Dillon B or 550

[smokemjoe]

I think I may treat myself to a dillion press, If I get over all this. Grafs book says on the Square Deal B auto indexing, The 550 says manually, Does that mean that on the B press you dont have to turn the shell plate by hand, Thanks- Joe

[Artful]

Auto indexing means you don't have control of the shell plate and it will turn each time the handle is pulled.

If you have never operated an auto indexing press, I will say don't ever try and force one.

[NVcurmudgeon]

Joe, after using a B for over twenty years of satisfaction for .45 ACP, I decided to branch out. I got a conversion for .44 Magnum which worked well for a while, but then began to plague me with scratching brass and excessive effort. Dillon's answer was "lube the cases." Also tried a 9mm conversion, but never could get both sizes of primers to feed reliably. I sold off the whole outfit to a couple of board members who keep a dedicated B for each caliber with great happiness. I still believe the B is a fine machine if it is used for one caliber each, and short cases. As I no longer shoot bullseye and don't need so much ammo, I have settled on loading a wide variety of pistol rounds on a Lyman Spar-T turret press. No experience with a 500 machine. I had chosen the B BECAUSE of auto indexing, because I know me and can't rely on me to advance the machine!

[VHoward]

I have the Square Deal B and have loaded both 9mm and 357 mag without problems on either. The 550B is a fine machine also. With the square deal b, you have to use Dillons proprietary dies. With the 550b, you can use standard dies. The square deal b auto indexes and the 550b does not. The square deal b will only do pistol rounds. The 550b will also do some rifle rounds. To have auto indexing with standard dies and 5 dies stations, move up to the 650XL.

[r1kk1]

The 550 will do a lot of rifle rounds including a conversion for 338 Lapua. SDB is pistol only.

Take care

r1kk1

[Firebricker]

Joe, If your going to load more than one caliber I think you will be happier with the 550 as far as the manual indexing it just becomes a habit. FB

[Jtarm]

I'm sorta shopping progessives though not sure when I'll have the $$$.

Seems to me the 550 is more versatile as it can handle rifle rounds and it's not much more than the SDB.

[bobthenailer]

Go with the 550 over the Sq Deal B , i personal dont like the auto index feature of the SQD B and i cant get my big fingers in there to do anything with such a small shell plate and working area of the SQD B , the 550 has alot more versatility in the long run than a SQD B

[dentkimterry]

I have one of each and bobthenailer is right. If your fingers have any kind of size to them the 550b is the way to go. Go to BrianEnos.com where you can read about the pros and cons of each Dillon press. He recommends the 550b for a first progressive press. Unfortunately there is a 6-8 week wait on presses from Dillon. It is worth the wait though. I have dedicated my square deal to 38 spec and it works quite well for me. I may sell it at some point and get another 550b. That way I would have a machine dedicated to each primer size.

[MtGun44]

Yes, that is what auto indexing means.

Both presses are now out in "B" models, so calling the Square Deal a "B press" may not be
so clear.

I have used both, now have two 550Bs on the bench. Sq Deal uses non-std dies, so swapping
is not possible. If only dedicating the unit to one caliber, Sq Deal is pretty good, but it is tight
in there if you have big fingers. As long as all is running normally, auto indexing is great. When
something fouls up, it will assist you in making errors and maybe producing no powder rounds
- NOT a plus. Not trying to talk you out of a SDeal, they are good machines. Very
early ones had issues with handle breakage many years ago, but that is long ago solved
and with the Dillon warranty never cost anything but downtime and irritation. I
never broke one, but saw many broken handles which Dillon replaced, no sweat.

Remember you cannot use your normal dies, WAY too big. Only Dillon SDeal dies will
work. But - you can buy another die head and change it out without much difficulty.

Bill

[HATCH]

Right now i have two 550's setup.
One large primer and one small primer.
On two different benches.
Something i found out is the tolerances are different between the two machines.
Dies set for one machine needed adjustment to be used on the other one.

[mongoosesnipe]

If you only load for one hand gun then the square deal will be all you will ever need if you want to load rifle or multiple hand gun rounds then another press will probably suit your needs better i use and recomend the 650 I like the powder check station on a progressive press call it insurance or peace of mind but the extra couple bucks is worth it to me to not have to worry about squibing a round plus the 550 and 650 use standard dies though if Dillion dies are available I use them I find them to be worth the extra coin

But any Dillion you go with you will not regret it they make great products and there customer service is second to none

[wv109323]

I have six reloading presses and the one I like the least is the Dillon 550B. I think it has many faults. The spent primers cover a 6' radius. About 20% never make it in the spent primer cup. A lot of the crud of de-priming falls down in the primer feed area thus I constantly have issues to feed primers. In my opinion the case activated powder measure is a nightmare to empty. Many people keep a $70.00 powder measure for each caliber they load.
I constantly have to align cases to get them started in the resizing die. The "paper clip" that holds them in place is kinda like a paper clip.
For multiple calibers you can have as much money in accessories as in the press.
I had an older 450 that I liked better than the 550.
I would look long and hard at the Hornady progressive.

[smokemjoe]

Thaqnks you all for the notes, I am going to load 9 MM only on it, I bopught a new Lee pro 1000, in 45 it loads nice and no troubles, but in 9MM, sometimes I can load a box or two and no troubles, but then sometimes your fixing all the time and get a few rds. in 2 hrs. I am use to the atou indexing and like that idea. Right now I dont know which to get and middle of this week my limpnode biopies gomes back also.I am going to check out zaall the things yous have told me about, right noe to much morephinre pills, Thanks- Jeo

[doulos]

The Dillon 550B is a very easy press to use. But every press has a learning curve. I dont mind indexing by hand. I haven't had the problems others in this thread talk about. Ive only had a couple of primer feed problems and they usually can be traced to not keeping the machine clean or your original setup wasnt proper. I dont have spent primers spilling all over the place either. I can empty the powder measure fairly quick and easy. I like the Dillon dies even though it takes other dies. They are very good quality. And yes the machine does run smoother when your cases are lubed. I run mine through a tumbler first and put a tiny bit of RCBS lube on my fingers as I load.

As far as a powder check die I think that is a good option on a Hornady or a Dillon 650. It is not available on a Square Deal or a 550B. On my 550 I sit to the left and have a light over head and use my own eyes to look into the case as a powder check. Is the machine perfect? No, but what is?

For a progressive I think it would be hard to beat a Dillon 550B, a 650 or a Hornady Lock N load. They are all good presses. Ive never seen a Square Deal except in pictures and I've only seen 1 Hornady but never in operation. But they are both very good companies and will help you any way they can.

Someone mentioned Brian Enos web site for info about Dillon machines. Good suggestion. There is a ton of info there. And a lot of very experienced Dillon users on his forum. I'll say this, most competition shooters that shoot many many thousands of rounds in a year use Dillon presses. A lot of these guys load over 25000 rounds per year. Thats a lot of loading experience to pick those guys brains. Good luck with your choice. You can make any of those machines work for you.

[fatboy]

I have no experience with the square d but have 2 550's and have looked at the 650 but stuck with the 550. not a big deal to flip the plate forward each time and i like the ability to move back and forth between stations especially when something screws up(usually me doing the screwung up).

[pacomdiver]

ive reloaded many 1000's of rounds thru my 550 in over a dozen calibers , like firebricker said, you dont even notice the manual advance when you get used to it. i dont have the spent primer problem wv talked about. there might be 5 or so on the ground after 1k cases or so, but you know which ones it is, they make a ping spring sound when you deprime them, but most will be caught by the primer catcher

[7of7]

I have the 550B, the only thing I didn't like about it was the first round seated, would seat deep..and there were slight inconsistancies in the OAL due to the tool head movement. Simple solution.. I found a couple fine thread screws, that would screw into the toolhead alignment pin holes.. I slightly oversized the holes in the top so that they would just slip through. Now, the toolhead, is locked in place by the screws. I did this for all my rifle tool heads, haven't gotten around to doing it with my 45 & 357 tool heads yet..
As far as primer feed.. occasionally, it runs rough..brush off the crud, throw a little graphite on it, and it continues on without any problems..
I don't deprime/size on the dillon any more.. I use a universal decapping tool, and then, throw them in the SS media for cleaning..All my rifle brass is sized on a single stage, then trimmed to specifications..
My 45 brass, it gets sized.. as well as the 357...
Manual index,.. I don't mind it at all, because you can move it as fast as you want, and it doesn't jump in to the next position like some auto indexing setups do. I have control over how fast it moves.
The retainer spring.. It is adjustable, that way, you can set it to hold the brass in place. The reason it is adjustable is because you need to change its position for loading different cartridges. A 223, requires a different position than the 30.06.. It is all part of doing the setup for the caliber that you are going to load.
I picked 550B up on Epay... about 10 years ago.. and just added toolheads and conversion kits. Last Friday, I loaded 300 .223, in 30 minutes... (I really need to get the bullet tray..)

[chambers]

Have the Square Deal B just for 44-40 works great, have it just set up for this one purpose. Loads flawless ammo, love the auto indexing. Remember you have to buy the dies for each caliber, they are a little pricey. Have two 650's one set for large primer and one set for small primer each with case feeders, these are also great machines and as fast as you can pull the lever you have finished ammo. Only use these machines after the test load has been developed through the handy single stage press.

[David2011]

My presses include a Square Deal B, a 550b and an XL650. The 550b came first in 1991. Indexing it yourself is a non-event. The gripes about the primer feed are legit. It has to be kept very clean and possibly lubed with graphite to keep it running smoothly but othrwise it's a great press. Mine has at least 10 or 12 caliber conversions. Keep in mind that a .45ACP conversion plus the appropriate powder funnel will work for .45 ACP, .30-'06, .22-250, .243. .25-'06. 270,.308 and everything else that uses that case head. The caliber conversion includes the shell holder, brass locator buttons and powder funnel.

+1 for Chambers' advice on using any progressive only for proven loads. Working up loads on a progressive is more trouble than it's worth. If I'm not going to load at least 100 rounds I use a single stage press.

David
David

[Iowa Fox]

Joe, If you get to Iowa City stop at Scheels and check out the Dillon presses. Last time I was there was just before Thanksgiving and they still had the best prices of anybody but that was before Dillons annual price increase. Their presses out on display are all mutilated from customers messing with them but at least you can look at them and I don't remember the Square Deal on display last time. The Square B might be OK if you are sure 9mm is all you will ever load but I have a hunch you will be happier with the 550B in the long run.

[doulos]

Joe, If you get to Iowa City stop at Scheels and check out the Dillon presses. Last time I was there was just before Thanksgiving and they still had the best prices of anybody but that was before Dillons annual price increase. Their presses out on display are all mutilated from customers messing with them but at least you can look at them and I don't remember the Square Deal on display last time. The Square B might be OK if you are sure 9mm is all you will ever load but I have a hunch you will be happier with the 550B in the long run.
That is great that Scheels has presses set up so people can see them. Ive only seen one other place do that and that was Bass Pro shop in Auburn Ny. And they didn't have that many. I tried to see a Hornady Lock N Load in person before I bought my Dillon. But couldn't see one anywhere but on the internet.A gun shop I have been frequenting for 35 years actually opened a new Dillon for me to look at before I bought it.. Sometimes I have trouble just plunking down $500 sight unseen.
By the way Im pretty happy with the Dillon 550B.

[shooterg]

Hard to beat a SD for one load in one caliber. Mine's set up for .38 , SOOO easy to crank out a few hundred at a time.

The 550B is used primarily for .223, but has seen action for .45("cause I just couldn't make myself change over the SD that has worked so well in .38).

In a perfect world, I'll end up with another SD in .45 !

[Lloyd Smale]

just the oposite here. Ive got 3 hornady lnl progressives and a 550 dillon. the hornadys will crank out ammo faster especially with a case feeder but they have me tweaking on them enough during the day to make it a bit frustrating. Granted not nearly enough to classify them with the lee progressives but enough to get my goat once in a while. If i want to load say 300 rounds and want to do it with no muss and fuss i use the dillon 550. there is NO PRESS more reliable. blow off the primer mechanism with air once in while and its so reliable its almost boring!
I have six reloading presses and the one I like the least is the Dillon 550B. I think it has many faults. The spent primers cover a 6' radius. About 20% never make it in the spent primer cup. A lot of the crud of de-priming falls down in the primer feed area thus I constantly have issues to feed primers. In my opinion the case activated powder measure is a nightmare to empty. Many people keep a $70.00 powder measure for each caliber they load.
I constantly have to align cases to get them started in the resizing die. The "paper clip" that holds them in place is kinda like a paper clip.
For multiple calibers you can have as much money in accessories as in the press.
I had an older 450 that I liked better than the 550.
I would look long and hard at the Hornady progressive.

[gunoil]

dillion dies, lee, rcbs dies, mrbulletfeeder drop die, saved money! super fast, 45 & 40's.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/8508616B-B7D0-453C-951A-817FF2687928-19970-000010A6DF02C6DF_zpsc77d5f8b.mp4

i do 9's and 380's on smaller Lee classis cast turret press. A mrbulletfeeder drop die and round ejector from ebay @$17.00. I pick up army brass at ft bragg and i can prime easy with lil' press.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/C1EE4F71-9E9B-46F9-90F6-69BD5452333F-239-000001EDDF586C0E.mp4

steel table w/3/8 inch base mount blate. it gives me no problems, i set it up correct in the beginning.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/D9EEF741-BDB2-47E2-A82C-42DCE0EB71C8-19970-000011E032F9A847_zps494911c4.jpg

[375RUGER]

I have six reloading presses and the one I like the least is the Dillon 550B. I think it has many faults. The spent primers cover a 6' radius. About 20% never make it in the spent primer cup.sounds like the primer chute is catching. You need to grind a radius on the corner facing the primer tube. it also doesn't hurt to open the pivot hole a little bit. and make sure the cotterpin isn't interfering. A lot of the crud of de-priming falls down in the primer feed area thus I constantly have issues to feed primers.my press is filthy and I don't have primer feeding issues. I think you have adjustment issues In my opinion the case activated powder measure is a nightmare to empty.loosen (not remove) 2 screws and a clip and the measure is off, how is that a nightmare? Many people keep a $70.00 powder measure for each caliber they loadnever leave powder in the measure overnight. Todays plastics are better, but you never know what chemistry about a powder will react with what plastics.
I constantly have to align cases to get them started in the resizing die. The "paper clip" that holds them in place is kinda like a paper clip.again, adjustment issues or the clip is deformed. If your shell plate is too loose it will cause case alignment issues.
For multiple calibers you can have as much money in accessories as in the presswhat press doesn't. Just to change calibers on a Loadmaster can easily be $80+ (turret, shell plate, dies).
I had an older 450 that I liked better than the 550.
I would look long and hard at the Hornady progressive.

.....

[VHoward]

I had one of those Lee monstrocities. Never could get the priming system to work right. I even found a forum that was dedicated to the loadmaster and ran through all their tweaks. Gave up after a few months of frustration and sold it. Bought a Dillon Square Deal B and never regretted that choice.

[unclebill]

i have only been loading for 8 years or so.
and i have only owned 3 presses.
for me the 55b is the last one i will ever need.
i load for 17 calibers on it.

[doulos]

[QUOTE=unclebill;2048535]i have only been loading for 8 years or so.
and i have only owned 3 presses.
for me the 55b is the last one i will ever need.
i load for 17 calibers on it.[/QUOTE

And I feel the same way as you do. I could do it all on a 550 b if I wanted to. Any problem Ive ever had was due to my own set up mistakes. Once set up properly its pretty trouble free.
What if any rifle calibers do you reload on it?

[r1kk1]

I load 45-70, 38-56, 33 Winchester, 40-65, etc., 30-06, 270, different wildcats with many subcalibers on mine.

It works and works well. Extremely versatile machine. At times I incorporate a single stage with the 550 depending on the number of dies needed to reload whatever cartridge, like powder compression dies, forming dies, trim dies, etc. At times I could easily run a T-7 along with the 550 for certain wildcats.

I can't do everything I need on the 550 but my needs are different. I will always have at least one single stage press on my bench.

take care,

r1kk1

[ROGER4314]

I've had 3 RL450 Dillons and 2 RL 550b's over the years. I really like the 550B's. I had a SDB but since I have very large hands (OK....huge XXXL hands), the SD was just too small for me to work with. I didn't like the proprietary dies the SD requires. I had 4 changeover kits at about $90 each. It just wasn't right for me but the guy I sold it to is having a blast with it!

On the 550's, I like the changeable tool heads and that I can use the dies sets that I'm familiar with (RCBS). The shell plate indexes by finger action. They have a star shaped handle that you can turn comfortably. I like manual indexing better because if something goes wrong, I can troubleshoot it or correct the problem without fighting the auto index mechanism.

Flash

[engineer401]

I like manual indexing better because if something goes wrong, I can troubleshoot it or correct the problem without fighting the auto index mechanism.

Flash

That is main the reason I opted for the manual index of the 550.

[Fretboard]

joe,
maybe you can pick up a used 550for a good price, and the warranty is the same new or used

[USMC87]

I load everything on a 550, I like the press and the versatility it gives with rifle and pistol.

[hermans]

The Square Deal B is a one caliber pistol only press, it works like a charm as long as you leave it setup for one caliber only. The 550B is a multi caliber machine for pistol and rifle, and the manual indexing is no slower that the auto indexing of the SD B. So it depends on your reloading needs really.

[Huntducks]

joe,
maybe you can pick up a used 550for a good price, and the warranty is the same new or used

[smilie=l:I don't think so.

I have a SDB great pistol press anyone saying it's made for one caliber only is just parroting something they heard it's take about 15min to change over from one cal. to another, also have a 550 and compairing them is not right they ain't close to each other just wish Dillon made SDB dies in 30 carb.

[VHoward]

The Square Deal B is a one caliber pistol only press, it works like a charm as long as you leave it setup for one caliber only.
Not really true. I own a Square Deal B and had no problems switching back and forth between 9mm and 357 magnum. What problems did you have with the sdb with caliber changes?

[Case Stuffer]

I have a RCBS JR,Star Progressive (38 & 357 only) and a CH Auto Champ Mk Va. I have recently been looking at the Dillions and Hornody AP . I love the auto indexing on my Star and CH as well as the auto case feeds. No problems turning out 600 to 800 rounds per hour and at times up to 1200 as long as I have a helper to keep primer tubes filled and brass hopers full.
Both of these progressives are long out of production and parts are scarce and expensive plus I do not shoot nearly as much as I used to thus my reason for looking for newer progressives.

My research seems to indicate that the Lees are fair but tend to wear a lot faster, Dillions are extremely good and without case feeder having to manualy index the shell plate is no big deal as you have to feed the brass and Boolits anyway. I guess my main reason for seriously considering the Hornody AP is that it can have case feeder and even a Boolit feeder added. I would like to hear of someone who has had success adding a case feed to a Dillion Square Deal B as that would be fine for me for 9MM which is mostly what I load these days.

Bottom line is that having so many choices make decisions more complicated. Years ago when I purchased the Star and CH Progressives they were the only choices avaliable really.

[FLHTC]

I have them both and change calibers on them both. Nothing like a Dillon.
61651

[labdwakin]

If you don't have small hands and don't really load a LOT... the SDB is a fine press. If I were going to load more and there was even a SMIDGEN of a chance I'd load other calibers on it, I'd go with the 550, it's stronger and more versatile.

[VHoward]

I have the sdb and have hands that I can't find gloves large enough to fit. Don't have any problems operating the sdb. The only downside to the sdb is that it uses proprietary dies and that is where the 550b and the 650xl excel using standard dies. It really comes down to whether or not you want auto indexing or manual.

[casterofboolits]

I have two SDBs, one for 9mm, 38Super. 38/357 and 40 S&W.

The second I purchased used for 45 ACP to replace a CH AutoChamp Mk5a as they don't make parts for them anymore. Especially the primer collet. My SDBs work really well and I am happy as a hog in a waller with them.

[Woody3]

Joe,
I have... lets say, agile hands and fingers and had some issues with the square deal. I don't know, maybe it's because I was already spoiled with my 550B. It just seemed like the Square Deal wasn't very ergonomic and was made cheaper than the other Dillon machines.

Just my opinion

Woody

[dauntlessdave]

I had two SDB's and two 550's and thought I'd do specific calibers on each one (sm and lg primer idea). Over time with big fingers and less patience, I ended up selling my two SDB's and going strictly with the 550's.

Nothing at all wrong with the SDB's mind you. I believe them to be great machines but as someone mentioned, manual dexterity and nimble fingers are more of a factor with the SDB and I'm quickly losing both as I age.

[Swede44mag]

I have 2 550B presses one for small the other for large primers.
I only use the 550B for pistol loading for rifle I use a Bonanza CO-AX
http://forsterproducts.com/store.asp?pid=24822