Feedback on Dillon Square Deal B

justmessing

justmessing

Regular
Rating - 100%
42   0   0
Location
Edmonton
The more I read up on reloading the more I'm looking forward to jumping in.
I couldn't find too much info on the SDB here, mostly 550/650

I'm fairly familiar with the perks and drawbacks of the SDB, looking to hear about some personal experiences with it. I'd like to load 9mm in volume, don't own any rifles at this time, don't hunt. May supplement with a single stage if (when) the need ever arises.

So what's your thoughts? Will you keep yours forever? Upgraded to a 650 already? Was it a good buy?

I've got an email off to x-reload to see if they'll be offering the 9mm starter kit again soon, it seems like a pretty solid value.
https://x-reload.com/dillon-square-deal-b-9mm-press-w-dies-starter-kit.html

Thanks in advance
 
I have loaded thousands of rounds of 9mm and .38Special on my SDB. Good machine. It does require deliberate operation.
4n2t0 has identified 2 shortcomings.
 
I have one in 9mm. First progressive press I bought. I am happy with it and don't regret getting it. I was shopping for a sdb or 550 and at the time wanted to spend a bit less to be setup to load 9mm. Didn't really work out as i got a 550 shortly after. I prefer the working space in the 550 compared to the sdb(small area for reaching in, inspecting, etc). Saying that, i would never get rid of it as i will always have a few 9mm firearms on hand. If money was a concern and someone wanted to buy once, cry once, the versatility of the 550 can't be beat. No experience with a 650. I don't need that much volume.
 
justmessing said:
Thanks, I'll definitely look a little closer at it. I like reading about the process, and I'm not sold on anything yet. Although if that 9mm kit was in stock it might already be on its way to my door.

Edit, how do you hotlink? I just noticed mine never worked
Click to expand...

Just copy/paste: https://x-reload.com/dillon-square-deal-b-9mm-press-w-dies-starter-kit.html

You sound pretty excited about the "kit" and there's nothing wrong with that but you may find yourself replacing/upgrading some, if not all, of the included components. Even if you go with the SDB I would recommend staying away from the "kit".
 
That kit seems pretty good. You will always upgrade but most of those items seem of good quality.

Check the EE, a couple square deals for around the $500 mark, one with 3 conversions. Could use the money saved for the missing items of your choice.
 
Thanks laker, sent a pm about that EE ad. Might be able to source all the extras for about $350 on my own. Guess I'll have to find a .357 revolver and a tanfo .40 now too...
 
My original Dillon was the SBD and I still have it. It was a way better method then my single stage. With that I will keep it forever to continue to load my large primer 45 acp. I have since up graded to the 650 for 40 and 38 super. Now when I load for the 45 it seems to take forever. With that in mind I rarely load for more then a half hour, which keeps me going for about two weeks. Either way if you go with one of the three you will be happy
 
I'm thinking about getting the SBD myself.

I don't see any significant difference between the kit and just the press to justify the difference in price.

I've been picking up bits and pieces and got most of the additionally stuff the kit offered.
 
I started 3 years ago with a SDB and I've loaded probably 30k + of 9mm and now a few k of .40 without a hiccup. I keep eyeing up a 650 with fancy add ons and when I figure out the cost I can't bring myself to spend the cash knowing I can produce 400+ rounds per hour with the gear I already own.
 
I have an SDB but only because I don't have space for a 550 or better. It's a great press but it has limitations. Once I get more room, I'll upgrade.
 
Me and 3 friends share a SDB in 9mm config. We've recently hit 10k rounds mark on the press. My observations:

On the up stroke of the lever (ram moving down), certain brand of brasses tend to get stuck to the case mouth expander at station #2 (powder drop). It requires extra effort to push the lever up. However, if you over push the lever, once the brass breaks free, the shell plate starts to turn fast and powder can spill. I've largely eliminated this problem by changing brass cleaning method (dry tumble instead of ultrasonic), reduce case mouth expansion, and developed a technique to work the handle so powder doesn't spill. But that's my primary complaint for the press.
(For comparison, the Hornady LnL AP press would turn shell plate half turn on each direction of lever travel, thus they claim it would eliminate the powder spill problem. While it make sense, I don't own a LnL AP and cannot verify it.)

The screw holding shell broke (snap in half) at 8k rd mark. Waited 2 weeks for warranty part to come in (no charge). Dillon said it's a common problem on 9mm, but they don't know why. This happened while the guy that tend to break things was using the press, so I cannot say whether it's the guy or the press.

Between 4 of us, we average 200 rd/hr on the press. Time is calculated from lights on to lights off. Some of us are faster and some slower. I think 250 rd/hr is easily achievable if you operate smoothly.

While someone mentioned the larger workspace advantage of 550/650, I'd like to point out with SDB you have a shorter ram travel thus shorter lever throw.

While we were shopping, I strongly preferred the Hornady LnL AP. The other friend wanted to go with Dillon 650. So SDB was a compromise between us. Turns out it works really well, as we don't need the cheaper/easier caliber conversion capability offered by larger press (because we prefer not to change the setup on a shared press). Personally if I were to buy a progressive press for myself I'd go with Lee Loadmaster. But warranty was a big concern on a shared press, and Lee's warranty was not as good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom