Dillion Square Deal B.45 ACP What do you think?

[1911user]

I don't beleive auto-index starts making a practical difference in speed until a case feeder is used (not a planned option for the SDB). The key is good technique when using a 550. 500 rounds per hour is reasonably possible for both the 550 and SDB if the operator has everything well located and is focused just on reloading. It is for this reason that most experienced dillon users will not recommend buying a 650 press without the case feeder if you really need the speed. If you don't need the higher speed, the 550 or SDB are lower cost and will load close to the same speed as a stripped 650.

Another factor that will affect speed is how well a press is mounted. A solidly-mounted press (where the frame doesn't move at all during the loading cycle) can be used faster and easier. There's no wasted time supporting the press or table during certain parts of the handle motion. My current press (550) is mounted to a light-weight table using C-clamps and a board. Having to deal with the table movement/board flex limits me to about 400 per hour; mainly I've had to slow down during primer seating to seat consistently. 500 per hour was not a problem in the past when it was mounted well.

I think both are good presses and have good points. I do beleive the SDB will not hold up as well for the high volume pistol reloader. They just aren't built as sturdy, but they don't cost quite as much either. If you wear one out, Dillon will send rebuild parts or you can ship it to them and they'll rebuild it as part of the warranty. I've heard of quite a few SDBs getting a rebuild after heavy, long-term use. I have not heard that about the other dillon presses.

I'd recommend used if someone was buying an SDB, they don't seem to hold their value quite as well as the larger presses. Resale value is still pretty good compared to other presses and most of the "dillon resale value" is because of the warranty and service.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Id doubt very much if your ever going to do 500 an hour on the 550. YOud be surpised how much that auto index actually speeds things up. Another big advantage with it is that you cant double charge a case by forgetting to advance it by hand. This alone alows you to get into a faster rythm. A 550 is not a press to try to crank out ammo as fast as you can. You need to slow down and pay attention to what your doing more with one or you will get in trouble fast. I can usually crank out about a 1/3 more ammo in the same ammount of time on a sd. and find that a 650 with case feeder adds about that much again.

 

[LAH]

1911user I'm glad you can load such numbers. I can't. Rates for me are 350 per hour with my SDB. There is no way I could do 500 with either press. It may be reasonable for you and all owners of both the 550 & SDB but this hillbilly can't come near those numbers on his best day.

You said: Another factor that will affect speed is how well a press is mounted.

My bench is 22 feet long, bolted to a concrete block wall. It "don't" move.

You said: I do beleive the SDB will not hold up as well for the high volume pistol reloader. They just aren't built as sturdy,

I agree but I've used this press since 1992. I've loaded 38 Special and 45 ACP by the buckets (that 5 gallon bucket) and sold this ammo to the locals. I loaded 44 mag. for myself and others. The indexing pawl was replaced as the press wouldn't fully index. After 6 years the handle broke and was replaced with an improved handle. This press has been used enough I know how to operate the thing including having plenty of primer tubes. Still I can't do but 350 day in day out. In all fairness if I had the funds at the time a 1050 would have been bought.

My SDB was put to use doing what it wasn't designed to do. It's been taken apart for cleaning and a little lube several times and wear to the plastic bushings has be little. I know it has it's limits but for the dollar it's a great tool for the sixgunner.

 

[1911user]

Lloyd Smale, thanks for telling me I can't do something that I've already done (as well as many others). Follow this link to a fellow who figured out a way to get 700 rounds/hour out of a 550...(and it doesn't involve electric motors, just elimating wasted time/motion when reloading) Super case and bullet feeder

Here's a free tip to speed up your 550 loading. Grab a bullet in your left hand while working the handle. After priming, the right hand (blindly) reaches for another case while the left hand (holding bullet) rotates the shellplate while you examine the powder level in the case leaving station 2. Then place the bullet and new case at the same time.

 

[LAH]

1911user said: Here's a free tip to speed up your 550 loading. Grab a bullet in your left hand while working the handle. After priming, the right hand (blindly) reaches for another case while the left hand (holding bullet) rotates the shellplate

That's exactly the way I use the SDB (bullet & case) except I don't need to index. Like I said, my hat's off to you. No way I can do it. Guess I really don't know what I'm doing.

 

[1911user]

I was sharing that tip because it helped me load faster without hurting the quality of ammo. By picking up the bullet early, for me anyway, reaching for the new case and placing it in station 1 takes longer than indexing and placing the bullet. I'm not against auto-indexing, I'm just don't think the manual indexing on a 550 slows my loading and there are a few times where I'm happy for the versatility such as setting up for a new load or caliber. Add a case feeder though, and auto-indexing becomes a must have IMO.

 

[Ego Archive]

Quick question- I'm just looking at getting into Handloading, and I was looking between the SD and 550. My big issues are:
1. i'm a newbie, but that will only be an issue for a short time.
2. I will be loading about 4-5 calibers of handguns.
3. it's unlikely that I will be loading rifles anytime in the near future.
4. One of the calibers I plan on loading is 9mm Mak

I was looking at the SD more seriously until I noticed that it doesn't seem to have a die for the 9mm Mak. Am I correct in that assumption, or am I missing something.

Also, people seem to indicate that the big issue with the 550, is double loading, is there an easy way (item?) to correct this, or is it a case of just being aware of what you are doing.

*edit- I'm currently leaning to the 550, but I do like that auto-indexing feature on the SD, particularly since I would likely loading 100-200 rounds of 3-4 different caliber in one sitting.

 

[1911user]

The SDB is not available in 9mm Makarov and the SDB uses proprietary dies that don't fit anything else. Just pay attention to what you are doing and double charging isn't an issue for the 550. If you don't pay attention, then you honestly shouldn't be reloading ammo at all. The 550 is a fine choice.

 

[LAH]

Mr. Ego Archive you need a 550.

 

[Ego Archive]

Yeah, I figured the 550 was going to be a better pick in this case. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious. Now I just have to figure out how to distract the wife when I bring it in.

 

[LAH]

Try bringing in the flowers first.