Dillon Precision Big-Fifty User Manual

BIG FIFTY

RELOADER

Machine Manual

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Introduction

The Dillon Big Fifty Reloader is our largest and most powerful machine – please use care
and thought while setting up to avoid problems.

Suggested Minimum Equipment:

1) Loading Manual

2) Powder Scale

3) Safety Glasses

4) Dial Caliper

5) 50 BMG Headspace Gauge

6) 50 BMG Die Set, 1½ - 12 UNF Thread

Safety Points to Know Before you Begin

The reloading of ammunition involves the use of highly explosive primers and
flammable powder which can be inherently dangerous. Accidents can and do occur,
sometimes with disastrous results including, but not limited to, loss of vision, hearing or life.
These accidents are nondiscriminatory, they can occur with both the novice and the
experienced loader. You should recognize this danger and take certain minimum
precautions to lessen your exposure to injury. We cannot guarantee your complete
safety. In order to minimize your risk please use common sense when reloading and follow
these following basic rules.

Never operate the machine without wearing ear and eye protection. Call our
customer service department at [phone] for information on the wide variety of
shooting/safety glasses and hearing protection that Dillon has to offer. Or visit our website
at www.dillonprecision.com

• PAY ATTENTION: Load only when you can give your complete attention to the loading
process. Do not watch television or try to carry on a conversation and load at the same
time. 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.

• MODIFICATIONS: Any modifications performed to your machine, or the addition of any
unapproved equipment from other manufacturers will void the warranty.

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• 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. Try to 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 40-50 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 mix-up 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. Never, under any circumstances, insert any type of rod to attempt to force stuck
primers out. Trying to force primers out may cause the primers to explode causing serious
injury or even death. If primers get stuck in the primer seat die flood the die with
penetrating oil (WD-40) before attempting to clear the unit. Never attempt to de-prime
live primers – eventually one will go off. When it does it will detonate the others in the
spent primer cup. De-priming 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.).

• 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 is not obvious, call us. The

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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.

Mounting the DILLON BFR for use.

A fully equipped
Dillon BFR can weigh
on the order of 90
pounds. At full stroke
could very well
provide 600 foot
pounds of torque
wanting to break
your bench. We
suggest a heavy
hardwood bench, or
our optional steel
pedestal. The Dillon
BFR was designed to
be operated while
standing. With the
machine handle
cycled all the way
down, the handle
ball should be in
hand with the

operators’ arms

comfortably resting
full length at their side. Thus, the bench top should be 18 inches higher than the center of
the palm, with arms resting at full length. Keep in mind to provide about 12 inches of work
space on each side of the machine for various loading peripherals and components.
Place the base of the machine, with the lip resting flush with the edge of the mount. Using
the machine itself as a template, mark and drill four 3/8 inch holes in your bench for your
Dillon BFR. Use GRADE 5 or better, 3/8 inch bolts to mount your machine. If you are unsure
of the bolts you are using please consult a local hardware store or call our experts at
Dillon for a 50 BMG Mounting Hardware Kit Part# 50140.

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PARTS DIAGRAM

This is the basic layout of the machine. Noted above are the primary sub
assemblies which are detailed in the following pages. Once your machine is
mounted you will need to install the “Spent Primer Catch System” on to your
machine. Start by removing the four mounting screws and nuts from the
assembly (Part# 29009 and 16340). Assemble it onto the front left side post on
the machine as shown in the diagrams below.

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PRIMER CHUTE ASSEMBLY

NOTE:

When adjusting the primer
chute assembly, with the
platform at the top of its stroke,
the chute should be in line with
the spent primer hole of the
platform as shown at right in
“DETAIL A”
The chute should only make
contact with the platform and
never touch the main shaft (PN:

19827) at any position.