Dillon 450 jr.

[John C]

I found a Dillon 450 jr. press for a good price. I want to try progressive reloading, but I don't know anything about this press. It appears to take the Square Deal B dies, which are non-standard. Is this press basically a pre-SDB? Will SDB parts fit this press? Is it a good press? Does it auto-index?

Thanks!

-John C

 

[LAH]

I have a 450 but can't remember nothing about it being a JR. My uses standard dies.

 

[00-Guy]

Yes. The 450 Jr is a pre-SDB SDB The 450 Jr is to the RL450 what the SDB is to the RL550. IIRC the major difference between the Jr and the SDB is that the Jr would load rifle. (IIRC that is.) Call Dillon for more information. When I was thinking of buying one from some firends, I called Dillon and got some information about it. However I forgot to ask about die size! (It was set-up for 9mm.)

 

[Sheldon]

There is not much I could find on the www either. I do remember seeing them. One reference i found mentioned it did not use regular sized dies, but it did not mention if the 450Jr used the same odd sized dies as the square Deal.

 

[John C]

Thanks, everyone, for the info. I think I'll end up getting it. It's already set up for the main caliber I reload, even if I can't find dies for it.

-John C.

 

[klw]

RL450 Jr

I had maybe six of these. VERY sorry I sold them.

There were two versions. One used all Square Deal dies. The other used a regular 7/8x14 sizing die. With that machine you could reload rifle calibers.

Not the fastest machine going. As I recall there was no automatic powder measure. Instead it was meant to be used with a powder funnel which dillon supplied. With that, and an automatic powder dispensing machine like RCBS's or Lyman's, you could accurately weigh each charge.

I certainly liked them.

 

[onecruiser]

I've had one for years. You can get all the dies you want from Dillon. It will load pistol and rifle and very consistently. Mostly I load pistol.

The only problem I've had is that it takes me about 20 to 30 minutes to change calibers. Once the 450 jr is set up though, all the rounds are consistent. Production is about 3 rounds a minute.

It's not a job, it's just an obsession.

 

[John C]

Thanks for the info, guys. Well, I just bought one (and a full size 450) and it seems well made.

I will get it set up and let everyone know how it works.

With two presses, I might be interested in selling it.

-John C