Square Deal Seating Stem Question? Pics of the Real Problem.

[powwowell]

The calibers I use on my Square Deal press, all have two Seating Stem versions. Neither Stem, gives me the consistent OAL that I want in 45 Colt. Is there another (custom) seating stem that works better with Dardas, 250 Grain, RNFPBB bullets? I'm thinking .007 variance either way, is too much.

 

[Bahamadon]

The calibers I use on my Square Deal press, all have two Seating Stem versions. Neither Stem, gives me the consistent OAL that I want in 45 Colt. Is there another (custom) seating stem that works better with Dardas, 250 Grain, RNFPBB bullets? I'm thinking .007 variance either way, is too much.

look for trash where the arrows are. And this is that Thin Blue Plate I was telling you about

 

[Howland]

Are you trying to seat and crimp at the same step? That will wreak havoc with seating depth consistency.

If so, only .007" is pretty darn good.

 

[Burt Gummer]

If so, only .007" is pretty darn good.

This, especially for a revolver

 

[GymB]

You can make a custom stem with epoxy or bondo. Not sure it doing so will improve consistency of oal vs the flat seating stem.

You sure that the issue isn’t that the shell plate is a little loose and/or you load some rounds without all stations filled? Either will cause the shell plate to behave inconsistently.

 

[powwowell]

@Bahamadon Thanks for the pics. And the response to my PM.

@Howland I don't know how to seat and crimp at the same station, on the SDB. I might be too anal?

@Burty Gummer Well maybe I am being too anal?

Thanks to all who have responded. I'll check into some things that Bahamadon has suggested in our PMs. I'll shoot the ones I've loaded, and if expectations are met, I'll stop worrying about the OAL.

Happy trails,
Larry

 

[powwowell]

@JimB I've checked the shell plate many times. I was hoping that was the problem, but not. I prepared four dummy rounds, so all stations were filled. I crimped in the crimp groove and the measurement was 1.575. Periodically checked OAL and noticed the variants. Others have suggested that it's not a problem. I'm hoping so!

 

[powwowell]

Friday, I ordered Wave Bearings and link Bushings. Today I disassembled the press, and gave it a good cleaning, in anticipation of installing the new parts. What I found was most interesting.



Outside of the Frame. The left nubbin where the link arm attaches.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Inside of the frame, where the nubbin part of the frame is cracked.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grooves (gouges) on the right edge of the square ram, on the operators side.
_____________________________________________________________________

Called Dillon this afternoon and they said "send it in". It's boxed up and ready for shipment in the morning. Thanks for the replies. I had no idea of the severity of the problem.

 

[GymB]

I’m honestly surprised that they didn’t just tell you to scrap it, guess they need to get it out of circulation.

 

[Bahamadon]

Someone has been doing some strong arm reloading ( GRUNT )

 

[powwowell]

"I'm not big, or strong, enough to break anything but wind".

I inherited it just over a year ago, from my BIL. I've loaded less than 800 rounds on it. Dillon has already replaced the 9mm shell plate. It was the worst of the lot. All the plates have numerous dings. Looks like the ram was raised, with no cases, and the shell plate was out of position! Dillon had to assist me with priming settings. It was all out of whack. The good part is that after having my hands on and in the SD, I know and understand how it works. How long for me to forget it all?

I'm not casting any rocks at my BIL. I'm thinking he owned the press for 18 years. His last year was constantly down hill. I would like to use this press, replacing my Lee Turret and the Hornady progressive. I doubt I'll ever load any rifle cartridges. The last two weeks I've used the Lee strictly as a depriming station.

 

[Bahamadon]

"I'm not big, or strong, enough to break anything but wind".

I inherited it just over a year ago, from my BIL. I've loaded less than 800 rounds on it. Dillon has already replaced the 9mm shell plate. It was the worst of the lot. All the plates have numerous dings. Looks like the ram was raised, with no cases, and the shell plate was out of position! Dillon had to assist me with priming settings. It was all out of whack. The good part is that after having my hands on and in the SD, I know and understand how it works. How long for me to forget it all?

I'm not casting any rocks at my BIL. I'm thinking he owned the press for 18 years. His last year was constantly down hill. I would like to use this press, replacing my Lee Turret and the Hornady progressive. I doubt I'll ever load any rifle cartridges. The last two weeks I've used the Lee strictly as a depriming station.

I really love that Dillon warranty!

 

[powwowell]

Sent the Square Deal to Dillon on June 4th, Got it back Friday the 14th. Ten days turn around!!!

New Frame, new bearings (bronze?), new 45 Colt shell plate, etc., etc. Just WOW!

Larry