JLarsson Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I tried to do a search, both Google and here on the BE forums and I didn't find anything about this. I recently acquired a barely or non-used SDB set up for .32 H&R Magnum. The press HAS been sitting around awhile, so I cleaned and lubed according to the instructions here on the website and the Dillon YouTube video about lubricating the SDB. My issue is that out of 100 rounds, 20 or more are hitting the floor or sitting on top of the shellplate instead of going down the loaded round chute. The ejection wire kicks the rounds out of the shellplate, but the 32 H&R with 100 grain bullets is a tall, skinny, top-heavy round, so it acts like it's kicking the legs out from under it. The inertia of the bullet holds it in place, the bullet base is kicked out, and the round falls straight down instead of toppling over and down the chute. I have checked the manual and all online information I can find, and it appears that the wire is correctly installed and has not had its profile altered from the factory configuration. Are there any tips and/or tricks about this situation on the SDB? Can the wire be subtly reshaped to change the ejection force curve.....or something? I experimented with operating handle speed, and it seemed at times that if I slowed the handle significantly toward the top of the upstroke, it was less of a problem, but then I'd get two or three in a row that hit the floor. Any and all help regarding this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 It's all in the spring, but make sure the shell plate is properly tight. It's a shoulder bolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 5, 2016 Author Share Posted February 5, 2016 I will check the shell plate bolt. To which spring do you refer? The ejection wire, or something else? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 5, 2016 Author Share Posted February 5, 2016 I checked the shell plate bolt. It was maybe BARELY snug. I removed it, greased under the head, greased the ball, and replaced the shell plate and bolt. I snugged it down, but just bordering on firm, not "gorilla" tight. When I replaced the ejector wire, I pushed it in just far enough to engage the end next to the bolt head. At the full height of ram travel, the wire touches the top of the press, but it didn't get pushed down any farther. So now there is a slight space between the shell plate and the ejector wire. Ran another 100, and had maybe 15 miss the chute. Maybe it's just the way it's going to be with the 32 H&R. I'll keep looking at it. Any other suggestions or ideas would be good, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Can you post a photo (or send it to me) of your ejection wire - it has to be in just the right spot, or it doesn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 5, 2016 Author Share Posted February 5, 2016 (edited) I can, but it will be after I get home from work. The longer bent end is in the hole at the right side of the frame as the operator looks at the press, and the shorter bent end is in the groove between the shell plate and the shell plate bolt, on the side of the bolt away from the operator. The wire has a curve in it that is away from the operator between the two bent ends. As far as I can tell, the wire looks unaltered. I have a spare parts kit coming, so I will be able to compare them after it gets here. Edited February 5, 2016 by JLarsson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 Here's the picture: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Sorry, but that looks correct to me ... I've had the same problem you are having, and it has been that the wire has "migrated", but that doesn't seem to be your problem. Sorry, no ideas - except, it doesn't make any sense that the .32 is too slender/tall .... I'd call Dillon - they'll know ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 I'd call Dillon - they'll know ... Yep - that's the next thing. I figure they will want me to be at the press when I call, which means Saturday only, I think. I guess I don't know what kind of hours they keep down there. Thanks for taking a look. Maybe I'll play with making my own wire and trying some different profiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Don't think the wire is the problem - it looks fine. See if you can send the photo to Dillon - maybe another photo of a round actually falling the wrong way? Good luck with it. Love to hear the solution ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 (edited) I'm sure the wire that came with the press is shaped as Dillon sent it out. But I got to wondering if "one size fits all" is the best approach here. So I started playing. I need to do a lot more testing. So far, not being ready to actually load more, I took the locator button out of station three and fed loaded rounds into the press there. I ran about 20 of them through, varying how fast I raise the operating handle, and they all ejected down the chute. That was after a bit of tweaking. I had a little different shape that was flipping the rounds back onto the shell plate when I raised the handle quickly, probably more quickly than I would when loading. Here's what the two look like, side by side. The second one is the one that is working better. Edited February 6, 2016 by JLarsson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 If it works - that's great. Be interesting to see what Dillon says about your modification... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 So I loaded up 100 primers, filled the hopper with powder, and thought I would load until a round failed to go down the chute, at which point I would call Dillon. Yep, you guessed it. 100 rounds, and they ALL went down the chute. So I didn't call them. I varied how quickly I raised the operating arm - nothing crazy, mind you - and it didn't make any difference. I think it's possible that with the new contour of the wire, the case is held against the side of the shell plate until is forced completely out, at which point it is far enough out to go down the chute no matter what. But that's just a theory. So now I can use the original wire if and when I change over to 9mm or .357, and I can use my wire for 32 H&R. And I realize that more testing is needed, but I'll have to shoot some of what I have loaded. I'm running out of empty cases! Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Great - glad it worked out - hope Dillon sees this post - maybe they should modify the wire?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Thanks, Jack. I think I'll send Dillon an email and see what - if anything - they say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 I emailed Dillon and said this: Hello,I recently acquired a Square Deal B set up in 32 H&R Magnum. It loads great, and it's nice to have this machine in addition to my 2 550B's.In loading 100 rounds, about 20 of them ended up either on the floor or on top of the shell plate. I tried to check and double-check to make sure everything was set properly, and it all seemed good.So I tried making my own ejector wire out of a heavy paper clip. The wire size is almost identical to the original ejector wire. I ran 100 rounds through and they all went down the chute. Not one hit the floor or was left on the shell plate.I have attached photos of my wire and the original factory wire in case you're interested.Are there other recommended solutions? I searched the web, but never found anything. Thanks.Jon Larsson This is what I got back: No charge part(s) on the way! Thank you! Dillon Precision Products, Inc. Very nice of them, though I'm not sure they "got" what I was saying. Perhaps they thought that my wire is the one that wasn't working and they are sending another one. I'll update this after I receive the part(s) mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 Ha - interesting development. I had ordered a spare parts kit for the press, as I like to have whatever I need on hand. It came yesterday, but it didn't occur to me until now to take a look at the ejector wire included in the kit. In this picture, the wire in front is the one that came with my press. The wire in back is the one that came in the spare parts kit. I guess Dillon "got" what I was saying after all. They probably took one look at the original wire and said, "This guy has an old-style wire. We'll send him a new one. I'm learning. Need to pick up the pace a bit, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Don't go too fast ... Make sure you have adequate lighting so you can visually confirm there is powder in Each and Every case Before you seat the bullet - don't ask how I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 Thanks, Jack. I do have an LED light on a gooseneck that clamps to the rear of the press frame. I put one on all my progressives, or switch it back and forth, and once I see how far up the case the proper powder charge goes, it's easy to confirm that it is at least in the ballpark before placing and seating the bullet. Is that some kind of artillery piece in your avatar pic? What is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I was at a Civil War recreation a few years ago, and these great guys let me pose with their magnificent Gatling Gun. :bow: It was like Christmas in the summer .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 No kidding! That is too cool. The closest I've ever been to a Gatling Gun is seeing them in movies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 If you get a chance, go to a Civil War demo - you should see that thing shoot blanks (45-70 caliber) ... A 71 year old child's dream come true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLarsson Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 Be more fun with the real thing. Man, if you had to feed a Gatling Gun, you'd want an automated 1050 in 45-70. Is that even possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Probably, but not many people could afford the components. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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