Need Fresh Opinions On Dillon Square Deal

870pilot · July 19, 2007, 09:38 AM

Did a search but i wanted to get opinions from Dillon SD owners who have owner their machines for a while. I would be fine with the handgun ammo only press as i have another press for rifle cartridges.

This would be set it and forget it set up for .45 acp only. Another contender for purchase would be the Hornady LNL progressive.

I don't want to start another Koolaid color war, just letting you know I was also looking at the Hornady.

thanks SD owners (and former owners)

auto45 · July 19, 2007, 10:37 AM

I've used one for over 15 years and about 65,000 ACP rounds through it.

Mixed "feelings", but overall I'd buy another one for the volume I shoot, and the "time" I'm willing to spend reloading per week. Those are important considerations in choosing a machine IMO.

Easy to use and "fast". In fact, you can load it too fast and I had to slow down to insure good ammo, less powder flakes around the machine and proper primer feeding. Now, I load about 400-450 per hour and it's fine.
You can crank about a 750 rounds an hour "cycling rate", but bad things happen.

That's just to illustrate it's a "natural" setup IMO. Meaning, center handle, each hand is doing something...brass/bullet, etc.

First 20-25,000 rounds was reliable if you kept it clean and replaced the "red tip" that hold the primers before it fails...not if, just when. I now replace "them" at @ 1,000-2,000 rounds at most. Primer problems are a real pain both for the ammo and to "clean up", so I'll do anything to avoid them.

After that I had multiple parts breakage so you need their "parts kit" to keep it going and they will replace parts free. Service is great and great people, etc...old news. I did have them rebuild it once at around 45,000 rounds and it's worth it. Parts kit is important because there are several "small" cheap parts that if they break, you are done reloading for the day(s).

I highly recommend a case lube like One-shot because it reduces the effort of reloading substantially and smooths out the "operation" of the machine. I don't believe you have the "leverage" on the SDB as compared to others, i.e. shorter handle.

So, I could be "persuaded" to look at the 550 if I had a chance to load on it.
Otherwise, for the money, the SDB is worth looking at given the "problems" I read about on other reloaders also...usually primer feeding problems, etc.
Maybe that's "normal" for pistol reloading.

That was long.

crazylegs · July 19, 2007, 10:47 AM

My first press was a SD. I kept it about a week and sent it back to Dillon for a 550. I had major primer seating depth problems with the SD and as I was a progressive nubee, the auto advance was a real pain. Mine was also set up for 45 ACP. Things were a bit tight with my size 13 mitts. The 550 was a MUCH better press imo. A lot of guys love their SDs. Me, I couldn't warm up to it. I don't know much about the LNL, but I understand the new ones are quite nice. I'm sure some SD owners will be by shortly with more insight. Who knows, I may have gotten a bad one or had a case of "nubeeitis".
Crazylegs

The Tourist · July 19, 2007, 11:14 AM

I bought my SD in the mid 1980s for the princely sum of 125 dollars.

I still receive free parts (including an entire powder hopper re-build kit) whenever some new or safety related innovation is developed.

Most of the time I grind out .45 ACP, but I have also purchased dies for the .40 SW and the 10mm.

(I made the decision to get separate pieces as to create two replacement sets. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. A .40 SW is a shorter version of the 10mm Auto. I get it. I just hate to do all of the recalibrating and cleaning.)

As for the number of catridges assembled in .45 ACP, I place the guesstimate at +80,000, and probably more. I am wearing out RCBS casting blocks, I go through pounds of Alcan AL-8 and tens of thousands of large pistol primers.

Oh, and I did break a handle clean off of the press from fatigue. Dillon was kind enough to ship a free replacment.

What's not to like?

2400 · July 19, 2007, 12:00 PM

The SD was the first progressive press I bought. I've loaded well over 100,000 rounds on it.

crowbeaner · July 19, 2007, 01:40 PM

I had an SDB and loaded about 10,000 rounds each of 38/357, 10 mm and 45. I sold it to a friend and he hasn't stopped grinnlng yet. I bought the replacement parts kit and gave it to him with the loader. He loads .45s on it and hasn't had a problem yet. I went back to my older RL 450 for pistol ammo as I can stop and check things individually as I set up to avoid the aggravating little nuances that the SDB had. Mine worked great, as long as I kept things clean and didn't force the operation of the OP handle into doing things it wasn't meant to do ( like last minute swaging of the bullet during the seating operation). All in all I would buy another, but the RL 450 just keeps cranking the ammo out, and I currently have no need for the SD; that's why I sold it.

cdrt · July 19, 2007, 02:18 PM

I had a SD in .38 Special with an extra head for 9mm. It had problems in the priming stage, so I sent it to Dillon and had it repaired. I then sold it and bought a Star Machine Works Universal in .38 Special. The person who bought the SD said it worked fine for a while and then had the same problem. They sent it back for repairs and then sold it to buy a 650 which they have been very happy with.

I also know of one guy at the range where I shoot that has several SDs. He solved the priming problems on his by only using the presses for powder charging, belling and seating. Everything else he does on a single stage press. I personally would not put up with that kind of extra work, but he's retired and has the time.

benedict1 · July 19, 2007, 02:33 PM

There is a drumbeat here--for the presses that work, great. Just chug out ammo.

However, if you get one of them where the priming system is amiss, you are in trouble. I got one of those and after 3 weeks of bending springs, filing corners, replacing parts that were sent PDQ from Dillon I said "I quit." Sent it back and got a full refund and changed color. I am totally happy with what I have now, load a ton of ammo, and have spent far less than I would have had I stayed with the SDB.

From my experience and everything I've seen, it's the luck of the draw if you buy one.

Whatever you decide good luck and safe reloading to you, my friend.

870pilot · July 19, 2007, 04:05 PM

i appreciate all the input

to auto 45 for the novella...

and benedict, we've written before, you know what color of press i have now, and am very happy with, but i still haven't bought that first progressive press to add to the family...

i do a LOT of research before i melt the plastic in my wallet

629 shooter · July 19, 2007, 05:12 PM

I guess something that has not been mentioned is the the fact that the Square Deal does not use conventional dies but a style which is unique to the SD. You are probably already aware of that anyway. Just that a caliber conversion is fairly expensive.

Since you will set it and forget it and load for 45 only, that is probably not a real factor. The "working clearance" of the SD is rather small compared to most presses. Where something like the 550 has a vast frame opening and just seems it would probably be easier to work with. Of course the 550 has to be that way for the larger rifle cartridges , still wish the SD had a little more space in the frame opening.

With that said I have owned a SD for about 20 years now. Bought mine when they were a whopping $135 ready to load in one caliber! Loaded many thousands of rounds of 38 Spl , 357 mag , 44 mag and even 45 ACP. A few 9mms too. Has always loaded excellent quality ammo for me.

About 10 years ago I sent the press in for some minor work and was sent back basically a whole new press! The no BS warranty has been just that. In the early years it seems that had problems with some handles breaking , they promptly sent me a new one when mine bit the dust.

I guess if I were to do it today I might get the 550 since I reload for several different calibers and the conventional dies are all removed at once on a tool head which would make changing dies quicker.

But for loading one specific handgun cartridge a SD would work very nicely , mine has served well for 20 years.

Tanzer · July 19, 2007, 07:03 PM

Never had a SD, I bought a used 550B off Ebay years ago and it still works great. What I wanted to mention is that the folks at Dillon have always been great. Their no BS warranty has never failed me.
One time they sent me an extra conversion kit by mistake. They showed their appreciation for my honesty in sending it back (they refunded shipping) by sending my next request for a broken orifice free of shipping and not asking me to send the broken part.

inkie · July 20, 2007, 12:55 AM

Don't want to repeat what all the SD owners said. So I would like to report that I had the SD since it came out, have two die conversions .45 and .38,.357. Reloads just keep chugging out of the hopper. Never had a problem with primers {prefer Federal} used rebuild kits a few times. Clean & lube every 5000 round. Wore out dies Dillon replaced, wore out parts Dillon replaced.All my reloads go Bang! I would buy one again.

UniversalFrost · July 20, 2007, 04:40 PM

I had a SD in 9mm, but sold it for a 550B when I wanted to pump out large amounts of .223. It was the best move I every made. A lot faster in pumping out the rounds and I use RCBS dies in it and don't have to worry about dillon specific dies like in the square deal.

I wish I would have waited for the 650 to come out though. Oh, well that will be my next purchase.

July 19, 2007, 09:38 AM	#1
870pilot Member Join Date: November 29, 2005 Posts: 70	Need Fresh Opinions On Dillon Square Deal Did a search but i wanted to get opinions from Dillon SD owners who have owner their machines for a while. I would be fine with the handgun ammo only press as i have another press for rifle cartridges. This would be set it and forget it set up for .45 acp only. Another contender for purchase would be the Hornady LNL progressive. I don't want to start another Koolaid color war, just letting you know I was also looking at the Hornady. thanks SD owners (and former owners)

July 19, 2007, 02:18 PM	#7
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	I had a SD in .38 Special with an extra head for 9mm. It had problems in the priming stage, so I sent it to Dillon and had it repaired. I then sold it and bought a Star Machine Works Universal in .38 Special. The person who bought the SD said it worked fine for a while and then had the same problem. They sent it back for repairs and then sold it to buy a 650 which they have been very happy with. I also know of one guy at the range where I shoot that has several SDs. He solved the priming problems on his by only using the presses for powder charging, belling and seating. Everything else he does on a single stage press. I personally would not put up with that kind of extra work, but he's retired and has the time. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

July 19, 2007, 02:33 PM	#8
benedict1 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 245	SDB? Maybe. There is a drumbeat here--for the presses that work, great. Just chug out ammo. However, if you get one of them where the priming system is amiss, you are in trouble. I got one of those and after 3 weeks of bending springs, filing corners, replacing parts that were sent PDQ from Dillon I said "I quit." Sent it back and got a full refund and changed color. I am totally happy with what I have now, load a ton of ammo, and have spent far less than I would have had I stayed with the SDB. From my experience and everything I've seen, it's the luck of the draw if you buy one. Whatever you decide good luck and safe reloading to you, my friend.

July 19, 2007, 04:05 PM	#9
870pilot Member Join Date: November 29, 2005 Posts: 70	thanks guys! i appreciate all the input to auto 45 for the novella... and benedict, we've written before, you know what color of press i have now, and am very happy with, but i still haven't bought that first progressive press to add to the family... i do a LOT of research before i melt the plastic in my wallet

July 19, 2007, 05:12 PM	#10
629 shooter Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2002 Location: IN , USA Posts: 967	I guess something that has not been mentioned is the the fact that the Square Deal does not use conventional dies but a style which is unique to the SD. You are probably already aware of that anyway. Just that a caliber conversion is fairly expensive. Since you will set it and forget it and load for 45 only, that is probably not a real factor. The "working clearance" of the SD is rather small compared to most presses. Where something like the 550 has a vast frame opening and just seems it would probably be easier to work with. Of course the 550 has to be that way for the larger rifle cartridges , still wish the SD had a little more space in the frame opening. With that said I have owned a SD for about 20 years now. Bought mine when they were a whopping $135 ready to load in one caliber! Loaded many thousands of rounds of 38 Spl , 357 mag , 44 mag and even 45 ACP. A few 9mms too. Has always loaded excellent quality ammo for me. About 10 years ago I sent the press in for some minor work and was sent back basically a whole new press! The no BS warranty has been just that. In the early years it seems that had problems with some handles breaking , they promptly sent me a new one when mine bit the dust. I guess if I were to do it today I might get the 550 since I reload for several different calibers and the conventional dies are all removed at once on a tool head which would make changing dies quicker. But for loading one specific handgun cartridge a SD would work very nicely , mine has served well for 20 years. __________________ "One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

July 19, 2007, 10:37 AM	#2
auto45 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2002 Posts: 427	I've used one for over 15 years and about 65,000 ACP rounds through it. Mixed "feelings", but overall I'd buy another one for the volume I shoot, and the "time" I'm willing to spend reloading per week. Those are important considerations in choosing a machine IMO. Easy to use and "fast". In fact, you can load it too fast and I had to slow down to insure good ammo, less powder flakes around the machine and proper primer feeding. Now, I load about 400-450 per hour and it's fine. You can crank about a 750 rounds an hour "cycling rate", but bad things happen. That's just to illustrate it's a "natural" setup IMO. Meaning, center handle, each hand is doing something...brass/bullet, etc. First 20-25,000 rounds was reliable if you kept it clean and replaced the "red tip" that hold the primers before it fails...not if, just when. I now replace "them" at @ 1,000-2,000 rounds at most. Primer problems are a real pain both for the ammo and to "clean up", so I'll do anything to avoid them. After that I had multiple parts breakage so you need their "parts kit" to keep it going and they will replace parts free. Service is great and great people, etc...old news. I did have them rebuild it once at around 45,000 rounds and it's worth it. Parts kit is important because there are several "small" cheap parts that if they break, you are done reloading for the day(s). I highly recommend a case lube like One-shot because it reduces the effort of reloading substantially and smooths out the "operation" of the machine. I don't believe you have the "leverage" on the SDB as compared to others, i.e. shorter handle. So, I could be "persuaded" to look at the 550 if I had a chance to load on it. Otherwise, for the money, the SDB is worth looking at given the "problems" I read about on other reloaders also...usually primer feeding problems, etc. Maybe that's "normal" for pistol reloading. That was long.

July 19, 2007, 10:47 AM	#3
crazylegs Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2004 Posts: 145	My first press was a SD. I kept it about a week and sent it back to Dillon for a 550. I had major primer seating depth problems with the SD and as I was a progressive nubee, the auto advance was a real pain. Mine was also set up for 45 ACP. Things were a bit tight with my size 13 mitts. The 550 was a MUCH better press imo. A lot of guys love their SDs. Me, I couldn't warm up to it. I don't know much about the LNL, but I understand the new ones are quite nice. I'm sure some SD owners will be by shortly with more insight. Who knows, I may have gotten a bad one or had a case of "nubeeitis". Crazylegs

July 19, 2007, 11:14 AM	#4
The Tourist Junior member Join Date: June 20, 2005 Posts: 2,348	I bought my SD in the mid 1980s for the princely sum of 125 dollars. I still receive free parts (including an entire powder hopper re-build kit) whenever some new or safety related innovation is developed. Most of the time I grind out .45 ACP, but I have also purchased dies for the .40 SW and the 10mm. (I made the decision to get separate pieces as to create two replacement sets. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. A .40 SW is a shorter version of the 10mm Auto. I get it. I just hate to do all of the recalibrating and cleaning.) As for the number of catridges assembled in .45 ACP, I place the guesstimate at +80,000, and probably more. I am wearing out RCBS casting blocks, I go through pounds of Alcan AL-8 and tens of thousands of large pistol primers. Oh, and I did break a handle clean off of the press from fatigue. Dillon was kind enough to ship a free replacment. What's not to like?

July 19, 2007, 12:00 PM	#5
2400 Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 389	The SD was the first progressive press I bought. I've loaded well over 100,000 rounds on it.

July 19, 2007, 01:40 PM	#6
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I had an SDB and loaded about 10,000 rounds each of 38/357, 10 mm and 45. I sold it to a friend and he hasn't stopped grinnlng yet. I bought the replacement parts kit and gave it to him with the loader. He loads .45s on it and hasn't had a problem yet. I went back to my older RL 450 for pistol ammo as I can stop and check things individually as I set up to avoid the aggravating little nuances that the SDB had. Mine worked great, as long as I kept things clean and didn't force the operation of the OP handle into doing things it wasn't meant to do ( like last minute swaging of the bullet during the seating operation). All in all I would buy another, but the RL 450 just keeps cranking the ammo out, and I currently have no need for the SD; that's why I sold it.

July 19, 2007, 07:03 PM	#11
Tanzer Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2007 Posts: 884	Never had a SD, I bought a used 550B off Ebay years ago and it still works great. What I wanted to mention is that the folks at Dillon have always been great. Their no BS warranty has never failed me. One time they sent me an extra conversion kit by mistake. They showed their appreciation for my honesty in sending it back (they refunded shipping) by sending my next request for a broken orifice free of shipping and not asking me to send the broken part. __________________ Only the ignorant find ignorance to be bliss. Only those of us who know better will suffer from it.

July 20, 2007, 12:55 AM	#12
inkie Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Location: Eastern Pa. Posts: 137	Don't want to repeat what all the SD owners said. So I would like to report that I had the SD since it came out, have two die conversions .45 and .38,.357. Reloads just keep chugging out of the hopper. Never had a problem with primers {prefer Federal} used rebuild kits a few times. Clean & lube every 5000 round. Wore out dies Dillon replaced, wore out parts Dillon replaced.All my reloads go Bang! I would buy one again.

July 20, 2007, 04:40 PM	#13
UniversalFrost Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,300	I had a SD in 9mm, but sold it for a 550B when I wanted to pump out large amounts of .223. It was the best move I every made. A lot faster in pumping out the rounds and I use RCBS dies in it and don't have to worry about dillon specific dies like in the square deal. I wish I would have waited for the 650 to come out though. Oh, well that will be my next purchase. __________________ Lifetime member VFW and NRA "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (when all else fails play dead) -Red Green