Lee FCD and a Dillon SDB?

[Jo Mama]

From what i've heard the Lee FCD is a great tool in reloading 45acp. Can I put one on a dillon SDB? Its my understanding that dillon uses different thread size on those dies?

 

[clown714]

you can only use dillon stuff on the SDB.

clown

 

[Nero Steptoe]

You can only use SDB Dillon stuff on the SDB.

 

[grenadier]

If you have a Square Deal B, and want to use the Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die, you can find a used Lee Challenger Press, and set it up as a stand-alone press just for the FCD.

 

[DAL]

That's exactly what I did, grenadier. Great minds must think alike.
DAL

 

[Jim Watson]

I did likewise until I upgraded from SDB to 550 and 1050.
I went 'round and 'round with a CFC die, a SDB crimp die, calipers and gunsmith/machinist. We concluded it could not be made to fit.

By the way, SDB dies don't have ANY threads. They are retained by the top plate and adjusted with plugs threaded through the top plate.

 

[Steve Smith]

Can the top plate be drilled and threaded?

Seems like you could get around a lot of this if you could give that top plate a reverse thread, and put some reverse thread-to-standard thread inserts in there.

Heli-coil anyone?

Note:
I've never seen a SDB up close so I may be suggesting the impossible.

 

[bogie]

I doubt it'd be worth it. Personally, I wouldn't recommend a SDB to a beginning handloader, simply because of the die issue.

 

[Dave P]

Don't knock the SDB just cause it has unique dies. I bought one just to reload 45 acp. Set it up one time, and haven't had to tweak it for the last 1.5 yrs - ultra reliable and no fuss!

I think its a great machine, albiet with obvious limitations.

 

[corruptone]

Don't know if this will help, but I previously owned a SDB in .45 until I sold it and purchased a 550. I inquired directly to Lee Precision on this issue when I still had the SDB and they told me I could send them my existing SDB crimp die and they could probably fashion me a FCD based upon that. I never got around to doing this before I sold it, but the folks at Lee seemed to be fairly open to the idea. Might not hurt to make a call to Lee yourself and ask them about this.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

Does the SDB seat and crimp at different stations?

 

[batangueno]

Does the SDB seat and crimp at different stations?

Yes.

One question, Is it really necessary to use a Lee FCD if you're cartridge fits properly in a case gauge/barrel?

 

[Dave P]

Is it really necessary to use a Lee FCD if you're cartridge fits properly in a case gauge/barrel?

The gage will tell you the dimensions are OK (which is smart to check), but nothing about the tightness of the crimp.

Crimp can be tested by simply pushing on the backside of the cartridge with your thumb, up against your workbench. Generally, bullet shouldnt move with modest pressure. I have zero problems with 45 acp - no reason for another crimp step.

Now if you want to discuss crimping 357sig, and bullet setback problems ...

 

[Nero Steptoe]

I load a lot of handgun ammo and don't take the time to case gage every round; accordingly, I've found the Lee FCD to be an excellent part of my reloading routine. Besides the post-sizing feature, I like the ease of changing the crimp by just adjusting a knob, as opposed to raising or lowering the die, per most designs.

Loading bottleneck handgun ammo is a science unto itself. I wouldn't approach it with a cavalier attitude!

 

[AZ Jeff]

Changing the crimp on a SDB is merely a matter of turning the plug over the crimp die up and down on it's threads.