Which Dillon?

[sawgunner2001]

I may be purchasing a Dillon machine in the near future and am torn about which one to get, the Square Deal or the 550. I have loaded a handful (literally a single handful) of handgun cartridges on both the 550 and Square Deal. That is my experience with each machine.

This will (currently) be used to load 9x19mm exclusively. There is a possibility that I may choose to load 5.56mm on this machine in the future, pending the procedure required to load rifle cartridges. I'm already aware of the fact that the Square Deal is handgun caliber specific.

Currently, when loading rifle cartridges in single stage mode, my procedure is as follows;

Tumble
Lube (Hornady One Shot)
Decap, FL size
Tumble
Clean primer pockets
Trim/chamfer
Prime
Charge
Seat bullet
Crimp

That being said, I understand that One Shot will not "deactivate" powder, so the lubed cartridge can go from the sizing die to the powder die without coming off the shell plate with the lube being removed later. My question is though, when do you run the cases through the trimmer? Unfortunately, brass coming out of my AR requires a trip through the trimmer after each firing.

I guess what will make my decision on whether to go with the Square Deal or the 550 will be how much faster the 550 will be when loading 5.56 vs loading them on my single stage as I <span style="font-style: italic">believe </span> that the Square Deal will be better than the 550 for handgun cartridges.

Any and all input is appreciated.

 

[4Rail_Gunner]

Re: Which Dillon?

At the minimum I would buy the 550.

You can load rifle cartridges on it if you wish later.
You can step up to a case feeder in the future if you wanted too.

If you look on ebay, there are always 550 conversion kits used for sale. So you could snag a used conversion kit and upgrade.

Go for the 550B its not much more than the square deal.

If you were going to load ALOT of pistol ammo I would step up to the XL650. The 550B will treat you well though.

 

[EddieNFL]

Re: Which Dillon?

I like the 550 for rifle.

I suggest cleaning the pockets, trimming, etc., before the second trip to the tumbler.

Also, I recommend any other lube besides OS.

 

[tb1s1k]

Re: Which Dillon?

i would go 550 for rifle ammo later on

 

[shootist2004]

Re: Which Dillon?

the 650 has a case feeder......jus sayin

 

[ganyana]

Re: Which Dillon?

If you are going to load only pistol ammo and only one cal...then the square deal offers just that. We have used 3 to keep the club in reloads for 18 years now.

The 550...a whole different beast. Much more versitile but you do need to concentrate. We bought 4 for the club...and soon had double charges. Not everybody on the reloading teams payed enough attention to what they were doing. Several guys who reload at home blew up their pistols loading on Dillion 550's...booze and reloading don't mix. Loading and watching TV don't mix...but you can (usually) get away with such crimes using the square deal as it has auto indexing.

For rifle...you need at least a 550. I have had my own for 14 years and never looked backLoad arround 2-3000 rnds of .375 and .458 as well as all my handgun ammo on one. That said, I'm sorry I didn't get a 650 last time I had the oportunity to get another press in from the states. With an auto case feeder and an aftermarket (non Dillion) bullet feeder, a mate averages about 800 rnds an hour loading .40 S&W

The 650 is an easy machine to automate- it can be driven by compressed air or by an electric motor running through a dog clutch. Throw cases in feeder and walk away while they are sized and deprimed. Wash cases, change die holder and load (by hand)...very efficient for volume and where it is necessary to wash the cases after sizing.

 

[ZY100]

Re: Which Dillon?


Just a few of my thoughts...I have both as well as a rock chucker and T-7. I load everything from 380 (not much, a PIA) to 458 SOCOM, 9mm, 38, 45, 30 carbine, 7.62x39, 243, 308, etc. It is obviously another "hobby" to go along with the shooting...

What are your priorities? Saving money on reloads or setting up for a long term commitment to making quality ammo in reasonable time? How important is your time? Just as happy spending a few relaxing hours prepping 500 cases or want to get the reloading done as quickly as possible? Competition or just shooting for fun? Budget? Not sure yet?

My recommendation: One thing we know--you want to load 9mm now. Start with a used SDB and if progressive reloading is for you, upgrade to a 550 or 650 later. You can decide to sell you SDB or keep it for pistol ammo. They hold a pretty good used value and sell quickly. The 550 is fine for pistol, but I seem to always find myself going back to my SDB for pistol and do most rifle on the 550.

- Keep in mind with Dillon's no BS warranty and customer service, used as a very viable option.

- The SDB just cranks out the rounds, nice short handle stroke, auto index, etc. There are a good used deals out there if you look around.

- 550 is a lot quicker than single stage, no matter how you slice it. Key however is having all your prep done so you run it through the 550 once. You need to decide how you work your trimming into the prep. I have heard of some people running their brass through the 550 once with one tool head setup just to deprime and resize, then trim (or have a power trimmer on 550, but not a big fan of them), tumble and run it through again with another tool head to prime, charge, seat, crimp. Do-able, and tool head takes about 1 minute to swap.

--An option, some may disagree, is to trim prior to resizing. You need to evaluate your level of accuracy you want to (or can) get from your AR and also ensure you brass is similar enough within the batches you process that you can trim to a certain length and still be within the min/max trim length AFTER your sizing process. Then you run it through the 550B once and call it done.

--If you are running a milspec chamber for plinking, drills, casual comps, and have >MOA expectations, probably fine. If you are running a custom barrel or near max load, probably not a good plan.

Note: If you have to trim after every reloading, you MIGHT be bumping the shoulder back farther than you need to when you resize, especially if using a small base die. Also be wary of putting too many reloadings on the brass if it is stretching that much each firing...the brass you are trimming off has to come from someplace.

Just my thoughts…
ZY

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Which Dillon?

I've been reloading for a couple years now. I started out with a Lee turret press and loaded everything on it, then upgraded to a Rock Chucker for my rifle loads. I still do my handgun loads on the turret press which nets me about 100 rds/hr. I'm just jealous of my handgun shooting partner who sits down for 15 minutes behind his Dillon and has a week's worth of ammo ready to go.

After a good amount of reading, the SDB (even with auto indexing) isn't really any faster than the manual indexing 550B (which I thought it would be). The selling point to me was that the SDB <span style="font-style: italic">had</span> to be faster than the 550. Turns out it isn't, according to most folks.

I've looked at used machines for about a month now on egay and gunbroker and there doesn't seem to be a huge savings VS buying new. Yes, they are a little less expensive, but for $100 I personally would rather have a new machine.

Thanks guys, for all the insight.

 

[ZY100]

Re: Which Dillon?

Saw,

Ok, that checks...I was thinking you were just getting started in reloading.

I will agree that the SDB is not <span style="text-decoration: underline">significantly</span> faster than the 550. You can certainly crank out a lot more than 100 rnds an hour with either. With all that said, you cant' go wrong starting out with the 550!

 

[Mag 300]

Re: Which Dillon?

550 is the most versatile by far and its pretty fast
Bill

 

[sinister]

Re: Which Dillon?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">550 is the most versatile by far and its pretty fast</div></div>

Concur.

I load 9mm, .45, 5.56, 7.62, and 338 Lapua on my 550.

 

[Jer]

Re: Which Dillon?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sinister</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">550 is the most versatile by far and its pretty fast</div></div>

Concur.

I load 9mm, .45, 5.56, 7.62, and 338 Lapua on my 550. </div></div>

I'm about to start reloading 338 Lapua and have plans to eventually load .223, .308 and 9mm. I was planning to do a Rock Chucker as I've seen that's pretty popular w/the precision crowd because you can load one at a time and it's accurate and inexpensive. This statement you made has me wondering how accurate you can get n 338LM w/a 550. Details please.

 

[codyb]

Re: Which Dillon?

You can load just as accurately on the 550 as the rockchucker. It is not hard to weigh powder on every load it you like to do so.

 

[jwoolf]

Re: Which Dillon?

If you can move up to the 650, you'll be a lot happier, IMHO.

I load everything on my 650... even rifle but, I have a slightly different set up when doing that....

Also, with the 650, you have the option of getting the case trimmer tool so you don't have to trim cases seperately... you can do it when you size and deprime stage so, once the cases are out, you just tumble them and load them... not to mention that the case feeder works great on the 650.

If you want to reload a crap load of ammo and you hate reloading the dillon is the way to go. I can't be happier with my 650 and, I'm VERY glad I did the 650 instead of the 550 and, it's a lot safer because it does auto-index and there are a LOT more options for the 650.

The good news is that when you buy one, you only spend that money once.... after that it pays you back and, if you actually like the experience of reloading, the 650 makes it much less painful to get out there and load up a bunch of ammo and you can do it quickly and safely.

There are a lot of tools that work but, my dillon not only works... it's not a pain in my ass to turn out LOTS of ammo quickly.

For rifle, I don't have a high dollar powder thrower so, I generally size/deprime and trim ( with the dillon attachment ) in one sitting... basically just lube the cases and start pulling the handle and, I size/deprime and on the next stage, the cases get trimmed. You can run a shit load of cases through in a hurry. Then, take them and dump them into the tumbler to remove any brass shavings and lube then, they're ready to load.... just that quick.

Then ( since I don't have a high dollar powder thrower ), I change the toolhead with my seating die and powder die then, I set the charges to be about .5gr too light.... I dump the powder on the scale for each charge and I trickle charge each round and seat the bullets. ( for 308win and 300 win mag )

For 5.56, I use spray lube, the case feeder and ball powder and, you can flat load that stuff as fast as you can pull the handle.... same as anything pistol.

You can trickle charge each round and have the auto-indexing press turning out quality ammo or, if you're doing pistol, you can turn out 600+ rounds/hour on the same press.

I can't tell you how much the case trimmer tool is worth.... I HATE trimming rifle brass and the dillon attachment just takes that whole process out of the mix completely.... it just sort of happens when you size and deprime. It saves time and a LOT of effort.... just dump the cases back in the tumbler and, they're ready to go.

The 650 gives you the case trimmer option that I don't believe that 550 offers and, if you're doing a lot of rifle rounds, I can't even begin to tell you how much that one function alone is worth to me.

My ammo groups a lot better than the federal gold medal stuff so, I must be doing something right. haha

 

[jarheadkp]

Re: Which Dillon?

I have both the 550 @ 650. Both would be a good choices. The 550 has the advantage of loading all pistol and most rifle calipers. Where the 650 has case feed for all pistol and some rifle calipers. Powder drop will work well for pistol and Ball rifle powder, but sucks if you want to use extruded powder. Can't beat the warranty. Dillon is the Best progressive press anyone could buy!!!

 

[Jer]

Re: Which Dillon?

Will either the 550 or the 650 do .338 Lapua? I think the 550 will but am not sure with the 650.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Which Dillon?

The SDB will NOT load rifle calibers.

I've had the 550 and hated it because it just seemed to slow. I upgraded to a 650 and it makes me happy in the pants to hear the rounds clinking out of that thing.


I'm not reloading rifle on it yet but will be doing 223 and probably 308 on it soon enough.

 

[jwoolf]

Re: Which Dillon?

650 uses normal rifle dies so, the only thing to be concerned about is the shell plate that comes in the caliber conversion kit.

I didn't see the 338 listed in the caliber chart but, if there is another caliber that uses the same shell plate, I'm sure you could make it work. I'd give them a call to validate that, however.

 

[tnichols]

Re: Which Dillon?

I've loaded 10-25 thousand rounds a year for 10+ years on a pair of 550's (all handgun ammo). The 550 is a straight forward work horse that is not too complicated for a newbie and yet has good production numbers for the experienced loaders. I've loaded on a couple of different progressives that auto index, and it does increase production, but can also be a curse when things start to get balled up.

 

[jwoolf]

Re: Which Dillon?

there are no flies on any of these presses.... it probably comes down to what you want and what works best for you.

The 550 has the ability to move slowly and methodically... the 650 has the most options available and it auto-indexes. The square deal is fantastic for pistol only reloading. ( I didn't bring up the 1050 but, it has even more options )

The only reason I harp on the 650 is for the extra options you get down the road but, I wouldn't recommend it for a new reloader.... although if you are methodical it's not out of the question for a new reloader.

There are a lot of folks out there that end up with the 650 after buying something else first.

 

[sinister]

Re: Which Dillon?

Over the holidays I taught my nephew to hand load .338 Lapua Magnum on a 550.

Never having fired the gun before he shot a 300-yard prone/bipod 100-7X on the NRA SR-C target using a TRG-42 scoped with a 5.5-22X NXS.

It takes between 10-15 minutes to change calibers if you go between large and small primers. You can load 100 .45 ACPs in 10-15 minutes.

 

[mdmp5]

Re: Which Dillon?

call brian enos and ask him what he thinks. He is the guy to ask

 

[jwoolf]

Re: Which Dillon?

I don't particularly love reloading but, I do it because nobody can make better ammo than I can and, it's cheaper than anything you can buy and have the pride in the fact that not only are you shooting the groups but, you're also making the magic with the ammo. I reload for me and one close friend. We'll spend time in the garage and have a few beers and load whatever we need.

I doubt I'd reload and have beers if my press didn't auto-index. haha

The good news is that I check everything... over and over and, I have good habits ( well, except for the beer part haha ) when reloading. I dump powder and check everything everytime I add primers when loading pistol and, rifle is checked every friggin' round because I trickle charge every round on a beam scale.

Whatever Dillon you buy will serve you well. Just make sure you buy the one that will do you the right service. There is one for every customer... just get the one for what you need it to do.

 

[chuff]

Re: Which Dillon?

If you want one press for everything the SDB is obviously not the way to go. Having said that, I have a SDB that I picked up used at a good price that does nothing at all (at my house anyway) except load 9mm, and it does it well. The press is not finicky at ALL once it's set up. It just trucks along with no fuss. I love it. Sometimes I put my case feeder (aka my daughter) on the right and my bullet feeder (aka my son) on the left and we really crank out the rounds.

The major downside to the SDB for me, even as a pure pistol press, is that caliber changes are a bit on the slow side by modern standards. If I were using one press across many handgun calibers and also using that same press for a rifle caliber or two no question I would personally opt for the Hornady LNL AP. The press is rock solid, cheaper than a Dillon but AT LEAST as well made, and caliber changes are lightning fast without the need to buy a bunch of extra toolheads and crap to speed up the process. It's a quick change machine right out of the box.

 

[farmer]

Re: Which Dillon?

Get the 550 and some carbide dies and cut out the tumbling and lubing.

 

[Winchester 69]

Re: Which Dillon?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: chuff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...I would personally opt for the Hornady LNL AP. The press is rock solid, cheaper than a Dillon but AT LEAST as well made, and caliber changes are lightning fast without the need to buy a bunch of extra toolheads and crap to speed up the process. It's a quick change machine right out of the box. </div></div>
It's accurate without custom, machined tool heads and tool head locks. The powder measure is as good as any.

 

[Downzero]

Re: Which Dillon?

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

If I were you, I'd get the square deal.

You already have a single stage for rifle.

The Hornady is good advice as well.

I personally have a 550 and have no regrets, but for someone who loads a minimal number of calibers, the 550 isn't typically the ideal choice. I use my 550 for everything, including 9mm, .38, .357, .40, .45, 30-06, .308, 5.56/.223, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, .460 Rem Mag, etc., so the 550 was the obvious choice for me.

An auto indexing press would be sweet for the future, if limited to the calibers I shoot the most (primarily auto pistol calibers).