Square deal B: buy a conversion or save to buy a second press?

[Browngirlsdad]

I recently aquired a used SDB in 9mm which I load for both me and my father. It is smooth and efficient and makes quality rounds much faster than my LCT. I shoot more 45 ACP than anything, so I am looking into a caliber conversion and a new toolhead to load it in this press. I currently load 45 on an old CH Autochamp which can be pretty finicky. To you sdb owners, would I be better off saving up and buying a second press, or should I go for the conversion?

I am good with my hands and mechanically inclined, so the switchout doesn't scare me. Used on Ebay presses are going for around 300-340 with shipping, and if I get a conversion, a toolhead, and a second powder bar I am in the 150-180 range.

Any thiughts from you who have done it?

 

[jmorris]

I have had two of them for over 30 years now, one stays setup for large primers, the other small. They have been worth the money. That said they were around $130 back then and over $400 now, there are other choices in that price range that don't force you to use the proprietary dies.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have 3 SDB presses. Two remain dedicated for 45 ACP and 9x19.

The third has been swapped between 38 Special and 380 ACP. The change over is not difficult. I kept a tool head and powder measure set up for each cartridge and that makes it easier.

That said, I've decided to not change the press over any more and leave it set up for 380 ACP. I do not like that I cannot easily verify the powder drop in the 38 Special cases. I've moved 38 Special production back to my Hornady L-N-L.

The reason I have three SDB presses is I looked at the cost of conversion vs a whole press. The whole press was about twice the cost the way I did the conversion so I figured it was worth eliminating any start up issues by leaving each press set up. Then also, I could do small runs at the spur of the moment if needed.

I do have just one operating position for an SDB. I built a shelf stand for the presses not in use. It takes just a few minutes to swap out the presses, faster if you get one of the quick change press mounting systems on the market. The SDBs are small and light enough to handle easily.

Hope this helps.

 

[Paladin7]

I know there are a lot of Dillon fans out there, and they make awesome presses, but the caliber conversions are very expensive. I guess the best advice I can give you is to look down the road a ways and consider what else you want to reload. If you want to do more calibers, with the Dillon, it will get very expensive. That may not be a problem, but if it is, I would recommend the Hornady Lock N Load AP Press. For ~$389 you get a very simple and well thought out machine and caliber conversions are very cheap, esp. if you use Lee Dies, which work great. Also, Hornady will give you 500 free bullets with the press. So, for me that worked out to a $170 savings. Total cost for the press less the free bullet offer was $219. Pretty damn good deal when you compare that to 2 Dillon caliber conversions on that SDB.

Let us know what you decide...

 

[ilmonster]

I have a SDB I acquired used, and love. I just bought additional dies and toolheads for the three other calibers I load and have no regrets. The proprietary dies themselves work really well with the press - no complaints. I load for 9mm, .38, .44 Mag and .45 ACP so I have to change out toolheads and possibly primer systems when switching calibers, but can do it quickly and have no qualms. I also try and batch things, and when I'm loading .44 for instance, I take a look at my .45 ACP stash to see if i should load some of those while I have the large primers set up. Not sure why you would also need another powder bar though.

 

[Tilos]

I have 3 SDB presses. Two remain dedicated for 45 ACP and 9x19.

The third has been swapped between 38 Special and 380 ACP. The change over is not difficult. I kept a tool head and powder measure set up for each cartridge and that makes it easier.

That said, I've decided to not change the press over any more and leave it set up for 380 ACP. I do not like that I cannot easily verify the powder drop in the 38 Special cases. I've moved 38 Special production back to my Hornady L-N-L.

The reason I have three SDB presses is I looked at the cost of conversion vs a whole press. The whole press was about twice the cost the way I did the conversion so I figured it was worth eliminating any start up issues by leaving each press set up. Then also, I could do small runs at the spur of the moment if needed.

I do have just one operating position for an SDB. I built a shelf stand for the presses not in use. It takes just a few minutes to swap out the presses, faster if you get one of the quick change press mounting systems on the market. The SDBs are small and light enough to handle easily.

Hope this helps.

oops!

 

[Tilos]

I have 3 SDB presses. Two remain dedicated for 45 ACP and 9x19.

The third has been swapped between 38 Special and 380 ACP. The change over is not difficult. I kept a tool head and powder measure set up for each cartridge and that makes it easier.

That said, I've decided to not change the press over any more and leave it set up for 380 ACP. I do not like that I cannot easily verify the powder drop in the 38 Special cases. I've moved 38 Special production back to my Hornady L-N-L.

The reason I have three SDB presses is I looked at the cost of conversion vs a whole press. The whole press was about twice the cost the way I did the conversion so I figured it was worth eliminating any start up issues by leaving each press set up. Then also, I could do small runs at the spur of the moment if needed.

I do have just one operating position for an SDB. I built a shelf stand for the presses not in use. It takes just a few minutes to swap out the presses, faster if you get one of the quick change press mounting systems on the market. The SDBs are small and light enough to handle easily.

Hope this helps.

This
I have 4 presses, each mounted onto a 6"x6"x1/4" adaptor plate, that I swap-out to the same spot on my bench, or store racked on the wall.
Each is setup for a different caliber, has a dedicated power measure, are not all blue, and cost less than a blue change over.
So change over is 3 bolts...done

 

[cfullgraf]

Not sure why you would also need another powder bar though.

In the case of 380 ACP, the small powder charges work better with the X-Small powder bar.

 

[Browngirlsdad]

Thank you all for the feedback. The idea behind the extra powder bar was to leave it set up for the 45acp and one set up for 9mm that way I don't have to readjust the bar each time. I primarily just shoot two loads for plinking. It would be cheaper than having a full powder dispenser for each.

 

[Catpop]

Browngirlsdad,
Man, I'm in that very same delimma now!!!!! I have 2 SDs, one for 45 acp aND the other for 357. Now I'm into 44 mag! Do I buy the SDB dies or invest in 550. ALREADY have 44 mag diesn
I seem to only get serious about it when I'm loading on my Lyman Spartan inline!
Let me know what you decide

 

[jmorris]

The idea behind the extra powder bar was to leave it set up for the 45acp and one set up for 9mm that way I don't have to readjust the bar each time.

That's what I do, takes an extra minute but saves quite a bit of money.

 

[Olympus]

If you're considering buying a second Square Deal, why not buy a 550 instead?

 

[paul105]

Browngirlsdad,
Man, I'm in that very same delimma now!!!!! I have 2 SDs, one for 45 acp aND the other for 357. Now I'm into 44 mag! Do I buy the SDB dies or invest in 550. ALREADY have 44 mag diesn
I seem to only get serious about it when I'm loading on my Lyman Spartan inline!
Let me know what you decide

Get the 550!

I have two SDBs and two Dillon 550 Bs. Got the first SDBs to load .44 Mags -- it has been converted to .45 ACP. The .44 mag will wear you out on the SDB unless you lube your cases. My guess is that there isn't enough leverage. I also find it easier to load .45 ACPs if lubed first but I don't because it's two extra steps that I'm just too lazy to perform.

9mm, .38/.357 and 40/10 work fine without lube, not so much with the bigger cals.

Just my personal opinion.

Paul

 

[jmorris]

If you can get past the manual index of the 550 there are a number of things it does better than the SD. Can load many more calibers than the SD, use any die you want, faster to convert and its the easiest progressive press to swap primer sizes on.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Of course only you can answer what will fill your needs best but I agree it's good to get opinions. I have loaded .38 Special ammo on a SDB and it's a pleasure to use. If you only want to load for the 9mm and 45 ACP a second press would be quicker to use. Add the fact with a second press you can load both cartridges at the same time, you could spend time with your dad loading on both machines together.

I'm not so sure the cost if the 550 would be worth it in your case but again, only you can know that. A used SDB would not cost you that much so if you have the cash and room that's what I would do.

 

[Browngirlsdad]

Thank you all again for the ideas and advice. I have looked into the 550, and am not completely opposed to going that route. I was trying to get to loading 45 on a dillon the least expensively. I currently load 223, 30-30, and 308 in addition to my 9mm and 45acp. I don't shoot in large enough volumes of the rifle loads to justify the 550, so my LCT is great for those.

I will keep my eyes open for used 550s and SDBs. I can keep loading 45 on my CH for now until I find something at a good price.

Jmorris, that primer switchout is genious.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have 2 - 550s, a Lee SS & 12 toolheads.

So I've gone both ways, extra toolheads & extra presses.

Personally? I'd get the extra toolhead, but then save up for another press.

 

[cfullgraf]

Personally, while changing over an SDB to a different cartridge is not difficult, I'd rather have an entire SDB press for a different cartridge. On the other hand, with a 550, L-N-L, Pro2000 etc, having the parts, dies, and tool heads to effect a cartridge change would be just fine.

I will agree it all depends on the amount of capital one wants to invest in presses and change parts.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I have 3 SDB's, one always for 357 and the other 45acp. The third is for 45 Colt, 9mm, 380, 32H&R/327 mag. Also have a 550 for rifle. No regrets.

 

[Kingcreek]

Years ago (when dinosaurs still roamed the earth) I loaded on a Dillon 450 (pre 550 without interchangeable tool head). When the SD first hit the market I bought one in .45 since about 2/3rds of all my rounds fired were .45 and IIRC it was $134 and I could leave it set up and ready- worked great for many thousands of rounds. It was later rebuilt and continues to load occasional batches without fail. I later upgraded the 450 to a 550. The manual index is a non issue since indexing becomes automatic even when doing it manually. I should probably sell my SD and put another 550 on the bench and keep one for small primer and one for large.
The SD was never really meant to be the interchange between calibers. If you are adding calibers just go with a 550. You can sell the SD and buy a caliber conversion set for less. If you are a volume shooter in 9mm just leave it and use the SD.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

The conversion is only $90. When you figure that includes the dies it's not a big deal to switch one over. I do it regularly in about 10 minutes.

 

[Browngirlsdad]

Update: I went with the conversion and toolhead. Grafs had free shipping on a $75 purchase, so I was only $125 into the conversion and toolhead. I had already purchased a used small powder slider assembly off ebay, and I was only $21 into that. I received the Grafs order today and got it switched over and it works slick. I had two CCI primers not fully seat in Federal LP brass, but other than that it ran out really well for my first 50 rds. I definitely think that someday I will sell the AutoChamp and pony up for a 550 or LNL, but I am very happy with this conversion and to be rolling stress free on 45acp again. Thank you to all for your help and wisdom!