Dillon SD-B

[Ted]

After 40 plus years of doing all my reloading on a single stage RCBS press I got myself a Dillon. Now I cant get myself to trust it. Loaded 150 rounds of 44sp then put on the 38sp conversion kit and just can't build up the trust to pull the handle. When I load 3 grains of Bullseye with my Uniflow or little dandy measures I can pass a light over the blocks to check the cases for powder charge. But with the Dillon I can't do that. Just to many years and to many thousands of round on the Rock Chucker. What are your experiences with the progressive reloaders. Need some help to push me off the fence and pull that handle.

Ted

 

[Old Judge Creek]

My first Dillon (some 20+ years ago) was an SDB. It makes fine ammo! I'm set up for 45Colt, 44mag, 38Special and 44-40 on it.

About 5 years after that I added a Dillon RL550B... It's even better!

My bench still has both Dillons and my old RCBS on it... And in use.

I've been reloading since the mid 1950s. My Dillons get 95% of my reloading these days. My only regret is that I didnt go Dillon Progressive years sooner.

 

[gmartinnc]

As long as you stay in a rhythm you will be ok. If you break it for any reason, be careful, but I suspect you all ready know that. The fact that you are concerned, tells me everything will be fine.

 

[contender]

Well, I started reloading in the 70's. Then in early 1999, I got into competition. I quickly saw the need for a progressive. I had played with the idea off & on for years, for the EXACT same reason you stated. I liked to check my powder levels. I studied & studied Dillon a lot & to keep me happy with my requirements, I bought a 650 WITH the powder check assy. I've never had it buzz at me with a double charge, or a light charge. It built up my confidence in the products.
I now own 2 of the SDB's along with the 650. Never had an issue. As long as you pay attention to your loading, and the fact the SDB is an auto-indexing machine, you should be ok.

 

[Capn27]

I really like to use powder loads that fill the case (pretty full, anyway). I find I can glance at the powder - even in a .223 - as I rotate the shell plate. Also, I try to sit at the right angle and have my swing arm lamp set so that I can see through the gap between the frame and the primer tube. I can just barely see if a new primer has dropped into the cup as the primer bar is on it's way to deliver the primer.

I avoid loads where you could throw a double charge. I don't even own a can of Bullseye. Red Dot and W231 get a lot of use for pistols.

 

[mattsbox99]

I've loaded over 2500 rounds on my SDBs in the last week.

I have a little bore check light that I can shine into a case and check the powder level before I set a bullet on top.

 

[Mobuck]

I, too, have a light directed into the case mouth and look at every powder charge prior to setting a bullet on the mouth. While it may not be what you want to hear, it's worth thinking about changing powder to one that fills the case a little more if that's what it takes to make you feel confident.

 

[loaded round]

I've loaded on a Dillon 550B for over 30 years and two years ago switched to a XL650 to basically load 45 ACP. I have never had a problem with either press since I try to keep them clean and also will strip them down to basics to thoroughly clean and relube them after loading several thousand rounds. If you do have the need to check your powder level in each case; several manufacturers make small LED lights that can be mounted on your press . They will give you more than enough light to see your charge level and reassure you. Check out these lights on Ebay under "Dillon reloading". I have not used them myself but have two friends that do and both are very satisfied.
PS: You can upgrade to a Dillon 650XL that uses a "powder check die" in the extra turret hole.

 

[eric conrad]

This might work for you. www.inlinefabracation.com
Eric

 

[LAH]

I have a SDB, two 450's, a 550 & 1050. Believe me if the hillbilly below can load safely on a SDB you can also. If you leave the button out at station 3 you can remove the charged case & check the powder charge. I suggest you only place one case at a time in the machine till it is loaded & ejected. You will get the hang of it. I've loaded untold thousands of 38's with small charges of powder on my Square Deal without any trouble.

 

[Sax.45]

I use a light shining into the case to visually check the powder. Also every once in a while pull the case and weigh it to be sure it is throwing the proper charge.

In my experience the dillons, just by normal operation rumble around a bit during operation and throw very precise charges.

Even slowing down a bit to visually check the powder charge is not a problem for me. I reload to relax and enjoy the hobby. For rifle rounds I still use my single stage presses and measure everything, cases bullets, powder charges. Progressive presses do produce very accurate rifle loads also, but I'm a old schooler and I haven't used rifles in years. I'm a dedicated handgun hunter. Puts the fun back into hunting.

Go slow at first till you get used to the progressives, I was like you when I first started using my Dillon's. After a bit of time using them you'll wonder why it took so long.

 

[Laserbait]

This might work for you. http://www.inlinefabracation.com
Eric

This works better: http://www.inlinefabrication.com/

:lol:

 

[eric conrad]

This might work for you. http://www.inlinefabracation.com
Eric

This works better: http://www.inlinefabrication.com/

:lol:

I wrote it right just didn't get it right here. Lets see, today its CRS
I like this light. I have a 550.
Eric