Dillon Square Deal B: Overview and Loading 45 ACP
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
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Dillon's Square Deal B is all about simple and reliable loading for pistol ammunition. Available in 16 calibers, this affordable quality press is the subject of this video!
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The following Ultimate Reloader partners are featured in this video:
- Dillon Precision
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I USED THIS EQUIPMENT FOR YEARS, NO MATTER WHAT PROBLEM I HAD, DILLION NEVER CHARGED ME FOR ANY EQUIPMENT THAT WAS REPLACED EVEN IF THE FAULT WAS MINE, DILLION also paid for the shipping on all replaced parts...This equipment is the best....
Hands on time ? How about, as close as I can figure, 30,000+ rounds of 45 acp. I bought my SDB back in the late 80's as I remember. The press didn't even come with the primer alarm. I was shooting in competition then and I ran through many, multiple pounds or Win Super Target and ten's of thousands of Speer 200 gr 45 cal. dry lubed SWC before I started casting my own. The press never missed a beat until recently when the powder arm screwed up because of not enough case bell and I crunched it. Dillon not only sent me a complete rebuild kit but also the new Fail Safe powder arm assembly, extra primer tubes and a small parts kit without asking. I upgraded it to the brass press arm bushings, the originals were quite worn, and a caliber change kit to 357 Magnum. I immediately loaded another 1000 rounds of 357 and the press again never missed a beat. Dillons "No BS" warranty is the real deal, and they stand behind their product which is easy with the outstanding quality as evidenced by the repeated precision of the ammo produced. Yup, I drank the Blue Kool Aid and never regretted it and now my SDB is feeding a Rossi M92 carbine in 357 for my grandchildren and a Ruger 3" GP100 for me and when they go through 500 rounds in a weekend I'm glad I'm retired so I have the time to cast and reload for the weekends.
yup, I had a SDB back in the 80's too. Way ahead of it's time.
I got mine in the early 90s and she's still pumping out rounds to date.
As a competitive shooter back in the late 1980's and early 1990's, I loaded well over 100,000 rounds of both .45acp and .38spl on my Square Deal. Performance was nearly flawless, and with my son feeding the cases and filling primer tubes, we could get up to 600 rounds per hour out of that Square Deal. Customer Service from Dillon was unsurpassed. Later bought a Dillon 650 but found the primer system to be too complicated if something went wrong. Sold the 650 and got a 550 (much better for me) which I still have, and load several different calibers on it. Caliber changes take about 20 seconds without switching primer feeds, or about 3 minutes if you need to go from small to large or vice versa. Now, as an old man, I'm gonna go back to single stage and load on a Forster CoAx, and give the rest to my son. For a beginning shooter who reloads only one caliber, there is no better press to use than a Square Deal, especially for the price, lifetime warranty; lifetime free parts, and customer service.
I own 3 SDB's since they first came out. I did have the handle break but they sent a replacement. It's a casting.
I inherited one and sent it back to the mother ship for a refurb. The refurb was free but the shipping was expensive.
It's like brand new again. :)
I got one of these during the peak of the pandemic and couldn't find loaded ammo. I was able to feed my pistol and my g-friends gun. She bought her pistol and had 50 ends to train. Being a new fun owner she needed practice. I bought the press we split the components and we're shooting 9mm when no one else could get it. With very little time she and I had 200 rds built in about an hour. She now sees that we can build 9mm for way cheaper than buying loaded ammo for practice. She has over a 1000rds through her fun in less than 3months. It was worth the investment... PS have had zero issues with the press.
Ive owned a SDB since 1994 and just now replacing some of the worn parts. Ive loaded many-many thousands of rounds. Love it!
I have been using one for over 20 years. I liked it so much I bought a second one. One for small pistol primers and one for large pistol primers. While the caliber changes are not hard, I like to experiment with a variety of powders and bullets and was going back and forth all the time. Using a Strong Mount is a great addition to the system.
After many thousands of rounds, occasionally it will require a replacement part which Dillon will provide for free. Outstanding product and company.
Not going to lie, I could have sworn you ran one back in the early days.......so I looked back at your old school videos back when I started watching. Discovered two things. First, I was wrong. Two.....man time flies. Seemed like last year I watched your videos but it was over 10 years ago.
I've had one for several years. I liked it enough that when the XL750 came out, I got one of those, too. One issue with the SDB is that it takes a special set of dies that are a little more expensive. The XL750 uses standard 7/8 x 14 dies, and you almost have to have a case feeder. The XL 750 is more expensive, however. For the person who loads only pistol, the SDB is a great press.
I have a Rock Chucker for rifle duty just for the precision. I have bought the caliber change kits for my SDB and I've set the 45acp aside for the time being and switch it back and forth between 357 & 9mm. I go through a lot of it.
Hi from France, I bought my Square Deal in September 1991 and it still making quality reloads as if it was a new one . Much better than the Lee Pro... I've too .
Right on. Thanks for watching from France!
I have a SDB that I inherited. I haven't used it yet however. It is an older model without the fail safe rod assembly. I made the conversion to 45acp from 38sp. I have been building a new reloading bench (yes, I wore out the old bench) so I haven't run the machine yet. I have 3 Lee presses on one bench and a Lee and old Pacific on another. I haven't been able to get my hands on any large pistol primers in a while so my 45acp and 44 rem mag loading has ground to a halt. (before anyone craps on the Lee gear, I have a Loadmaster from the late 90s that has cranked out half a million + rounds with minimal issues. I also have a Pro 1000 that cranks out .223 flawlessly ( I do prime off press with this one though since I'm still working my way through 2 trash barrels of once fired LC, CBC, and PPU brass.)
I own a Dillon 550B reloader since 2003 and now just looking at the Square Deal B for 9mm cartridges. My 550B reloaded .45 ACP, .45 Colt, and 5.56X45mm cartridges. This video is extremely helpful for my future Square Deal B!
My go too! Love my SDB! I've got a great Easy Dial mod on mine. Makes powder charge adjustments a one step process.
Like those 'less-than-diamond shine-polished' slightly imperfect cases. Puts it all more into the daily reality of the common man ;) Also, handy little fella that press. Like a small brother of Dillon's heavy hitters. Thanks fo the vid and godspeed.
Thanks for a great video. I've had mine 20+ years and x- thousands of rounds.. Mostly 45acp and 9mm, some .38/.357. I sent mine in and had it rebuilt once when the frame cracked, came back perfect and free.
With 30+ years of use on a SDB and well over 300k rounds as a GM class uspsa shooter, I can say the SDB press is the way to go for anyone only loading pistol cartridges.
Nice review Gavin! I've owned my SDB almost 10 years and it been a great introduction to reloading. After the first few hundred rounds I read the instructions in more depth - easily giving me the fundemental understanding to fine tune adjustments for different powders and bullet shapes/weights. That lead to ordering caliber change kits - which are far easier to install and adjust than I thought initially. The primer system needs to be watched and the machine cleaned from time to time to remove built up powder gunk and debris. A small goose neck light aimed at station 3 is a helpful addition to this machine.
Mine is 20 yrs old and is a workhorse. Thousands of rounds later and only minor maintenance repairs. Great piece of equipment.
I have had a SDB for 22 yrs now. Thats where I do all my pistol loading!! Its a great press!!!
I invested on a 550 C and the decision was made on your previous video. I load 300 BLK and is working perfectly for me. Thanks for your videos!!!
Awesome! Thanks for watching…
I like mine a lot. I’ve had it for probably 5 years, and have loaded a lot of 357/38 and 9mm. It’s been a great press, and I have made some good ammo with it.
The only thing I have added to mine is a led light to make it easier for powder checking, and a powder baffle for more consistent powder drops. I thought about getting a micrometer powder bar, but haven’t yet
I purchased a sdb about 12 years ago and I have loaded over 25k rnds still love this little press. I decided to get into loading .556 and other rifle caliber’s a couple years ago so I picked up a 550c. I dedicated the 550 to rifle and the sdb is still loading all my pistol caliber’s it’s a great press for reloading handgun ammunition.
Lol, I’m over here trying to get my fired brass back to like-new shine, and here’s Gavin loading brass that looks like it was dragged through a puddle of hot asphalt. 😂
I was thinking that also. I don't think I can pass on a vib cleaning , usually after deprime... thus ruining my joy with any progressive reloading. He probably got it clean enough for a Glock shooter though.
Another great video! Have been wondering about this press for awhile. Cannot wait for the PP Shootout!👍👍👍👍
Iv had one in 45 acp for 30 plus years an it is sold there customer support is awesome an great reloader for money get in grove an can load 1000 hour shot lot so it always has been used
I purchased my SDB back in 1990 and it has been a fantastic press for all my pistol reloading. I've loaded thousands of rounds of ammo with it with no issues in 30 years of steady use. Getting shell plates for each caliber is the way to go and I can swap calibers in minutes and keep my previous die settings. I have dies for 38 Super, 9 mm, 357 Mag/38 SPL, 45 ACP (also works for 460 Rowland), 45 LC (can be used for 454 Casull too) and 44 Mag/44 SPL and the resulting loaded ammo is very accurate.
When it sounds just like the beginning of the Pink Floyd song “Money,” then you know you are on the money!
I love my Square Deal B, I've been using it for many years loading 45 acp and 9 mm. Caliber conversions are fast and simple by swapping the entire tool head and dies assembly, shell plate, and the priming gizmo (from small to large in my case). Just periodically check and retighten the shell plate hold down screw because it tends to loosen. Thread locker (blue) would solve this but since it threads into aluminum, repeatedly taking the screw in and out to swap calibers might eventually damage the threads, so I just snug it down from time to time. No biggie!
I Purchased my Sq. Deal back in the early 90's. I saw an ad for them in the American Rifleman and placed an order. I've had very few issues with it except for one major problem which required returning it to Dillion. They rebuilt the press for me at no charge. I've loaded thousands of 9mm, .38, .357, .40 S&W and .45ACP with it. The press has paid for itself many times over. If you're a pistol shooter and in the market for a progressive press you will not regret buying a Sq. Deal.
I’ve had a Dillon SDB for over 30 years and it loaded .45, .38 , .357, and 9mm with it. It a top not press and wouldn’t trade it for anything!!
I have two Square Deal B presses. I use one for large primers and the other for small ones. Since I load 9mm, .45 ACP and 10mm, these two presses are perfect for my needs.
I have a SDB and I love it! I cranked out thousands of rounds on it before I even considered adjusting any settings. It's very accessible and it's set up pretty well straight out of the box. As someone who isn't hugely involved in reloading as a hobby and just wants to economically produce a lot of 9mm, I think it's perfect.
After setup, my machine had severe primer feed issues. Several surfaces of the primer slide were rough, along with crude fabrication of the primer cup and stem. As a result, primers failed to feed (spilling powder!), were trapped in the machine, and spit out in various directions when the primer slide snapped into place. After taking the slide out and polishing rough parts it was usable. Finally loaded 100 9mm on the 1st day. Next morning 400 with no problem. Happy to have machine ,but feel qc should deliver sound product out of the box
Learned how to reload on one of these about 30 years ago. Liked it so much got one of my own.
I have 2: 9mm and 45 acp. They work very well.
The Square Deal is an awesome reloader. Owned one for years. Gave mine to my brother when I upgraded to the 550. Looking at buying a new one in the near future.
I've loaded close to 20,000 45acp and have just finish moving to my new place. I'm setting SDB up and replacing some parts. This is a great machine to use. I'm also ordering a 40 S&W set up for it.
This was my first real press. I got it in 2003, and it now has 67,000 rounds made on it. I taped a little piece of paper on the powder bottle and put a tick mark on it with every 1000 primers I finish. Mine developed a crack on the frame after about 7 years, but it never grew or hurt anything, so I left it alone. I am POSITIVE Dillon would replace it for free and overhaul everything, but it doesn't bother me.
As a handgun press I think it is better suited than my 550. Everything is just the right size for pistol ammo.
This looks like a miniaturized 550C... Dillon presses are freaking awesome I'm still getting to know my 550C but so far I love it... And you're spot on with the packaging I think you can drop it off a 3 story building and the press would be just fine.... LOL
Mount it solidly at table height and not on a stand. Get yourself extra prime tubes. Get a comfortable chair that is the right height so you are not moving around as much. Swapping from 9mm to .38 Special was only a matter of minutes, most of the time used to reset powder weights and weight checking for the different powders. Had that down to tee, with usually 1/4 to 1/2 turn of the adjuster to get grain weights just right. Quick blow down with air every 1000 rounds to remove any powder grains etc
Never had a mishap of any kind, even though they say beware. Never had a misfire with any reloads, and shot will over a couple of hundred thousand rounds of different calibers
So glad the shootout is coming. Wanna get into reloading this winter 🙌
I’ve been reloading on a web since 1992. Set up for nines only. I also have a 550 and a Dillon shot gun press that’s gone through almost 1,000,000 rounds. They are all amazing machines. I noticed you back your powder charge down with the charge bar full. I’ve always adjusted all of mine with the handle down and the bar empty. Maybe no difference, but just saying. Great videos.
Ive got a Dillon SDB set up for 9mm for my Idpa ammo. I’ve been using it for 24yrs. I’ve only changed out a couple small parts.
I have an RL550C, but after seeing this video I should have bought the Square Deal B. I only do pistol rounds on the "C", and the auto-advance would be nice. If y'all are going to be down Texas way give me a holler. I'm out in the middle of nowhere but would like to have you take a look at my shop.
It looks like the sdb is only $100 less than a 750. Not sure i see the value
Great press. I helped my old man load thousands of rounds through one of these... 25 years ago.
Love my SDB in 45ACP. However if one wants to change calibers and have the dies set up permanently they need a new tool head ($45) plus a caliber conversion kit ($130) assuming the primers are the same size for each caliber. Or if you want a preset powder measure as well get the Quick Change Kit that comes with tool head and powder measure ($182) to go with the caliber conversion kit dies ($130). This is why my Dillon is a single caliber only since I have another progressive (loadmaster) with standard dies and tool heads that cost much less per caliber. I love the SDB for what it does and it does it well. I just do all my other pistol and rifle calibers on my larger progressive (380, 357, 45 Long Colt, 30-06, 270, 30-40 Krag, etc). Dillon makes great equipment. I took my grandson on a tour of their factory in Arizona, great people great products.
Second owner of a 25 year old 550B it rocks! Looks like the SDB may be a good third press for handgun only
I have 7 square deal b's ,1 550 ,and 1 sl 900 . Also a forster co axle press too
If I’m not mistaken, you should not turn the powder measure bolt on the powder bar without the handle down and the powder arm extended otherwise breakage could occur.
I had a sdb but then got a xl750 so I could do rifle and have a powder check.
Love Dillon products. Best warranty hands down. I only wish I could find primers to start loading again.
Nice press! And, as usual, excellent video and presentation. I really need to retire my old and unreliable Lee press. This is the channel I get all (most) of my information from, in addition to visiting fellow reloader colleagues. Which of course currently is a bit difficult.
The SDB is absolutely perfect for the guy who just likes to go and do some plinking. Try not to compare it to anything else because the 550, 750, 1050 etc are all different beasts. No case feeder or bullet feeder talk. No proprietary die talk. Thats all for another press and time. This machine is what it is and its perfect for what it does. Its no nonsense and built dillon tough. I too laughed at this machine when I first started looking into progressive reloading. I now own 3 and they are set up to just walk up to and start churning out rounds. Very easy to get others involved in the process as well. My family enjoys going out and making some rounds together. My precision rifle rounds are done on a turret t7. My 223 plinkers on a case fed progressive. The SDB serves its purpose and does it very well. Get one and just enjoy it.
Honestly, I like the 550c, since I have the capability to run pistol AND rifle on one press, plus I can make some very accurate rounds with mine.
Press...check, powder ...check, brass....check, bullets...check, primers....................??????..................??????.........Bueller.....Bueller........lol, great video sir!!! Keep them coming!!!
The one thing I with this press had is some sort of powder check mechanism.
I was wined on the star press for 45 ACP This Star press I have put thousands of rounds through when I was competing in NRA comp.
After 25 years of single stage reloading I just purchased a used Dillon SDB with 45 ACP & 9mm dies. It came complete without any manuals and extra priming slide but I got it going with .45 loading up a few boxes. Boy have I been missing out! I love this thing. However, I’m having a hard time finding replacement parts. Can I call Dillon directly to get an extra primer slide? I did find a spare parts kit from Titan reloading so that’s on order. I got a heck of a deal on this setup.
Learned how to load on a square deal 30ish years ago.
I have the predecessor to the Square deal the RL-450 Jr. Singular Manual prime feed and push to drop powder. Manual indexing. I wonder if Dillion will let me trade in and up like Lee does. Great pistol press, mines in 9mm Luger.
good and entertaining video, regarding the product I think it is a ver y good choice. Im working with 750 . thanks for your videos Gavin
some information about the quick change press stand.
some information about the press support
greetins from spain
Another con is the Square Deal B uses its own dies that do not work with any other press. I sold my SQB after over 10k rounds loaded and bought a 550C. If I could have gone back in time i would have bought the 550 instead of the SDB from the get go.
Your right that’s a lot of Flare
I would love to get my hands on one in 9mm (20104)!! I hear though that they are on back order till probably after the first of the year! Looking forward to getting it though! Great review!
I had my for about 5 years. Had lots of problems with the primer feed. Runs well for about a 100 rounds and then giving me problems. Alao now having problems with the powder bar not moving the full cycle. Maybe i am just unlucky with my press. Gone single stage again due to fustration
Whilst progressive it’s a long step backwards from my 30 year old Dillon 650 with a case feeder 😅 it looks like hard work 😂👍
I haven’t reloaded in years and want to pick it up again. I use to have the Lyman Turrent Press I watched your video and was impressed I still don’t know what I want. How much is the cost for the one you demoed ?
I found the SDB a little small for my monster hands. Other than that, it was a great press.
I recomend tab lifters
When can we expect the progressive press comparison video? Hopefully sometime soon been waiting to long. So excited
I just can't get past the Decision by Dillion to make this press smaller and with proprietary dies. If this was caliber conversion compatible with the (4) station 550 or even better the (5) station 6/750 it would be better.
A lot of these move to the end of the bench, boxed up and kept as a romantic memory of it being their first Dillon. The aftermarket support for the other Dillions make to many SQDB owners not use their SQDB.
I think Dillon should redo the SQDB & 550 to a compatible (5) station shell plate, caliber conversion & tool head of the 6/750. Their offerings are dated to what consumers want.
My only problem was trying to empty the powder flask ? Is there a safe and easy way? Thanks love your videos 🇨🇦❤️
It would be cool if you could buy conversion kits and their proprietary dies for it. Dillon is failing on supply for this press.
Where is the spring that goes around the powder bar? Or they don't have that anymore?
The only thing I had a problem with is the powder seems to go all over the place????? Any suggestions?
I had shipping damage on my 750 and they forgot a part
I won at auction a 650 Dillion. For some reason it had two auto primer feed assemblies in the spare parts. I have ne use for them. Anyone interested?
i just saw this press on facebook marketplace for a 100 bucks, 3 hr drive from were i am . is it worth it? hmmm. dont need it but could use it or sell .
Will this press fit on a Lee stand??
At least 10k 9mm rounds loaded on mine. It just keeps on going
Looks like bullet seating stem is leaving a crease on ogive of bullets. Is that correct or am I not seeing clearly?
So adding other calibers is the same method, purchase dies and install ?
Hey Gavin how about a shirt that says:
I Reload Therefore I Can Afford To Shoot ?
I think the concept is great, but they are pricing themselves out of the market. Considering you can buy a Hornady AP progressive for less or even the RL550C for less and considering those presses are not limited to only pistol calibers, I don't see the value in spending the money on a Square Deal B.
Sometimes simple is better.
What good is it if you can’t find primers?
Ciao, quanto costa così assemblata?
They’re the same price as a 550c so why get one of these instead?
Can you change calibers?
Kinda surprised that the press wasn’t painted the Dillon Blue. I mean how much did they save in production with that move? Seems like a foolish departure from a long established branding.
25? years, 50k rounds .45 on what then a used press. All I can say is that if the need arises for a press I’m going Dillon.
RIP Mike Dillon. My god I need to get out shooting again. For all that is holy, please fellow Californians, let’s collectively make our state great again. Reagan, Deukmejian, maybe it’s you? Let’s not give up and turn things over to the likes of pretty-boy Brown Jr.
WHERE did you get 8 pounds of CFE Pistol? -.-
Never understood why they never updated the design. Needs paint and a nee handle at the very least………
How is the bench coming? Any updates?
Lots of work trying to source appropriate components and to get parts made, VERY difficult time to do so due to COVID. I have someone working on this project, but it's beyond slow going, very sorry!
No way I'm paying $630.00 for this press. The Lee Classic Turret is a much better value.
What does this offer over the 550C for basically the same $$$??
The sdb is a 4 station progressive press. On the 550 you have to index the shell plate yourself, every time. The 550 will have 5 stations for different dies and also the capability to change the whole plate to a different caliber
@@Leethal1 Pretty sure the 550 is a 4-station press,. Still a fan of the 550 even if I have to manually rotate the shell plate.
Non-standard dies make this a non-starter unless you are only going to set this up for only one caliber, and it still limits your options on dies. Nope, way too costly, as shown $811.00.
You mentioned this was the last press you were waiting for for the long awaited progressive press shoot out, does this mean you secretly got your hands on Frankford Arsenal FX-10 ?
That is clever... So now, I can go and afford one of these, just so I can tell everybody that I also have a DILLON... and let their imagination assume that I have a 550 to the 750 model... LOL.. That is clever, in the aspect, that it really is tailored for the guy who just want to knock out pistol calibers. The other thing I couldn't tell, is it doesn't appear to accept the standard sizing dies, and would need to start down a path of buying all sorts of proprietary items to only this press, for being able to open this press up a bit.. Maybe, that is not a bad thing, pending the price, once it is set up for a pistol caliber, leave it alone, and buy another unit, for each pistol caliber that you desire. and just always leave them alone, as that is kinda what I have done on one of my other progressive units. and when I have to pull it apart to load something else, I do get kinda grumpy about it. So much so, that I always am thinking of just buying another press, so I do not have to rip apart my perfectly dialed in set up. I do not have the hot-swap blocks that slide out, or the L-N-L bayonet stuff.. I am full throttle threading and unthreading over everything, and every station location on my Hornady Procharger and single stage threaded RCBS unit.. which is still fine mentally, but 20 years from now, I will look back as wished I have just purchased either of these avenues like a dedicated machine for each of the calibers I load/reload, and or to buy a press that I can swap out the turret blocks and still with the same idea that those are all set up for being dialed in, with minor adjustments. if any at all. I can see this Dinky Dillon selling and doing well for that reason explained.
These have been around for many years, not like they just came out
@@slelliott14 Ah, I didn't know that. As much as I know I would enjoy having one of these higher quality units, as per the brand quality itself, I typically at this stage of my life, do not even encourage myself to even look at Dillon brand when I am at the store, as the price is above what I want to spend. Please note, I am not saying the Dillon brand is not worth the prices they command, but rather, just beyond my pay-grade. I like their machines, and they are from what I have learned just by watching videos on-line, and a few buddy's who do have a few of Dillons machines, they are ready to rock and roll, right out of the box, for the most part. Some day, I am sure I will end up getting a higher end press, unknown of which brand at this time. But until then, I will be proud of what stuff I do have and make the best of it. In all actually reality, I am glad I have went the direction I have, as all the oddity's and issues I have run into or learned to cope with, I choose to believe that will aid me in making a better choice for what I want in the future for tools, presses, etc. Sure, it cost money to go that route, but, Some of the guys who seem to know the most, have already 20 to 40 years ago, learned all these issues, and can spot an issue, right out of the gate, because of something they learned on older less technologically advanced tools and machines, to now aid them in making a better part, or at least faster at resolving the issue. I want that too.
That is something that I kindly would like to mention, for/to any of the loading/reloading supplier/manufacturers. I do understand their many reasons as to why they don't do this, but, when a new product line comes out, no matter what the brand name is, they no longer care to keep the info on their website of the older or retired product lines. Yes, I understand it is to aid in them selling the new product line(s), but, to write off the old toys, I find that exceptionally irritating. No, they are not required to support their older lines, but simply not showing the older products they once use to offer, is strange to me. Show casing the vintage products, even if there is no replacement part offered, the info, and or instructions and tech issues would be a great gesture on their behalf. Yes, it would cost them money to have that website tab up named "discontinued vintage archive", but, all the cool and clever toys of this industry that I have collected over the year, I think it would be neat to have a historical page about each company's old products. Kinda like Ohause/Pacific products. That company is gone or was purchased by another? but, trying to locate pictures for some of the tech of those days, just not gonna happen with ease. I have found some pictures on auction sites, like craigslist, Ebay, Marketplace, but no info. Ah, it is likely me just being a wishful thinker? I suppose, if they started now, they could calmly each build their "vintage tab" on their websites, and before they know it, they have a company's historical page to document a huge and important factor of the USA.
A few weeks ago, I purchased a 1970 to 1971 LYMAN, turret press called "The LYMAN Expert Reloading Kit" still in its packaging, and the formed styrofoam supporting inlays. It has the 6 location/stage turret press, a case trimmer, balance weight scale, instruction manual, loading/reloader manual, a few other items to aid the process of loading ammo. the retail price on the store's brands sticker was $59.99, LOL.. How cool is that? Heck, today's cost of just the case trimmer is 3 to 4 times that cost of the whole kit. It is a neat little press kit. I am glad it is all there, so I can learn all about it but, there is next to nothing on the interweb about this LYMAN kit. As an example. The handle on this dinky turret press, allows you to mount the handle in two locations. 1st position is of the typical fashion, where the handle is vertically upwards, and the ram is down in its stroke. Pull the handle down, and the ram moves upwards, as most presses are configured today. BUT... the 2nd location, offers the user to mount the handle on the bottom, aimed vertically downwards, while the ram is in the down stroke location.. The book doesn't say why this 2nd configuration can be to the users advantage or why somebody that is 1 foot tall is trying to load ammo, as per the handles stroke arc action makes no sense to me. Even sitting in a chair, and the press mounted on a work bench, the knob on the handle would be at the middle on my shins or below my knees.. So, I figured I could hit the interweb to find out all of the "why's & what-for's" and.... nothing. My best guess is in case somebody mount the press horizontally on a work bench? but, that would then not let you do powder drops, unless you have your dropper mounted externally from the machine elsewhere, and the press is purely for decapping, and sizing only? but still couldn't drop powder, and seat a bullet with the press laying on its side. It is clear, that I am missing some bit of knowledge as to why this is an option. People much smarter then me know why. But, I fear, they are either no longer reloading/loading due to being too elderly, or are (I say kindly) no longer with us, due to passing on. That info goes with them. Pardon the novel.