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

 

[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