dillon square B or lee classic turret

dudley2112

Youth Group Leader
Rating - 100%
98   0   0
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Which would you recommend a lee classic turret press or a Dillon square deal B, mainly loading 9mm with a few 38 spcl one in awhile. I dont really shoot enough to justify a 550 or 650 atm, and i figure the small amounts of 38 ill be needing i can load on my single stage press easily enough.
 
Which would you recommend a lee classic turret press or a Dillon square deal B, mainly loading 9mm with a few 38 spcl one in awhile. I dont really shoot enough to justify a 550 or 650 atm, and i figure the small amounts of 38 ill be needing i can load on my single stage press easily enough.

do you want to have to buy dillon,s PROPIETORY dies?- buy a square deal and they've kind of got you by the nuts- the lee will take anybody's
 
do you want to have to buy dillon,s PROPIETORY dies?- buy a square deal and they've kind of got you by the nuts- the lee will take anybody's

considering the only handgun round i see my self shooting in any realy quantity for the next 4 years of university based simply on cost (im a cheap bugger :D) is 9mm only having dillon dies isnt a massive issue for me.
 
I have a SDB and also a Lee turret press. I have used both for years.

My advice to you would be to go with the Lee for the following reasons.

It takes standard dies which makes it a lot easier & cheaper to use.
The cost to buy the setups gives the advantage to the Lee.
The Dillon will not do rifle cartridges if you go that route later.

If you find later that you do more shooting & reloading you can always go to the Dillon then.
 
I have a SDB and also a Lee turret press. I have used both for years.

My advice to you would be to go with the Lee for the following reasons.

It takes standard dies which makes it a lot easier & cheaper to use.
The cost to buy the setups gives the advantage to the Lee.
The Dillon will not do rifle cartridges if you go that route later.

If you find later that you do more shooting & reloading you can always go to the Dillon then.

im OCD about my rifle loads so im sticking with my single stage for that :D.... Im thinking in terms of rounds per hour the SDB can make about 300-400 apparently while the turret is more like 150 ish and dillon has a better warranty from what ive been told. :confused:
 
im OCD about my rifle loads so im sticking with my single stage for that :D.... Im thinking in terms of rounds per hour the SDB can make about 300-400 apparently while the turret is more like 150 ish and dillon has a better warranty from what ive been told. :confused:
If you ever decide to upgrade, you will get a far better price on the Dillon, than the LEE.....
 
The Dillon SDB has only 3 die stations while the Lee Turret Classic has four.

You can have a separate crimping station for the Lee Classic, not with the SDB and that alone is the dealbreaker for the SDB, IMO.
(correction: the SDB actually has fourth station for crimping, as pointed out next post by Quigley)

The Lee is much cheaper to buy, especially since you need set ups for both 9mm and 38m /357.

The SDB may have a lifetime warranty but how often do you need parts?
The Lee Classic Cast Turret has three parts that will likely break in one's lifetime, and you can order a lifetime supply for cheap when you order the press...about 20 bucks worth.

True, the SDB may have a higher resale value but why even sell the Classic Turret?

Anyways, you have already ordered the Lee. Good for you.

You will not regret your decision. I sold my 550B recently and ordered two Classic Turrets with setups for 9mm, 39/357, 40SW and 445acp. My shooting needs have changed, and have used my buddy's Turret and love it.
 
Last edited:
I have both, I would go dillion if you are going to stick with one caliber.
It does a better job.




Which would you recommend a lee classic turret press or a Dillon square deal B, mainly loading 9mm with a few 38 spcl one in awhile. I dont really shoot enough to justify a 550 or 650 atm, and i figure the small amounts of 38 ill be needing i can load on my single stage press easily enough.
 
The Dillon SD has four stations

By George, you are correct! Could it be the old SDBs had only three? I remember my friend's SDB had his bullet seater and crimper in one station, so that meant three stations only. Could it be the old SDBs had three, not four.... Not the first time I was wrong.

Thanks for pointing it out.
 
P&D has 308 and 223 Square deals in stock. Saw them yesterday.
I believe that Dillon only makes for short action rounds - but I could be wrong.

Later...
 
You'd be better off waiting to afford a 550, 650, Loadmaster, L'n'L or some other progressive that uses standard dies.

Get the Turret for now and keep it for odd jobs and a backup press later when you get your better progessive. I still use mine a lot even with a progressive press.
 
If you want a pistol cartridge press and you are not worried about loading rifle the SDB is great.No hassle no problems, set it up pull the handle.It is fast so you do not spend days reloading ammo.Dillon is just an email away if you need parts.Excellent service.
 
I really don't get the "standard die" issue...unless he already has the dies what difference does it make what he has to buy

Just because their 7/8's doesn't mean they're free...;)
 
P&D has 308 and 223 Square deals in stock. Saw them yesterday.
I believe that Dillon only makes for short action rounds - but I could be wrong.

Later...

Are you sure about that? I can't imagine loading 308 on a Dillon SD (or .223 for that matter)

Dillon advertises them for straight wall pistol cases only...:confused:
 
Back
Top Bottom