I recently started reloading again after a several year hiatus. I have an RCBS Rockchucker, but feel I will soon want to get a progressive. I will never load rifle shells, so I am considering the Dillon SD versus 550. Wondering if other than the auto indexing on the SD, there are other significant differences, or what others have experienced. My needs would be pistol calibers, no magnums, mostly cast bullets. Thanks.

The Square D has dies that are not standard, they're specific Dillon's to the Square D.

Some folks who shoot a bunch of 9MM and 45ACP get a Square D for each caliber, and they're ready to rock n roll all the time with either caliber.

If you have dies and load for a few different handgun calibers, you may be more well suited to the Dillon 550-B.

Any other Dillon questions, Check Out Brian Enos' Dillon web site, it's a good one and answers all your questions.

MOONMAN

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

I like the square deal I picked mine up off eBay has dies and tool head for 9 mm 40 s&w 38/357 and just dies for 44 magnum. Paid 440 including shipping covers everything I load although I don't have any use for 44 magnum yet

I used the older RCBS A-2 presss for many years. When I went to a progressive ca 15 years ago I opted for the Dillon 550 which uses the standard 7/8 x 14 dies. I use it for all the staright sides pistol calibers as well as very mild loads in 45-70 and 458 Winchester Magnum.

I have both and prefer the Square Deal B by a wide margin for handgun loads.

I have both and like M16 for handgun it's had to beat Square Deal. If you load any rifle Square Deal is out.....

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Bob Giese

For pistol calibers.... the only reason you would want a 550 over the SDB is if you already have the standard dies. Otherwise... stick to the SDB.

I talked to a guy from Dillon today. They have 2000 machines on backorder and he could not tell me when my caliber conversion would ship. Knowing this, I would go for the 550. There may come a day when you want to reload rifle. I said the same thing as you. Now I'm looking for 308 and 223 dies.

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jj

I load with the Square Deal and 550b. The auto index of the SDB is nice but as you have to let go of the handle to load brass, it isn't any faster than the 550b. To get the full benefit of auto indexing you need something with a case feeder, Dillon 650 XL. Also my 550b is much less mechanically involved without auto index, much less to go wrong.

SDB? They are really, really well put together and fun to use. I have four of them and would not consider a 550 for handgun cartridges at all.

The single drawback is they are a little compact, making it slightly less accessible if you have very large hands. I have large hands and do not have issue, but if they were much larger, perhaps.

Mounted to a plate that is in the jaws of a large vise, this is what my four SDB's look like....(three are mounted in the pic, before I installed the last) all ready to load.

Why not? There is no speed advantage to the auto indexing, none. There is a huge disadvantage in being stuck with the more expensive Dillon dies & you are never loading rifle on it or rounds like the 357sig. Nope, the SDB is an ok press, the 550 is better because of it's versatiity & leverage. I came to that decision 25yrs ago when going progressive & went 550, never regretted it even when adding a 650 to the bench.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I have four of them and could use a few more.

I see the reloading shop is VERY well stocked but a 550 would eliminate the need for multiple presses for someone willing to spend a couple minutes to setup for a different caliber.

A little time in exchange for a lot of money is not a bad angle from where I sit shooting and reloading for hobby only.

EVERY TIME I SEE THESE PICTURES, ALL I CAN THINK IS: "WHAT A GENIUS!"

The Square Deal B has a definite function and purpose. You can load a bunch of pistol rounds on one and if you need to have a talk with someone, just turn them into your case feeder, you set the bullets (watch their fingers though), and you can talk away. My wife and I used to do that until I got all of those XL650s!

They are a great machine and if you do buy one, you will not be sorry until you want to load for rifle cases or 357Sig.

BUT, either one you buy, will work as designed and will produce great ammunition. They just don't get better than Dillon machines for the average reloader.

True, but I have two 550's and a 650 gathering dust. The Square Deal B's get most of the action. I still prefer my Forster Co-ax for loading rifle rounds. I use the 550's for oddball handgun rounds and the 650 for cranking out lots of .223 and .308. I still hand prime when loading those. I only load for a hobby as well.

I have a SDB and love it. I never load rifle rounds and if I did it would be on a single stage press.

That is a lot of great feedback, thanks a lot. I thought except for the few extra dollars it would be a no-brainer to go with the 550, but obviously there is something about the square deal that pistol reloaders really like. I do not have large hands and do not intend to reload rifle.

Could some of you who have loaded on both, but prefer and stick with the Square Deal, explain why you like it better than the 550? I realize the auto indexing is there, but that seems to generate as many negative as positive comments. Thanks.

Auto indexing and a shorter stroke are the main ones.

I recently purchased a square deal b to supplement my 550, Forster Coax and Redding T7. It will be a one caliber dedicated press!

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The American dream is alive

With the auto advance, it would be very tough to throw a double load. Really about the only time it can happen is if something runs amok and you need to remove cases from the shell plate and put them back incorrectly. A 650 would have the same advantage, but the 550 does not auto advance. While the 550 is a great press, I like the SDB's a lot.

This is NOT a 550 bashing, only stating my opinion, not yours.

I also have both and I also use the SDB for my handgun needs. I consider it far superior to the 550 for this purpose. The short stroke and auto indexing make it a pleasure to use. I bought an extra priming system and keep one set for small and one set for large. Same principle as 2 presses, but lower cost.

Would you adopt me, love the set up

I have 2 SDB's. One setup for large primer and one for small and I think they are fantastic for loading straight walled pistol ammo. I have tool heads set-up with dies for 38/357, 380 ACP, 9mm, 40/10mm, 45ACP and 44Spl/mag. This arrangement makes caliber changes take only a couple min's. Hard to beat the price, quality and I like the auto advance of the SDB.

The one thing I have noticed is that when loading longer cases 38/357 and 44 spl/mag it is difficult to see the powder due to the height of the press tool head. I ended up putting a small mirror so I can see down inside the case for visual powder charge inspection.

I still load rifle on my turret press.

For loading shorter cases SDB's are amazing.

M16 I dig your set-up. FWIW Loading 9mm on my 550 is a pain. Would SDB be better?

Same setup here. Been running both for many years.

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S&W Accumulator

While I do have 3 presses, I did end up with an extra primer system too. 3 bolts, done.........

This is a picture of my 3 presses when I had them all at home and before I moved to my new room when daughter #2 got married and left.

Without a doubt. Much better.

I have two 550's and had a SDB, just sold it a couple of months ago when I picked up the second 550. A lot of the pro's and con's have been posted. The auto indexing of the SDB is nice but I prefer the 550 I have total control. The 550 can be used in ways the SDB cannot.

I load some 38's with black powder. I can size, remove primers & prime in station one, then move to station 2 where I will bell the case (run the powder die without any powder in the measure), remove the case from the press and place into a shell block for adding powder in cases by hand.

Once I have 50 cases primed and ready for powder in the shell block I will add powder by hand. Then I place the shell back onto the 550, station 3 to seat the bullet, then move to station 4 for the crimp ( I use a lee factory crimp die). I could not do this type of operation as easily on the SDB but with the 550, it works great.

With the 550 you can use most regular 7/8-14 dies and the cost for multiple setups is cheaper and quicker to change. In my opinion the priming system is better on the 550 vs the SDB.

They both work fine, i would run about 200-250 per hour off either one. You have to me moving faster than I feel comfortable with to achieve the throughput that Dillon has listed for either press. A case feeder on the 550 would speed things up.

Good luck.