DEP44

Just wondering the following: The powder measure on my SDB wobbles... big time, very unlike my 550 which sits completely tight. Is it supposed to be that way (you can easily twist it around also), and would that affect consistency in a positive or in a negative way?

Proteus, Thank you, wishing you the same. I've decided, that I *need* a 650 with all bells and wistles. Unfortunately, the misses disagreed so now I'm on day 3 of being a non-smoker. I'll be saving 75 bucks a month, which I'll put aside to fincance a 650. If this doesn't work, nothing will, and so far I'm not a happy camper here, I'm hearing voices telling me to have "Just one" all the time.... , but haven't given in - yet. Just hope that the thought of a 650 will keep me from smoking. Happy New Year, DEP44

Allemachtig! The world is getting smaller by the day. Greetings to Bollocks & Proteus. DE

And... did it fit and work well?

Currently I'm loading 357 and 44 on a SD and have a 550 doing nothing (sold my 308), so I've been thinking about moving one or the other to the 550 to be done with changing calibers, or selling both and upgrade to a 650. I'm not really loading large quantities, so there's no real justification for that other than more comfort when loading and less (hopefully no) pain in my wrist (with a roller handle). The nice thing about the SD is, that you can have 1 dieset and 2 toolheads for 38sp and 357mag. So I have toolhead adjusted for a 148gr HBWC - which I load in a 357 case - and one for the 158gr FP. First question: Could I, whether it's on my 550 or on a 650, manage with one toolhead and dieset when using a Redding comp seater die and would the adjustment range be large enough for the 2 mentioned types of bullets (using the same seating stem)? 2nd question: Is the quality of ammo loaded on a SD equal to a 550 or 650? The description of the 1050 states that it produces "match grade" ammo, does that mean that the rest is less grade? Don't get me wrong, I never thought of my SD produced ammo being inferior, I'm just looking for reasons to justify an upgrade. TIA DEP44

Peter, I'm from Holland, and expecting it to be cheaper in Germany, I'ved checked into it a bit. Only to find out that it's cheaper over here. I'm paying 30euro (~36USD)for the 500gr cans of VV powder. 1kg cans are 47euro (~57USD), 2kg cans are 97 euro. AA is cheaper. Hodgdon is about 45euro. Federal primers go for 22.50euro. Also found out that Desert Eagles cost way more in Germany, both new and used. Gr... DEP44

I've been *thinking* about it too. At our club we used to have hours for competition shooters, and no 357m was allowed. Just 38sp and other small stuff. Just to annoy people (I know, bad...). What kept me from actually doing it, was the (for me) unknown factor of possible exessive wear on my gun, due to the extra "free flight". Decided it wasn't worth the fun.

We used to have a combined laundry room/gun room (as my wife calls it). The day I found traces of rust on some magazines, I banned all laundry activities from that room! Amen to the one of a kind no BS warrenty. DEP44

Just called Dillon, both the sizing die and the friction plate will ship today. They even are sending a 2nd friction plate for spare! Coulnd't be more happy! DEP44

Hi, Did a new test: removed the blue friction plate from my .38sp toolhead, and stuck it on the .44 one. The die is now touching the shell holder. First case was unlubed, and showed a tiny rim (way less than before). A 2nd lubed case had no rim. Both case mouths measured 1.135 to 1.160cm in diameter now which is way more than with the worn friction plate. Both cases (IMI) were once fired in a different DE. What do you think? Regards, DEP44.

dillon, Thank you for the fast reponse. First I looked at the blue friction plate - looked like new. Did the test with the empty case. Bottom of die is far from touching the shellplate. Also the case isn't really round. It measured 1.144cm to 1.145cm. Again looked at the blue plate, and noticed thos 3 little blocks around the decapping pin - completely worn. LOL, been dealing with this issue for 9 years now, always blamed it on the DEP's chamber and it's habit of giving my cases beerbellies, until recently a friend gave me a load of cases, and they caused the same problem. Again, thank you for your help! Gr...DEP44.

Hi, I've been reloading 44Magnum on my SD for years now, and the cases have always looked like the one on the left in the included picture after sizing. I always assumed the chamber of my Desert Eagle caused the cases to expand to much. I was given the 2 cases in the picture by someone, and the one on the right was already sized and deprimed. I ran the case through my SD with the shown result. The one on the left was not sized and deprimed, and ended up with the rim. Both cases are American Eagle (but other brands end up looking the same). The whole batch of which half was sized and half not look like the 2 cases in the picture. I tried lubing some cases, but they also look the same. Is there a way to prevent this from happening? I've been thinking about getting a conversion kit and dieset for my RL550B, but wonder if that would solve the problem.