whelen 1 B 1

6mm Rem. 1 K 1

6.5-06 1 K 1

6.5x55 1 K 1

7mm-08 1 K 1

7.65x53 1 B 1

7x57 1 K 1

7.7 Arisaka 1 B 1

7mm B.R. 1 K 1

7mm Exp./280 Rem. 1 K 1

7mm Int’l Rim 1 K 1

7.5x55 Swiss 1 B 1

8x57 1 B 1

Handgun Calibers

.22 Rem. Jet 2 A 2

.221 Rem. Fireball 3 A A

.380 ACP 3 F 3

.38 Super 5 F 3

.38/.357 Mag./Max. 2 D 2

.357 SIG 5 F 2

.45 ACP 1 E 1

7 TCU 3 K 3

9mm 5 F 3

9x25 5 F 2

9x21 5 F 3

10mm/.40 S&W 5 W 2

7

Changing Primer Size

Your AT 500 has been shipped to you with the large
primer bar installed and correctly adjusted to feed large
primers. If the caliber you have selected requires small
primers, you must change to the small primer cup and
pin. Do this by loosening the set screw and removing the
large primer cup and pin from the primer bar. Install the
small primer cup and pin. (Figure 7) Do not tighten the
set screw yet.

Figure 7 – To change the primer cup and pin, loosen this set

screw. See arrow.

This set screw needs to be loose in order to align the
primer cup with the platform. Lower the platform onto the
primer cup (Figure 8), then tighten the set screw while the
cup is in the platform. (Figure 9)

Figure 8 – Lowering the platform onto the primer cup.

Figure 9 – The primer cup, showing through the platform.

The Toolhead

Your new AT 500 is equipped with a removable tool­head. Additional toolheads are available from the factory
or your local Dillon dealer.

The advantage of this system is simple. Once you have
adjusted your dies just the way you want them, they can
stay that way. Plus, changing to another caliber becomes a
simple matter of pulling two pins and sliding the toolhead
out. (Figure 10)

Figure 10 – Removing the toolhead.

Before you begin loading, make sure that the toolhead
is secured by the toolhead pins.

Platform

Primer Cup

8

Figure 11 – Toolhead/die station orientation.

SETTING UP THE AT 500 TO LOAD
RIFLE AMMUNITION

We are using the .30-06 cartridge as an example in this
section. The AT 500 machine comes to you with the
shellplate (with the #1 slot ready for use) and large primer
bar installed.

Station #1 – Install the sizing/decapping die here.

Figure 12 – Installing the sizing/decapping die in Station #1.

Move the handle down (which will raise the platform)
and thread the sizing/decapping die completely into the
toolhead until the die comes in contact with the shellplate.
Return the handle to its rest position (up).

Wipe a small amount of case lube on the body and neck
of an empty .30-06 cartridge case, then place the case into
the #1 slot. (Figure 13)

Figure 13 – Placing the cartridge case in the shellplate.

Move the handle down to resize and deprime the case.

Return the handle to its rest position.

Examine the case you just resized and deprimed. If a
case gage is available, insert the case into the gage to
(Figure 14) assure yourself that the case has been resized
properly. (The bottom of the case should be flush with the
bottom of the gage.)

Figure 14 – Inserting a case in a case gage.

Rotate the sizing/decapping die in or out as needed to
reach the proper case-to-gage fit. After the die is adjusted,
tighten the die lock ring to hold it in place. Advance the
case to Station #2.

Station #2 – Install the powder die and powder fun­nel here (We are using powder funnel “B” for the
.30-06 cartridge – See Figure 15)

11

11

22

22

33

33

44

44

9

Figure 15 –Installing rifle powder funnel into the powder die.

Slide the funnel into the powder die and tighten the set
screw, assuring yourself that it has entered the groove in
the funnel. (Figure 16)

Figure 16 – The groove in the rifle powder funnel.

With the resized case in Station #2, move the handle
down and thread the powder die into the toolhead until
the funnel comes in contact with the case. Tighten the die
lock ring. Advance the case to Station #3.

Station #3 – Install the bullet seating die here.

Place a bullet on the empty case and move the handle
down. Thread the bullet seating die into the toolhead until
it comes in contact with the case/bullet. (Figure 17)

Figure 17 – Installing the bullet seating die in Station #3.

In 1/4 turn increments, thread the bullet seating die
clockwise while you move the handle up and down, until
the proper loaded length is reached. (Always use a loading
manual for loaded length information.) Tighten the die
lock ring and the lock ring on the seating stem. (Figure 18)

Figure 18 – Tightening the lock ring on the seating stem.

Examine the cartridge you’ve just assembled, checking
the overall length. Advance the cartridge to Station #4.

10

Station #4 – Install the taper crimp die (if you’re
using a separate taper crimp die) here.

Figure 19 – Installing a taper crimp die in Station #4.

Move the handle down. Thread the taper crimp die into
the toolhead until it comes in contact with the cartridge. In
1/4 turn increments, thread the taper crimp die clockwise
while you move the handle up and down, until a crimp
appears on the mouth of the case. An average crimp
should be approximately .002 smaller than the case diame­ter. (Figure 20) Tighten the die lock ring.

Figure 20 – A properly crimped rifle cartridge.

Once you’ve installed all the dies in the toolhead, place
the black plastic funnel onto the powder die. Install the

three #1 (.30-06) brass locator buttons, included in the
parts bag, on the platform. (For other calibers, see caliber
conversion chart on page 3.) (Figure 21)

Figure 21 – Installing a brass locator button at Station #2.

The above example used a Dillon three-die set for
reloading the .30-06 rifle cartridges. Some die companies
offer two die-sets for some rifle calibers. With these sets,
the bullet seating die must be adjusted as follows:

Place a resized rifle case in Station #3. Install your
bullet seating die here. Remove the seating stem from
the seating die. Move the handle down and thread the
die into the toolhead until it comes in contact with the
case. Tighten the die lock ring. Return the handle to its
rest position.

Reinstall the seating stem approximately five turns.
Place a bullet on the empty case and move the handle
down. In 1/4 turn increments, thread the bullet seating
stem clockwise while you move the handle up and
down until the proper loaded length is reached. (Figure
22 – Always use a loading manual for loaded length
information.)

Tighten the lock ring on the stem.

Figure 22 – Using a dial caliper to check overall length.

Measure crimp here.

11

SETTING UP THE AT 500 TO LOAD
PISTOL AMMUNITION

We are using the .45 ACP cartridge as an example in
this section. The AT 500 machine comes to you with the
shellplate (with the #1 shellplate slot ready for use) and
large primer bar installed.

Station #1 – Install the sizing/decapping die here.

Figure 23 – Installing a sizing/decapping die in Station #1.

Move the handle down (which will raise the platform)
and thread the die completely into the toolhead until the
die comes in contact with the shellplate. Tighten the die
lock ring. Return the handle to its rest position and insert
an empty cartridge case into the #1 slot. (Figure 24)

Figure 24 – Inserting an empty cartridge case in Station #1.

Move the handle down to resize and deprime the case.
Return the handle to its rest position. Advance the case to
Station #2.

Station #2 – Install the powder die and powder fun­nel “E” for the .45 ACP cartridge here.

Figure 25 – Insert a pistol powder funnel into the powder die.

Slide the funnel into the powder die and tighten the set
screw, assuring yourself that it has entered the groove in
the funnel. (Figure 26)

Figure 26 – The groove in the pistol powder funnel.

With the resized case in Station #2, move the handle
down and thread the powder die into the toolhead until
the funnel comes in contact with the case. In 1/4 turn
increments, thread the powder die clockwise while you
move the handle up and down until you begin to see a
minor bell shape appear on the mouth of the case.

12

Figure 27 – A properly belled pistol case.

Tighten the die lock ring. Advance the case to Station #3.

Station #3 – Install the bullet seating die here.

Figure 28 – Installing the bullet seating die in Station #3.

Inspect the inside seating stem. Assure yourself that the
shape of the seating stem matches the bullets you will be
loading (i.e. round-nose, semi-wadcutter, etc.).

Place a bullet on the empty case and move the handle
down. Thread the bullet seating die into the toolhead until
it comes in contact with the case/bullet. In 1/4 turn incre­ments, thread the bullet seating die clockwise while you
move the handle up and down, until the proper loaded
length is reached.

Figure 29 – Using a dial caliper to check overall length.

(Always use a loading manual for loaded length informa­tion.) Tighten the die lock ring. Examine the cartridge
you’ve just assembled. Advance the case to Station #4.

Station #4 – Install the taper crimp die here.

Figure 30 – Installing a taper crimp die in Station #4.

Move the handle down. Thread the taper crimp die into
the toolhead until it comes in contact with case/bullet. In
1/4 turn increments, thread the taper crimp die clockwise
while you move the handle up and down, until a crimp
appears on the mouth of the case. An average crimp is
approximately .002 smaller than the body diameter.
(Figure 30) Tighten the die lock ring to hold it in place.

13

Figure 31 – A properly crimped pistol cartridge.

Once you’ve installed all the dies in the toolhead, place
the black plastic funnel onto the powder die. Install the
three #1 (for .45 ACP) brass locator buttons, included in
the parts bag, on the platform. (Figure 32)

Figure 32 – Installing a brass locator button in Station #2.

THE RELOADING PROCESS

The following is a list of items you will need before

you begin. (Figure 33)

1) Empty brass casings

2) Primers

3) Powder scale

4) Loading manual

5) Powder (see manual)

6) Bullets (see manual)

7) Dial calipers

8) Safety glasses

Figure 33 – What you will need to start loading.

To begin, place an empty case in Station #1 and move
the handle down. While the handle is in the down posi­tion, place a new primer in the primer cup. (Figure 34)
Return the handle to its rest position and insert the new
primer into the case by pushing the handle forward.

Figure 34 – Placing a primer in the primer cup at Station #1.

Measure crimp here.

14

Place your left thumb on the shellplate cover and
advance the shellplate to Station #2. Move the handle
down. While the handle is in the down position, charge
the cartridge case by dispensing a properly weighed
amount of powder into the black plastic funnel. (Figure 35)
Return the handle to its rest position.

Figure 35 – Charging the case with powder at Station #2.

Place your right index finger on the shellplate cover
and advance the shellplate to Station #3. Place a bullet
on the case (Figure 36) and move the handle down, this
will seat the bullet into the case. Return the handle to its
rest position.

Figure 36 – Placing a bullet on the cartridge case at Station #3.

Place your right index finger on the shellplate cover
and advance the shellplate to Station #4. (Figure 37) Move
the handle down, this crimps the case around the bullet.
Return the handle to its rest position.

Figure 37 – Advancing the shellplate to Station #4.

Finally, grasp the finished cartridge with your right
hand while you advance the shellplate to Station #1 again.
Remove the completed cartridge from the machine. (Figure

38) Place the finished cartridge into a Dillon ammo box
and repeat the above steps.

Figure 38 – Removing the completed cartridge.

J. ‘ELIMINATOR’ LOADING SCALE

This precision instru­ment eliminates the
guesswork by a simple
triple-poise balance
beam. Easy to use for the
novice; precision accura­cy for the professional.

#13480

D. UPGRADE #4 –
AUTO EJECT SYSTEM

Greatly increases
your ammo production
capabilities and adds a
Cartridge
Chute/Bracket and a
Cartridge Bin to your
reloader.

#22120

B. UPGRADE #2 –
PRIMER EARLY WARNING KIT

The device sounds when you
have approximately three
primers left in the primer maga­zine. Allows you to focus on
loading instead of worrying
about failing to seat a primer,
and is an easy slip-on attach­ment to the auto prime system.

#20302

C. UPGRADE #3 –
AUTO POWDER SYSTEM

Accurate to within 0.1
grain, our Automatic
Powder Measure is
world-renowned for its
charge-to-charge
consistency.

#20251

OPTIONAL MAGNUM
RIFLE POWDER BAR

#21353

A. UPGRADE #1–
AUTO PRIME SYSTEM

Includes:

Primer Housing /Shield
Primer Slides, Lg./Sm.
Pickup Tubes, Lg./Sm.
Pickup Tube Tips, Lg./Sm.
Magazine Tubes, Lg./Sm.
Mag. Orifices, Lg./Sm.
Operating Rod
Primer Track Bearing
Housing Screws
Ret. Spring Retaining Pin

#16627

I. BENCH WRENCH

The Dillon Universal
Bench Wrench is like the old
bicycle or skate wrench.

This handy device has all
the correct sizes for Dillon
dies, powder systems, Square Deal “B”, RL 550B and
RL 1050 adjustments, etc.

Single, #13770 2 pak, #20486

H. PRIMER FLIP TRAY

Guns & Ammo magazine calls
this “the Cadillac of flip trays.”
A heavy, high-quality tray large
enough for the new Federal
primer package.

#13606

H.

J.

I.

AT 500 Upgrades & Accessories

E. POWDER DIES

Extra powder dies are a
must, allowing you to move
your powder measure from
toolhead to toolhead with­out changing the critical
“belling” adjustment.

Single, #20064

3 pak, #20057

G. TOOLHEAD STANDS

The ultimate in conve­nience for keeping your
reloading bench clean
and uncluttered.

Single, #22055

3 pak, #22050

F. TOOLHEADS

Don’t adjust dies when switching calibers. These
precision tool holders hold your dies in perfect align­ment, making caliber changes a snap.

Single, #13909 3 pak, #20058

E.

F.

G.

15