Copyright: Copyright ©1996, Gary C. James,  Version 1.0


Dillon XL650 Utility

This utility program assists you in selecting the proper caliber change parts to configure your Dillon XL650 Loading System to load specific Rifle or Pistol calibers.

The XL650 Utility program provides a simple User Interface that makes extensive use of the Left and Right Mouse Buttons.

With the ability to Mark Caliber Conversion Kits, and individual Caliber change parts that you own, the program can display a listing of all calibers that you can load using just the parts that you have on hand.  It can also show what parts you need to purchase (combined with the Conversion Kits and Caliber change parts you own) to load specific Calibers.

Main Display Window

∗	Complete Conversion Kit

∗	Shellplate Assembly

∗	Funnel

∗	Casefeed Assembly

∗	Casefeeder Assembly

∗	Rifle Checkbox

∗	Pistol Checkbox

∗	Show Help Hints


Shellplate Assembly

This diagram displays the XL650 Shellplate Assembly.   The conversion kit parts located on the assembly are:  The Shellplate,  Station One Locator, and the Locator Buttons (or Pins).


Casefeed Assembly

The following diagram displays the Casefeed Assembly.   The conversion kit parts located on the Casefeed Assembly are:   The Casefeed Adapter, Arm Bushing, and Body Bushing.


Funnel Assembly

The Funnel, located in the Powder Die, imparts a bell to the case mouth, and guides the powder charge dropped from the Powder Measure, into the cartridge case.


Caliber Conversion Kits

Complete Caliber Conversion Kits are available for your Dillon XL650 from:

Dillon Precision Products, Inc.

8009 E. Dillons Way

Scottsdale AZ.  85260

Tel:	Expert Assistance / Orders: (800) 223-4570

Express Orders: (800) 762-3845

Catalog Request / Order Status: (800) 762-3844

Complete Conversion Kits provide the fastest way to change your reloading configuration from one caliber to another.    XL650 conversion kits include: Shellplate, Locator Buttons, Powder Funnel, and Casefeed Adapter parts.   The Automatic Casefeed Disc is an option and must be purchased separately.

For even quicker caliber changes, a suggested addition to each Caliber Conversion Kit is a Powder Measure Package Deal # 21198.    With this, you can have pre-calibrated Powder Measures for each caliber that you reload.   This eliminates the often time consuming process of adjusting the Powder Measure each time you change calibers.


Casefeed Adapter Disc

The Casefeed Adapter Disc fits in the optional Automatic Casefeeder Assembly.   The Casefeeder picks up cartridge cases and stacks them in the clear plastic drop tube.   When the tube is filled, an electric switch shuts off the feeder until the number of cases in the tube drops below a certain level.   At this point the casefeeder is switched back on, and the process repeats.


Main Display Window

The Main application Window consists of the Display filter buttons, the Caliber Kit listbox, the Rifle and Pistol display mode Checkboxes, and the application Help button.


Station One Locator

On each stroke of the handle, the Station One Locator aligns and guides a fresh cartridge case into the Shellplate.   The Locator is grooved to accept the rim of the case.

This is one area in the XL650 that must be kept absolutely clean.   Even the smallest amount of powder accidentally spilled under the Locator, could prevent it from seating fully in the recess below.   This will result in case feed jams, and possibly bent cases.


Locator Buttons (Pins)

The Locator Buttons fit into the three holes in the XL650 frame at stations Three, Four and Five.   The buttons can be removed from the frame, allowing the user to remove the cartridge for inspection without disrupting the loading process.


Arm Bushing

The Arm Bushing keeps the cartridge case centered when it is swung out over the Body bushing and dropped down to the Station One locator.


Body Bushing

The Body Bushing guides a fresh cartridge case from the Casefeed Adapter to the Station One Locator.   The Body Bushing keeps the cartridge case upright and properly aligned.


Shellplate

The Shellplate is a large flat metal disk with five notched areas that hold the cartridge cases during the reloading process.   The cartridge case is inserted into the Shellplate at station number one.   As the loaders handle is stroked, the Shellplate rotates, bringing all cartridges to the next loading station.


Rifle Funnel

The Rifle funnel serves to guide the powder dropped from the Powder Measure into the cartridge case.  Some Rifle Funnels may additionally impart a small bell to the case mouth that that will make it easier to seat the bullet in station four.


Pistol Funnel

The Pistol funnel serves to guide the powder dropped from the Powder Measure into the cartridge case.  The Pistol Funnels also impart a small Bell to the case mouth that will make it easier to seat the bullet in station four.


Rifle Checkbox

This allows you to Show, or Hide, the list of Rifle Caliber Conversion Kits displayed in the programs main display list.

When the checkbox is checked, all Rifle caliber kits will be displayed.   When unchecked, Rifle caliber kits will be hidden.   Use this control, along with the Pistol checkbox, to limit the display to what you are interested in.


Pistol Checkbox

This allows you to Show, or Hide, the list of Pistol Caliber Conversion Kits displayed in the programs main display list.

When the checkbox is checked, all Pistol caliber kits will be displayed.   When unchecked, Pistol caliber kits will be hidden.   Use this control, along with the Rifle checkbox, to limit the display to what you are interested in.


Help Hints

Use this control to enable or disable the automatic display of Help Hints.   When enabled, a Help message is displayed in the message box that describes the control currently under the mouse cursor.   As you move the cursor over different controls, the Help Hint is changed accordingly.


Conversion Kits Listbox
Caliber Conversion Kits Listbox

This is the area where Conversion Kits are displayed, or the Conversion Kit database can be edited.

When Conversion Kits are being displayed, the list can be limited to show Rifle, Pistol, Neither or Both types of Kits.   Additionally the display can be filtered to show only those Kits that contain a particular part.  For example, you can display a list of only those Kits that use the same Shellplate thats used to load .45 ACP ammo.   Lastly, you can get a list of all the Calibers that you can load, using just the Conversion Kits, and individual XL650 Caliber Change Parts that you currently own.

From the listbox you can also make changes to the XL650 conversion kit database.  You can Mark or Unmark Kits that you own, or you can Add or Remove Kits from the database.  You can also change the order of the displayed Kits if you like.

For example, to get a listing of all Rifle Caliber Conversion Kits that contain the same Funnel used by the .270 Winchester, perform the following steps:

1.	Start the Dillon Utility if not already running.

2.	Turn On the Rifle caliber checkbox.

3.	Turn Off the Pistol caliber checkbox.

4.	Left click the listbox display entry for .270 Win.  It will change to gray showing that it has been selected.

5.	Now Left click the mouse on the Sort Button labeled Funnel.   This button is in the row of buttons just above the Conversion Kit listbox.   Notice that an appropriate message is displayed in the status box at the bottom of the program Window.

6.	You will now see a list of only those Kits that use the same Funnel as the .270 Winchester.

7.	To restore the full database listing, Left click the mouse over the Complete Conversion sort button.   The listing is returned to the full database, and this is confirmed by the message in the status box.

Now, lets change this example to show Conversion Kits from both Rifle and Pistol calibers. Perform steps 1 through 4 above again, then continue with the following.

1.	Instead of pressing the Funnel button, press the Shellplate button.

2.	Youll see a list of just Rifle Conversion Kits that use the same Shellplate as the .270 Winchester.

3.	Turn On the Pistol caliber checkbox.

4.	Notice that .45 ACP and .45 Win Mag have been added to the list.

5.	Turn Off the Rifle caliber checkbox.

6.	Notice that only the Pistol calibers are displayed.

7.	Turn On the Rifle checkbox, and click the Complete Conversion button to restore the full database listing.

To change the display order of the Caliber Conversion Kits, perform the following.

1.	Select either the Rifle or Pistol calibers, but not both.   You can only change the display order of calibers within one type, not between types.

2.	Left Click the mouse button over the Conversion Kit that you want to move.  It will change to a light gray highlight showing that it has been selected.

3.	Now click the Left Mouse button over the highlighted selection, and drag the cursor to the position in the listbox where you want to move the selected Kit.   Note that as you move the cursor between listbox entries it briefly changes into the character shown.  This indicates that the selected Kit can inserted at the point just under the cursor.

4.	Release the Left mouse button, and the Conversion Kit will be moved to the new location.

To Mark or Unmark Conversion Kits that you own, perform the following.

1.	Left click the listbox display entry for the Conversion kit that you want to change.   It will change to gray showing that it has been selected.

2.	With the cursor over the selected item, Right click the mouse to bring up an action menu.   If the selected item is already marked youll be able to Unmark it.  Otherwise select Mark from the menu.   Marked items are displayed in Yellow in the listbox.

To edit a specific Conversion Kit, perform the following.

1.	Left click the listbox display entry for the Conversion kit that you want to edit.   It will change to gray showing that it has been selected.

2.	With the cursor over the selected item, Right click the mouse to bring up an action menu.   Select the Edit ... item from the menu.   The Conversion Kit Edit Dialog box is presented, allowing you to make the desired changes.


Conversion Kit Edit Dialog

This Dialog box allows you to make changes, or add new entries, to the Conversion Kits listbox.   As Dillon adds new calibers to their Conversion Kits, you can keep up to date by adding these kits to your database.

For detailed help on the dialog box controls, move the mouse cursor over the specific control, and Left-Click the mouse button.


Kit Part Number

This is the Dillon Part Number of the Complete Conversion Kit.   The kit contains all of the XL650 parts (except the optional Casefeed Disc) that are needed to reload the specified caliber.


Kit Description

This is the short description that is displayed with the Conversion Kit Part Numbers.


Parts Edit Dialog

The Parts Edit Dialog box is used when you want to make changes to the database of individual XL650 caliber change parts (excluding complete caliber conversion kits).   From here you can Add new entries, Delete old ones, or Mark / Unmark the parts that you own.

To add a new part to the database, first type the Dillon Part Number in the edit box labeled Part number, then enter the Dillon information code into the edit box labeled Part info.  With Part number information present, the button labeled Add Part become enabled, allowing you to press it.   When you press the Add Part button, the part number is added to the Parts listbox.  At this point the database has not yet been changed.   The database will actually be changed When you press the OK button to leave the Dialog box.

To delete a part from the listbox, simply select it, then press the Delete button.   You will be asked if you really want to delete the part.  Press the Yes button to delete the  part.  Or No to cancel.   Again no change occurs until you exit the Dialog box.

To Mark or Unmark a part as being owned, simply select it, then press the Mark or Unmark button (The button text changes, depending if the selected part is currently Marked or Unmarked).   Note also that you cant change the marked state of a part that is identified as being owned as part of a kit.   Parts marked as In Kit will be unmarked if the conversion kit is Unmarked.

Information displayed in the Parts listbox contains: The Dillon part number, The Dillon information code, and the status of the part.   The status information shows if the part is owned as part of a kit, or as a separate purchased part.   All Parts in a kit are automatically marked as owned when you Mark the kit as owned.

To exit the Dialog and accept all changes press the OK button.   If you wish to exit the Dialog and discard any changes, press the Cancel button.


Part Number

Enter the 5 digit Dillon part number of the XL650 part that you wish to add to the database.  For example 11111.


Part Information

Enter the Dillon information code of the XL650 part that you are adding to the database.  For example (z).


Add Part Button

When enabled, this button adds the newly entered Part Number and Part Information into the Parts listbox.   The new Part is not actually entered into the database until the Dialog box is closed by pressing the OK button.


Delete Part Button

This button deletes the selected Part Number from the Parts listbox.   The Part is not actually deleted from the database until the Dialog box is closed by pressing the OK button.


Mark / Unmark Button

This button is used to Mark or Unmark the selected listbox item as being owned by you.  Parts that are marked as owned, are used to determine what calibers you can reload using just the Parts and Conversion Kits on hand.   Parts that are part of a conversion kit that has been marked as being owned cannot be Unmarked here.   They will be automatically unmarked if their associated conversion kit is Unmarked.


OK Button

This button closes the Parts Editing Dialog box, and accepts any changes made to the Parts database.


Cancel Button

Closes the Parts Editing Dialog box and ignores any changes made to the database.


Parts Listbox

Displays information about the parts in the database.    The Dillon part number and information, and the Owned status are shown.   Parts are selected in the listbox for subsequent deletion or marking.


Shellplate

Shellplate Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Locator Button (Pin)

Shellplate Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Funnel

Funnel Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Station One Locator

Shellplate Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Casefeed Adapter

Casefeeder Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Arm Bushing

Casefeeder Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Body Bushing

Casefeeder Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Casefeed Adapter Disc

Casefeed Disc Assembly

Parts Edit Dialog box


Caliber Conversion Kits

Conversion Kit Information

Kit Edit Dialog box