Dillion reloading

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Markgto

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I have been doing a lot of online research for reloading, and I've come to a conclusion that I will most likely go with a Dillion progressive press, I'm thinking the square deal. I think this unit should work just fine for reloading 9mm,357/38, 45 acp? The square deal is cheaper than the other models 550, 650 & 1050. However, doesn't have the bells and whistles such as case or bullet feeders. I realize that these features speed up production, but for a guy that is at the range once a week for fun, does it matter? Or, should I be spending the extra money on a 650?
Looking for comments from guys experienced with these machines
Thank you
 
I have had a Square Deal B for .38's, 9mm & 45 ACP for years. I also have a single stage Lee press for rifle.
I am happy with the SDB. I don't feel the need for a more expensive machine. But that is based on my shooting.
Remember that the SDB will not do rifle cartridges.
 
The SDB should work fine if you're shooting once a week. Get extra toolheads so you don't have to adjust your dies when you switch calibres.

I use mine for .32, 9mm, .38 and .45. You can easily load 100 rounds in a half hour.
 
for the minor dif in price & the gain in versatility , + used dies or lee , when your looking @ 4 cals , the 550 is worth looking @ , as well as a much higher resale .
 
I have SDB and really like, it does about 300 rounds a hour, which is fast enough for me. Dillion customer service is great. It does not do rifle cartridges but I have no plans of reloading rifle cartridges if I do I well pick up a cheap single stage for that.
 
The abillity to insall the charge checker on a 650 is worth the extra few dollars to me. One squib or over charge can, and probably will, do considerable more $ worth of damage to a $1000 dollar pistol than the difference in original press purchase costs.

I see you are from Red Deer, I live only about 35 min east if you want to make the drive out to try a 650, I will be glad to show you one in action. I have 2 650's and a 550 and have been reloading since 1963 so if you are new to reloading, I can probably give you a fairly useful tutorial.
 
Good call with Dillon.

The SD is a good machine, and works great if you are looking to load one caliber only. You can do multiple calibers on the machine, but you have to use their own dies. It is also not a super fast machine to change calibers on, and you cannot load rifle on it. I also find with the SD that there is not much space for my hands to work (tight space and I have big hands).

I went with the 550, and I like it alot. I can load about 3-400 an hour comfortably on the machine, and it is easy to change calibers.

If you want a good source to consult regarding what machine to pick, Brian Enos website is a good place to start.
 
Do you know any snowbirds coming back from Phoenix? They can pick up a 550, you will pay the state tax but you will save a pile on shipping. I strongly recommend the 550. I have had two 550s and a 650. My first 550 has loaded about 1/2 a million rounds, I eventually added a case feeder. You only shoot once a week now but that can quickly change and you can add the case feed at a later date. I brought one back last week for a friend who didn't think he would ever need one.

The 650 is a little much for a first time press, it can be frustrating until set up properly, but if you have someone near by that has experience you should be ok. There is some fine tuning to get it running.
 
BattleRife said:
Remember also that it takes proprietary dies that do not fit any other machine.
Click to expand...

I have used Lee, RCBS, and Redding with my D650. You might have to put the lock nut on the bottom of the toolhead.

With the self indexing of the 650, all you have to do with your left hand is feed bullets, which makes things faster.

For high production a case feeder is a must.

The extra station on the 650 for a powder checker is a nice plus as well.

More production means more ammo, and that means more shooting!!!

Once the loader is set up and the primer tubes are filled, I can do about 100 rnds in +/- 8 min. So a couple of weekday evenings and I will do a couple 1000 rnds.

I have never used a SD but my friend had a 550. He quickly got a 650 after.

It is a one time investment, but in the end it comes down to time and money. So how much time do you have to reload in a week vs how much do you shoot?

If you can afford a 550 with a case feeder I would start there.

GC
 
When I used to shoot IPSC I would crank out 5000 rounds of 45acp ammo in 8 hours on my square deal...I have a Lee turret press and a O frame lee press for Rifle...Square deal is great, but you need another press such as a cheap lee to load rifle...
 
My right pinky tells me that my next press will be a 650.
I don't like the idea of proprietary dies, and manual indexing, so that brings us to the 650.
 
Markgto said:
Wow thanks for the offer! I might have to take you up on that.
Being that you have 3 progressive presses, would you sell me one?
Click to expand...

Sorry, but no i won't sell any yet. I have one 650 set up for small primer stuff. The other 650 is set up for large primer & rifle. The 550, I have the use of, I don't really need it but it belongs to a freind of mine that doesn't have room for it at his place so we set it up on my bench.
I work at home so am home any time of the day or evening if you do want to slide out for a couple hrs to give the Dillons a going over in their work clothes. $5 dollars spent on gas might give you a better idea of what you are looking for or really needing and save you money in the long run.

P.M me if you are interested having a look.
 
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