Square Deal B questions

[BigSlick]

Hi guys,

A new shooting buddy has decided to get into reloading on a progressive. He has loaded on a single stage for a while now and does a great job.

He is shooting 45 ACP only (at this point) and just received his first SDB. He bought it off EBay for about half the cost of a new one and it looks great.

He is asking for a little setup help from me since I drank the blue koolaid years ago. I have always been a 550 guy and have one 650 setup for 45 ACP. I know the 550 pretty well, never a problem I couldn't understand and fix almost immediately, never a problem out of the 650 other than some early primer feed problems that I got worked out long ago.

I am confident the SDB is a good machine, I am embarrasingly unfamiliar with it, and have a few questions.

First, the strong mount. With the strong mount mounted SDB, the stock (original ?) primer catcher won't fit properly. The alternate primer catcher (I assume it came with the strong mount) mounts on two ears of a bracket that is bolted to the bottom of the SDB, and still allows for clearance from the mounted surface. The only problem is, primers drop right past that thing, worse than a Rock Chucker. Can someone tell me how to mount the 'cup' ?

Second, the SDB ram seems to ride on delrin (or ?) bushings, thru the frame. Nice idea, but compared to my 550's the SDB feels like it has a little drag on it. How/where to lubricate ? Is lubing even necessary since the bushings are supposedly self-lubricating ? The SDB does have some miles on it, but it will turn out a perfect round, every time (so far).

Third, I'll admit further ignorance on my part and ask someone to help me identify the components on the tool head. It looks like the decapping pin is stationary and mounted to the tool head, with the sizing die mounted underneath (?) the tool head. I know the SDB dies are for the SDB only, but to my old school eyes, I am a bit confused with what I see.

Forth, the fail safe powder measure rod. It goes from the attachment point on the powder measure downward thru a bracket (that is frame mounted) and protrudes out the bottom, underneath the press. At rest, or during cycling the failsafe rod appears to make no contact with anything at the adjustment wing nut on the bottom. When the powder measure is activated (by a case) it operates as I expect and makes a physical return of the powder bar happen at the top of each stroke. Is it normal for the SDB fail safe rod to dangle unless fully engaged ? If not, how to properly adjust ?

Fifth, springs. The powder measure has a couple of return springs, like the old style 550 powder measures. I like the design, but the springs are looking a little worn. Since the failsafe rod is functional, are the springs even necessary ?

Six. The powder measure itself doesn't have the bolts on either side of the base to hold the powder measure 'tube', like the 550 and 650 does. Am I correct in understanding the tube is a press in fit only ?

Other little things (that don't seem to affect function) the bottom of the dies all have a slight amount of surface rust, as does the handle. Is this indicative of normal aging or has this press been stored in poor conditions and need a trip to Dillon for a refurb ?

Any advice, for using the SDB in general ? My friend will be shooting 2-300 rounds a week, with no plans in the near future to load anything other than 45 ACP.

Thanks in advance for the help...

BigSlick

 

[Brian Williams]

The Dillion web site has a great setup procedure, and If your buddy has any questions whether it is setup right call the factory and the wil rebuild and setup for the price of shipping to them, takes about 3 weeks.

 

[45auto]

I'd contact Dillon also.

But, it sounds like you have the older design like mine. The springs are what return the powder slide so don't remove them. The bar is the 'failsafe' only.
I understand the new design did away with the springs, but the bar is designed differently. When the handle is fully up, i.e. priming, the bar spring is compressed about a 1/3 I believe. You turn the blue plastic wing nut clock wise to tighten...add more spring tension.

I clean the plastic bushings and do put a little FP-10 on them even though they say no lubrication is needed. Check the manual for other "lub" area's.

I can't help you with the strong mount. I just let the primers drop into a bucket on the floor, don't bother with the plastic bucket.

My powder measure is held on by hex screw and an upside down "L" shaped piece that fits into the body of the powder base. That holds the powder measure on. That's important.

Check the online manual for the dies, easy to see and understand when you remove them. They are even numbered.

My advice is to keep it clean and lubricated. Most importantly, is to use case lube like "One shot". It decreases the 'effort' of loading the 45 by at least 50% which is important, IMHO, on this machine. Not a big machine with a long throw of the handle...mechanical advantage, etc.

Still, I'd call Dillon because I could be wrong.