Oldgoat03

Zdog As you observed Blazer and FC brass are the culprit with inconcistent OAL. The brass isn't as thick as other manf's and just doesnt resize down like other brass. You may find like I did that when you load these cases that neck tension isn't adequate either and you can push the bullet in a finished round back into the case causing setback. Inconsistent OAL is also a problem on my 4 hole classic turret using the brass mentioned. There doesn't seem to be the setback issues when loaded on the Lee though. I have a U (indersize) resizing die on back order so will just save this brass until it comes in and I need it. I hope this helps OG03

As long as I keep everything clean I have had zero problems feeding primers on my SDB. I have one set up for large and one for small primer. The only difficulty I've ever encountered is seeing into 38/357 cases. They are tall enough that it is tough to see inside. I have returned to loading for these tall cases on my Classic Turret. My SDB's are great presses and a very reasonable price.

Update - The seller said he didn't realize he sold me a mixed and incomplete conversion kit and refunded me $35. I shipped him the 38 ACP parts and ordered the balance for a complete kit from Dillon. I should've just bought new ... live and learn. All parts here and happily loading 38Spl on my SDB. Life is good! Bob

I picked up an older used SDB a while ago and have really been enjoying loading on it for my pistols. I have been slowly adding caliber conversions and dies and recently bought what was advertised as a 38SPL/357 caliber Conversion and die set. It seems to have parts for 38ACP in the box rather than all the 38/357 parts that I need. Not sure what a 38ACP is?!? Will it work for 38SPL/357? I couldn't find 38ACP listed in Dillons SDB caliber list. Is it the 38 Super? Or Super comp? The following parts are what arrived: 38/357 #1 (seems to be correct sizing die) 38ACP # 1 (another sizing die?/look the same except for the ACP label) D Powder Funnel (correct funnel for 38/357) 38ACP # 3 (station 3 = seating die) Two 38A seating stems (flat point and RN) one 38 seat stem RN (much shorter than the other 38A's) Sta # 4 crimp die seems to be missing. I'm thinking I've been had ... sold a mixed bag of stuff that won't work to load either caliber. Your Thoughts? Thanks OldGoat03

Greetings Rob from a fellow Washingtonian. I live a few miles east of Woodinville and amazingly it isn't raining this AM. I reload mostly on my SDB for .45 ACP, 9mm and .40 S&W. I load other calibers on my Lee Classic Turret. Welcome to the forum. Bob

I really like my SDB and don't really want to sell it. I hadn 't encoutered this problem before on my turret press and being pretty new to reloading I hadn't heard of a U die before now. From the context I will assume they are undersized compared to std sizing die? I will look into getting one and assuming its cheap enough I will save up and batch process that brass on my Lee single stage press as a simple and inexpensive remedy for otherwise unusable brass. Thanks for more good info! Bob

Jack I'm glad I brought this up and more importantly that you checked some of your FC cases. Better to find them prior to an accident. I like your idea of testing setback measurements after nornal cycling. Please do let us know what you find. So what is your plan/remedy now with these Headstamps to ensure proper case bullet tension? Thanks again for sharing your experience. Bob

Jack I have to ask then as someone who is experienced do you have any ideas or suggestions regarding what may be causing the problem? I am wondering if my sizing die is still in spec because there is no adjustment...right? Thanks again Bob

Good info thanks. I'm begining to think I should sell the SDB and get a 550.

I have been reloading for about a year. I got a new (to me) Dillon SDB and just loaded a couple hundred rounds of 9mm with Berry's 124gr plated FP and 4.2 gr W 231. I am loading to 1.067" COAL. The issue: I was checking COAL and spot testing by pressing some into bench to ensure they are properly seated I discovered to my alarm that there were several that I was able to push the bullet back into the case against the bench! When looking for clues I noticed that the loads using cases with FC or Blazzer headstamp were the only ones that were loose. The WIN, RP and SB cases hold fine. Interestingly I recall I had to adjust seating depth between these same case types to ensure consistent COAL. I checked some ammo that I had loaded a while back on my Lee 4 hole Classic Turret press and those same headstamps seem to be ok. These were all cycled through the Lee FCD. Anyone else have this experience? Is the seating die and crimp die that much different on the SDB than the Lee? Or is my SDB just still not quite adjusted properly? At this point I just pitched the offending headstamps into my brass recycle bin. Your thoughts, experiences and advice are appreciated. Bob

Boxer Glocker Thanks for the reply. Nice to see fellow Washintonians on here. I am serioslu thinking about ordering up a small primer assy. Thanks again Bob

Rodell Good feedback I appreciate it. It seems your experience is the direction I was starting to lean. I assume when you say you have both large and small primer "setups" you mean entire dedicated primer assy ... so just unbolt one and bolt up the other?!? I notice you are in Seattle. I'm on the eastside between Woodinville and Duvall. Thanks again for sharing your experience. Bob

I appreciate all the info avail here on this forum and I am loving my SDB. It is a great little press and easy to use. So far I've loaded several hundred .45ACP without mishap. I got tool heads and dies for .40 and 9mm when I bought it but haven't switched yet. I've read that some SDB owners just buy an additional primer system and just swap out the entire priming sys between large and small rather than changing out the individual parts. Does this make sense? On the surface it does and is cheaper than buying another press for small primer rounds. (especially since I already have the conversion kits and tool heads). My next question is how many of you also have extra powder measures for each caliber setup? Extra powder measures are truly just a nice to have convenience that I may or may not do. I'd really like to hear from those who have the additional convenience items I've been considering. Was it worth the extra bucks for the simplicity and time savings for caliber changes? Keep in mind if I don't do this I'm considering a second SDB for small primers. Thanks again for your input. Bob

I finally got my first progressive (Dillon SDB). I bought a used setup for .45ACP (my primary caliber). It came with toolheads & dies for .40S&W/10mm and 9mm also. So far I've only loaded a few hundred .45ACP and it is great! I will keep my single stage for rifle but wow this is really cool! As setup it loads my exact dimmension pet round 230 gr RN. I did adjust the powder a bit for my use. I am impressed with the consistent powder drops (W231) by the way. My question is are there any peculiarities that I should be aware of on the SDB? How difficult is it to change between large and small primers and calibers etc. It doesn't seem too difficult from what I've read in the instructions but thought I'd ask you folks that have hands on experience. I'm already looking at getting another for small primers (lazy I know). I saw a used SD and wondered if I should consider getting it and adding the "B" upgrade parts? Thanks in advance for your input. Bob

Magnetic strips are a great/simple idea thanks!

JB I too load for a double stack .45ACP(Para 13.45). I had been loading 230 gr FMJ's at 1.250" over Win 231 and they cycled flawlessly. So I loaded some with 200gr SWC plated at the same OAL (1.250) all failed to feed. If chambered manually one at a time they shoot fine but fed from magazine everyone jammed on feedramp. The range officer (also loads) and said some of his .45's just wont eat SWC ammo which was not good news since I had about 500 of them. I decided to experiment based on some things I'd read elsewhere and found that if I kept the powdwer charge low and shortened up the OAL to 1.240" they feed/cycled perfectly. I'm not sure what weapon you're shooting but hopefully my experience will help. Let us know... Bob