Opinion of Dillion's Square Deal Loader

[retired2006]

First, let me say that I only load pistol cartridges, 9mm, 38 Spl, 357mag, 45 acp, 44mag.
My question is, for those who own, or have used the Dillion SDB loader, what is you opinion ?
Would I be better off going to the 450 loader, as I already have all the 7/8" dies ?

 

[ronnie gore]

square deal

i have one in 38, 9mm, 45 auto, and 40 s&w, i have had some of them for over 25 years, excellent and they will fix anything for free for life, i like to have them set up in one caliber so i don't have to change anything, except the 38 i can just do minor die adjustment and load 357 mag.

 

[Beemer-mark]

First, let me say that I only load pistol cartridges, 9mm, 38 Spl, 357mag, 45 acp, 44mag.
My question is, for those who own, or have used the Dillion SDB loader, what is you opinion ?
Would I be better off going to the 450 loader, as I already have all the 7/8" dies ?

I have a SDB and let may say if your going to reload more than cartridge then get the 550.

 

[TNDave]

A very good loader. You can load 100 rounds in 30 minutes easily

 

[OKFC05]

Would I be better off going to the 450 loader, as I already have all the 7/8" dies ?

If you can afford it, get the 550 and the change kits for the different dies (keeps all the adjustments). After you use it a few months, you'll wonder why you waited so long to get it. The quality of ammo from the SDB is the same, but it uses proprietary dies and is slower to change die sets.
WARNING: When you find out how quick and easy it is to crank out hundreds of cartridges, your shooting is going to increase.

 

[Bart 44]

I advise you to get the SD, it's the way to go for what you want to do. I've had and used 1050s, 650s, 550s and SDs. The 1050s and 650s are gone, still have a 550 but don't use it, now loading all my handgun ammo on SDs. The main thing the 550 has going against it is it doesn't auto advance.
You pay a little more to set up with dies but IMO it's worth it. As far as changing dies…..4 screws instead of 2 pins….not a big deal.

Dennis.

 

[Aticus]

Get the 550. The SDB is a great press and if you can afford it having one for each caliber is a superb idea. Having said that the 550 is more versatile and you can use standard dies. I think a better deal.

Pecos

 

[Maximumbob54]

I think the BL 550 would be a better starter if you are hooked on the blue. You can add the bells and whistles later as you go. Then at some point that will become a RL 550B set up with the parts you want.

 

[Rule3]

A machine (press) for each caliber at $370 a pop without extras? Doesn't seem very cost effective to me. Sounds very convenient and no hassle but expensive.

How much does it price out to get the 550 and all the dies. plates etc? Heck maybe it's more.

 

[Aticus]

A machine (press) for each caliber at $370 a pop without extras? Doesn't seem very cost effective to me. Sounds very convenient and no hassle but expensive.

How much does it price out to get the 550 and all the dies. plates etc? Heck maybe it's more.

Depends how fancy you want to get. Adding the quick change kits and conversion kits can be about $140 to $150 per caliber to the $430 cost of the 550. However, if you have the dies already you only need the conversion kit which run about $44.

Never said that multiple SDB's was the way to go but is an alternative. More expensive than I want to do.lol Personally I use a 550 with a selection of conversion kits.

Pecos

 

[Vartarg]

Get the 550

I started out reloading in 1996 witha SDB and had no complaints with it....good piece of equipment. Like you, all I wanted to load was handgun cartridges.

However, as is often the case, our interests grow and develop over time and a while later I developed an interested in small caliber rifle/varmint shooting, and the SDB doesn't do that.

It's not that much more $$, and who knows where reloading will take you in the months and years to come.

I sold mine, loaded exclusively for several years on singles stage presses, and only recently bought a progressive...a Hornady LNL AP.

Good luck.

 

[2152hq]

I've used my SD (not even the 'B' model) since I bought it new in the early 80's.
Bought it in 38sp caliber as I was shooting Bullseye at the time with a revolver. Added a 9mm conversion along the way.

Always worked well for me. No complaints at all.

But if I was in to more than the two calibers in volume, plus some rifle numbers in volume,,I'd definetly go for another press to handle them & conventional dies.

 

[Shuz]

I have both the Square Deal B and an old 450. Owned both since the mid 80's. Like them both. My suggestion would be to go for the 550 since you already have the dies. The 550 can also reload rifle cartridges should that be an interest at some time.
The only disadvantage with the 550 is that you have to manually advance the shellplate. With my old 450, I have to not only advance the shellplate, I also have to remember to push the powder slide bar and pull the primer bar each time! The newer 550's have an automatic primer and powder charging system.
FWIW, when I found myself wanting to load for a newly acquired .380 ACP, I chose to go the 450 route rather than disrupt the Square Deal B.
prolly because I had a .380 shell plate from my old days loading for the 7mmTCU on the 450!

 

[Rule3]

I have both the Square Deal B and an old 450. Owned both since the mid 80's. Like them both. My suggestion would be to go for the 550 since you already have the dies. The 550 can also reload rifle cartridges should that be an interest at some time.
The only disadvantage with the 550 is that you have to manually advance the shellplate. With my old 450, I have to not only advance the shellplate, I also have to remember to push the powder slide bar and pull the primer bar each time! The newer 550's have an automatic primer and powder charging system.
FWIW, when I found myself wanting to load for a newly acquired .380 ACP, I chose to go the 450 route rather than disrupt the Square Deal B.
prolly because I had a .380 shell plate from my old days loading for the 7mmTCU on the 450!

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.

 

[socal s&w]

I believe that the SDB is one of the best handgun cartridge loaders available.

Although it is specific on dies and only does handgun ammo, it is really tough to beat.

It is auto indexing, which means that there is little margin for a double load if you do your part.

I have three and am looking for a fourth. Mounted to a flat plate with an 'I' beam below, then in a large vice that swivels. I can load any of three calibers in a matter of minutes.

Bought them all used locally.

See pix.

 

[Jerry944T]

Love it but......

I have owned a Square Deal for about 3 years and have loaded thousands of 45's and 38's. It is small enough that it is convenient to mount just about anywhere. The auto indexing feature is very useful. It has been completely reliable.

Having said that if I knew then what I know now I would have never bought it. The reason is Dillon's proprietary dies. I have recently bought a high end 1911 for Bullseye events. It has a chamber that is SAAAMI minimum. It does not like the ammo I am producing.

The only way to get the gun to run reliably is to take all the loaded ammo and run it through a single stage press with a Lee Factory Sizing die. The Square Deal cannot use that die.

This really isn't a criticism of the Square Deal since I knew its limitations when I bought it. What I didn't know is that I would be eventually reloading for a finicky gun. The gun is amazingly accurate so I'm willing to go to the extra trouble of another reloading step but I do have a Dillon 650 in my sights.

 

[M16]

I have four square deals b's; two 550's, and one 650. When loading handgun ammunition the square deal b's gets the most use by a mile. If you only will load handgun ammunition I would go with the square deal b.

 

[glen_farmer]

Square Deal

The gun shop/range where I bought my 550B had a Square Deal setup for 45ACP. I think everyone and their brother used it. It was a work horse, and withstood all kinds of abuse.

When it was sold, it was replaced with a 650 with case feeder. It looks to be one tough cookie too.

My 550B in three years of use has turned out 200 shy of 70000 rounds. If it were a progressive who knows what the output would be? Sorry Rule3, I just had to say it. ; )

 

[dla]

I like my SDB. I load 45acp and 44mag on it. In my opinion, either get the SDB or jump straight to the 650. The 550 is great if you want to do double charges.

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
If you are looking for a used single caliber press the SD is hard to beat. I bought one used ready to roll for $225 in 45 acp. But if you want to load numerous calibers I would get a used 550 and hunt the tool heads used.
Mike in Peru