focusedarcher Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hi all, looking for some advice, I'm looking to reload for 5 different pistol's, no rifle. I shoot about 500 rounds of each different cal. anually. I know i want a dillon press but I am unsure about the dillon sd or 650(auto indexing is a must). Also I have found an old sd in 45 cal. for $100.00 but the owner says it doesn't have a primer feeder and no auto indexing, did the old sd's not have auto indexing or primer feeds or is this sd just missing some parts??? I'm thinking eventually i'll have 2 sd's and change the dies maybe once or twice a year, or just get the 650 with 5 dies? Unsure what to do??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alvarez Kelly Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 If it doesn't auto index anymore, it sounds like it's missing parts. $100 is a great price though. As for which one to buy, Square Deal or 650, have YOU used either? I like Square Deals (and 550s) but not everyone who loads on a Square Deal likes them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focusedarcher Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 No I have no experience reloading, but the space i have to reload is a small bench about 6 feet long. If the square deal is missing parts can I get them from dillon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focusedarcher Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 I have watched a fiew youtube videos and changing dies looks easy enough, and I'm comfortable working with mechanical things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread1911 Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Dillon will take the press and rebuild it either free or cheaply. I load on a 1050 so no experience with the dillon lifetime warranty I hear it is awesome. Reloading is alot of fun. If there is someone around you that loads I am sure they would be glad to show you the ropes. I am in Burnsville MN if you are close enough happy to show you what I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I reload 5 pistol's, no rifle about 500 rounds of each anually. I found an old sd in 45 cal. for $100.00 Focus, just a few thoughts: 1. if you load 2500 rounds/year (50 boxes in total) that would cost you about $1,000??? (depends on caliber and type of load - just my approximation - you would know better than I) The total cost of a 650, with the four extra calibers, and some extras (case or bullet feeder) - would cost you more than $1,000 (Probably a Lot more). The 650 will load your 50 boxes of ammo (One year's supply) in half of one day. And, then your 650 would be idle for the other 364.5 days a year (365.5 this year:) It would probably take you three years to pay for the 650 in value of ammo. Economically, it probably makes little sense to buy the 650, but you may have other reasons which override the economics:) That's a personal decision - not saying you're wrong, just that the economics don't appear to be on your side. 2. Loading so few rounds a year, you could load up your 50 boxes of ammo, and switch dies, on ONE Square Deal, in one long day per year. Or, one hour per month. If you can get a Square Deal for $100, and spend $350? for the other four caliber conversions, that would make more sense economically. but you still have to pay $450 to reload 50 boxes a year??? And, you will need to buy another $150 = 250 for other equipment. If you're trying to save money - I doubt you'll do it. If you're trying to customize your ammo so that it shoots better than factory ammo - then it might make some sense. First, I'd check around and see if you have a Club Member who is reloading - and see if you can borrow or rent their machine (load on his machine) with your components before I'd spend all that time/money buying equipment to load 50 boxes of ammo a year. Just a thought ... If you decide to go for it and reload - good luck, and have fun (safely) - buy a chrono to work up your loads slowly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Good stuff from High - Power...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focusedarcher Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) I hear you guys, I do have someone reload for me know it cost $120.00 for 500 rounds and his ammo is good. I guess I just want to incorportate loading into my shooting experience, I think I will really enjoy it. I think the SD will be enough for me to get the job done and still have the experience I`m looking for. I appreciate your advice Jack, your probably right it will take quite a fiew years to recover my cost, but I`m okay with that. I think it will be a great fun and only add to my shooting experience. Edited March 26, 2012 by focusedarcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread1911 Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Jack is right on the money. Make a friend and read lots of reference about your specific loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 I hear you guys, I do have someone reload for me know it cost $120.00 for 500 rounds and his ammo is good. I guess I just want to incorportate loading into my shooting experience, I think I will really enjoy it. I think the SD will be enough for me to get the job done and still have the experience I`m looking for. I appreciate your advice Jack, your probably right it will take quite a fiew years to recover my cost, but I`m okay with that. I think it will be a great fun and only add to my shooting experience. If you want to try it you should. IMO reloading is not a chore but something to enjoy.... And your reloads can be tailored to your taste in many different ways... When you start shooting something besides 9mm it is hugely helpful. It's not all about the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hello: Buy that SDB and download the manual so you know what parts to buy for it. I would start by just reloading one caliber to see if reloading is something you like to do. That way you just have to buy one powder,bullets primers. I have owned 5 SDB's and like them alot but others have liked them more than I needed to own them A great caliber to start with is 45acp if you own guns that shoot that. Easy to reload, safe also to start with. I enjoy reloading and reloaded about 10,000 rounds last year. I find a load that works for me and do 1000 rounds of it at a time. I then change over to a different caliber and do it again. I store the ammo in ammo cans so they stay dry and safe. Now go get that SDB Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hand that guy 100 bucks for his SD and don't look back. Between a phone call to Dillon and Brian's forum, you will get it going soon. I would just pick one caliber that costs the most to buy and start loading. You can make all those other decisions later. You never have anything to lose by buying a Square Deal at a low price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeMartens Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Buy the square deal, send it to dillon and they will either rebuild for free and upgrade or charge you about $60. I have reloaded 40 on a square deal for the last three years just switched to a 650, with bullet case feeder and man life is sweet, but if you are low volume square deal is hard to beat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Buy the square deal, send it to dillon and they will rebuild for $60. If you're going to buy the SD - Makes a Lot More Sense than the 650 - I'd shoot a photo of it off to Dillon & make sure they'll agree to rebuild it for you:) One thing I forgot about - I bet if you start reloading, you'll start shooting A Lot More - bet you start shooting 10,000 rounds a year in no time:) Heck, you might even start shooting USPSA or IDPA !! That, alone, makes it all worthwhile:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
See_Archie_Shoot Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Why are so opposed to the manual indexing of the 550.? That square deal sounda like a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focusedarcher Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) So I picked up my new "old press" today and its beautiful, unfortunately its not the sdb as i was told, its actually the predicessor, the 450 jr B. The owner got it in a bulk estate sale and didn't realize it wasn't the sdb, so he sold it to me for $60.00, So I have a great press for loading 45 acp. I think I'll leave it dedicated for 45 and look at the sdb, for other cals. The 450 jr will make a great press to learn on. Thanks for all your posts. Edited March 26, 2012 by focusedarcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focusedarcher Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 Hi all, here are some pics of my new to me 450 jr. I think its the B model, not sure what dies will fit in this model but I'm sure some of you guys know exactly what I have here. Thanks Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retread1911 Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Looks like a great old press for 60$. Good luck with it. Have fun and be safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 That should do everything you need. Good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focusedarcher Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 Does anyone know if the Sdb dies can be used with this 450 Jr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Does anyone know if the Sdb dies can be used with this 450 Jr. If no one gets back to you in next two hours, I'd call Dillon - they'll know:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm iprod Posted March 27, 2012 Share Posted March 27, 2012 Square Deal dies only fit Square Deal. will not fit 450 (RL550B) type presses. I think having auto index as a must is a poor choice. I have at least one of everything Dillon make and I believe the 550 with manual index is better than the Square Deal with auto index for many people. My father has three Square Deal B and for what he does, 9mm, 38Super and 38Special, and he does not want to be bothered with changing bits on and off, this works fine for him. I personally think that he 550 can load just as quickly as the Square Deal and I think it is less fiddly. If you are new to loading do not buy the 650 straight off. If you really can't stand a manual index press, do as some have suggested buy the Square Deal and ship it to Dillon, they will fix it up properly, if you are close to Dillon go in and talk to them with it. They also have a display and you can play on the machines and decide for yourself. I suggest you find someone who has some of them and see what they like about them and you need to use one. The worse that can happen if you buy the Square Deal and have to spend a bit of money on it $60 - $100, is, if you hate it in the end you get your money back when you sell it. But in the meantime you are saving a few bucks on ammo and learning how to reload. Then you put that money towards a 550 or 650 and off you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alvarez Kelly Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Does anyone know if the Sdb dies can be used with this 450 Jr. The 450 Jr in your photos uses 2 of the 3 "Square Deal" dies. The sizing/decap die is a standard 7/8 x 14 industry standard die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focusedarcher Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 Does anyone know if the Sdb dies can be used with this 450 Jr. The 450 Jr in your photos uses 2 of the 3 "Square Deal" dies. The sizing/decap die is a standard 7/8 x 14 industry standard die. I called dillon today, maybe I'm mistaken but I thought it used 3 sdb dies, the 4th being stn. #1 7/8-14 standard resizing and depriming die? stn #2 powder drop, #3 bullet press, and #4 crimp, all calibur specific? am I missing something? I think the powder drop needs an adapter to the powder funel. I'm slowly putting all the pieces togeather....pls. correct me if I'm mistaken. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alvarez Kelly Posted March 28, 2012 Share Posted March 28, 2012 Does anyone know if the Sdb dies can be used with this 450 Jr. The 450 Jr in your photos uses 2 of the 3 "Square Deal" dies. The sizing/decap die is a standard 7/8 x 14 industry standard die. I called dillon today, maybe I'm mistaken but I thought it used 3 sdb dies, the 4th being stn. #1 7/8-14 standard resizing and depriming die? stn #2 powder drop, #3 bullet press, and #4 crimp, all calibur specific? am I missing something? I think the powder drop needs an adapter to the powder funel. I'm slowly putting all the pieces togeather....pls. correct me if I'm mistaken. Thanks Your not "wrong" but the powder "die" is not a die in the usual sense. You use the powder funnel that comes with the Square Deal conversion kit inside the powder die you already have on the press. I hope I didn't confuse things more! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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