Decisions, decisions..which Dillon again.

[jgh4445]

OK. Got out bid on the auction site on the Square Deal B in 45 acp with 38/357 dies. NOt tool head and conversion kit, just 38/357 dies. Wasn't going to pay retail for a used loader with missing parts. Someone else actually did. Geez. So, what should I but. Here's the deal.

I have a co-ax and a rock chucker. I load for 45 Colt, 45 Acp, 9 and 10mm the most. Shoot 38/357/380 and 44 also but not very much. I can always load for them on the single stage.

I shoot .223, .260, .280 and .308 a bunch. I like real ( or perceived) precision, so I've always loaded them on the RC. Now I plan to load them on the Co-Ax.

I also have two Lee Pro 1000's but I really have to tinker too much with them. Selling them to a friend who thinks he just has to have them.

Since I didn't end up purchasing that particular Square Deal, and the Lee's are going to a new home, economically, which is smarter?

One Square Deal with say, the three most often loaded calibeer conversions with the others added later?

Two Square deals one for large primers and one for small primer calibers?

One 650 for the handgun calibers and load the rifle on the single stages?

No. I don't want a L-N-L or a 550. Been there done that drank both colors of the kool-aide.

 

[Paddy]

Not meaning to cause a debate just curious what was wrong with the LnL and 550? I've been somewhat around different loops too and have arrived back at the 550 for rifle and leave my LnL dedicated to basically just one pistol cal.

The main thing I don't like about the 550 is the right handed nature of the flow.

 

[LiveLife]

Having learned to reload on 550, I went through contemplation of getting 650 vs LNL AP (I like auto index for progressive loading). I ended up getting the 650 but based on many member comments, would have been comfortable getting a LNL AP also and may get one in the future.

But I am very happy with 4 Pro 1000s dedicated for pistol calibers that allows me to simply walk up to a press and add components to start reloading at high rate of production and would not part with them. If you have concerns with precision/consistency of reloads, I have reloaded my USPSA match loads and all of my accuracy test loads on Pro 1000s - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9924922#post9924922

As to rifle loads, I load .223/300BLK/.308 and prefer to use C-H single stage or Lee Classic Turret as I like to inspect/clean primer pockets.

have two Lee Pro 1000's but I really have to tinker too much with them. Selling them to a friend who thinks he just has to have them.

Be sure to refer your friend to the Pro 1000 support thread to optimize use of the press - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7877744#post7877744

 

[jmorris]

Had all of them, still have at least one of every Dillon on my bench at any given time. Nothing wrong with any of them depending on what you want or need out of a given machine. From the lowly SD to the Super 1050, or even a Lee single stage, they all have something going for them.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Had all of them, still have at least one of every Dillon on my bench at any given time. Nothing wrong with any of them depending on what you want or need out of a given machine. From the lowly SD to the Super 1050, or even a Lee single stage, they all have something going for them.

"Lowly Square Deal"?

 

[cwall64]

So far I have been doing the "One 650 for the handgun calibers and load the rifle on the single stages?". 650 for my pistol calibers and a T-7 for rifle. I am OCD about my rifle rounds and i like to use extruded powders, so I weigh each charge... One of these days I will get past that hangup, but still haven't been able to shake it!

 

[Walkalong]

"Lowly Square Deal"?

Compared to the 1050? Yep.

 

[RealGun]

I would be put off by the Square Deal B's proprietary dies, if I had the slightest projection of upgrading my reloading later and wanting to preserve my die investment. The model could make sense, if interest was pretty much confined to one caliber and a dedicated setup. My only interest in the Dillon, someday maybe, is the 650XL, fully equipped.

 

[jmorris]

"Lowly Square Deal"?

Yep, two of them.

Even threw a case feeder together for one of them once.

 

[joem1945]

Go for the 650 and get the electric case feeder, low powder sensor at as minimum. I shoot a lot and didn't like loading all week just to shoot a bit on weekends. Now I can load one night and have as much ammo as I care to shoot.

 

[jgh4445]

The decision has been made for me. An acquaintance called today and said he heard I was looking at Square Deals. I replied that I was. He told me he is getting out of loading and would let me have his at a really good deal. He also included three of the 4 caliber conversions I shoot most. Couldn't pass up the price at half of retail for one square deal set up for one caliber.

 

[jmorris]

Couldn't pass up the price at half of retail for one square deal set up for one caliber.

Sounds like a good deal. If you don't like it wait until Hillary gets elected and you'll be able to sell it and get a decked out 650, with what it will bring on eBay, once the panic starts.

 

[dickydalton]

My lowly SD was bought in the mid 80s for $89, as I remember, and has loaded too many rounds to remember. Sent it back once and they put all new bushings in it and I have done that too, since. My 550 loads precision varmint 22-250s and 223s along with a lot of other stuff.

 

[Paddy]

After getting into an LnL I'm seeing the logic behind the SDB presses. They would be great for the single caliber setup that I've adopted on my LnL. Only problem with this logic is that you can't really have a bullet feeder with the sdb and also at the price point they charge for them you could essentially just use a LnL for a single caliber. The LnL comes in around 320$ if you subtract the value of the free bullets they offer with it. And it comes with a much better powder measure.

 

[jmorris]

After getting into an LnL I'm seeing the logic behind the SDB presses. They would be great for the single caliber setup that I've adopted on my LnL. Only problem with this logic is that you can't really have a bullet feeder with the sdb and also at the price point they charge for them you could essentially just use a LnL for a single caliber.

I agree with this. Although I have two SD's and swap calibers keeping one large primers and the other for small.

They were a great deal (guess more than square) when they were cheap but I don't think I would buy one for what they run these days.

The do work well (I placed 1st master at IDPA nationals one year with ammo loaded on one of mine) and are fairly quick, around 10 min to load 100 rounds once the tube is filled.

I guess I sold bothe of my LNL's and kept the SD's but maybe that was because I already had the use figured out and not a lot of reason to change what works (having 550, 650 and 1050 progressives for everything else).