TPMINAZ Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I currently have a 650 and I have been reloading on it for about a year. I have only reloaded 45acp on it and I go through 2,000 - 3,000 rounds a month right now. I shoot at 3 different clubs and there is always something going on. I tend to load about 500 rounds at a time. I have the press dialed in and I really don't have many issues with it and I hate the idea of messing with it. I also want to start loading 9mm. I really don't shoot much of it but I could see maybe 500 rounds a month. I am starting to introduce my girlfriends 13 yo son to shooting so he would be shooting a lot of it. So my goal is finding a way to hold down the cost of ammo a little but the real goal is being able to produce loads that maximize the capabilities of the gun. I do have an XDm 5.25 in 9mm I sometimes will shoot in competition but again it is not my first choice in a platform. So the question is, do I purchase the toolhead, conversion kit, powder funnel, case feeder disk etc for around $300 and go through the conversion and setup of my 650 every time I want to change over or do I invest in the Square B in 9mm and just have a dedicated press for each load? I also thought about another 650 but that would seem to be a case of overkill. Will I go crazy working on the Square B after using the 650? I'm also only interested in Dillon products. I live a few miles away from their factory so being able to go by and see them as needed is a big deal for me. I would love to hear any and all opinions. Thanks in advance for your feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 If cost is a primary consideration go with the SDB, they do work quite well. If cost is not a huge factor, I'd go with another 650 as you are familiar with the operation and know that it works well. Also, no casefeeder for a SDB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppa Bear Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 A friend runs two 550's. One for SMALL primer 9/40, the other for LARGE primer 45. A few minutes to make changes as he drops in the correct toolhead for the small primer machine and he is good to go again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GR8GIFT Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I have 2 650's one set up for large primers one for small. Share a casefeeder between them. Large for 45 and small for 38 and 9mm. A 550 for other calibers. It is overkill with 2 650's but it sure is nice not having to change out the primer systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 300 rounds/month is 1 - 1.5 hours/month with a Square Deal. How long would it take for you to switch calibers on your 650, load 300 rounds, and switch calibers back? Square Deal is $365; how much is the caliber switch for 650? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppa Bear Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I have 2 650's one set up for large primers one for small. Share a casefeeder between them. Large for 45 and small for 38 and 9mm. A 550 for other calibers. It is overkill with 2 650's but it sure is nice not having to change out the primer systems. That is the key. Switching heads and/or shell plates is not a problem as long as you have a separate powder measure. Swapping out the primer system can scatter primers all over the floor if you are not careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I would switch over the 650. An auto indexing press with no casefeeder isn't worth the $$$ for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodell Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I have a SDB for my low volume calibers - a "good enough' caliber conversion. Anything I want to crank out I spend the "time" to reset the 650. I can do a changeover in <5 minutes, and I have a primer assembly and powder measures on each toolhead. Nothing to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98sr20ve Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 Get the conversion kit and a extra primer assembly. Then your using the better press and it's way more comfortable to load on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I would switch over the 650. An auto indexing press with no casefeeder isn't worth the $$$ for me. Get the conversion kit and a extra primer assembly. Then your using the better press and it's way more comfortable to load on. Those are my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sroe3 Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Get the conversion kit. The square deal won't take a u-die that you'll need to resize brass that's been shot major pf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfrey Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Personally, I would go with the Square Deal. That way you would at least have another press if something goes bad on the 650. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 (edited) Get the conversion kit. The square deal won't take a u-die that you'll need to resize brass that's been shot major pf. If I got the conversion kit, I'd be tempted to do all my 9mm minor loading at one shot for the year - load up 2,500 - 5,000 at a time, and then convert the 650 back, once a year rather than loading 300 per month, and converting calibers 12x/year. Edited July 29, 2012 by Hi-Power Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Vark WSO Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 TPMINAZ - No one has suggested this yet. Look down the road - her 13 year old son will get older and want to shoot .45 too. Get a 1050 and keep the 650. I load a lot of .38 and was using a 550 - then found a used 1050 - hoo boy - what a difference. Get it dialed in and watch the loaded ammo fall in the bucket. You won't be sorry. Of course, bench space and finances play into everything - but you were asking for opinions! OVW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbird1976 Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Your best bet is probably with the 650 conversion. The square deal will limit your choices in dies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 I have a 1050 and a 650. I change over the 650 for different calibers. It only takes 5-10 minutes. The 1050 is set up for 9 mm major for my open gun which is my high volume round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wayne Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Well, since you want opinions...mine falls in line with Old Vark. The changeouts are easy on these machines. I like to walk up and pull the lever and place the bullet. John Wayne ain't gettin no younger. That's why I have six machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tambarika Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 I currently have a 650 and I have been reloading on it for about a year. I have only reloaded 45acp on it and I go through 2,000 - 3,000 rounds a month right now. I shoot at 3 different clubs and there is always something going on. I tend to load about 500 rounds at a time. I have the press dialed in and I really don't have many issues with it and I hate the idea of messing with it. I also want to start loading 9mm. I really don't shoot much of it but I could see maybe 500 rounds a month. I am starting to introduce my girlfriends 13 yo son to shooting so he would be shooting a lot of it. So my goal is finding a way to hold down the cost of ammo a little but the real goal is being able to produce loads that maximize the capabilities of the gun. I do have an XDm 5.25 in 9mm I sometimes will shoot in competition but again it is not my first choice in a platform. So the question is, do I purchase the toolhead, conversion kit, powder funnel, case feeder disk etc for around $300 and go through the conversion and setup of my 650 every time I want to change over or do I invest in the Square B in 9mm and just have a dedicated press for each load? I also thought about another 650 but that would seem to be a case of overkill. Will I go crazy working on the Square B after using the 650? I'm also only interested in Dillon products. I live a few miles away from their factory so being able to go by and see them as needed is a big deal for me. I would love to hear any and all opinions. Thanks in advance for your feedback! I load 9, 40, 45 and 223 from the same 650. I have caliber conversions with powder measures for each type. Moderate investment = great flexibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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