weeha1966
Member
I need some input. I have decided to go with a Dillon Square Deal, 550 or a 650. I will only be doing handgun loading in various calibers. I will use my RCBS for rifle caliber loading.
Which Dillon Press??
- Thread starter weeha1966
- Start date
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Dillon 550 -- everything a press should be without any superfluos options or features.
1 simple setup -- read the instuctions
2 will easily operate with just one case at a time to learn how it functions
3 Excellent on line support or YouTube videos
Now, just where will you be buying your primers?
1 simple setup -- read the instuctions
2 will easily operate with just one case at a time to learn how it functions
3 Excellent on line support or YouTube videos
Now, just where will you be buying your primers?
novalty
Member
jubela#4
SWCA Member
I will only be doing handgun loading in various calibers. I will use my RCBS for rifle caliber loading.[/QUOTE]
Since you are already set up to reload rifle calibers I would go with the Square Deal B. I have two of these machines, one set up to reload small pistol primer rounds and one for large pistol primer rounds. I've loaded thousands of rounds with my Square Deal B's and have had excellent results from these presses.
Since you are already set up to reload rifle calibers I would go with the Square Deal B. I have two of these machines, one set up to reload small pistol primer rounds and one for large pistol primer rounds. I've loaded thousands of rounds with my Square Deal B's and have had excellent results from these presses.
P.S. Do a cost comparson on the Square Deal B and the 650. You will find that after the extras needed for the 650 to set up multi dies/head tools/power measures etc per head, you can get two B's for one 650 if memory serves.
scattershot
Member
I can only tell you that I have had my 550B for 25 years or so now, and had excellent results. The Square Deal is a good press, but you are limited to pistol calibers and proprietary dies, whereas with the 550 you can use almost any 7/8x14 dies and load rifle, too.
That said, I don't think you can go wrong with any Dillon product.
That said, I don't think you can go wrong with any Dillon product.
Wee Hooker
Member
Not sure if it still applies but when I had my SDB, it would only take Dillon SDB special dies. these were limited in caliber choices and you were hostage totheir availability and price.
If your going to do math, might as well include the Classic Cast Red one. (There is no doubt it will meet the need at half the cost of the SDB. Sorry, it needed to be said ;-)
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I prefer the 650, and have two. I have one set for small primers, one for large. A Dillon is an investment, but you can pick up much of it used if you watch around.
BCDWYO
Member
I've been very happy with my 550. I reload (so far) for 38Sp, 357mag, 40S&W, 10mm, 44Sp, 44mag, 45LC, 45acp, 38super, and 308Win.
I never reloaded for 9mm cause I always told myself it was cheap and plentiful...stupid me! Now I can't even get 9mm bullets if I wanted to start.
I never reloaded for 9mm cause I always told myself it was cheap and plentiful...stupid me! Now I can't even get 9mm bullets if I wanted to start.
Squarebutt
Member
A 550 toolhead and base plate will cost less than the same thing for a 650 and much less than a second SDB. The Square Deal is an excellent loader if you don't have big hands. The dies and other gear are close together. I've had a 550 for over 20 years, and it's turned out a lot of good ammo. The 650 is faster in action, but slower to change calibers. Brian Enos' website has a good comparison of the various Dillon machines and a questionnaire on which loader will fit your needs. Everybody is backordered on Dillon stuff right now.
djw
Member
Interesting that nobody attempted to answer the question posed by Engineer1911 in post #3.
I saw some online for between $45 and $60 per 1000. Even powder is just about sold out............
On topic though, I have had the 550 for 20+ yrs. and is works for my pistol needs. The old reliable Rock Chucker has been great for twice as long when it comes to rifle.
I saw some online for between $45 and $60 per 1000. Even powder is just about sold out............
On topic though, I have had the 550 for 20+ yrs. and is works for my pistol needs. The old reliable Rock Chucker has been great for twice as long when it comes to rifle.
Old TexMex
Member
Will the Dillon dies interchange between square deal, 550 and 650?
dwpmusic
US Veteran
I'll just say that I really like my 550.
I use my Dillon 550b for everything, pistol, revolver and rifle (.223, .308 and 45-70). If you load as few as 50 rounds, it's worth the changeover time. Once you get going, you can do 400+ rounds/hour (200 is typical).
It's a pleasant change of pace from punching computer keys (self-employed), and fast enough to load a couple months worth of shooting before changing calibers.
I put my work into plastic pantry jars, and only in boxes before going to the range. With a progressive press, you learn to settle on components and charge - something accurate with a 0.5 grain (or more) safety margin
It's a pleasant change of pace from punching computer keys (self-employed), and fast enough to load a couple months worth of shooting before changing calibers.
I put my work into plastic pantry jars, and only in boxes before going to the range. With a progressive press, you learn to settle on components and charge - something accurate with a 0.5 grain (or more) safety margin
I don't know for sure, but I'd guess no since the SD die sets are non-standard, and 550/650 take standard die sets.
scattershot
Member
The Square Deal takes special dies that won't fit anything else. The 550 and 650 take standard 7/8x14 dies.
Oldgoat03
Member
+1 for the SDB
I have 2 SDB's set up for large and small primer as well. The truth is switching between primer sizes is very easy and takes about 2-3 min's. You can buy 2 SDB's set up for about the price of one of the bigger machines. New SDB's are about $386 complete and ready to load Incl's dies, caliber conversion kit tool head, powder measure and priming system (lg and small).
Additional SDB caliber conversion kits include dies, shell plate, locator pins are $86 new. I suggest getting a tool head / powder die assy ($32) so you can install and leave the dies (unless you change bullet profile).
So the bottom line is if you are only loading straight wall pistol rounds the SDB is tough to beat for the price. Oh yes and even though SDB dies are proprietary and only work on the SDB they are usually available on ebay and through Brian Enos.
Hope this helps
OG03
I have 2 SDB's set up for large and small primer as well. The truth is switching between primer sizes is very easy and takes about 2-3 min's. You can buy 2 SDB's set up for about the price of one of the bigger machines. New SDB's are about $386 complete and ready to load Incl's dies, caliber conversion kit tool head, powder measure and priming system (lg and small).
Additional SDB caliber conversion kits include dies, shell plate, locator pins are $86 new. I suggest getting a tool head / powder die assy ($32) so you can install and leave the dies (unless you change bullet profile).
So the bottom line is if you are only loading straight wall pistol rounds the SDB is tough to beat for the price. Oh yes and even though SDB dies are proprietary and only work on the SDB they are usually available on ebay and through Brian Enos.
Hope this helps
OG03
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