Dillon Questions

[Sam Casey]

Would like to speed up process of reloading for pistol. Thinking Dillon SDB. The SDB appears to be smaller than 550b; is there a meaningful difference? Conversion sets for extra calibers look to be $90+/-. Does that include everything needed? What "extras are really worthwhile? Spare parts kit? Strong mount? Bullet tray? Other suggestions? Looks like new set-up for 550b would only be a bit more; could use some of my RCBS dies for the 550, but looks like I'd need buy some specialized dies. I am tempted to try one of each, but space is a problem. Thoughts appreciated.

 

[824tsv]

I have a SDB. Bought it new in 2007. It's a great press but it will only load pistol ammunition-NO rifle.
It's very user friendly, I have the strong mount and add on bracket that gives you an extra large bin.
I purchased a spare parts kit, but haven't needed anything yet. The only other thing I purchased was a extra powder
measure to make it easier to swap between the 2 calibers that I load the most (45acp/38spl)

 

[Geno44]

Be aware that the dies for the SDB are unique to that press. You really limit your options with the SDB. If you are positive that you will only ever load one or two straight wall calibers, the SDB may make sense. Otherwise get the 550 and be done with it. I own two 550's and have never owned an SDB because I load multiple calibers.

 

[ChuckS1]

Have a first generation Square Deal that my wife bought me back in 1987 and it's still cranking out ammo. It was first set up in 9mm and then I added a .45 ACP conversion kit, then a .38 Special conversion and then a .44 conversion kit. I think it's easier to swap out the conversions. The key is to buy the extra toolheads (where the dies screw in) and leave the dies set up like you like them. Undo a couple of Allen screws and make the swap. Easy peasy. Also, get a second primer tube so you have one for small primers and one for large. Again, a very quick and simple change out. Dillon has replaced all my worn out parts for free and gave me a free upgrade to the SDB in the process.

 

[daboone]

I can't speak for the SDB but you will never regret the 550B. You can use your same dies and even your powder measures. I don't have the strong mount and I can't figure out why I'd want one. Certainly the spare parts kit would be worth while. I haven't use mine but its nice insurance. As far as bins go you can get large ones at Home Depot or regular one with mounting brackets from Lee.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The 550b will reload any cartridge that they make a 7/8"-14 die for! I bought mine (a 450) in 1984 or 85 and picked up every shell plate they made at the time, I up graded to the self primer feed and case mouth powder measurer a few years later. About 10 years ago I upgraded the frame to 550b, and installed a case feeder (don't bother with the case feeder). In the process I added the strong mount and a roller handle. I had a home made mount and bullet tray, but the Blue ones work much better. SDB's just won't do several pistol calibers I load (like 30 mauser, 30 carbine,& 30 luger) and it won't do some of the ones I'm planning on (460 S&W or 500 anything!)

You may not load for a rifle now, being how we are plan on a 223, 30-30 or 45-70 in you future!

Ivan

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Twenty years ago I wanted a fully progressive press and Dillon hadn't invented the 650 yet. So I went with the Square Deal. Liked it so much I bought a second one and have 6 die(caliber) changes for it. Both have always run like sewing machines and if I ever needed a small part Dillon was always quick to send.......Today if starting out I would buy the 650 as I like full automation unlike the 550B which you have to "thumb" the star around.

 

[Paul105]

Sam Casey,

Lots of information you should find useful on Brian Enos's website:

Dillon Precision Reloading Press Reviews


I have two 550s and two SDBs. I bought my first 550 back in 1982 or 1983. I like the 550 better, but the auto indexing of the SDB should be a bit safer when it comes to double charges.

Paul

 

[fredj338]

More than 25yrs ago I had that decision to make. The proprietary dies of the sdb Turned me off. I like options, the sdb gives few. So I went 550, never regretted it. If I had to have auto indexing, then I would probably go LNL instead, without a case feeder of course.
Btw, a 550 IS fully progressive, just manual indexing. There is no speed advantage to aut indexing, but it can be a bit safer. Though I have loads well over 150k rds on mine w/o an incident.

 

[teletech]

I avoided the SDB at first because of the weird dies and such. I bought a 650 which I enjoy very much, enough that I bought a second so I could leave one set up for lg primers and another for small. But somewhere along the line I lucked into a SDB as well and... I like it.
It auto-indexes which is something you don't get in a 550 that I really value. It's a fair bit smaller than the 550. It feels even small than it is, almost like a tall single stage.
I like the simplicity of the primer feed system on the SDB and while the caliber change kits are about $80 that's really a lot cheaper than buying all the parts to change a 550, I guess if Dillon ever goes away it could be an issue but someone would step up with spares. I think for shooters needing less than 1000rnds/month it's a good plan. Caliber change kits for the 550 in addition to dies contain a lot of little parts, if you have a variety of calibers it really adds up (even worse for the 650).

Of course, you can sit with the website and do the math to decide if there is a real payoff one way or the other for you.
I wouldn't bother with the accessories, a block of wood will adjust the height and the bullet tray, just dig in the kitchen for some tupperware or pyrex unless you like spending money on the color blue and need the "look" of an integrated system.

You don't mention what calibers you are loading, for smaller ones the SDB has a shorter throw and so will involve less movement, if you are doing something like a lot of 44mag I guess the leverage of a 550 might be nice. If you are doing something weird (.455 british...) the 550 will give you options.

 

[fredj338]

ICaliber change kits for the 550 in addition to dies contain a lot of little parts, if you have a variety of calibers it really adds up (even worse for the 650).

.

Not sure why you think this. A conversion kit for the 550 is shell plate, buttons & powder thru funnel, tool head & powder thru die. Other than dies, it's the same as a SDB. Diff, you have to buy Dillon dies for the SDB. Nothing really wrong with the SDB other than it limits the reloader to dies & only handgun calibers & not even all. Again, no options.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

C-H 4-D dies in Mount Vernon, Ohio may make some die sets that Dillon won't (they make several case trimmer dies for Dillon's machine), it is worth a call but there is the height limit, No mater who makes the dies!

The "Star" indexing is not a problem, I usually grab the case that has just been charged with powder and in one motion place the bullet and move the shell plate to the bullet seating station. When I load cases like 45LC or 44 Mag, the charge is low in the case and won't "spill" or vibrate out. With cases like 9mm or 40 S&W the powder can end up outside the case, having the bullet set in place allows for higher speed of reloading. Last time I loaded 45 ACP it was a 4500 round batch, It took a little less than 8 hours over two days, the biggest delay was filling primer tubes. I have 11 large and 7 small tubes, After loading 1100 rounds, I stretch, get a drink visit the facilities, refill the primer tubes, and start loading again (pretty much in that order). The roller handle makes a huge difference (these are available for just about every progressive press) 4 hours more or less is all I can take.

Hope this info helps.

Ivan

 

[Sam Casey]

Appreciate all the info. Bought a used SDB. Another question. Does anyone make a press mount system that is not elevated? Would like to mount a "universal" plate on bench that will receive presses like my Summit that are mounted on their unique base plates that snap into the base. My space is limited.

 

[kenhwind]

Appreciate all the info. Bought a used SDB. Another question. Does anyone make a press mount system that is not elevated? Would like to mount a "universal" plate on bench that will receive presses like my Summit that are mounted on their unique base plates that snap into the base. My space is limited.

Your best bet there is to get an aluminum plate, and drill and tap the plate.

While the auto indexing seems like a great advantage, and it is an advantage, but to achieve full benefits of it you need the case and bullet feeder imo. I have two 550B's one set up for small pistol the other large. I also have a Lyman Spar-T turret press.

 

[2011redrider]

Appreciate all the info. Bought a used SDB. Another question. Does anyone make a press mount system that is not elevated? Would like to mount a "universal" plate on bench that will receive presses like my Summit that are mounted on their unique base plates that snap into the base. My space is limited.

Flush mount quick change base plate. | Inline Fabrication

Inline Fabrication makes one that can be routed into the bench or it is about 7/16" above the top if mounted directly to the top. I have one in the middle of my bench that i used for a LCT and various reloading tools (RCBS bench primer, case trimmer, vise, bench swager, ect).

Found these also for flush bench mounts,

Quick Change Press Mount and Storage Rack | RVB Precision
Patmarlins
Bench Plate - Lee Precision

 

[Sclays]

Dillon

Would suggest a Dillon 650.
A versatile machine over time will prove more cost effective.

 

[calmex]

Would suggest a Dillon 650.
A versatile machine over time will prove more cost effective.

Sclays is exactly right. I used 2 different SDB's for years down here. Then I got a 650 with the casefeeder.

Remember Star Trek III, the Search for Spock where the Klingon guy says "Impressive!" and draws it out with a heavy accent?

That's all you can say about operating a 650 after struggling along with SDB's. Impressive!

 

[flintsghost]

I have a steel plate mounted on the underside of my bench top that the bolts for my presses go through and then are tightened down. This keeps my presses from leveraging the top of my bench. I have the plate drilled so that I can mount any press I own that way. I have found that wihot that the bench top keeps trying to pull up at the end of the downstroke.

 

[da gimp]

We used a Rockchucker only for years.. until the youngest daughter got into shooting handguns... then we bought a Dillon 550B.. & am very happy with it.We load .45ACP, .44mag, 9mmP, .38Spec/.357 mag, .45Colt, and almost all of our .223 Rem on our Dillon 550.


We made the top of our bench , the bed or table top, so to speak out of a sheet of 3/4" marine plywood ripped lengthwise.. then put it together with a whole tube of Liquid nails & used a bunch of 1 1/4" torque head screws ... to make a slab 8' long, 2' wide X 1 1/2" thick. We have a Rockchucker, a Dillon 550, 2 MEC shotshell presses & an old Pacific shotshell press with scales, RCBS powder thrower & Dillon Supr Swager primer pocket swager mounted on it... & I do wish we had more room...

the shotshell presses are mounted on plywood & are brought forward only to load those gauges.. 12, 20 & 28/410...