Differences between Dillon 550 and SqDeal B?
- Thread starter 358minus1
- Start date
- Status
Taurus44
Member
The Square Deal B only loads straight-walled pistol cartidges. The 550B will do rifles cartridges too (longer stroke). I thought about going the SDB route myself, but it's only $50 cheaper than the 550B. 
nbkky71
Member
The Square DealB also uses a proprietary reloading die.
bobotech
Member
The Square Deal auto indexes, the 550 does not auto index. That means that if you load a lot (like my son and I do), it will get to be a pain to have to manually rotate the shell plate each time after you pull the lever down.
I want a Dillon 650 (saving up for one) but I came across a Square Deal in perfect condition complete with 40s/w and 45acp complete die sets (shell plate, tool head, die set), the strong arm base, and low primer warning system for 300 out the door.
I was very pleased with my deal. I still am going to get a 650 (hopefully) in a few months so I can load for 223 and other rifle calibers but the square deal b is perfect for us for now. I won't sell it even after I get the 650 also, nice to have multiple calibers setup.
I want a Dillon 650 (saving up for one) but I came across a Square Deal in perfect condition complete with 40s/w and 45acp complete die sets (shell plate, tool head, die set), the strong arm base, and low primer warning system for 300 out the door.
I was very pleased with my deal. I still am going to get a 650 (hopefully) in a few months so I can load for 223 and other rifle calibers but the square deal b is perfect for us for now. I won't sell it even after I get the 650 also, nice to have multiple calibers setup.
I agree about having multiple machines. My first press was a SDB, set up for .45 auto. I still have it 15 years later (and after a trip back to dillon for an overhaul). It looks and makes ammo like it was brand new. I also have a Hornady LnL, and a Lee classic cast for single-stage ops. I sure do like the way the SDB makes my .45 rounds. I won't sell it either!
SASS#23149
Member
I have both on the bench and prefer the roominess of the 550b.If I were to add a 3rd press it would be nother 550b,not an sdb .Mostly for the larger working area.Partly because I have a lot of dies that won't work in an sdb.
Having to advance the cases manually on the 550 does not bother me in the least.You do that while reaching for another empty case.
the time taken for a hundred rounds is probaly less than 2 minutes between the 2 machines,so not worth taking into consideration for me.
imho,ymmv,etc.
Having to advance the cases manually on the 550 does not bother me in the least.You do that while reaching for another empty case.
the time taken for a hundred rounds is probaly less than 2 minutes between the 2 machines,so not worth taking into consideration for me.
imho,ymmv,etc.
Do you have budget constraints?
I really like my SDB (actually I have two). They are very cost efficient - they come with the dies included. I shoot IDPA and go through a fair amount of ammo (since my daughters and their boy friends will sometimes join me).
Something has stuck in my mind for years and will probably prevent me from ever owning a 550B. A firearms instructor that loads lots of ammo said that he had never seen a kaboom from a progressive maching (SDB, 650 or 1050). While he nas not seen many kabooms, a large % of the kabooms came from 550s. You forget to advance the machine and you can double charge a round. Some avoid the problem by selecting powders that fill the case so that a double charge would spill over - tend to use Clays and Titegroup and there is often a little bit of powder in a big case.
If money is no object - go with the Dillon 1050.
Otherwise, a SDB will do everything you need!
I really like my SDB (actually I have two). They are very cost efficient - they come with the dies included. I shoot IDPA and go through a fair amount of ammo (since my daughters and their boy friends will sometimes join me).
Something has stuck in my mind for years and will probably prevent me from ever owning a 550B. A firearms instructor that loads lots of ammo said that he had never seen a kaboom from a progressive maching (SDB, 650 or 1050). While he nas not seen many kabooms, a large % of the kabooms came from 550s. You forget to advance the machine and you can double charge a round. Some avoid the problem by selecting powders that fill the case so that a double charge would spill over - tend to use Clays and Titegroup and there is often a little bit of powder in a big case.
If money is no object - go with the Dillon 1050.
Otherwise, a SDB will do everything you need!
Another thought -
I've talked with the folks at Dillon and toured the factory. They all say that the 550 is their best selling machine. Everyone I've gotten to answer says they have a 650 (but it takes more time to convert calibers than a 550 so you might be happier with a 550......)
I figure if they have a 650 vs. a 550 there is a reason. (they say they can't afford a 1050. One said they had a number of machines, one said she uses a 650, her husband had a 650 but they got a deal and their daughter uses a SDB.) A theme is progressive machines !!!!!
I've talked with the folks at Dillon and toured the factory. They all say that the 550 is their best selling machine. Everyone I've gotten to answer says they have a 650 (but it takes more time to convert calibers than a 550 so you might be happier with a 550......)
I figure if they have a 650 vs. a 550 there is a reason. (they say they can't afford a 1050. One said they had a number of machines, one said she uses a 650, her husband had a 650 but they got a deal and their daughter uses a SDB.) A theme is progressive machines !!!!!
- Status
