Question about Dillon SDB and Dillon Primer System

[wscato]

Got my new Dillon SDB in .45ACP setup today. I was able to get the powder thrower to throw the right amount and got the bullet seater set to the correct length. I have a problem and several questions. I will number them to make the replies easier.

1. What is the best primer to use with the Dillon primer system? I was using CCI Large Pistol today and was having problems getting the pickup tube to pick them up. One try I could get about 30 in and no more would go no matter how hard I pushed. Another time I could only get about ten. It seems they were getting hung up in the green tip. They slid up and down in the tube fine. I know I'm using the right adapter and tube. Any advice? I also have the Dillon Flip tray. Hope someone can tell me what I'm doing wrong.

2. I loaded about 10 test rounds on the press today. Over half of the wouldn't go all the way into the case checker. There would be a little bit sticking out of the top. Not much, but they wouldn't just fall into the case checker like factory ammo or some of the others I loaded. Most of this brass was fired in a Glock 21, the rest in a 1911 or HK USP. Is this a case of the Glock buldge or is this something wrong with my crimp. My OAL on all of the rounds were 1.250 or 1.251. I know length isn't an issue? A'm I going to need to get a FCD or an Undersize die for EGW for my single stage?

 

[m91196]

I have only white ends for pick up tubes. Both small and large pistol primer.

The tubes all hold a full tray any brand

In a spare parts kit I got a bunch of stuff that I dont think I will ever use. Blue and yellow pick up adapters. Perhaps rifle primers.

The sizing die on my .45 ACP is cranked down tight on the top plate.

It is a fine machine you will get it dialed in.

Mine is almost 20 years old and no issues!!!
Chris

 

[wscato]

My tubes have white ends and the one has a green end on it to pick up the primers with.

 

[Aneat]

On the primers, make sure the plastic tip is pushed all the way onto the tube. If its only partially on the primers could be getting hung up in the gap.

On your loaded rounds; Take the barrel out of your gun and see if a round will drop in there.

As was mentioned make sure your sizing die is down close or even touching the shell plate.

 

[taliv]

my guess is crimp. you're probably not crimping the bell out of the case mouth.


take a fired case and see if it fits in your case gauge. now size it and see if it fits. bell it and see if it fits... etc

your crimp should be just enough that you don't feel any flair out at the mouth of the case when you run your fingertips across it

 

[wscato]

my guess is crimp. you're probably not crimping the bell out of the case mouth.


take a fired case and see if it fits in your case gauge. now size it and see if it fits. bell it and see if it fits... etc

your crimp should be just enough that you don't feel any flair out at the mouth of the case when you run your fingertips across it

If it turns out to be that, then just turn the crimping die in until it is there?

 

[Aneat]

As for crimping, If you have a micrometer the case should measure right around .469 or .470 right up by the bullet. I try for .469 on my 45 reloads.

Another way to check is to hold the round up against a straight edge and you should be able to tell if you have gotten the flair out of it.

Adam

 

[Aneat]

..

 

[wscato]

Dumb Question, If the Bell isn't out of the case should it not even go in but part of the way, and not almost in excpet for an 1/16"?

 

[Aneat]

The case has a little bit of taper to it.

 

[taliv]

wscato, yeah, when i don't crimp, i can't even put any of the brass into the case gauge.

however, i assumed maybe you weren't belling as much as i do, or something. who knows?

although it would be a last resort... it could be something as annoying as the case gauge not being machined correctly.

but yeah, if that's it, just turn the crimp die in to get a little more crimp.

 

[Aneat]

The case has a little bit of taper to it.

 

[redneck2]

One try I could get about 30 in and no more would go no matter how hard I pushed.

Might want to re-think the hard pushing thing. Most parts of the actual reloading process aren't particularly dangerous, but handling primers is

I'd agree with the others...it's probably a sizing issue. Make sure to follow the directions. The sizing die should either touch or be just barely away from the shell plate.

As for crimp, I assume you have dial calipers (since you gave the measurements). If you don't, I'd suggest holding off reloading until you get some. Your problem could be OAL or crimp.

Are you using Dillon dies?? One thing about Dillon is that they have a larger taper opening on the sizing die, which makes operation easier since the case doesn't have to be lined up as exactly. Problem is, they don't resize all the way down by the rim

 

[paul105]

Don't Force Anything -- Especially Primer Handling Tools

NEVER FORCE PRIMERS. Be very, very careful here!

Rule #1, anytime greater than normal force is required, (when it feels like something is hanging up), something is wrong. Stop, and investigate. Never, Never ignore this rule.

Paul

 

[Merkin.Muffley]

I've used CCI and had good luck with them. If one does get hung up - stop and determine why. I had the same problem with the case sizer (I was using a Dillon) - I solved it by running all my loads thru a Lee Factory Crimp Carbide die. It solved everything - I never could get the Dillon to crimp right. It added an extra step when I used the SD - on a 650 the Lee crimp die is on the machine.

 

[wscato]

Paul - I should have used a better choice of words. I didn't push too hard. Once I got some resistance I quit and emptied the tube.


Loaded up some more bullets today after adjusting the crimper and that seem to fix the problem on most of my brass. I still had a few that wouldn't go into the case gauge all the way. I measured at the crimp and all were either .469 or .470. My OAL is varying from 1.250 - 1.251. Test fired the ones that were good today and the G20 ate them fine.

If I keep on adjusting down on the crimper can I wind up crimping them too tight?


Also, went and got a pack of Remington Primers and a pack of Winchesters. I got about 40 of the Winchesters in the tube and then couldn't get anymore. I quit trying, removed the green tip to empty the tube. Now I have a stuck primer in the tube. I think I may have a defective tube. I'm going to call Dillon in the morning and see what they say.

 

[Grump]

If I keep on adjusting down on the crimper can I wind up crimping them too tight?

If it's anything close to a roll crimper, yes. The case will start to collapse just below the crimp, and will bulge outward.

Being .45 ACP, you might have a taper crimper. I'm told accuracy can suffer, but the case and bullet will usually just get squished down in diameter, with to dimensional defects to affect feeding.