Dillon SDB question!

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

My memory is a bit foggy after having a severe concussion a while back, so I need a little refresher.

I owned a SDB back in the early 1990s, and foolishly sold it a few years later in order to upgrade to a 550B, not knowing that I'd have a need for it almost 30 years later!

My questions are:
1. Is the dedicated seating die on the SDB universal, or is there a dedicated seater for flat-nose vs round-nose bullets?
2. Is the crimping die independent of the seating die?
3. If the seating die isn't independent of the crimping die, I presume that the C.O.A.L. must be readjusted every time you change the bullet shape.

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[JackM]

Depending on the cartridge, there will likely be a couple of seating dies, or inserts: round-nose, semi-wadcutter, or in the case of 38/357, full wadcutter. An intact set will provide you with choices. Seating is independent of crimping and determines the OAL length. The crimp station is adjustable, but it’s just for crimping.

 

[rpf2000]

look here:
Square Deal B Caliber Conversion Kits

You have
- carbide size die (except .44-40)
- expander/powder funnel
- seat die
- crimp die

1. I think there are 2 seater inserts for the seating die. But I'm not 100% sure, need to check.
2. yes
3. no

 

[smoothshooter]

I like to seat and crimp as separate operations.
Don’t think that is possible with the SDB.

 

[OKFC05]

I like to seat and crimp as separate operations.
Don’t think that is possible with the SDB.

I have 2 SDBs. Seating is station 3; Crimp is station 4.
You do the seating and crimping separately for a given cartridge, although the SDB press operates all four stations on each stroke of the press.
By the way, adjusting the bullet seating is simple and easy.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have 4 SQ-DEALS. Been running 2 of them since 1989. 8 caliber changes.
One problem on the oldest. Had a hellicoil strip out on the older press. Sent it to Dillon and within 10 days they sent me a completely new frame. No problems with any of the others........And I load a LOT of pistol ammo. As OKFC05 stated......You seat and crimp in different stages.......Happy....Happy...Happy........With them.

 

[Huskerguy]

I have a SDB in 45 ACP which I do not use, 9mm and 38/357. Right now it is exclusively used for 9mm. The press was given to me by a friend and I picked up the 9 and 38 dies over the years. I like the simplicity of the SDB and it does all I want it to do except for one thing. I may have a setting a bit off but I tend to get a little bit of a coke bottle look on my 9mm. It doesn't affect accuracy at all as I shoot two different firearms with the same ammo.

The one part I dislike about the SDB is the proprietary dies that are often not available from Dillon and are expensive. Be patient and you will find them but it takes time.

And yes, the bullet seating is easy to set at station 3 and crimping takes place at station 4.

 

[JackM]

I like the simplicity of the SDB and it does all I want it to do except for one thing. I may have a setting a bit off but I tend to get a little bit of a coke bottle look on my 9mm.

When I bought my SDB thirty-odd (maybe) years ago, there was a notice in the manual explaining this and advising it was normal and not to worry about it. As you have found, it doesn’t affect performance.

 

[socal s&w]

My questions are:
1. Is the dedicated seating die on the SDB universal, or is there a dedicated seater for flat-nose vs round-nose bullets? Yes, usually one for Round Nose, Semi-Wadcutter and Full Wadcutter in my experience reloading .38/.357.
2. Is the crimping die independent of the seating die? Yes, it is the last station, #4.
3. If the seating die isn't independent of the crimping die, I presume that the C.O.A.L. must be readjusted every time you change the bullet shape. That would be a "Yes", but as in question #2, it has an independent crimping die.

Mike

 

[uechikid]

Here's a video on how to setup a SDB.

https://youtu.be/87v-CfM3CcM?si=JiZpWgYSY3yHFwAH

 

[BE Mike]

Looks like the Dillon SDB seating die comes with an individual RN and a separate individual FP seating stem. I never felt like the SDB was superior to the 550 or 650. I have both of the latter and load exclusively pistol calibers on them.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Looks like the Dillon SDB seating die comes with an individual RN and a separate individual FP seating stem. I never felt like the SDB was superior to the 550 or 650. I have both of the latter and load exclusively pistol calibers on them.

I don't feel they are superior with the exception of auto indexing Remember I started with Dillon in 1988........At that time they only sold 3 presses..........The SDB(auto index)......The 550(manual index)....And the RL1000(auto index)......So I went with with SDB since I load Lots of pistol cartridges.......Iffen I was to start over it would probably a 750. I don't like manual indexing at all.

 

[lrrifleman]

Well, I took the plunge, and ordered an SDB in 45 ACP. This is going to be dedicated to reloading LP 45 ACP. My 550B will be producing my SPP ammo.

I would like to thank everyone that contributed to helping clarify my memory. The press and accessories should be in place by the weekend.