Kicking around the idea...

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300Whspr

300Whspr

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Hey guys, I've been kicking around the idea of getting a Dillon...

Mostly loading 40S&W to begin with, then adding 38Spl/357 Magnum.

What would you go with... the Square Deal B or the 550C? Why?

Like I said, just kicking it around... I've been handloading since the late 1980's I guess... I've got 3 presses on my reloading bench LOL. I've started doing some 40S&W on my single stage presses... but...! You know.

Thanks!
 
I don't own a Dillon, but all the people I know who reload own at least one. The 650 seems to be most popular, with the 550 second.

Caliber changes are a little cheaper and faster on the 550 than on the SDB. From my minimal hands on experience and observation I'd go with the 550. You do have to be mindful of the manual advance on the 550. But, since the SDB uses only Dillon proprietary dies, the 550 would still be my choice.

Dave
 
I have at least one of all the Dillon progressives. I started with the SD’s, none of the other current models existed back then. They have done fine reloading pistol rounds over the last 30+ years, still use them to this day for certain rounds/loads.

That said, for what they cost today they wouldn’t be my first choice unless I got a good deal on one (mine were $130 brand new from Dillon setup to load one caliber and it’s not hard to get twice that for a used one these days.)

The SD uses proprietary dies, so none of your existing gear will work with them and it can only load the pistol rounds they provide dies for

All the others take regular 7/8-14 dies so all you would need is the shellplate, locator buttons and funnel, to use your existing equipment on a 550, for example.
 
I have an old SDB, like the previous poster, bought when reloading was much cheaper, but am planning on adding either a 550 or 650 before next summer, as I am now shooting far more rifle than before. I haven't fully researched the costs involved with quickly changing calibers with either, but with the old SDB, I had quick-change options for different calibers. Looks rather expensive, today, even for the SDB. I'll likely at this point opt for the 650 for the auto-index, which I'm used to.
 
I own both so I believe I can help you with your choice. They are both very fine machines. The 550 is a bit smoother. The change overs and dies for the SDB are a bit cheaper than the 550. The auto index as apposed to the manual index on the 550 is no big thing to me. The auto index is nice but if you make a mistake on the 550 it is easy to "back-up" and fix the problem. The big question is "will ever get a rifle". If the answer is yes then go with the 550. Or you can do like I did and buy BOTH!!!!! LOL;

IMG_20181219_064714954.jpg
 
ATLDave, if I could sell my two press, I would seriously consider it. Excellent idea!!!!!
 
I would not want to do without my auto-advancing turret. Mine is not a Dillon but I've no need for the output levels of one, nor do I have the sufficient thickness of wallet - lol - but the fewer 'hand operations' the better IMHO.
 
I recently purchased a 550C. I am very happy with the 550 and am using it to load 45 ACP and 9mm. I also load .223 which was the deciding factor between the SD and 550C. I bought Dillon dies and toolheads for both 45 and 9. That allows me to keep the Dillon dies in place and have the ability to use the single stage press without having to mess with my Dillon setup.
 
I've been using a 650 for several years now and got into reloading after about 1 year of shooting. I took a look at the volume of shooting I had done over that year, 6k+ rounds of 9mm and realized that a progressive was the way to go. I also knew that I would be getting into rifle. After stating the above, just about everyone I talked to said something along the lines of you can't go wrong with the Dillon 550 or 650. I therefore only briefly looked at other brands before going with Dillon. The price difference from the 550 to the 650 is less than $100, only about 20% more, so I decided to "Buy once cry once" and got a bare bones 650. Everyone said that the 650 is no good without the case feeder. I decided to wait on getting it and am glad I did. Still don't have the case feeder, I use polycarbonate tubes to feed cases, 47 9mm at a time.

So, my advice is to buy the best press you can afford that meets your needs, without all the bells and whistles add on parts. Then add on to it as you see a need and finances dictate.
 
I would choose the 550 over he SDB. It is more versatile in that it can handle rifle cartridges and uses standard dies. Unless you anticipate the need for a load rate of more than 300-400 per hour it will be hard to out grow it. The manual indexing just isn't a factor, once you get used to it. In fact I like having that control over the process. All Dillon machines are well made, so your choice should be based upon your needs now and what you see coming in the future.
 
I have a BL550 and three SDB's.

Why three SDB's, they stay set up for one cartridge and I do not bother changing them to another. It is easier and quicker to swap out the whole press versus changing out the die and shell plates.

One is set up for 45 ACP/230 RN bullets and the second is set up for 9x19/115 RN bullets. The third I used to swap between 380 ACP and 38 Special but the 38 Special case is too tall to easily see the powder charge in the case. I have since moved 38 Special loading to a different progressive (Hornady L-N-L). Now, the third SDB is set up for only 380 ACP/90-100 grain RN bullets.

The 550 is easy to change cartridges and the larger size makes it easier to work around.

An additional comment, the 5 station 650 has advantages over the 4 station 550.
 
I'm not a Dillon guy, but I have loaded quite a bit on them when I started out in reloading. One friend had two 550s and the other had two SDB...both set-ups had one for 9mm and the other for .45ACP

The 550 is more versatile as you can use any die set you want. But the biggest thing I noticed is that there is more room to work, get your finger into, around a 550.

In the end, having only 4 die stations wasn't going to suit my needs, so I went a different direction
 
I have 3 Dillons SDB, 550B & 650 I would look at either the 550 or the 650. I started out with the 550 20+ yrs ago, then years later bought the SDB set up for 45 acp for $75.00 couldn't pass it up, load all my 45's on it now. Recently picked up the 650 slightly used less than a year old with lots of extra's for $1300 Load 223/308 so far also came with 45 acp / gap case feeder plate and dies etc.
Which ever Dillon you decide on you'll be happy with I'm sure.
 
You should make your decision based on loading volume. I've owned all 3 Dillons and feel qualified to advise.

• The 550 is the better machine for making 50 of one caliber, then swapping over to make 200 of another, in a single loading session. So if you load multiple calibers in small lots, the 550 is your best bet. Or, if you do a lot of ladder loads... 8-10 rounds each of 6 different loads within a single caliber. The 550 simply has a lot more ease of flexibility.

• If your load sessions consist mainly of one caliber loaded in very high volumes, say 500+, then the 650 is the better machine. The 650 is clearly excels in higher rounds counts completed in a single session. If you only load 150 rounds, your load session will be over so fast on a 650... it really steals a lot of the fun.


► There is, of course, a lot of overlap in the capability. I presently do ladder loads on a 650... it's not impossible.... but I do miss my 550 whenever I start one of these !

► Which ever way you go, plan on getting the Strong Mount, which makes the machine MUCH more stable and secure on the bench, thereby reducing back and shoulder muscle stress. You may have to re-think your bench height, but it will be well worth your time. If you already experience back/shoulder pain, then also opt for one of the Roller Handles from Dillon or Inline Fab.

► All 3 Dillons use the same powder measure, so if you purchased extra PMs for your SDB, those can be used on your 550 or 650.

Hope this helps.
 
The body collar for the powder measure is different on the SD than the 550, 650 &1050, the rest is the same.

The SD, 550 &1050 all use the same plastic primer tube tips, the 650 is brass and uses a rotating priming system (the most reliable priming system out there).

If the top of your bench is ridged, mounting the press to sheetmetal plates above the surface won’t be more ridged that bolting the casting right to it.

The 550 can convert calibers faster than any other without a doubt.

It is very much what you want to do, time, money decision. I can load 100 on an SD in under 10 min, a tad slower on a 550 and on a decked out 650 under 4 min per 100 and it’s less work too, just cost a lot more.

In the end there is no “wrong” decision. They all have a niche to fill, including all the other brands.
 
I also have a 650 and love it. I recently added the Mr. Bullet Feeder to the 650 + case feeder, and now all I do is watch carefully and pull the handle! It is like magic!

I tend to do batches of 1,000 or so at a time, but I find it also works well for small batches and load development.

One note: Used Dillon's are not much cheaper than new ones... There is a reason for that!
 
300Whspr wrote:
Hey guys, I've been kicking around the idea of getting a Dillon...
Click to expand...

Nooooo!

Single Stage Presses Forever!

Seriously, I have not known anyone that bought a Dillon who regretted it - after they recovered from the shock of getting the invoice. Between the Square Deal and the 550, I would think you would want the 550 so that you can use the dies you already have, use, know and love.

Something to think about is that I have read posts from 550 users - in numbers too big to ignore - who a year or two into progressive reloading regretted not having "bit the bullet" (so to speak) and gotten the 650 to start with.

As for me, I was born a single stage reloader and I'll die a single stage reloader. You can go have your flirtation with the progressive hussies, single stage presses will still be here when the progressive luster fades.
 
rfwobbly said:
You should make your decision based on loading volume. I've owned all 3 Dillons and feel qualified to advise.

• The 550 is the better machine for making 50 of one caliber, then swapping over to make 200 of another, in a single loading session. So if you load multiple calibers in small lots, the 550 is your best bet. Or, if you do a lot of ladder loads... 8-10 rounds each of 6 different loads within a single caliber. The 550 simply has a lot more ease of flexibility.

• If your load sessions consist mainly of one caliber loaded in very high volumes, say 500+, then the 650 is the better machine. The 650 is clearly excels in higher rounds counts completed in a single session. If you only load 150 rounds, your load session will be over so fast on a 650... it really steals a lot of the fun.


► There is, of course, a lot of overlap in the capability. I presently do ladder loads on a 650... it's not impossible.... but I do miss my 550 whenever I start one of these !

► Which ever way you go, plan on getting the Strong Mount, which makes the machine MUCH more stable and secure on the bench, thereby reducing back and shoulder muscle stress. You may have to re-think your bench height, but it will be well worth your time. If you already experience back/shoulder pain, then also opt for one of the Roller Handles from Dillon or Inline Fab.

► All 3 Dillons use the same powder measure, so if you purchased extra PMs for your SDB, those can be used on your 550 or 650.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Those are all great points, and exactly the ones I've been going over in my head, and really is why I think I'm leaning toward the 550 right now. Realistically, a BIG session for me would probably be 500, maybe 600 rounds of 40... but the majority would probably be less than that... but then again, with the extra capability of the progressive, the sessions could definitely grow... it's just more components to acquire and assemble!

Like I said previously, I've already got 3 single stage presses on my bench (a RockChucker and 2 RCBS Jr's), so I guess I'm kinda not too far removed from having a progressive setup strung out from one end of the bench to the other... and after loading single stage for the last 30 some years, it's a little different way of looking at things.

As you said in your first point, that is what I tend to do... a little batch here, then a big batch of something else, and so on. I'm looking at this from a pistol/handgun reloading perspective, as I seem to burn up a LOT more handgun ammo than rifle... and I'm perfectly content to stay single stage for all my rifle loading at this point... but that may change ;-)

The top of my reloading bench I think is 38 inches off the floor, I purposely made it tall to fit me. So, if the Strong Mount raises the press up 11 inches??? then that might be just a little bit high. I'll have to go down to my cave and measure it... It wouldn't be that big of a deal for me to fabricate a shorter strong mount myself if I needed to, I've got plenty of metal fab tools and equipment to make up something if required.

Thanks again!!
 
hdwhit said:
Nooooo!

Single Stage Presses Forever!

Seriously, I have not known anyone that bought a Dillon who regretted it - after they recovered from the shock of getting the invoice. Between the Square Deal and the 550, I would think you would want the 550 so that you can use the dies you already have, use, know and love.

Something to think about is that I have read posts from 550 users - in numbers too big to ignore - who a year or two into progressive reloading regretted not having "bit the bullet" (so to speak) and gotten the 650 to start with.

As for me, I was born a single stage reloader and I'll die a single stage reloader. You can go have your flirtation with the progressive hussies, single stage presses will still be here when the progressive luster fades.
Click to expand...



LOL, I think you think much like I do!!

That's the dilemma... 550, or go whole hog with the 650. Going progressive is such a monumental step up from single stage, so even with the 550 it will be like "So this is how the beautiful people live.." LOL!!
 
A wise man once told me, "buy what you're going to end up with, and don't spend money on temporary things you won't use after you get what you wanted in the first place.

If you're a dedicated reloader, you're going to end up with a 650 or 1050 eventually, so why spend the money on anything else?
 
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