Dillon Square Deal B reasonable yearly round count?

[Cburlette]

I have an older Square Deal B that I load 9mm, 40 and 45 for myself and my neighbors. Last year I loaded about 10,000 rounds and I have the press set up the way I like it. I find it relaxing to make about 300 rounds an hour at a reasonable pace.

My concern is that I recently found that the handle was cracked resulting in high primers and inconsistent OAL. I have a new handle and bearings on the way thanks to Dillons no hassle warranty. My question is am I expecting too much of this little press? Am over stressing it and can I expect that there will be more failures in the future, or was this a one time failure and I should expect it to chug along for many thousand's of rounds to come?

Thanks

Craig

[Boxerglocker]

You'll find the new handle you receive is beefed up. With the warranty it not an issue.I now load on a XL650 but owned 2 SDB's prior, loading at the same pace as yours.

If you haven't tried lubing your brass with Hornady One Shot, give it a try. I'll bet you won't stop once you start. Just a light mist on your brass, makes a huge difference in the effort taken to size cases. The other benefit I found is that my OALs became much more consistent as well.

[Cburlette]

Thanks for the reply, I totally agree with you about the Hornady one shot. I use a Lee push through resizing die on a single stage press for both 40 and 45, and lube prior to loading. I get amazingly consistent OAL's on those rounds. The 650 is quite tempting considering I also load 30 Carbine on the single stage press, but I have quite the investment in the SQDB. Glad to hear that the handle has been beefed up.

Craig

[JimM]

Thanks for the Hornady One Shot suggestion!

Jim

[Sarge]

Never ceases to amaze me that folks don't lube every case that goes through a press, sizer, etc... Of all the info we get on a package of anything we buy, it seems, "with these carbide dies no lube is required", seems to be religiously followed. Until they try lubing just once that is.

[Hi-Power Jack]

Craig, I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds thru my SD, and it has required

some repairs every once in a while - but they're FREE

So, I don't care how often the little devil breaks -

Now, if Dillon goes out of business (doubt it) or cancels their free repair

warranty, THEN I'll worry and reconsider how to replace my SD - in the

meantime, I'd tickled pink with mine.

[jmorris]

I have two of them, the oldest is over 27 years old. I have worn out the plastic parts and even had Dillon refurbish/update them a few times but never broke any of the cast parts.

[Cburlette]

Thanks guys, I got a new handle from Dillon, it is improved from my original handle and should hold up well. I overhauled the press, cleaned and lubed it then proceeded to make 1k of 45acp ammo without a single hitch.

Craig

[GBertolet]

I had my older SDB handle break at the same place. Prompt replacement from Dillon. The new design handle is beefier than the old style. I suggest you give the Hornady One Shot lube a try also. Cases will glide through the machine, and it will not affect the powder either if you get some inside the cases.