Square Deal B vs XL-750 for new reloader

[rfwobbly]

I need some advice from those "in the know". After two weeks of obsessive Googling regarding the differences between a Dillon SDB and XL-750, I'm still having trouble deciding which to buy.

The answer: Neither

Unless you are a competitive shooter and must have 600+ rounds per week of a single caliber, buy the Dillon 550. It has the greater flexibility to load multiple calibers in a single loading session and will load rifle just as well as pistol. The fact that it is not auto-advancing means very little in terms of ammo quality or volume output per hour. (It's sort of like the difference between ice cream with and without sprinkles.)

This is from someone who has owned all 3 presses.
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[Kaldor]

Now that I have the gear on hand, and am really digging into all this...I appreciate this post. I honestly didn't understand a lot of your post in the beginning, and I only understand some of it now.

However, the order of operations you present is valuable. Especially when you explain the workarounds to getting everything a boy wants with only 5 stations.

Thank you!

No problem. THR is a great community and we are always here to help even if there is difference in opinion!

Pistol is always a trade off to find what you want/need on a 5 station. Personally for me, before I started using a bullet feeder, I used a Lyman M-die as my expander as they work better than a standard plug type expander. Fortunately for Hornady guys the RCBS PTX works in the Hornady powder drop, and mimics the M-die quite nicely. On the Dillon side, there are a few options for a stepped PTX expander for the Dillon powder drops.

If/when you ever get into reloading rifle, a 5 station is a bit more flexible as you only really need 3 or 4 stations depending.
Personally I run:
Station 1: M-die (slight flare for bullet feeder die)
Station 2: powder drop
Station 3: bullet feeder (could put check die or just leave empty)
Station 4: seater
Station 5: Lee FCD (I do not heavily crimp, just enough to close the slight flare from M-die)

 

[ManFromMontana]

My 750 setup (not that you asked... ):

Station 1: Decap/sizer
Station 2: Primer seat/Powder drop
Station 3: Powder check (not required...can be left blank).
Station 4: Bullet seat
Station 5: Crimp

If I need to decap a lot of brass, I insert another tool head which has only 1 die in it (a decap/size die). I also have a swage mechanism in Stage 2...so I can decap/size/swage lots of brass rapidly. Lastly, I then clean the brass and they're ready to go.

YMMV

 

[9mmepiphany]

I also have a swage mechanism in Stage 2

Be aware that your swaging invalidates your Dillon warranty as to damage it causes

 

[TacticalJanitor]

My 750 setup (not that you asked... ):

Station 1: Decap/sizer
Station 2: Primer seat/Powder drop
Station 3: Powder check (not required...can be left blank).
Station 4: Bullet seat
Station 5: Crimp

If I need to decap a lot of brass, I insert another tool head which has only 1 die in it (a decap/size die). I also have a swage mechanism in Stage 2...so I can decap/size/swage lots of brass rapidly. Lastly, I then clean the brass and they're ready to go.

YMMV

Thanks Sir. I ran my first 100 rounds today without the powder check. I'll set it up for the next set of 100.

I found that I bought a small pistol plate for the case feeder (.38 uses the large pistol plate). I went to Missoula and bought the right one at Scheels. Also picked up a bullet puller and 1000 Remington SPP.



I did not decap ahead of time. Wanted to see if the machine can handle it the easy way.

I only crunched one case. Something is wonky with the part that pushes the cases into the plate. Sometimes it sticks, and sometimes the case isn't quite far enough in and wants to catch the edge of the case on the sizing die. I'll get that figured out before cranking out the next 100.

Man, that case feeder is worth every penny. Not a single hickup with it today.

These are HSM 158 plated HP over 3.2g Titegroup with CCI SPP. Man, I should have bought a chronograph today, but didn't think about it.

I'll test fire these through my Ruger tomorrow. If it doesn't blow up, I'll run a drill set with the Smiths. I'm a reloader now!

But just barely.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Thanks Sir. I ran my first 100 rounds today without the powder check. I'll set it up for the next set of 100.

I found that I bought a small pistol plate for the case feeder (.38 uses the large pistol plate). I went to Missoula and bought the right one at Scheels. Also picked up a bullet puller and 1000 Remington SPP.

View attachment 1143019

I did not decap ahead of time. Wanted to see if the machine can handle it the easy way.

I only crunched one case. Something is wonky with the part that pushes the cases into the plate. Sometimes it sticks, and sometimes the case isn't quite far enough in and wants to catch the edge of the case on the sizing die. I'll get that figured out before cranking out the next 100.

Man, that case feeder is worth every penny. Not a single hickup with it today.

These are HSM 158 plated HP over 3.2g Titegroup with CCI SPP. Man, I should have bought a chronograph today, but didn't think about it.

I'll test fire these through my Ruger tomorrow. If it doesn't blow up, I'll run a drill set with the Smiths. I'm a reloader now!

But just barely.

“Won’t Blow Up” lol I remember my 1st time too. Was so nervous. Was a 7mm STW with 80 grains of something. It hurt, but didn’t blow

 

[lordpaxman]

I ran my first 100 rounds today without the powder check. I'll set it up for the next set of 100.

Very nice! I run with a powder check as well, but I visually confirm powder before placing a bullet on the case. Good luck.

 

[ManFromMontana]

Awesome job. Welcome to the addiction.
{Me}: Hi my name is Scott and I'm a reloader...
{crowd}: "Hi Scott".

Your .38's look great. Well done. Anxious to hear how they shoot.

Lastly, check that the "part that pushes the cases into the plate" isn't in backwards. Don't ask me how I know.
Have fun!

 

[Nature Boy]

Man, that case feeder is worth every penny.

It’s the only way to get max value out of a 650/750

 

[Mark_Mark]

Thanks Sir. I ran my first 100 rounds today without the powder check. I'll set it up for the next set of 100.

I found that I bought a small pistol plate for the case feeder (.38 uses the large pistol plate). I went to Missoula and bought the right one at Scheels. Also picked up a bullet puller and 1000 Remington SPP.

View attachment 1143019

I did not decap ahead of time. Wanted to see if the machine can handle it the easy way.

I only crunched one case. Something is wonky with the part that pushes the cases into the plate. Sometimes it sticks, and sometimes the case isn't quite far enough in and wants to catch the edge of the case on the sizing die. I'll get that figured out before cranking out the next 100.

Man, that case feeder is worth every penny. Not a single hickup with it today.

These are HSM 158 plated HP over 3.2g Titegroup with CCI SPP. Man, I should have bought a chronograph today, but didn't think about it.

I'll test fire these through my Ruger tomorrow. If it doesn't blow up, I'll run a drill set with the Smiths. I'm a reloader now!

But just barely.

Do you shoot Matches?

 

[TacticalJanitor]

Do you shoot Matches?

Nope. I kinda like to do my own thing. I have a feeling that if I shot a match or two, I'd find out just how much I suck.

Maybe someday though.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

I took 98 rounds to the range today, and 98 of them went "bang". No pistols blew up. I'm a happy camper.

After starting with the Ruger, I was surprised to find that I like it (4-inch SP101). I shot it more accurately than my J frames...but that's not really a surprise.

When I got home I loaded another 150 rounds. It went faster this time (roughly an hour). Also found out what is hanging up with the case feeder/inserter (or whatever it's called).



The culprit:



Now I know that I just need to pull that carriage back a bit and tip the cartridge back to level. Not a big deal now that I'm watching for it.

The 750 inserted the primer into one round sideways. I'll have to check for that stuff from now on.

I pulled the plate and cleaned out the gunk under it. Quick and dirty cleaning (before it gets too nasty).

The next round will be wadcutters. I did not shoot very well today with the new loads. Maybe just a not-so-great day for me, shooting-wise.

I expected reloading to be a chore, but I'm having fun.

All the advice given to me on THR made the difference between procrastinating forever (due to analysis paralysis), and just diving in. You are a great bunch of Folks!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Nope. I kinda like to do my own thing. I have a feeling that if I shot a match or two, I'd find out just how much I suck.

Maybe someday though.

don’t say that! try Steel Challenge Matches! it’s just standing there shooting steel.

One of my Youtube buddies kept saying one day.. then he caught a rare brain cancer. Young fella… RIP!

 

[Austin Albright]

Of course, when you get a new toy...the phone starts ringing off the hook and you have a bunch of work to do.

Finally had some free time today and made a little progress.

First I made some space:
View attachment 1141655

Then I did a little mockup to get a feel for the best working height while standing:
View attachment 1141656

Next, the benches were assembled and set to max height (which is about 41 inches). My 70 year old basement was extremely out of level. These benches were a good choice. I had enough foot adjustment between both to get them perfectly level and then screwed them together in the corner.

View attachment 1141657

Mounted the press after making sure the door to the right will still open and that it was centered between the joists above. Have to make it easy to fill the case feeder and remove it when necessary. The step ladder will be necessary for that work.

View attachment 1141659

Tomorrow the fun begins. I can start assembling the press! Pretty excited.

Very nice
One thing if I might recommend it to get a mirror above your case feeder.
A nice one would be a spot mirror like you see on semi trucks below their main mirror. Can be found in most truck stops.

 

[EricBu]

I Also found out what is hanging up with the case feeder/inserter (or whatever it's called).

<snipped for brevity>

The rod that hangs down and controls the case feeder block, the case pickup, and the case feeder block itself can be adjusted to correct that. You can watch the case feed block on the top stroke and see where it's activating the case pickup from the tube. Use the small screw on the case pickup to adjust that. Adjust the big rod up and down. Adjust the block itself forward and back. What you want is on the top stroke, the block hits the pickup and moves it forward enough to cleanly drop the case at the front of the locater ramp, and then on the way back down it comes back far enough the next case can drop cleanly into it. You can stand on a step stool and look down and see when it's all ligned up. Then on the bottom stroke, the case block needs to push forward enough to seat the case in the shell plate, and it needs to return far enough back when the handle is at idle that it is not interfering with the shell plate. There is degrees of "right"....it will work mostly even if not correctly adjusted, but you'll have to intervene more often. To run at full speed, without intervention, you need to dial it in. Once adjusted, this press will literally run thousands of rounds in a session with no intervention other than blowing off the shell plate now and then, and replenishing components.

For the primer: First, loosen up the primer tube mount screws so that the primer bar has some movement. Push handle forward as if seating a primer, do it a couple of times to make sure seating cup is lined up with shell plate, while holding handle forward, tighten mount screws. Get an assistant. Primer tube should be empty. Climb up on a stool and remove the plastic guide rod (which should have a 45 ACP case jammed onto it for weight because that's what all the cool kids do) from the primer tube. Have assistant shine light onto the primer bar at the base of the primer tube. Observe the primer bar moving back and forth through the primer tube. When the handle is all the way down and bottomed out, you should see the primer seat cup lined up EXACTLY with the primer tube. There are two screws you can adjust to get there. Once adjusted, you won't have sideways or off primers anymore.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

The rod that hangs down and controls the case feeder block, the case pickup, and the case feeder block itself can be adjusted to correct that. You can watch the case feed block on the top stroke and see where it's activating the case pickup from the tube. Use the small screw on the case pickup to adjust that. Adjust the big rod up and down. Adjust the block itself forward and back. What you want is on the top stroke, the block hits the pickup and moves it forward enough to cleanly drop the case at the front of the locater ramp, and then on the way back down it comes back far enough the next case can drop cleanly into it. You can stand on a step stool and look down and see when it's all ligned up. Then on the bottom stroke, the case block needs to push forward enough to seat the case in the shell plate, and it needs to return far enough back when the handle is at idle that it is not interfering with the shell plate. There is degrees of "right"....it will work mostly even if not correctly adjusted, but you'll have to intervene more often. To run at full speed, without intervention, you need to dial it in. Once adjusted, this press will literally run thousands of rounds in a session with no intervention other than blowing off the shell plate now and then, and replenishing components.

For the primer: First, loosen up the primer tube mount screws so that the primer bar has some movement. Push handle forward as if seating a primer, do it a couple of times to make sure seating cup is lined up with shell plate, while holding handle forward, tighten mount screws. Get an assistant. Primer tube should be empty. Climb up on a stool and remove the plastic guide rod (which should have a 45 ACP case jammed onto it for weight because that's what all the cool kids do) from the primer tube. Have assistant shine light onto the primer bar at the base of the primer tube. Observe the primer bar moving back and forth through the primer tube. When the handle is all the way down and bottomed out, you should see the primer seat cup lined up EXACTLY with the primer tube. There are two screws you can adjust to get there. Once adjusted, you won't have sideways or off primers anymore.

Cool! Thank you. I will go through this step-by-step when I setup for WC later this week. I appreciate it!

 

[ParallelCode]

Echoing @Kaldor, I personally would rather start someone out on a single stage or turret press. Batch operation style loading is attractive as you are doing just a single operation across a large number of cases. Keeps things simple and allows you to focus on a mastering a single operation. Additionally, such presses allow you to really feel the operation -- something that gets lost on a progressive.

All that said, the Dillon presses are very nice machines. I have an XL750 I'm very pleased with.