Dillon Square B - New Setup!

[tshong]

Hello fellow calgunners! I'm setting up a new DSB and it seems something is "wrong." I followed the instruction manual, but none of the motion matches what I see on youtube. Rather than trying to explain by writing, I made a video here with my questions:



Am I missing some part??

[xfer42]

Run a 9mm case through it. The case pushes it up. The bar pulls it down.

[tshong]

Thank you.

I should've came here first...

The next thing I'm trying is putting the primer into the feeding tube and seeing how the primers are "presented" to the casing. My test starts with no casings, just throwing primers into the small primer magazine assembly feeding tube. Then pulling the crank handle up and down while watching the platform base disk rotate stage-to-stage. I'm finding the following datapoints:

- primer punch sometimes presents no primer.
- sometimes presents TWO primers stacked!
- sometimes, it feels something is "stuck" and I can't push it any further (and I don't dare to try).
- the tip of the small primer magazine assembly (blue-end plastic tip) is bent

None of this feels safe.

[stilly]

For future reference, when you pay top dollar for any BLUE item, you are paying for that customer service. You SHOULD be on the phone with them first. That is why the prices are so high, well that and that you paid for extra *free parts up front...

[Leethe4th]

- primer punch sometimes presents no primer.
- sometimes presents TWO primers stacked!
- sometimes, it feels something is "stuck" and I can't push it any further (and I don't dare to try).
- the tip of the small primer magazine assembly (blue-end plastic tip) is bent

None of this feels safe.

One of the inherent issues with the Dillon Square Deal and 555B is the plastic tip on the drop tube (primer magazine). Replace it with a XL650 primer magazine (part # 22032), which has a brass tip, and you will never, ever have that issue again. I've run my SD for over 12 years straight at about 15,000 rounds a year since putting the brass tip on. The only other thing I can think of is the primer seat punch may not be adjusted correctly. It is supposed to be right from the factory, and mine was, but it broke after 10 years, and I had to replace it and adjust it. Check the Dillon website, it's pretty easy, just a spring and set screw.

[JMP]

For future reference, when you pay top dollar for any BLUE item, you are paying for that customer service. You SHOULD be on the phone with them first. That is why the prices are so high, well that and that you paid for extra *free parts up front...

I haven't dealt with them. How has it been from your personal experience. I normally hear good feedback about Hornady. But, I wonder why so many folks need to send back dies and get new parts.

[rm1911]

As mentioned earlier you need to put a case in the powder stage. Also you need to lock down the powder thrower. That little hex nut on the side of it. It's actually a safety feature so that it doesn't throw powder without a case. The bar you're asking about is a secondary safety thing. The springs should snap bar back into place.

I've had my SDB for over 20 years. Never had a problem at all. Cranks of ammo amazingly. One thing I've noticed, and it's really my fault, make sure all the tumbler media is out of all cases before loading. Or do one last quick wrist flip with the brass before inserting. I've had times where a single little kernel of media gets on primer thing underneath primer and dents primers a tiny bit. It's not a problem, mostly cosmetic. But I've noticed it, especially in my 357's because the long skinny cases don't always completely empty.

[NiMiK]

Looks like the powder system is not locked into place on your die. It should not wobble.

[rm1911]

Thank you.

I should've came here first...

The next thing I'm trying is putting the primer into the feeding tube and seeing how the primers are "presented" to the casing. My test starts with no casings, just throwing primers into the small primer magazine assembly feeding tube. Then pulling the crank handle up and down while watching the platform base disk rotate stage-to-stage. I'm finding the following datapoints:

- primer punch sometimes presents no primer.
- sometimes presents TWO primers stacked!
- sometimes, it feels something is "stuck" and I can't push it any further (and I don't dare to try).
- the tip of the small primer magazine assembly (blue-end plastic tip) is bent

None of this feels safe.

Oh. Forgot this. Make sure he internal primer tube is the proper one and properly seated. Insert it into the tube, let it get to bottom. Don't push. Just slowly rotate until you feel the click. Then slight push. Most primer problems are from improperly aligned or wrong tube. There's two, one for large the other for small primers.

also check the primer feed thing. Make sure all the bolts on the tube assembly are tight. And make sure the spring is correctly attached. Lots of parts!!

[NiMiK]

Page 9, Figure 10 shows you where to lock down the powder system to the die:

https://www.dillonprecision.com/docs/dillon_square_deal_b_manual_may_2007.pdf

Also, if the primers are not lining up to the shell plate (like mine did after going from large to small primers), you may need slight adjustment on the primer feed adjustment screw. Page 4 part# 13961a.

[Rac97crawford]

I haven't dealt with them. How has it been from your personal experience. I normally hear good feedback about Hornady. But, I wonder why so many folks need to send back dies and get new parts.

They have great customer service! But it's very popular.. If you call in the middle of the day, it's not uncommon to be 30th in the call in que and be waiting on Hold for 45 to and hour. I just call first thing in the morning and never have to sit on hold.

[Revoman]

[Spdjunkie]

One of the inherent issues with the Dillon Square Deal and 555B is the plastic tip on the drop tube (primer magazine). Replace it with a XL650 primer magazine (part # 22032), which has a brass tip, and you will never, ever have that issue again. I've run my SD for over 12 years straight at about 15,000 rounds a year since putting the brass tip on. The only other thing I can think of is the primer seat punch may not be adjusted correctly. It is supposed to be right from the factory, and mine was, but it broke after 10 years, and I had to replace it and adjust it. Check the Dillon website, it's pretty easy, just a spring and set screw.

^ That is some TOP NOTCH advice/tip on the Primer fix. Thank you for sharing

[Leethe4th]

I see the video now, the powder measure is not locked onto the drop tube die.

[3RDGEARGRNDRR]

Awesome idea on the brass tip. Never thought of that. Ive been having to reform the plastic tips every so often

And to the OP get a mentor before you blow something up.