SP2 Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I currently use a Lee Pro 1000 and Im keen to buy a Square Deal B . I only load bout 200 a week .40s&w. Anyone on the forum using this press? and if so, your opinion on it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 Great press. Great warranty. I have one in 9mm and one in .45 ACP. I can crank out 400 an hour at a normal rate. It's the only progressive I've ever used, so I can't compare it to anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpty1 Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I use the SDB as well and have for years. Short of the 650 or 1000, it's the only press with auto indexing. Eliminates worries about double charges, squibs, etc. If you don't need an output higher than 400 an hour or so, you can't go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I am like Spook; great press, great warranty. The only thing I didn't like is the fact that if you are loading 9mm it is a bit hard to feed the empty case if your hands are large, and also hard to place the bullet for the same reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detlef Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 same here. Only thing better than a SDB is two! Simple, inexpensive. One STRONG caveat with .40 S&W, though: You cannot buy a replacement sizing die for the SDB that sizes the cases all the way down as you can for all other Dillon presses (I am talking about the EGW-modified Lee sizing die). So...if you are shooting major .40s, you will have to either i) resize all the way down in a separate step using another device, or ii) gauge every single cartridge you make and discard the ones that have become too large near the bottom, or iii) be or know a machinist that can turn the SDB sizing die down for you. --Detlef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 Installed mine this summer in .45ACP. Crank out 400-500 rds a week on the average. Love it. Dillon has a fine reputation for service, I hear, too. For pistol-only loading and reasonably small quantities (a relative term) of ammo, I bought MINE on the recommendation of OTHERS here. Am glad I did. I built a compact but semi-permanent reloading station in a closet in my hallway and it's both convenient and discreet. The auto-indexing is a great safety feature as well. The SDB Works for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikW Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I used one for years... loaded a bazillion rounds of 9mm, 9x21, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Be sure to have spare primer slide springs; they break often. Fortunately, nothing else broke more than once. This is true with any press, but make sure it's stable. Get a Dillon strong mount on a solid bench. I was a little more apt to load high primer rounds on my SDB. The strong mount helped avoid high primers. I didn't have a big problem with .40 S&W cases as Detlef mentioned. I bought a lot of prepared (cleaned, deprimed, roll-sized) once-fired brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I saw a few protruding primers when I first began to reload, but just make sure the upstroke on the SDB is fully seated and so will be the primers. I decided against the Strong Mount largely due to economy of space. It takes up considerable space and I didn't have much to begin with. I've got one very sturdy bench arrangement anyway, so nothing moves but the crank and the moving parts doing the work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBF Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Excellent press. As mentioned above, damn near impossible to double charge do to the auto index. Turns out great ammo, and fairly quickly once you get the feel for the machine, be very concious of using the full travel of the handle, especially on the up stroke. The Dillon warranty is , as they say, no BS. Bought mine used, no problem when I called for parts. Travis F. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimel Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 I love my SDB. About 6K rounds since Christmas (ya gotta love a wife that buys you a Dillon for Christmas!) with only a few glitches like broken/weakened primer slide springs which I put off to just wear and tear anyway. I tend to buy unprepared brass (brassmanbrass, Midway #3, etc). I have an EGW die that everything goes through first on the old single stage. Perfect activity when brain dead (which for me is all too often). Then into the tumbler for a good buffing. After that I don't have any failures in the case guage (although I only run match ammo through the guage) after just running through the SDB. But then both my .40s have fully supported chambers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SP2 Posted October 14, 2003 Author Share Posted October 14, 2003 Thanks everyone for replying to my question, you have all convinced me that this is the way to go. Ill make sure I order extra primer slide springs, and Im considering a EGW die on the Lee press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry White Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 SP2, order a spare parts kit for your press. It will contain just about everthing you will ever need, then call dillon for replacement parts as you use them, this really cuts down time. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SP2 Posted October 14, 2003 Author Share Posted October 14, 2003 Thanks LKYTX Will do, Im from South Africa so it would be a good idea to have the parts on-hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassy knoll Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 the other must have is the low primer sensor, and make sure you get enough primer tubes and there are other tips about modifying the spent primer chute with some tape to guide the primers into the cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batangueno Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 ...and there are other tips about modifying the spent primer chute with some tape to guide the primers into the cup Do you have any details about this procedure? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassy knoll Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 the primer chute is open to the front and if you don't have a piece of tape over the chute the primers will sometimes fly out and not into the cup, there are other more elaborate modifications with tubing replacing the whole chute and cup system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batangueno Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Wow it's that simple. Thanks i will try it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpty1 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I removed the cup and chute, and instead use a West Coast bullet box under my strong mount. Fits perfect and no tube hanging down nor primers missing the small stock cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasag93 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I will add my 2 cents. For a little more you could get a 550. Standard dies work well in it and more room to get bullets and cases into. 400 rounds/ hr. easy. Easy to which calibers too. TXAG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Aggie The SDB has its place. It is just a little bit more to move from the SDB to the 550B to the 650 to the 1050. Pick your poison. i have had 3 SDB, a 450B, two 550B, and a 1000. all good Only one I haven't used is the 650 which is a kind of junior 1050. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPSCDRL Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Square-deal is a great press. Have loaded tens of thousands of .38, .357, .40, .45, .38 Super over the years. When I’m down to one primer slide return spring, I call Dillon and ask them to send me a couple. It is the only thing that breaks or wears out. Other than that, place a case in one, a bullet at three, and pull the handle! I only load for pistol so it is perfect for me. BTW any Dillon press will give you great service for many years. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrazilianShooter Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 and Im considering a EGW die on the Lee press What is a EGW Die?????????? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Hayden Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 What is a EGW Die?????????? http://www.egw-guns.com/parts/parts_dies.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrazilianShooter Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Thanks BarKim. It´s like a LEE Carbide Factory Crimp Die, you remove the Decapping Pins and put the brass upside down, my frind do it is a .40S&W, it works, the brass look like new. Sorry for my bad English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry White Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 EGW die= a lee undersize resizeing die modified and sold by EGW that sizes futher toward the case base to eliminate the glock guppy belly. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now