Opinion of Dillion's Square Deal Loader

[Skip Sackett]

I have had 3 SDB, no 550 and 2 XL650's. If it were me, I would spend the money and get a true fully progressive press like the XL650 or a Hornady LNL.

The SDB is a GREAT machine and I have used mine for thousands of rounds, from 380 to 44Mag. Never a problem that parts weren't taken care of for free.

I purchased all of them used too. One was severely abused too. The previous owner had even broken a handle on it in the past!

The SDB is a great press and the auto indexing is a MUST if you are going to load a lot. There are some shortcuts that are in the sticky at the top of the reloading forum. Take a gander at them.

Don't let the proprietary dies scare you. They are great dies. A caliber change can be done quickly and setup is not that hard if you use this little help that I developed.

Write the settings down in the top of the caliber change kit box and use them the next time you set up and you will be really close to making good ammo quick.

FWIW

 

[Shuz]

Manually advance the shell plate? Is that the same as NO to auto indexing?

If so how can it be a progressive machine. You have to turn it and pull the handle each time?? I'm confused.

To answer your question. Yes the 450 or newer 550 both say NO to auto indexing. It is what some call a semi-progressive loading press. The Square Deal B and the 650 and 1050 machines are true progressive presses as is the Square Deal B.

 

[mark454]

There has been some good advice given so I won't repeat it. I will add that I do not like the auto indexing of the SDB. The shell plate moved to fast. If I was loading 44 mag with a full charge of H110, it often spilled while the shell plate was advancing. When I loaded cartridges such as 38,45, or light chages in 44 mag, the auto indexing was not a concern. I have since changed to a 550 and wish I would have just started with it.
Mark

 

[H Richard]

I've been using a 550 for 25+ years, and have never had any problems (other than a couple minor parts break and Dillon had me FREE replacements within days). Once you orient to a 550 it may as well be auto indexing, it becomes so automatic. Just loping along, I can load 500 rounds in about an hour and a half, and that's stopping to refill primer tubes.

I can change over to a different caliber in about 10 minutes.

 

[Rule3]

I've been using a 550 for 25+ years, and have never had any problems (other than a couple minor parts break and Dillon had me FREE replacements within days). Once you orient to a 550 it may as well be auto indexing, it becomes so automatic. Just loping along, I can load 500 rounds in about an hour and a half, and that's stopping to refill primer tubes.

I can change over to a different caliber in about 10 minutes.

Pleas help me understand this. It's a progress press so it is doing several cases (different functions) at the same time. Correct?

So you have to turn the turret head (or whatever term) Place a empty case, place a bullet and then pull the arm? (assuming no auto case or bullet feeder)

So it's basically a turret press that does several rounds at the same time??


EDIT: Never mind, I just watched a video on you tube show from set up to finished rounds. I'll stick with my turret press over that one.

 

[Bart 44]

There has been some good advice given so I won't repeat it. I will add that I do not like the auto indexing of the SDB. The shell plate moved to fast. If I was loading 44 mag with a full charge of H110, it often spilled while the shell plate was advancing. When I loaded cartridges such as 38,45, or light chages in 44 mag, the auto indexing was not a concern. I have since changed to a 550 and wish I would have just started with it.
Mark

I load near max loads of H110 with the SD in 44 mag and 45 Colt without any spillage issue although I've found this can happen if the shell plate is too tight. Of course the speed the shell plate advances and stops is directly related to the manner in which the operating arm is manipulated.

Dennis.

 

[Ranger325]

I am very pleased with my SDB. My brother gave me his used unit many years ago and although I mostly reload .45ACP. I have conversions for .38 and .45 LC as well. Pre-owned conversion die sets are readily available at good prices - I have one on the way in 9mm for my new project. Change over is not a problem and part of the fun!
Good luck.

 

[Skeet 028]

SDB

Happen to have one in 38 and a change kit for 9mm. Got it at a gun show for a hundred bucks. Works fine..especially for the money.
My main machine is a super 1050 for 223 and a 1050 in 45.. If I loaded the 38 and 9 alot I'd use the 1050 conversion on the super as it is set up for small primers. I am going to get another change for the SDB though..in 41 mag. For the amount of loading I do for it the SDB is going to be fine. I carry the 41 for grizz protection so don't shoot it alot. You'll probably like the SDB

 

[PALADIN85020]

The SDB is a lot of bang for the buck if all you are ever going to load is straight-wall pistol cartridges. It will NOT handle bottleneck cases such as the .357 SIG, .30 Luger, .30 Mauser, etc. Compared to the 550B, the only downside is longer change-out time and that you cannot use standard dies from other makers for special purposes.

The 550B is the most versatile press that Dillon makes; it will reload many cartridges up to and including the .338 Lapua Magnum. It uses standard dies of any make. It does not have automatic indexing (as do the SDB and the 650), but it gives you total control over the loading process, and can produce loaded rounds at a very good clip once you get rolling.

The 550B is Dillon's best seller and is the industry standard for progressive presses. It is a larger, sturdier press than the SDB, although either press has a lifetime no-BS guarantee from Dillon.

You may not want to load other than pistol cases now, but who knows what the future may bring. If it were me, personally, I'd get the 550B and be prepared for virtually any reloading task in the future.

Hope this helps -

John

 

[Moonman]

I use my Square D for 45ACP the most, I also have a Hornady LNL progressive, a Hornady Classic single stage, Redding Big Boss II single stage, and an aging friend at the gun club who has a couple STAR reloaders and I might be able to purchase one of them someday. I don't really load for rifles though. Basically just 45ACP, 38 Special, 357MAG, 9MM, 380ACP, 40S&W, and maybe in the future 44Special, 44Mag