Dillon Precision SL 900 Instruction Manual

							the rod bushing (#16734) into the platform. Thread
the blue wing nut (#13799) “up” until there’s some
spring tension against the platform – two to three
turns. Do not fill the powder measure (#20782) at
this time. This will be completed later.
10. Next we move to station three where the wad
is seated and the shot is dispensed. The Dillon shot
dispenser works similar to the powder measure
(#20782). The shot dispenser is activated by the hull
at this station. No hull – no shot. Every complete
stroke of the shot bar dispenses one charge of shot.
To adjust, loosen the bolt set screw (#16740) 1/4 of a
turn. Then use a 7/16” wrench to rotate the bolt
located on the end of the shot bar (#16738) –
counterclockwise will reduce the shot weight and
clockwise will increase the shot weight. Fig. 12
11. To complete the assembly of the shot
dispenser tube, you’ll need the following items
from the parts bag: shot bar return rod (#16733),
clear shot feed tube, two shot dispenser fittings
(#17139), two shot fitting e-clips (#17202) and two
tube clamps. Fig. 1312. Assemble the shot dispenser fittings to the
clear shot feed tube. Fig. 14 Place the tube clamps
loosely on the tube. Slide one end of the shot
dispenser fitting into the bottom of the shot hopper
(#16724 item A Fig. 13) and lock it in using one of
the shot fitting e-clips. Now, align the complete
assembly and install the other shot dispenser
fitting and e-clip into the dispenser top (#17142)
and tighten the clamps. Fig. 15
22
Fig. 12
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 13
A 
						

							13. When installing the shot bar return rod
(#16733), use your left hand to move the lock link
down over the slot in the shot dispenser bellcrank.
Fig. 16  Now, insert the hook end of the shot bar
return rod (#16733) through both parts. On the
bottom of the rod is a blue wing nut (#13799), spring
and white rod bushing (#16734). Slide this end into
the receiver and snap the rod bushing in the
platform. Thread the blue wing nut (#13799) “up”
until there is some spring tension against the
platform – two to three turns. Do not fill the shot
dispenser at this time. 
14. Place the spent primer cup (#16699) on its
spent primer cup bracket (#16209), it’s located on
the lower right hand side of the machine’s platform
– slide the cup onto the bracket rails. Fig. 1715. Position the Dillon bin (#17125) on the
machine’s right side, then place the shotshell chute
(#16672) between the machine and the Dillon bin
(#17125). Fig. 18
16. Finally, install the roller handle (#22183).
Fig. 19
23
Fig. 17
Fig. 19
Fig. 18Fig. 16 
						

							The SL 900 shotshell machine has been
assembled and tested using Winchester AA hulls. A
sample is included with the machine. 
Station One – The collet sizer is adjusted for
resizing the brass base. Fig. 20
Station Two – Inside the powder die (#16744)
you’ll find the powder funnelFig 21. This part
uniforms the top of the shotshell hull and dispenses
one charge of powder into the hull. The powder bar
will need to be adjusted to the desired powder
weight. Its important to use a quality powder scale
to do this. Fig 21AThe powder die has been adjusted to a height so
that the powder measure bellcrank can make full
strokes when activated. Fig 21B. Turning the
powder die (#16744) counterclockwise will raise the
powder system, reducing the amount of stroke the
bellcrank has. Fig 21C.
Station Three – Two operations occur here
involving wad and shot insertion. 
In the wad swing arm (#16677) we’ve installed  a
caliber specific wad guide (#16681). Fig. 22
24
Fig. 21
Fig. 20
Fig. 21B
Fig. 21C
Complete Stroke
Incomplete Stroke
Fig. 22
FACTORYSETTINGS
Fig. 21A 
						

							The shot bar has a preliminary setting for 1 1/8
oz shot weight. The shot bar will need to be adjusted
to your desired weight.  Fig 23A
The body collar adjustment screw (#16736) has
been adjusted to seat the 1 1/8 oz (WAA-12) plastic
wad into the hull. The shot dispenser bellcrank
makes a complete stroke and dispenses one charge
of shot wile the wad is being seated into the hull.
Fig 23BTurning the body collar adjustment screw
(#16736) clockwise (too high) will raise the shot
dispenser, reducing the amount the wad is seated
into the hull and may result in an incomplete stroke
of the bellcrank. Fig 23C
Station Four – The starter crimp die (#16747)
forms and folds the loaded shotshell hull. This die is
set for Winchester AA hulls so we achieve 60%
closure of the top. Fig. 24 
Station Five – Here we’ll finish crimp and seat.
A final seat plug (#16751) presses the hull back
down and below the top by approximately 1/16 of
an inch. The taper crimp feature within the die
radiuses and blends the end of the hull and locks
the crimp on the hull. It too is adjusted for
Winchester AA hulls. Fig. 25
25
Fig. 25
Fig. 24
Fig. 23A
Fig. 23B
Fig. 23C
Complete Stroke
Incomplete Stroke
16739
16740
Remember: Loosen the
bolt set screw before
making any adjustments.
13958 16738
1404113943 
						

							Before you charge ahead and begin tossing
components into your new SL 900 shotshell
machine, there is a routine we’d like you to follow.
1. Fill the powder hopper with the powder of
your choice. Fig. 262. You will need a once-fired
shotshell with a spent primer. Fig. 273. You will need
a powder scale to weigh the powder charges. Fig. 28
4. Place the hull in station two where the powder
measure (#20782) is located. Gently move the station
two locator (#16694) away from the shellplate and
insert the hull. Fig. 29
5. Move the roller handle (#22183) down andthen back to its rest position. Remove the hull from
the shellplate by pressing down on the locator
button (#16753) and pour the powder back into the
clear powder hopper. Fig. 30
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 a minimum of four times
so you are receiving a uniform powder charge.
7. Weigh the fifth powder charge. Using a 7/16”
wrench, rotate the bolt located on the end of the
powder bar. Counterclockwise will reduce the
powder charge weight. Clockwise will increase the
powder charge weight. Adjust as needed.
8. Again, repeat steps 4 and 5 until you’re happy
with the powder charge.
Now that you have determined the powder
charge, let’s go on to station three for wad and shot
insertion. Let’s use the same hull, with powder, in
station three.
1. Get a supply of wads.
2. Move the roller handle (#22183) to its full aft
stop position, away from you. Doing so will cause
the wad swing arm (#16677) to pivot out so you can
insert the wad. Fig. 31  Let the roller handle (#22183)
return to its rest position.
3. Remove the clear hopper lid (#17138) and add
a small amount of shot to the shot dispenser. Fig. 32
26
D-Terminator
Electronic Scale
#13681
(pictured)
Eliminator 
Beam Scale
#13480
Fig. 29
Fig. 31
Fig. 32
Fig. 26Fig. 27Fig. 28
Fig. 30
FILLING THEMACHINE WITHCOMPONENTS. WHAT’SFIRST? 
						

							4. Move the roller handle (#22183) down and
then back up to its rest position. Remove the hull
from the machine by pressing down on the locator
button (#16753) and pour the shot back into the shot
dispenser. Fig. 33
5. Place the hull back into station three and again
move the roller handle (#22183) down and then
back to its rest position. Remove the hull and weigh
the shot charge. Fig. 34
6. Loosen the bolt set screw (#16740) 1/4 of a
turn. Then using a 7/16” wrench, rotate the bolt
located on the end of the shot bar (#16738).
Counterclock- wise turns will reduce the shot charge
weight. Clockwise turns will increase the shot
charge weight. Adjust as needed. NOTE: Its always
easier to make adjustments when the bar is empty
and in the forward drop position.
7. Again, repeat steps 4 and 5 until you’re happy
with the shot charge. Remember to place the clear
hopper lid (#17138) back onto the shot dispenser &
tighten the bolt set screw (#16740).
Now that you have determined the shot charge,
let’s move on to station four and five where the
starter crimp die (#16747) and final seat/crimp
functions are performed. Let’s use the same hull
(with shot).
1. Place the hull (with shot) into station four.2. Move the roller handle (#22183) down and
then back to its rest position. The formed and folded
hull has just completed station four and has
advanced to station five. Fig. 35
3. Once again, move the roller handle (#22183)
down. As you return to the rest position, you’ll see
the completed round advance and move out of the
machine. The completed round will fall down the
shotshell chute (#16672) and land in the Dillon bin
(#17125). Fig. 36
Review the dummy round you’ve just made.
Let’s go ahead and make one more dummy round.
Please note, when making these dummy rounds, we
start at station two and then go through all the
remaining stations on the machine. This is the
introductory process. Next we’ll be adding empty,
fired hulls and new primers.
27
Fig. 36
Fig. 35
Fig. 34
Fig. 33 
						

							1. Using a Dillon bin (#17125) or box, gather up
to 80 empty, fired hulls. Fig. 37
2. Always examine the hulls for rocks, dirt, mud
or other cases that may get stuck inside. Also look
for hulls that may appear stepped on or flattened.
Go ahead and squeeze them round again so they
won’t get stuck in the casefeed tube (#16705). Fig. 38
3. Pour the hulls into the casefeeder and turn
the unit on.
4. The casefeeder will run until the casefeed tube
(#16705) has filled, then shuts off automatically
when a hull trips the microswitch. Fig. 39Insurethat the casefeed tube is fully seated into its clamp.
5. Get one box of new shotshell primers.
6. Slide the cardboard jacket back, exposing only
half of the first row of primers. Fig. 40
7. Turn the box of primers over.
8. Place the leading edge of the primer tray into
the machine’s primer feedplate (#16711). Fig. 41
9. Slide the cardboard jacket off. Helpful hint – as
you slide the cardboard jacket off, place your left-
hand index finger on the primer tray and press
down as you slide the jacket off. Fig. 42
28
Fig. 37
Fig. 38
Fig. 41
Fig. 42
Microswitch
Fig. 40
Fig. 39 
						

							10. Lift the plastic primer tray straight off the
primers. Do not rotate. Check that no primers have
turned on their side. If so, straighten. Fig. 43
11. Raise the primer gate and the group of
primers will slide down to the primer slide upper
(#16713). Fig. 44
Note that every complete stroke of the roller
handle (#22183) will feed one primer into the
machine while at the same time completing the
other processes within the machine.
LETSBEGINMAKING AFEWROUNDS
If you’re like me, you have already figured out
that when you cycle the roller handle (#22183), hulls
feed into the shellplate and primers also feed into
the machine. Let’s begin making a few rounds and
I’ll explain the loading process, using the first hull as
our guide.
1. With all the stations empty, move the roller
handle (#22183) down and then back up to its fullaft position. A hull has been fed into the shellplate.
Fig. 45
2. Push the roller handle (#22183) aft, away from
you. Doing so inserts the hull fully into the
shellplate and the first primer appears at station
two. Remove this primer and set it aside. Fig. 46
3. Move the roller handle (#22183) down. The
first hull is being resized and the old primer has
been removed from the hull.
4. Return the roller handle (#22183) to its rest
position. The first hull advances to station two and
another hull has been fed to the shellplate. Fig. 47
5. Push the roller handle (#22183) aft, away from
you. Doing so seats the new primer into the first hull
at station two, and another hull is fully seated into
the shellplate at station one. To ensure that you have
fully seated the primer into the hull, it is important to
stroke the operating handle to its full aft position.
29
Fig. 47
Fig. 48
Fig. 45
Fig. 46
Fig. 44
Fig. 43 
						

							With experience, you will acquire the “feel” of the
primer being seated fully.  Fig. 48
6. Move the roller handle (#22183) down. The first
hull is getting a charge of powder at station two.
7. Return the roller handle (#22183) to its rest
position. The first hull advances to station three,
another fired hull is fed to the shellplate and the hull
at station two is ready to receive a new primer. Fig. 49
8. Push the roller handle (#22183) to its full aft
stop  and hold as (using your left hand) you  pick up
a plastic wad and place it into the wad guide
(#16681). This same aft stroke seated the new primer
into the hull at station two and the hull at station
one is fully seated into the shellplate. Release the
roller handle (#22183). Fig. 50
9. Move the roller handle (#22183) down. The
first hull is at station three, where a new plastic wadis seated. It then receives a charge of shot. Again, the
hulls in station one and station two are being
processed as well. Fig. 51
10. Raise the roller handle (#22183) to its full aft
stop. The first hull advances to station four and the
other hulls advance as well. Fig. 52 If you encounter
resistance, STOP! Do not force the handle. There
may be something blocking the primer transfer arm.
See the troubleshooting section for instructions on
how to proceed.
11. Push the roller handle (#22183) aft to seat the
primer into the hull at station two and place a new
plastic wad in the wad guide (#16681).
Special note: An important step in the loading process
– remember when pushing the roller handle (#22183) aft
to seat the new shotshell primer, you must also place a
new plastic wad into the wad guide (#16681) at the same
time. See Fig. 50
12. Move the roller handle (#22183) down. The
first hull is being formed and folded with the starter
crimp die (#16747) at station four.
13. Return the roller handle (#22183) to its full aft
position. All the hulls advance one station. The first
hull is now in station five. Fig. 53
30
Fig. 52
Fig. 53
Fig. 49
Fig. 50
Fig. 51 
						

							14. Push the roller handle (#22183) to its full aft
stop, seat the primer into the hull at station two and
place a new plastic wad in the wad guide (#16681).
15. Move the roller handle (#22183) down. The
first hull is at the last process. The final crimp and
seating die finishes closing the top. A final seat plug
(#16751) presses the hull back down and below the
top. Fig. 54
16. Return the roller handle (#22183) to its rest
position. The first hull advances and moves out of
the machine. Fig. 55
17. Again, push the roller handle (#22183) to its
full aft stop, seat the primer into the hull at station
two and place a new wad in the wad guide (#16681).
We’ve now reached the stage in the reloading
process where all the stations in the machine are
filled. From here on out every complete stroke of
the roller handle (#22183) will give you one
completed round.
WHEN OPERATING THE ROLLER HANDLE: 
Pay close attention to the hulls, noting the
changes that take place as they go through the
machine. Pace yourself when operating this machine.Do not crash the roller handle (#22183) down against
its stops. Do not snatch the roller handle (#22183)
upward. It should take two or more seconds to move
the roller handle (#22183) from its rest position,
down, and then back to its rest position.
Changes and Adjustments
Whenever you plan to make some changes or
adjustments to your SL 900 machine, it’s important
to have all the right tools. Fig. 56
1 - Dial Caliper
2 - Scale
3 - One complete set of Allen wrenches
4 - 7/16” box/open end wrench
5 - Loading Manual
6 - Empty plastic container or coffee can
1. Adjusting the 12 Ga. Collet Sizer Die – Two tools
are needed when adjusting the 12 Ga. collet sizer die
(#16743). A 3/16” Allen wrench and a dial caliper.
Loosen the die lock bolt (#17351) located in the
bottom of the toolhead (#16667). Fig. 57
31
Fig. 56
Fig. 57
Fig. 54
Fig. 55