Understanding the Dillon Square Deal B Reloading Press
Reloading ammunition is a rewarding pursuit, a craft where precision meets passion. It’s a practice that offers shooters a unique blend of control, cost savings, and the satisfaction of crafting their own ammunition. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just beginning your journey into handloading, the world of reloading presents a fascinating blend of science, skill, and safety. Among the leading names in reloading equipment, Dillon Precision stands tall. Their reputation for building top-quality, durable, and innovative reloading presses and dies is unmatched.
This guide explores the Dillon Square Deal B 9mm dies, a crucial component for anyone seeking to reload 9mm ammunition with accuracy, efficiency, and reliability. We’ll delve into the specific features of these dies, how they work, and how they contribute to a seamless reloading experience, ensuring every round you produce is crafted to perform.
Why the Square Deal B?
Before diving into the specifics of the 9mm dies, it’s essential to understand the platform they are designed for: the Dillon Square Deal B reloading press. This press is the heart of your reloading setup, responsible for managing the core processes of handloading. The Square Deal B is a progressive reloading press. This means that each pull of the lever completes a cycle of reloading steps simultaneously, moving the shell from one station to the next. This design dramatically increases the efficiency of your reloading process, allowing you to produce a significant volume of ammunition in a relatively short time.
The Square Deal B is specifically engineered for pistol cartridges, making it a perfect match for reloading 9mm Luger. Its design accommodates a variety of calibers and offers a smooth, precise operation. A notable feature of this press is its automatic indexing, which ensures that the shell plate rotates to the correct station with each stroke of the lever, guaranteeing consistency throughout the process. The press also boasts a built-in priming system, which, if functioning properly, greatly enhances the efficiency and convenience of loading your ammo.
The Square Deal B is a favorite among 9mm reloaders due to its streamlined design, its ability to easily switch between calibers (when using the appropriate dies and shell plate), and its overall reliability. It’s a robust platform, capable of handling high volumes of reloading without compromising the quality of the finished product.
An Overview of the Dillon Square Deal B 9mm Dies Set
The Dillon Square Deal B 9mm dies set is a complete package meticulously crafted to handle every aspect of reloading 9mm ammunition. This die set provides everything you need to take an empty case and transform it into a loaded round, ready for the range or competition.
What’s in the Box?
You’ll find a comprehensive set of dies, including:
* A shell plate, which is essential for holding the case and advancing it through the different reloading stages.
* A resizing die, to ensure your cases are properly sized and ready to accept a new bullet.
* A powder die, which meters and dispenses the correct amount of powder.
* A bullet seating die, responsible for seating the bullet to the proper depth within the case.
* A crimp die, designed to secure the bullet in place and ensure reliable performance.
The components are constructed with durability and precision in mind. These dies are built to withstand the rigors of consistent reloading.
A Closer Look at Each Die’s Function
Each die within the set plays a vital role in the reloading process, working in a sequential manner to ensure the final product is perfect. Understanding their specific functions is key to achieving accurate, reliable ammunition.
The Resizing Die
The resizing die is the first step in the reloading process. It takes the fired case and returns it to its original dimensions. This is essential for ensuring that the cartridge will fit properly in the firearm’s chamber. The resizing die squeezes the case, reducing its external diameter and correcting any distortions that may have occurred during firing. If the die is not made of carbide, you’ll need to lubricate the case before resizing, which can make the process less seamless, but the Dillon set utilizes carbide dies. Proper resizing also ensures reliable feeding and extraction. This die also removes the spent primer from the case.
The Powder Die
The powder die is responsible for metering and dispensing the precise amount of powder into the case. This critical function is often case-activated, ensuring that powder is only dispensed when a case is present. This feature helps prevent spills and double charges, which can cause catastrophic damage. Adjusting the powder charge can be done to change the performance of the ammunition, but it’s critical to strictly follow published load data and safety guidelines. Ensuring a consistent powder drop is key to producing consistent ammunition.
The Bullet Seating Die
Once the powder charge is in place, the bullet seating die steps in to seat the bullet to the correct depth within the case. This process requires precise adjustment to ensure the bullet is seated at the correct overall cartridge length (OAL). The OAL is a critical dimension that affects both accuracy and function. The bullet seating die is designed to carefully guide the bullet into the case while preventing damage to the bullet’s shape or the case. Correct seating depth helps ensure that the loaded round will feed reliably and fire safely.
The Crimp Die
The final step in the reloading process is the crimp. The crimp die secures the bullet in place within the case, preventing it from being pushed deeper into the case during handling, feeding, and firing. The crimp also helps provide consistent bullet release when the round is fired. It ensures that the pressure from the burning powder is channeled properly, resulting in more consistent velocities. The crimp is a crucial part of the finished product.
Setting Up the Dillon Square Deal B 9mm Dies
Setting up the Dillon Square Deal B 9mm dies is a straightforward process, but precision is key to getting the best performance. The dies are designed to be easy to install and adjust, but taking your time and following instructions is critical.
A Basic Guide
Here’s a basic guide for the setup:
First, install each die into the press. The resizing die goes in the first station, the powder die in the second, the bullet seating die in the third, and the crimp die in the fourth. The shell plate goes on the press to hold the cases as they move through the reloading stages.
Next, adjust the resizing die. Raise the shell plate with an empty case to the top of its travel. Then, screw the resizing die down until it touches the shell plate. Adjust it slightly further to ensure proper sizing. Lock the die in place with the locking ring.
Then, adjust the powder die. Adjust the powder measure to dispense the desired powder charge. Lower an empty, resized case into the powder die, and ensure the powder funnel correctly dispenses the powder into the case.
After that, move on to the bullet seating die. Place a bullet on top of the resized case. Use the seating stem to guide the bullet into the case to the desired depth. Adjust the seating stem to achieve the correct overall cartridge length (OAL) for the bullet you’re using.
Finally, adjust the crimp die. Raise a loaded round into the crimp die. Carefully adjust the die to apply the correct crimp. The goal is a secure crimp that holds the bullet in place without excessive force.
During the setup process, it’s vital to follow any lubrication requirements if your dies are not carbide. Double-check all adjustments and the function of each die to ensure a smooth and safe reloading operation.
Reloading with the Dillon Square Deal B 9mm Dies
Reloading 9mm ammunition with the Dillon Square Deal B dies is a streamlined and efficient process. Here’s how it works:
First, place the empty cases into the shell plate and begin the cycling process by pulling the handle. The press will automatically index the shell plate, moving the case through the different stages. As the case is advanced through each stage, the following occurs:
1. The resizing die resizes the case and removes the spent primer.
2. The powder die dispenses the correct powder charge.
3. The bullet seating die seats the bullet to the correct depth.
4. The crimp die applies the final crimp.
As you reload, keep a watchful eye on each stage. Inspect each round for any signs of problems. Common issues to watch out for include:
- Powder Spillage.
- Inconsistent bullet seating.
- Crimping problems.
Properly set up dies will minimize the chance of running into these problems. If a problem occurs, stop the process, remove the cartridge, and address the issue before continuing. This can include re-adjusting dies or re-evaluating components.
The Advantages of Using Dillon Square Deal B 9mm Dies
The Dillon Square Deal B 9mm dies offer several distinct advantages, making them a popular choice for reloaders.
Efficiency
The progressive nature of the Dillon Square Deal B press, combined with the design of these dies, dramatically increases the reloading speed.
Accuracy
The precision design and construction of the dies, along with the ability to fine-tune the process, contributes to the accuracy and consistency of your reloaded ammunition.
Reliability
Dillon is known for the quality and longevity of its products. These dies are built to last, and with proper care, will function for many years.
Cost Savings
Reloading ammunition reduces the overall cost per round. You can save money compared to purchasing factory-loaded ammunition.
Safety First
Reloading is a safe pursuit when done with care and respect for the process. These safety practices include:
* Always wear safety glasses.
* Follow published load data.
* Be meticulous in your measurements.
* Never overload ammunition.
* Store ammunition safely.
* Always inspect your reloads and never load ammunition that you doubt.
Care and Maintenance
Taking care of your Dillon Square Deal B 9mm dies will ensure they last. Regular cleaning is recommended. Use a non-abrasive solvent to clean the dies after use. Check and clean the case and the powder die, paying attention to any areas prone to powder buildup. Occasionally, the dies may need lubrication. Store the dies and the press in a dry place to prevent rust and corrosion.
Other Options (Optional)
While the Dillon Square Deal B 9mm dies are an excellent choice, there are other die sets to consider, depending on your preferences and needs. Other brands and die types are available. Some reloaders prefer to use a separate bullet seating die to achieve more precise bullet seating or expander dies for improved case neck tension. But the Dillon set provides everything that most reloaders will need for reloading 9mm ammunition.
Conclusion
The Dillon Square Deal B 9mm dies provide a reliable and efficient system. They offer the precision and performance that both new and experienced reloaders need. This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the dies, how to set them up, and how to use them. They allow you to create high-quality 9mm ammunition.
If you are looking to start or improve your reloading practices, these dies are an excellent choice. Reloading can be a great practice.
Let’s get reloading and make some ammunition!
