Square Deal B vs XL-750 for new reloader

[TacticalJanitor]

but definitely get a:

View attachment 1138514

I shall...and for every quick change set too (in the future).

 

[TacticalJanitor]

Also, I recommend buying either Hornady or RCBS carbide dies. They are a high quality and less expensive alternative to Dillon dies.

Good tip. Thank you.

I have to say, if it weren't for you good folks actually helping and taking part in this thread, I probably would have procrastinated for another two years due to analysis paralysis.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I shall...and for every quick change set too (in the future).

you are going to build a monster machine! how much do you shoot?

 

[TacticalJanitor]

you are going to build a monster machine! how much do you shoot?

Usually 800-1000 per month (and I've had trouble keeping up with that number since COVID happened due to $ and availability), but I'd go to the range more often if could bring the ammo costs down. Two 200 round training session each week would be heaven! Especially if I could do it for $0.30 per round or less.

I'm not a rich guy, but when able, I prefer to "buy once/cry once". The goal is to go into the shop and load up 1000 rounds of whatever when I'm in the mood to do it...and hopefully not spend more than two or three hours doing it.

Hopefully I'm on the right track.

 

[.38 Special]

My kids first rifle was a .22 but they were 7 and 10 respectively.

There’s no rational reason to suggest that everyone’s first press should be a single stage or their first firearm be .22

It’s borderline condescending

Nonsense. Recoil is one of the biggest impediments in learning how to shoot, and removing it makes the task much easier. Similarly, there are multiple details to be mastered when learning to reload, and additional complications make it that much tougher. It is much better to fully understand the basic process before adding Goldbergian contraptions into the mix.

Yes, one can learn to reload with a progressive, or to shoot with a .44 Magnum. One doubtless can learn how to drive in an F1 car, or to fly in a 747, or to climb on Mt. Everest. Ego drives us to all manner of foolishness, and I will continue to recommend against all of it.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

Definitely standing up. I bought one of these as my bench: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Kobalt-72-in-Work-Table/5000045517 it's 6' long...plenty of room. A tad pricey but I was too lazy at the time to build...I wanted to reload! lol...have fun buddy.

I checked out that bench and it looks good.

How tall is the Dillon strong mount? If one were to build a very heavy bench, I might save a foot (or so) of height without the strong mount?

Is there any other advantage to the strong mount other than raising the press? I have no idea of one needs to get underneath that press easily for any reason...such as cleaning or adjusting.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I disagree. I started with a 650, it continues to be the only press I need and I’ve had no regrets.

As a matter of fact, I’ve heard many reloaders who started with a single stage and later got a progressive lament that they didn’t start with one to begin with.

Yep, don't understand it.
By age 15 I had done a complete rebuild on my first motor, a 350 sbc. By 22 I was working at a high end dealer doing collision repair on BMW, audi, alfa romeo. A few years later, doing metal fabrication on hot rods and fully restored my 1970 chevelle. All learned by own drive and determination, my dad wasn't a car guy.

Around age 32, (2011-12), I got into guns and reloading, all the forum advice was buy a single stage, a progressive is just to much for a beginner to learn and handle.
So I bought a Lee single stage and loaded exactly 100 rds of 40 S&W, said screw this and bought a Dillon 650 and never once looked back.
The only thing that Lee thought me was I just wasted time and money on that thing. People do far more complex things everyday, but set 'em in front of a Dillon, it's back up 30 feet sir.

 

[ManFromMontana]

I checked out that bench and it looks good.

How tall is the Dillon strong mount? If one were to build a very heavy bench, I might save a foot (or so) of height without the strong mount?

Is there any other advantage to the strong mount other than raising the press? I have no idea of one needs to get underneath that press easily for any reason...such as cleaning or adjusting.

The mount makes things easier to use as it allows for the press to be mounted anywhere. If you don't use it, then you will have to mount the press on the forward edge of your bench in order to accommodate the arm mechanism. But the strong mount isn't needed...just nice (for me) to have. With that bench I showed you, one can always lower the bench for additional headroom as well.

 

[Nature Boy]

Nonsense. Recoil is one of the biggest impediments in learning how to shoot, and removing it makes the task much easier. Similarly, there are multiple details to be mastered when learning to reload, and additional complications make it that much tougher. It is much better to fully understand the basic process before adding Goldbergian contraptions into the mix.

Yes, one can learn to reload with a progressive, or to shoot with a .44 Magnum. One doubtless can learn how to drive in an F1 car, or to fly in a 747, or to climb on Mt. Everest. Ego drives us to all manner of foolishness, and I will continue to recommend against all of it.

From shooting magnums, to driving F1 cars, to flying a 747, to climbing Mt Everest.

And how are these even marginally applicable to a singe stage vs progressive discussion?

Nonsense indeed.

In any event, the OP went with the 750. Good choice in my opinion. I’m sure he will be pleased with his decision.

 

[Bud0505]

SDB requires Dillon’s proprietary dies. I’ve been using a 550B since 1989 without any complaints.

 

[ballman6711]

Pistol calibers come with three dies so you can expand and crimp in separate stations which I find useful.

Not trying to be difficult, but I have to ask for clarification on this statement.

chris

 

[9mmepiphany]

Is there any other advantage to the strong mount other than raising the press? I have no idea of one needs to get underneath that press easily for any reason...such as cleaning or adjusting.

It isn't so much that you need to get underneath the press, it is that it is easier to load when everything is more at eye level. Having the press higher also means you won't be bending over as much on the downstroke. It is also easier to make adjustments with the press raised off the bench. The Dillon isn't a plug-n-play machine, there is a bit of adjustment involved

Since you're building a new table anyway, I'd highly recommend that you take a look at the press stands from Inline Fabrication Ultramount instead of just going with the Dillon Strong Mount. The Ultramount is more stable and higher quality than the Strong Mount...plus it has a lower tray. While you're looking at Inline Fabrication, take a look at their Ergo Handle...a much better roller handle than that offered by Dillon.

You'll want a lighting system for your press. The best available is the UFO system from KMS (squared)

 

[TacticalJanitor]

It isn't so much that you need to get underneath the press, it is that it is easier to load when everything is more at eye level. Having the press higher also means you won't be bending over as much on the downstroke. It is also easier to make adjustments with the press raised off the bench. The Dillon isn't a plug-n-play machine, there is a bit of adjustment involved

Since you're building a new table anyway, I'd highly recommend that you take a look at the press stands from Inline Fabrication Ultramount instead of just going with the Dillon Strong Mount. The Ultramount is more stable and higher quality than the Strong Mount...plus it has a lower tray. While you're looking at Inline Fabrication, take a look at their Ergo Handle...a much better roller handle than that offered by Dillon.

You'll want a lighting system for your press. The best available is the UFO system from KMS (squared)

Thanks for pointing me towards Inline Fab. I'll be picking up the LED light for sure, and probably the ergo handle. Maybe the mount too. If I would have placed my Dillon order today, it would have been too late.

Pretty cool that Inline ships for free. I don't know what Dillon is charging for shipping yet.

 

[lordpaxman]

Not trying to be difficult, but I have to ask for clarification on this statement.

chris

https://www.dillonprecision.com/s000089
I’m not sure what needs clarification - they are three die sets: sizer, seat, crimp. My RCBS dies are two die sets: size, seat and crimp. PM me if this isn’t what you were asking.

 

[jmorris]

Is there any other advantage to the strong mount other than raising the press?

If your bench top is flimsy it increases the “foot print” but no, the two sheet metal brackets are not more ridged than just the casting itself.

You also can’t have edge support on you bench because the linkage hangs over and comes back on the handle down stroke. On my last bench I took care of this problem by mounting my presses to 3/8” thick steel plates that bolt to the bench top with counter sink socket head bolts and drilled and tapped on top for the various presses I use, note that it hangs off the edge to clear the 5” truss that also runs along the edge. If it didn’t, there would be nothing for those front two bolts to hold on to.



Strong mounts allow the press to sit on top of a bench, eliminating that problem but having already owned a pair in the past I prefer the more solid mounting I get without them.

 

[ballman6711]

https://www.dillonprecision.com/s000089
I’m not sure what needs clarification - they are three die sets: sizer, seat, crimp. My RCBS dies are two die sets: size, seat and crimp. PM me if this isn’t what you were asking.

I think I understand now. The Dillon die set doesn't have an expander, I am guessing because they expect the reloader to use a powder through expander die. I load on a single stage, but this does make sense to me now. Thanks for that!

chris

 

[Soonerpesek]

I am guessing because they expect the reloader to use a powder through expander die

Dillon calls it a powder funnel, and it comes with the Dillon caliber conversion kit..........

 

[NapalmMan67]

I greatly appreciate the efforts that everyone has put into advising me in this thread. A member here hooked me up with a really great price for a SDB, but alas, that company will not even entertain a conversation about shipping it to me in another state.

After all the valuable info and insights here, I've decided to order a 750 today with most of the extras. However, there is one last important question that I could use a hand with.

How tall is an XL-750 with the case feeder installed? I have eight-foot ceilings in my hobby shop and 42-inch worktables. It might be wise to find out if I have enough room...or if I will need to build a lower bench to accommodate the 750 (which is not a deal-breaker). In a previous life, I built cabinets for a living.

My loading bench top is somehwere in the 40-42" height range. My 650s are mounted directly to the bench top, no stands, with a ceiling height of 83". I cut a few inches out of the mounting arm and feed tubes of the case feeder to fit and still be able to fill the hopper. Easier than building a new bench imo.

Good choice on the 750, more versatility down the road.


ETA- Even with the powder checks, I still watch down in the cases for a potential over charge.

.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

My loading bench top is somehwere in the 40-42" height range. My 650s are mounted directly to the bench top, no stands, with a ceiling height of 83". I cut a few inches out of the mounting arm and feed tubes of the case feeder to fit and still be able to fill the hopper. Easier than building a new bench imo.

Good choice on the 750, more versatility down the road.


ETA- Even with the powder checks, I still watch down in the cases for a potential over charge.

.

Cutting down the parts sounds like something I would do...so it's very reassuring to hear that it's possible without negative consequences.

I've decided to order the press without a strong mount. I can make a temporary base (if needed) until I figure out what's best for my back and shoulder. At that point, I'll probably order one of the multiple heights from Inline Fabrication.

Thank you Sir!

 

[TacticalJanitor]

By chance, my LGS is putting in a bit Dillon order tonight. I sent him a list. We will see if it comes in below retail (and hopefully has no shipping charges).

I thought this would be a good start kit:
Final Order list for 750

SKU# S000022 Base XL-750 press $739

21098 Conv. Kit .38/.375 $120

14400 .38/.357 carbide dies

21044 Powder Check $99

16306 Low Powder Sensor $55

22214 Bullet Tray $64

62510 Casefeeder assembly $300

10443 Machine Cover $40

13606 Primer flip tray $30

21073 Casefeeder Plate- Small

10483 D-Terminator scale $150

17171 Caliper $40

20493 CV2001 vib cleaner $290

20675 CM2000 media seperator $125

13287 walnut media $26.50

15159 .38 case gage

17999 bullet puller $29.99

20049 primer pickup tubes-small (Qu.=2) $80

15364 .38 reloading manual $14.99

75111 spare parts kit $49.00

Cart total was $2400

 

[jmorris]

I think I understand now. The Dillon die set doesn't have an expander, I am guessing because they expect the reloader to use a powder through expander die.

There is a difference between rifle and pistol. Pistol can’t be expanded when sizing or it would lock up the press, so it’s done in a different step.

On a rifle case the expander is down inside the larger base of the case as the neck is being sized so there is no binding and the neck is out of the die before the expander is pulled back out.



So Dillon’s rifle dies do have an expander in them, like others. The pistol and other straight wall dies do not, like others.

You also wouldn’t want a powder through expander die for small caliber rifle rounds as powder bridging would get ridiculous.

 

[ManFromMontana]

Your list looks good. I've personally never liked vibratory cleaners...I use a tumbler with steel pin media. Works great. YMMV.
But regardless, you should be very happy with your new toy. Enjoy it safely and congrats.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

Your list looks good. I've personally never liked vibratory cleaners...I use a tumbler with steel pin media. Works great. YMMV.
But regardless, you should be very happy with your new toy. Enjoy it safely and congrats.

Yeah, I was really on the fence about that. Frankford Arsenal looks like good stuff. I also found a youtube guy that said vibe cleaners create a lot of dust in the house. The wife isn't going to like that.

My plan is to run it in the garage when needed. But, it's not too late to cancel. What brand of wet-wash would you recommend?

 

[Mark_Mark]

By chance, my LGS is putting in a bit Dillon order tonight. I sent him a list. We will see if it comes in below retail (and hopefully has no shipping charges).

I thought this would be a good start kit:
Final Order list for 750

SKU# S000022 Base XL-750 press $739

21098 Conv. Kit .38/.375 $120

14400 .38/.357 carbide dies

21044 Powder Check $99

16306 Low Powder Sensor $55

22214 Bullet Tray $64

62510 Casefeeder assembly $300

10443 Machine Cover $40

13606 Primer flip tray $30

21073 Casefeeder Plate- Small

10483 D-Terminator scale $150

17171 Caliper $40

20493 CV2001 vib cleaner $290

20675 CM2000 media seperator $125

13287 walnut media $26.50

15159 .38 case gage

17999 bullet puller $29.99

20049 primer pickup tubes-small (Qu.=2) $80

15364 .38 reloading manual $14.99

75111 spare parts kit $49.00

Cart total was $2400

You are going All In!!!

1st Press???

we normally start with a single stage or a cheapo lee turret! But DANG man!!!

 

[TacticalJanitor]

You are going All In!!!

1st Press???

we normally start with a single stage or a cheapo lee turret! But DANG man!!!

Yup. I used to reload with my pop in my teenage years. It's not a completely new concept. But, it was 30 years ago.