A local shop has a used Dillon Square Deal (not sure if "B" model or not) for sale for $225 with one set of dies. Is this a decent deal? I would only be reloading pistol calibers. Not knowing if it comes with everything, I would probably send it back to Dillon to be reconditioned. Thoughts?
$225 for a Square Deal press?
- Thread starter ilmonster
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I can't give you specific information on the Square Deal but I recommend reading in the forums at http://www.brianenos.com/ .
I have learned a lot about dillon presses through that site (specifically the 650). If you don't get your answer here, try there.
I have learned a lot about dillon presses through that site (specifically the 650). If you don't get your answer here, try there.
Nowhere Man
Member
Yes. That's a great deal...If you're not going to buy it, where is it?
Dave
Dave
Jim Watson
Member
1. New price is around $350.
2. Dillon warrants presses to all owners, second hand treated just like you bought it new. A friend just got one I sold him back from overhaul at no charge except shipping.
I think it a good deal IF it is a caliber you want.
2. Dillon warrants presses to all owners, second hand treated just like you bought it new. A friend just got one I sold him back from overhaul at no charge except shipping.
I think it a good deal IF it is a caliber you want.
loadedround
Member
Excellent deal especially if it is a complete ready to go unit. 
bobotech
Member
If its complete with the related alternative primer parts, then its a great deal.
If it is just the press with no other accessories, I might consider chewing them down a little.
I'm referring to the fact that when you buy a new SDB, it comes with both the small and large primer accessories, low primer warning, etc. If its missing those... might want to reconsider.
If it is just the press with no other accessories, I might consider chewing them down a little.
I'm referring to the fact that when you buy a new SDB, it comes with both the small and large primer accessories, low primer warning, etc. If its missing those... might want to reconsider.
bobotech
Member
The reason why I mentioned what I said is that I bought a used SDB for 200 and sent it back to Dillion to have it refurbed and get the missing parts.
I was charged about 100 dollars for the missing parts and labor to have it refurbed.
The base refurb was 39 dollars, and the parts were on top of that.
Plus I had to pay for shipping back.
I was charged about 100 dollars for the missing parts and labor to have it refurbed.
The base refurb was 39 dollars, and the parts were on top of that.
Plus I had to pay for shipping back.
Encoreman
Member
Hey Ilmonster, I have a SDB and really like it, had been using a single stage for awhile and I thought I had died and went to heaven. Even if I was loading some rifle rounds everytime I came by the SDB I couldn't resist placing an empty case and a bullet and pulling the handle. It was pretty cool to accomplish in an hour what had taken me several hours with the single stage. Buy it you will love it. Mac
Zeke/PA
Member
I bought a Square Deal dirt cheap from a co-worker a few years back.
If you think reloading is fun, wait till your "new " toy is up and running.
If you think reloading is fun, wait till your "new " toy is up and running.
50calshooter
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square deal
My short history of presses all progesive Lee , Texan (junk) then square deal not bad for 1 shell type does good job. Then 550 dillion then 650 now Hornady. The problem with reloading is it is the drug for a true shooting nut. The more you reload the more you can shoot. If $200 is what you can afford go for it. By all means start reloading. The press will do you right. If you want versitility and able to upgrade to rifle and a case feeder go hornady. It took me over 18 years to get to this point. Good luck David
My short history of presses all progesive Lee , Texan (junk) then square deal not bad for 1 shell type does good job. Then 550 dillion then 650 now Hornady. The problem with reloading is it is the drug for a true shooting nut. The more you reload the more you can shoot. If $200 is what you can afford go for it. By all means start reloading. The press will do you right. If you want versitility and able to upgrade to rifle and a case feeder go hornady. It took me over 18 years to get to this point. Good luck David
rfwobbly
Member
Are you asking the right question ?
Price isn't the only thing that makes for a good deal. The SD uses special dies available only from Dillon. If the used press does not come with the dies you want then there's an extra purchase right there. Once you own one, you're roped into buying more of these special dies if you want to expand your reloading (and who wouldn't naturally expand?) to more calibers.
So if you know going in that you want to reload many multiple calibers and that your safe is full of different calibers that you shoot a lot, then the Square Deal itself is not a "good deal".
This doesn't mean that the Square Deal is not a great little press, it is. It's more like you're looking for a commuter and weekend getaway vehicle, and have stumbled upon a great deal on a bulldozer. The price may be "right" but is the offered product good for your purposes?
That's the question I would ask.
Price isn't the only thing that makes for a good deal. The SD uses special dies available only from Dillon. If the used press does not come with the dies you want then there's an extra purchase right there. Once you own one, you're roped into buying more of these special dies if you want to expand your reloading (and who wouldn't naturally expand?) to more calibers.
So if you know going in that you want to reload many multiple calibers and that your safe is full of different calibers that you shoot a lot, then the Square Deal itself is not a "good deal".
This doesn't mean that the Square Deal is not a great little press, it is. It's more like you're looking for a commuter and weekend getaway vehicle, and have stumbled upon a great deal on a bulldozer. The price may be "right" but is the offered product good for your purposes?
That's the question I would ask.
I do have experience with reloaders, but they have been shotshell reloaders. I currently own an MEC 9000 I use for skeet and SC loads.
I would like to save some $'s in the long run for my handguns too, and thought a SDB might be a good start. I do understand that the dies are proprietary, but I'm not looking to reload rifle calibers and I don't own any other dies. My two rifles are 9mm and .357 (RRA 9mm and Marlin 1894 .38/.357), so pistol only reloaders aren't a hinderance. Thanks for the info guys!
I would like to save some $'s in the long run for my handguns too, and thought a SDB might be a good start. I do understand that the dies are proprietary, but I'm not looking to reload rifle calibers and I don't own any other dies. My two rifles are 9mm and .357 (RRA 9mm and Marlin 1894 .38/.357), so pistol only reloaders aren't a hinderance. Thanks for the info guys!
Bush Pilot
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- Oct 17, 2007
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- 2,397
I've got Square Deals set up in the handgun cartridges I primarily shoot, they're great presses. I prefer to load on them over their big brothers (2 550s and a 1050)
Encoreman
Member
Go for it monster, I really like mine. Bought it used on *-bay and the guy that had used it was a competitive shooter, so this thing has been used. I have broken a few pieces and as of yet Dillon won't take any of my money. I have probably loaded close to 10K rounds of 38 and 40.
Well, I found a SDB here in the THR classifieds for $235 that looks to have all the parts and is in better shape than the SDB at my local shop. Now just need to get some primers (ya, that'll be a trick), bullseye or unique and bullets and get up to speed.
bobotech
Member
The key point would be are there any missing parts? If there are missing parts, Dillion will charge to have them replaced. I know that because they charged me to replace the missing parts on my SDB when I sent it in.
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