Happy blue kool-aid drinker!!!

U

uncle.45

New member
I just started reloading .45acp on a Dillon SDB about nine months ago, and I thought I would take a minute to share my happiness.
The Dillon has been precise and repeatable no matter what bullet or powder I use.
It is easy to set-up and adjust for new loads, and any changes to loads, COL, crimp, etc..
The powder measure is also very consistent with the powders I have used so far. (HP38 and Clays)
With minimal maintenance it stays smooth, precise, and produces ammo that I like much more than the mass-produced fodder.
In 10,000 rounds the only failures have been two of the primer feed orifices, and one of those was my fault.
When I called Dillon, I was given useful advice, and two days later there were two free parts in my mailbox.
I could go on ad nauseum, but instead I will conclude by saying " I LIKE BLUE KOOL-AID"!!
 
Hardly any.
Yesterday I cleaned the dies with Hoppes 9 and a few patches, then cleaned and greased the linkages.
It doesn't take much.
When I reached 10,000 rounds I decide it was time for a little TLC.
 
Dillon sells a maintenance kit that includes replacements for small plastic parts that can wear, but I've had mine since about the time they came out in the late 1980's and it was only last year the low primer warning buzzer's case cracked and they still sent me a free replacement pronto. The new one has a high pitch piezo transducer that is hard for old ears to hear, but I fit the old buzzer in and it still runs just fine. I probably put a hundred thousand rounds through before applying the kit to it. Keep it covered when not in use and clean of dust and dirt and clean out the gritty hard carbon from primer residue regularly and apply lube to the shell plate and link arm bearings from time to time and it will just keep chugging along.
 
jamaica,
Yes. I have as much fun at the bench as I do at the range.

unclenick,
I do use the cover and keep the press spotlessly clean.
I will load about 15,000 rounds of .45acp a year on it, and I don't think I will ever have much trouble with it.
I do have the parts kit. I bought it with the press new. Since they sent me free parts, I haven't used anything from the kit yet.
P.S.-- Thanks for the education about headspacing on the bullet.
I load almost nothing but 200gr LSWCs now, and headspacing on the shoulder instead of the case mouth has made my bullseye shooting more consistently accurate.
My 1911s run fine, too.
 
I LIKE BLUE KOOL-AID"!!
Click to expand...

Yeah. Me too.

I'm sure there's other good progressives out there. But after 31 years (yes, 31 years) of loading on a single stage (RCBS), I went progressive in '15 and got a Dillon 550BL. I chose Dillon based on all the good folks here who spoke glowingly of them. They were right. And I am quite pleased too.

Welcome to the club.
 
I don't shoot a lot of handgun ammo, so I'm real fond of SBD in .45 ACP
Same experience as you, excellent ammo, very little fuss, it just plain WORKS, and keeps on working.

Dillon REALLY has .45 ACP dies figured out, they are as slick to use as anything I've ever tried.
.45 ACP loaders know it can be a difficult with several makers dies, but I've had zero issues with Dillon SBD dies.

Cleaning/maintaining is easy, lubrication is a snap.
(Lubrication being the 'secret' to keeping any press working well)
Dillon will replace every single part of it FOR FREE on the rare occasions you do break or wear something out.

I bought mine used, didn't matter to Dillon one bit! I own several Dillon presses, both blue & black, and I have very few complaints about any of them.
The biggest complaint is it took me 30 years to turn loose of the money, instead spending a second retirement on every other type/brand before I wrote the check... :(

The SBD is unique in its design & function, and simply the best handgun loader I've ever used.
The Tide Pod eaters could probably screw it up, but if you have a functioning brain, it will produce excellent handgun rounds as quickly as anything else out there, and take half (or less) the fiddling around the others do, and do it at a seriously reasonable price.

If you read my posts, I don't give glowing reviews on much stuff at all, the Dillion SBD is one item I can't find much fault in at all. It cranks out about 5,000 a year, year after year, and all it asks for is some easy cleaning & lube.
 
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A big thumbs up for Dillon from me as well !!

I upgraded to a 650 with a case feeder, etc about 20 yrs ago.../ ..the 650 is still cranking out 25,000 -- 35,000 rds a year and going strong ....
 
I shoot about 15,000 rounds of .45acp a year.
For $400 I can't see how you could do any better for moderate quantities of handgun ammo.
I am just about to turn 60, and I plan to be using this press right up to the day I die.
I just inherited a Ruger GP161, and I might set up a tool head with powder measure for .357magnum. Just four bolts, and I will be producing a second caliber.
There are other good presses, but I will drink the Blue kool-aid for life.
 
Very good for you uncle.45. It's fantastic when we find a product that fits our needs and performs like a champ. Unlike some I have found the same happiness with a lowly Lee Pro 1000. It's not overly complicated and for me just plain works.

Besides I find it more fun to buy new guns than new presses.
 
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