should a new reloader consider a Dillon Square Deal??

[x10x10]

I think you've missed the point of Reloading, Reloading never saves you money, it just lets you shoot more for the same money.

And still the reason to buy Dillon over Lee is 10 years down the road, If your a person that gets into a hobby and hits it hard for 3-5 years and then you move on. Then you can throw away the lee or sell the dillon for $50 less than you paid for it. Your choice

 

[Moonman]

gordon21,

The Dillon Square Deal B would be an excellent machine to StART LOADING 9MM .

It basically comes ready to load from Dillon.(Square Deal model)

You would still need to check your finished round (test round, NO POWDER/PRIMER)

9MM has a number of variables in chamber dimensions depending upon AGE (pre-SAMMI Specs), Manufacturer, etc.

for FUNCTION CYCLING AND MAGAZINE FUNCTION WITH YOUR FIREARM.

IF THINGS TURN OUT THAT YOUR'RE NOT HAPPY WITH RELOADING,

OR YOUR PRODUCTION, THE DILLON CAN BE SOLD TO RECOVER MOST OF YOUR INVESTMENT.

Some Dillon's ONLY LAST A FEW MINUTES on Forum for sale threads before they are snapped up.

 

[venomballistics]

200 pieces of brass .....
when your clear of 500 .. then lets talk progressives.
In the mean time your shoving a significant mechanical layer in your face on top of the basic, but highly nuanced skill set that is reloading.
a turret or single stage fits your needs right now .. don't get too spendy on it so as to make room for a solid progressive press a little later

 

[thatroolz]

I would go with the RL550B, progressive. It isn't so complicated that you can't do it well. It is just a matter of concentration. Pay attention to what you are doing and you will be fine. You will be able to crank out tons of 9mm. I am doing .40 S&W on mine and I am very pleased. The powder throw is excellent, the machine is sturdy and very well made and easy to setup! So I vote no on the Square Deal and a hell yes to the RL550B. I love mine

 

[mosquito]

1st press, DILLON 550B! It was my first press.....still have it along with 2 1050's.

G

 

[zzzippper]

I've had both and if I was starting new I would go with the 550 for all the reasons stated. And Dillon has great customer service.

The 550 is so easy you will buy more guns just so you can load other calibers.

 

[RacinbobSW]

The OP certainly has plenty of facts and opinions to sort out. I just add that I started with a single stage, bought a Lee 1000, sold it and got a SDB. The cons on the dies and only loading pistol aren't an issue for me. I load .38/.357, 9mm and .45acp. Speed isn't an issue. I easily do 300/hr being anal about it. I love the Square Deal and think it's perfect for me. That's the key though. What's right for me may not be for others. The opinions are all here and folks need to decide what's right for them. Quality wise, Dillon is second to none but there are other fine machines out there. I'd suggest starting with a single stage and then you'll be able to make a better informed decision on what's right for you if/when you move to a progressive.

 

[blujax01]

Should a New Reloader Consider a Dillon Square Deal?

Why, yes. Yes, he should.

 

[Rule3]

Grasshopper, One should consider any and all options available before making a decision. Only after doing so will one make a wise purchase based on on expected needs, results and financial constraints.

 

[mosquito]

Grasshopper, One should consider any and all options available before making a decision. Only after doing so will one make a wise purchase based on on expected needs, results and financial constraints.

Well said!

G

 

[Moonman]

Grasshopper, One should consider any and all options available before making a decision. Only after doing so will one make a wise purchase based on on expected needs, results and financial constraints.

PROFOUND my good man, PROFOUND!

 

[Rule3]

PROFOUND my good man, PROFOUND!

Some of my finer work!
Just building up my post count

One should consider but not necessarily buy one

 

[chaparrito]

I am fairly new (2 years) and only load pistol. I'd suggest starting with the cheapest single stage you can get. For three reasons: 1) You may decide you're not really into reloading and 2) You'll have to reload a BUTTLOAD of 9mm to amortize the cost of your gear and 3) single stage loading teaches you intimately the steps involved in reloading and forces you to pay attention.

My story. I was shooting 9mm and buying ammo at Walmart. 9mm Federal was (pre-craziness) cheap and affordable. I saved all my brass for no particular reason. I shoot weekly in an informal IDPA style club. 100 rounds a week or so.
One day at a match a gunsmith/dealer buddy brought a 1911 he had for sale. Brand new in the box 2003 Smith and Wesson billboard. This was 3 years ago. He disassembled, cleaned and lubed it and I was the first to shoot it. Love at first sight. I did better in the match that day shooting a 1911 for the very first time than I had ever shot with my Sig 9mm. I wrote a check on the spot.
On the way home I realized, holy **** a hundred rounds of .45 a week is going to break me. I'm going to have to learn to reload.
Told my buddies and at the next match they brought me a Lee single stage, dies, scale, tumbler, manuals EVERYTHING I needed and said "keep this stuff all summer, we'll teach you to reload on it, if you discover you like it, buy your own setup cause we're gonna want it all back when you're done". These are fellows who ALL have elaborate Dillon rigs.
I eventually replaced the single stage with a Lee Turret press, a step between single stage and progressive, but I use it mainly as a convenient way to keep dies set up for 9mm and .45 and do most everything in what amounts to single stage. I paid less than 300 bucks for an entire setup including 4 die sets for both calibers, auto prime, powder dropper, scale, everything. I load about 200 rounds a week and figure on .45 alone that setup paid for itself in no time.
YMMV but that's my 2 cents worth.