Which Dillon?

[Lancair]

Hi guys. I've made all the important decisions so far in my reloading journey (going to do, going to do it on a Dillon, and I don't need a casefeeder). So that leaves the 550B or the SDB.

I shoot exclusively pistol rounds at the moment. I will probably get a center fire rifle (probably a Remington 7615) in the near-to-medium future, but that will probably be it for rifles and it wouldn't be used very often (a couple of times a year in three-gun matches). If I choose to reload that, I'll probably just get a single stage or something (or even a Lee Loader).

At the moment I shoot 9mm and .357/.38 at the rate of 100-200 rounds per week. I plan to acquire a .44 and a .45ACP in the future, as well (but these will be shot far less than the 9mm and the .357, probably 100 a month or so).

My first thought was, of course, the 550, initially with 9mm and .357 conversions (which would run about $1300 locally with a few goodies like a strong mount and roller handle). But I was talking to one of the wise old men at the range, and he suggested that I price two Square Deals. So I did, and two SDBs with one strong mount and bullet tray was a little cheaper than the 550 package.

The two SDB option sounds pretty practical to me. If and when I pick up bigger calibers I could convert one for large primers and used the other one for the small primers. Would it be nontrival to pull one SDB off the strong mount and bolt the other one on? How does the SDB handle .45s and .44s?

Or is the 550B the right way to go?

Edited December 30, 2009 by Lancair

[magicald_223]

I've had a few progressive loaders in the past...a rockchucker with a piggyback conversion and a load master. I purchased a Dillon SDB about 8 months ago and it is by far the best progressive press I have ever owned. I've loaded about 1500 9mm, about 1100 .40, an 250 45LC and I have had ZERO problems. I just switch the calibers...it doesn't really take that long and if you have an separate tool heads you don't have to adjust anything except your powder charge (if you don't have separate powder droppers). I have the strong mount and the press mounts with 3 bolts...maybe 1/2 inch or so and I think you could find large enough wing nuts to easily swap out the presses if you wanted to buy two.

I have reloaded 22-250 on a friends 550B and it worked great I just like the simple up and down movement, load a case and bullet, then up and down...no extra step to rotate the cases by hand. Hope this helps.

[LPatterson]

Everyone has their own opinion but for me it was a 550 with extra tool heads but I am shooting a lot more than you and more calibers. For me it was easier for me to use the dies I had from the single stage days and just screw them into a tool head with an extra powder die.

[bofe954]

You lose the ability to load rifle with SDB's. You might care down the road. The caliber conversions cost more, so if you continue to expand the number of calibers you load you will eventually lose any cost savings you had.

I also like the ability to use different brand dies. I use Lee dies, the sizer eliminates glock bulge from 40 cases and I like their crimping die (although many on this board don't).

Someone with an SDB can offer first hand knowledge, but I am not sure how much harder it would be to do a caliber swap vs. swapping machines on to one strong mount and then swapping the bullet tray. My bet is you end up with 2 strong mounts and 2 bullet trays pretty quick if you do this.

I have the 550 and am pretty happy. I debate picking up SDB's when I see them used just to have a dedicated machine. I have also debated stepping up to a 650.

You really can't make that bad of a decision. No matter what you do you'll save money vs. not reloading. If you change your mind down the road you can sell whatever you buy and get something else. The truth is that all of the options you are looking at are top the line and you'll be happy with the purchase.

[Infernal Combustion]

Agree with bofe954. I haven't used an SDB, and I sometimes think about picking up a used one when I see it cheap, but I really don't need it with the 550. I load .38 Special, .45 Colt, .45 ACP and 9 mm and it is fairly quick and easy to change calibers with the 550 - especially with Brian's deluxe conversion kits. Converting from small to large primers is also relatively painless on the 550 although I try to do all of one primer size before I convert to the other. I already had most of my dies from Lee because I started loading with a Lee Turret press, so being able to use the dies I already had saved me some money. I'm also a fan of the Lee crimp die, so I like using it. I got an M1903 Springfield rifle (made by Remington in 1942) for Christmas so I am about to start loading 30-06 for rifle. The plan is to use my idle Lee Turret for the rifle, but I like the idea that I can use the 550 as well if the need should arise that I start cranking out lots of rifle rounds. In short, the 550 is a bit more flexible (loads rifle and uses any dies) and caliber and primer swaps are fairly easy and quick on the 550.

[prreed10]

I would go for a 550. I have 2 set up - one for small pistol (9mm, 40 S&W & 38 SPL) and the other for large pistol (45 ACP). I would have been OK with just one, but I got lucky and got a screaming deal on my 2nd from a local club member.

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: I have had a couple of SDB's but sell them to friends They are great for loading 9mm, 45acp and 38/357. They don't work so well with 40S&W. I would say it depends on how many rifle rounds you will be shooting in a year? If under 500 get the SDB's if over that RL550. Get a SDB for pistol and a single stage press for rifle. You can change over the dies etc. very quickly on the SDB so one will work for you since they are both small primer. I could change over my SDB in less than 20 minutes including cleaning/oiling the press. Hope this helps. Thanks, Eric

[BMartens]

I have 2 SDB's because I load for pistol only and they work perfectly for me. I load 9mm, .45ACP, 38/357, .45 Colt, .40 S&W and I have tool heads for each. Swapping calibers takes about 10 minutes. I generally keep one in small primer and one for large but, that is also something that is also very easy to swap on the SDB.

Caliber conversions are cheaper because the conversion price includes the dies. If you price a 550 conversion and tool head don't forget to add the price of a set of dies. I have never had any problems or concerns with the Dillon proprietary dies for the SDB.

Also, if space is a consideration, the SDB doesn't take up much room. I have both mounted on a high bench so I don't use the strong mount, not necessary if your bench is around 38-39", although you will need a good solid bench, all of the presses have tremendous leverage, way more than you think. To swap presses on one strong mount should only take a couple of minutes, it's 3 bolts and your done.

You do give up the rifle option with the SDB but, if you are not loading many rounds you will do fine with a single stage for rifle.

For the money, and for what you want to do, you can't go wrong with the SDB's. If you opt for the 550, well, can't go wrong there either.

[benos]

Lancair,

Have you seen these:

Dillon FAQ:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html

“Which Dillon”:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#which

be

[Lancair]

Lancair,

Have you seen these:

Dillon FAQ:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html

“Which Dillon”:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#which

be

Yup.

Finding someone with a Square Deal and a 550 and having a go on each are top of my to-do list before buying a press.

[gm iprod]

I am in Auckland, just pop over and I will help out as best I can.

I sell a lot more 550's than SDB. If you are only ever likely to shoot 2 or 3 calibres in handguns then the SDB is viable.

But honestly I would suggest the 550. Once up and running load rate is only a ittle behind the SDB, but changeover and flexibility will lean you towards the 550. I have both and still like the SDB, but recently more and more I use the 550 and just keep the SDB's for backup.

I now have two 550's one for rach primer size and load a lot of rifle stuff on them, especially the 223 and 308.

[Lancair]

Just one more question: how does the SDB handle .44 Magnum?

[Stuck in C]

I have 2 SDB's, one set up with small primer system (9mm and .40) and one with large (.45 and 10mm). I have one Strong Mount and bullet tray, and switch the whole loader when I want to change primer size. I recently bought a 550 to do rifle on (I used a Rock Chucker for rifle for years). I much prefer the SDB's over the 550-I've had a lot less trouble with the priming system and powder measure on the SDB's. They just work without a lot of fiddling. I can load a couple of hundred rounds on the SDB's in the time it takes me fooling around with the 550 to get it to work.

[benos]

Lancair,

Have you seen these:

Dillon FAQ:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillonfaqs.html

“Which Dillon”:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#which

be

Yup.

Finding someone with a Square Deal and a 550 and having a go on each are top of my to-do list before buying a press.

That's an excellent plan.

be

[jimll1954]

i had a sdb and went to a 650. you might look at that it is very versital and a very good and well built machine

[Lancair]

i had a sdb and went to a 650. you might look at that it is very versital and a very good and well built machine

A 650 is massive overkill for the amount I'm shooting now.

[Dan Hefta]

I love my SDB, I only reload 9mm but am thinking about moving up to 40SW. I love the auto indexing, I don't have to worry about a double charge of powder with the auto indexing, if you get one make sure that you buy the strong mount and the parts kit. Good luck with your decision, either machine will be a great investment.

[jimll1954]

i had a sdb and went to a 650. you might look at that it is very versital and a very good and well built machine

A 650 is massive overkill for the amount I'm shooting now.

it may be now but if things change and you ever want to load rifle or a few other calibers it is well worth it

[RiggerJJ]

A 650 is fast to load on, easy to change calibers, takes standard dies, will load just about any caliber of rifle OR pistol you can come up with, and has high resale value.

supporting 3-400 rounds a week will be easy on a 650, and you will be spending most of your free time shooting instead of reloading.

pay the $ or do extra time in your reloading room... thats the actual choice.

jj

[Tom Freeman]

A 650 is massive overkill for the amount I'm shooting now.

Better to have and not need than need and not have...

[98sr20ve]

I love my SDB, I only reload 9mm but am thinking about moving up to 40SW. I love the auto indexing, I don't have to worry about a double charge of powder with the auto indexing, if you get one make sure that you buy the strong mount and the parts kit. Good luck with your decision, either machine will be a great investment.

Autoindexing + Mistake = Squib.

Manual Indexing + Mistake = Double charge.

I fear both.

I had a ton of squibs fighting my old Load Master when I got things out of order. I have never had a double charge on a 550. I know the LM kinda is not a fair comparision but the idea stands. People underestimate the ability to screw up a auto indexing press.

If you buy a 550 I will suggest placing the bullet on the case in station 2 right after you visually confirm powder, then index with your left thumb while your right hand grabs a case. Using this technique I can load 600rds in a hour and still take a short break in that hour. 550 is by no means a slow press once you get used to how to do things. It's also so very, very, simple. Nothing complicated. Don't get me wrong. 650/SDB both good. But I doubt a SDB is much faster then I am with my 550. If it is it's not enough to make it worth dealing with it's limitations. Just the idea of not having a roller handle is enough to make me not want the SDB.

[CocoBolo]

Ok, correct me if I'm wrong but I saw $1300, and only two calibers. With that much I would go XL650 with CaseFeeder $749 and get all the accesories, scale, caliper, drop check, dies, etc. Trim the fluff, you don't need the roller handle with the amount your loading and if you are not going to pole dance on it no need for a strong mount. Look at the accessories scale, tumbler ect, a lot of good ones out there that are not blue for a lot less money. Frankford aresnal makes good stuff and its dirt cheap.

I have both the strong mount put the loader too high on the bench and I didn't like the feel of the roller handle, I prefer the gear shift ball. They are both under the bench where I store the bullets, along with that powder check. I'm keeping the powder check in case I add a bullet feeder.

It may be a 40lb fly swatter but what the heck, why not go first class, to start instead of upgrading later.

And there is no better place to buy it than Benos, probalby no sales tax and free shipping. Save the gas let them deliver it.

Edited January 9, 2010 by CocoBolo

[98sr20ve]

Ok, correct me if I'm wrong but I saw $1300, and only two calibers. With that much I would go XL650 with CaseFeeder $749 and get all the accesories, scale, caliper, drop check, dies, etc.

Same could be said of the 550 and SDB. Trim the fluf and the SDB will be cheaper (for one caliber), 550 next, 650 next. SDB will cost more for each conversion. 650 about the same, 550 cheapest. For some reason people buying Dillon seem to think they need every option the machine has. Start with the basics and then decide. I was getting wrist pain so the Roller Handle worked for me. At first I was perfectly happy with the ball. It just depends on the person. Thats the great thing about the Dillon stuff. It's so easy to get it set up just the way you want it. Well, the SDB does not have some of the options. I would get the 650 if you think you will want the casefeeder in the future. But getting a 550 and then latter getting a 650 setup with Casefeeder ETC. could also make sence. 550 would have cheaper conversions, 650 could be dedicated to the one caliber you load the most. Both would share powder measures, pins etc.

[Lancair]

Ok, correct me if I'm wrong but I saw $1300, and only two calibers. With that much I would go XL650 with CaseFeeder $749 and get all the accesories, scale, caliper, drop check, dies, etc. Trim the fluff, you don't need the roller handle with the amount your loading and if you are not going to pole dance on it no need for a strong mount. Look at the accessories scale, tumbler ect, a lot of good ones out there that are not blue for a lot less money. Frankford aresnal makes good stuff and its dirt cheap.

I have both the strong mount put the loader too high on the bench and I didn't like the feel of the roller handle, I prefer the gear shift ball. They are both under the bench where I store the bullets, along with that powder check. I'm keeping the powder check in case I add a bullet feeder.

It may be a 40lb fly swatter but what the heck, why not go first class, to start instead of upgrading later.

And there is no better place to buy it than Benos, probalby no sales tax and free shipping. Save the gas let them deliver it.

$1300 Australian. I'm located way down under, so buying from Brian isn't an option (and shipping is a killer buying presses internationally anyway)

[twodownzero]

With that much at stake, it should be a no brainer. If you can have only one press, pick one that can offer you both rifle and pistol. That leaves out the SDB.

If I were you, I'd get a 550. It'll give you the most bang for your buck. Rifle, pistol, it handles it all. Plus it's cheaper to switch calibers with than the other options. You'll give up the auto indexing, but I highly doubt you'll miss it.