MY SQUARE DEAL GAVE UP THE GHOST TODAY

[chief38]

After 30 years of working my Dillon Square Deal B press to death the handle actually cracked in half. A quick call to Dillon for their no BS Warranty and the new handle should be here by weeks end.

I estimate that I have loaded about 60,000 to 70,000 rounds on this machine throughout the 30 years I have owned it, and other than this cracked handle I have had no major problems with it. I would buy another one again in a heart beat and can tell you that Dillon really stands behind their products even after 30 years!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

A friend of mine bought a used 450 Dillon and posted on this forum that he'd drank the "blue cool-aide". 2 days later he got an E-mail from Dillon explaneing the no BS warrenty was still in effect even on a used Dillon. I've had problems that were my fault, and they've taken care of mine (an old 450 upgraded to 550B). I've had mine since around 1985 and loaded well 200,000 rounds with it. I did one run of 223 of 20,000 rounds in the late 80's that I'm still using, this was with the old manual powder drop and primer feeds. These are some fantastic loads that still shoot one hole groups in my good bolt gun. I got rid of my 9mm's but loaded some where around 40,000 between jacked and cast loads. I shoot SASS and load a whole years worth of 45Colt in 2 evenings (if you can keep enough brass). I load 45ACP by the 50 cal ammo can, 2 or 3 cans in a batch in 3 or 4 evenings, having enough componets on hand is the only issue I run into (as I've gotten old, a full can is too heavey to carry around so I now load more cans 3/4 full). Dillon makes a parts kit for each of their presses, if the press goes down or I lose a part, I keep reloading without waiting for the parts to arrive, I make sure I replace the parts in the kit for the next time a part went down the heating vent. FYI, I've put a case feeder on mine, it makes loading easier but not any faster. There is one problem will any large volume reloader, You have all the ammo you want/need and your friends want to tap into your stash!!! The upside of this is when my adult children want to shoot with me, we don't have to skimp or stop too soon. Ivan

 

[chief38]

I do keep a few minor parts like the detente ball, a few springs, nylon bushings, extra primer tube tips, etc. on hand so if a minor part fails I can keep on loading, but I don't keep an extra handle around unfortunately.

 

[358156hp]

After 30 years of working my Dillon Square Deal B press to death the handle actually cracked in half. A quick call to Dillon for their no BS Warranty and the new handle should be here by weeks end.

I estimate that I have loaded about 60,000 to 70,000 rounds on this machine throughout the 30 years I have owned it, and other than this cracked handle I have had no major problems with it. I would buy another one again in a heart beat and can tell you that Dillon really stands behind their products even after 30 years!

only got about 60,000 rounds out of her did ya? The cheap ***!, Why if it were a LEE...

 

[RussellD]

Pack the whole thing up and send it back to Dillon for a tune up. In less than two weeks your entire press will come home looking like new.

Is spite of the crazy times and back logs on some items they tuned just this into a new looking press.

Keep on drinking the blue cool aid. I raise my glass to Dillon

 

[sarge1967]

Dillon does have a great warranty. A friend of mine bought a used 450 and he sent it in to Dillon they made it just like new. I think he only paid shipping cost. They offered to convert it to a 550B for a small fee but he didn't do it. Now he wishes he did.

 

[ken158]

Well, I bought a Dillon primer pocket swager and it was missing a few parts. Called Dillon and they said if I did not buy it directly from them - no warranty. I sold the swager and everything else I owned that was related to Dillon. Replaced with Hornady and RCBS equipment.

 

[SMSgt]

It didn't give up the ghost, it just needed a trip to the Doc for treatment!

 

[growr]

This sounds like BS to me.......Dillon's warranty has always been NO BS on any of my Dillon gear and little of it way purchased direct from Dillon.

Randy

 

[novalty]

Glad to hear you'll be back up and running soon. Dillion does a great job of keeping customer's satisfied. Have had the same experience with RCBS, who has taken care of every minor issue I've had even on items I purchased second hand. Wish a lot of other product manufacturer's took care of their customers like the reloading industry.

 

[BearBio]

During a move, I lost my small primer cup, somewhere. Called Dillon to order one. The guy told me, it only came with the plunger and spring. Also, why didn't I get the arm it mounts on, be a lot easier and time-saving to have each priming arm already set up. I didn't feel right getting a part for free (yeah, my Dad did raise some fools!), so I told him "no". He said, "well, I'm gonna send you one anyway!"

I got it, no charge on Monday (I talked to them Friday, PM).

One time, I got a part I needed delivered "Special Delivery" on a Saturday, also at "No charge".

Better than Hornaday, who charged me for parts that broke and never sent them!

 

[scattershot]

Dillon's the best in the business, IMO. I dropped my powder measure one time, and broke the plastic hopper. No problem, they sent me another one free of charge, even though I explained it was my fault. I'm a happy camper, and Dillon has a customer for life.

 

[chief38]

Got the new handle from Dillon in only 3 days and in 15 minutes it was installed and I am re-loading once again. After thinking more about it I think the estimate I stated in the original post (60,000 - 70,000 rounds) is a bit low. At this point the number is probably more than likely 100,000 +!

 

[358156hp]

Dillons earned my business. I too have had troubles with Hornady, and although they're nearly a local business, I only buy their products as a last resort. Companies like Dillon, RCBS, and Redding really want the business, and don't seem to regard it as some sort of birthright.

Pass me that jug of blue kool-aid...