It all depends on your needs, present and future. A SDB is a great machine and for a beginner with the need to make a bunch of ammo, they are the ticket. Just a couple of things about it make it something that isn't too willing to "grow" with. Dies are proprietary and expensive. The work area is small and can be troublesome if you have hands like a gorilla, which I do.
That being said, I have three of the little babies and love them. Another down side to them is that they will ONLY do pistol cartridges. And the last thing is that they don't have a case feeder designed for them. Like I said, they are a great, well built, simple press to run and work on. Used ones can be had for $150 - $200, check ebay.
The XL650 can do all common pistol and rifle cartridges. The dies are not proprietary but the caliber changes can be a bit salty. The 5th hole, made for a powder check die is invaluable. I have one of them too. I am migrating all of my SDB needs to it. Has a case feeder option and you can really crank out the ammo. A great machine.
The 1050 is out of my price range and the no nonsense warranty doesn't apply to it. It will do military cases on the press. Something that would be a nice feature.
As for handloads for self defense; check your local laws, that's what will govern whether you can use them or not. As for the other issues concerning them, there has never been a case, at last check, where handloads was THE issue in a SELF DEFENSE shooting. The case that is often used to prove they are taboo is a case where they were trying to determine whether to charge someone with murder or to deem it a suicide. Called the Daniel Bias case.
Lots of experts though have pontificated that you will go directly to jail if you use your own homegrown ammo in a defensive shooting. I think that just adds fuel to the litigious issues surrounding the issue. "This firearms expert says........." Imagine being in court and having to fight your own side! What I want to do is tell them to chew on a pair of socks, friend!
