Dillon SDB or 550?

**Mike Irwin** · September 15, 2000, 11:02 PM

Ok, here's the dilemma...

I got a big bonus at work about a month ago. Buying a computer desk, but have LOTS left over.

Friend of mine is telling me that I should get a loader to replace the Lee Turret that I have, as I'm whining about it all the time.

I agree. I've always wanted a Dillon, and maybe this is the time to get it.

Here's the dilemma. I don't know which one to get. There's a lot to be said for either one.

I'm loading mostly handgun cartridges these days, and I figure any rifle that I do I can do on the Lee, BUT, if I do start shooting rifle heavily again, I'd like the 550 because it can handle the rifle cartridges no problem.

I like the idea of getting a loaded round every time I crank the handle, but I also don't like the idea of spending $70 or so bucks for a caliber conversion and Dillon's odd speciality dies. I've got dies for most of the cartridges that I reload now.

Help me out, here, guys. I've got money, but I don't know what to do with it!

------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.

bk40 · September 16, 2000, 12:18 AM

sounds like you really want the dillon 650- loaded round every pull of the handle.

buy either the 550 or 650. you'll never regret it!

Good Guy · September 16, 2000, 12:42 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I like the idea of getting a loaded round every time I crank the handle, but I also don't like the idea of spending $70 or so bucks for a caliber conversion and Dillon's odd speciality dies. I've got dies for most of the cartridges that I reload now.[/quote]

550B caliber conversion kits (less the shellplate) are $32.95, except for the 45-70 and that rooskie rifle caliber. Dillon's dies are not necessary for the 550, unlike the SDB. Since rifle ctgs are in your future buy the RL 550B. You won't regret it.

------------------
Just one of the Good Guys

Bill Adair · September 16, 2000, 12:54 AM

Mike,

Check the RCBS Pro 2000 while your looking.

The priming system sounds a lot simpler to feed and use than the Dillon, and should be safer as well. With five stations like the 650, and manual indexing like the 550, it seems quite versatile.

The October issue of Shooting Times has a review, if your interested.

Bill

beemerb · September 16, 2000, 07:31 PM

Get the 550B.You will never regret it.You can use lee dies like do in it.It cuts cost

------------------
Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed.
I'm old and deceitful.

ArmySon · September 16, 2000, 07:35 PM

Get the 550B. You'll get sick of the strip feeding system with the RCBS.

Watchman · September 17, 2000, 12:08 AM

The Square Deal use special dies that are only produced by Dillon. It only loads pistol and you would have to buy a new set for each caliber that you intend to reload. The 550B will reload rifle and pistol. It will use conventional dies that you already have.

The 550 is your best bet.

El Rojo · September 17, 2000, 01:26 AM

What more can I say? RL 550B! The smile and hat speak for themselves.

[This message has been edited by El Rojo (edited September 17, 2000).]

johnwill · September 17, 2000, 11:45 AM

Well Mike, you know my objection to the SDB, it uses non-standard dies. I can't see investing in that, and then having to buy a ton of pistol dies, why not have a press that uses the ones you have?

**Mike Irwin** · September 17, 2000, 05:06 PM

JohnWill,

Ok, let me check my notes that I kept on people from the Firearms Forum days...

Let's see... John Will... Ah, here it is!

"Do the exact opposite of what John Will recommends. You'll never go wrong."

A Square Deal B it is!

------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.

johnwill · September 17, 2000, 07:03 PM

That's excellent, I can't wait to say "I told you so" when I hear the bitching about buying all those pistol dies.

taco · September 18, 2000, 01:23 AM

Do what I did and get several SDBs. I have a SDB all setup for 38 Special, 9mm and 45 ACP. 308 is loaded on a 550 while 6.55x55, 30-30, etc. are loaded on RCBS single stage. Oh, 44Mag us loaded on Lyman single stage too.

September 15, 2000, 11:02 PM	#1
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Ok, here's the dilemma... I got a big bonus at work about a month ago. Buying a computer desk, but have LOTS left over. Friend of mine is telling me that I should get a loader to replace the Lee Turret that I have, as I'm whining about it all the time. I agree. I've always wanted a Dillon, and maybe this is the time to get it. Here's the dilemma. I don't know which one to get. There's a lot to be said for either one. I'm loading mostly handgun cartridges these days, and I figure any rifle that I do I can do on the Lee, BUT, if I do start shooting rifle heavily again, I'd like the 550 because it can handle the rifle cartridges no problem. I like the idea of getting a loaded round every time I crank the handle, but I also don't like the idea of spending $70 or so bucks for a caliber conversion and Dillon's odd speciality dies. I've got dies for most of the cartridges that I reload now. Help me out, here, guys. I've got money, but I don't know what to do with it! ------------------ Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag. Chances are he knows how to use it.

September 16, 2000, 12:18 AM	#2
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	sounds like you really want the dillon 650- loaded round every pull of the handle. buy either the 550 or 650. you'll never regret it!

September 16, 2000, 12:42 AM	#3
Good Guy Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 1999 Posts: 638	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I like the idea of getting a loaded round every time I crank the handle, but I also don't like the idea of spending $70 or so bucks for a caliber conversion and Dillon's odd speciality dies. I've got dies for most of the cartridges that I reload now.[/quote] 550B caliber conversion kits (less the shellplate) are $32.95, except for the 45-70 and that rooskie rifle caliber. Dillon's dies are not necessary for the 550, unlike the SDB. Since rifle ctgs are in your future buy the RL 550B. You won't regret it. ------------------ Just one of the Good Guys

September 16, 2000, 12:54 AM	#4
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	Mike, Check the RCBS Pro 2000 while your looking. The priming system sounds a lot simpler to feed and use than the Dillon, and should be safer as well. With five stations like the 650, and manual indexing like the 550, it seems quite versatile. The October issue of Shooting Times has a review, if your interested. Bill

September 16, 2000, 07:31 PM	#5
beemerb Junior member Join Date: October 2, 1999 Location: AZ Posts: 1,759	Get the 550B.You will never regret it.You can use lee dies like do in it.It cuts cost ------------------ Bob--- Age and deceit will overcome youth and speed. I'm old and deceitful.

September 16, 2000, 07:35 PM	#6
ArmySon Staff Alumnus Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 2,926	Get the 550B. You'll get sick of the strip feeding system with the RCBS.

September 17, 2000, 12:08 AM	#7
Watchman Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: ARKANSAS Posts: 484	The Square Deal use special dies that are only produced by Dillon. It only loads pistol and you would have to buy a new set for each caliber that you intend to reload. The 550B will reload rifle and pistol. It will use conventional dies that you already have. The 550 is your best bet.

September 17, 2000, 01:26 AM	#8
El Rojo Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 2,057	What more can I say? RL 550B! The smile and hat speak for themselves. [This message has been edited by El Rojo (edited September 17, 2000).]

September 17, 2000, 11:45 AM	#9
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	Well Mike, you know my objection to the SDB, it uses non-standard dies. I can't see investing in that, and then having to buy a ton of pistol dies, why not have a press that uses the ones you have?

September 17, 2000, 05:06 PM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	JohnWill, Ok, let me check my notes that I kept on people from the Firearms Forum days... Let's see... John Will... Ah, here it is! "Do the exact opposite of what John Will recommends. You'll never go wrong." A Square Deal B it is! ------------------ Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag. Chances are he knows how to use it.

September 17, 2000, 07:03 PM	#11
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	That's excellent, I can't wait to say "I told you so" when I hear the bitching about buying all those pistol dies.

September 18, 2000, 01:23 AM	#12
taco Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 936	Do what I did and get several SDBs. I have a SDB all setup for 38 Special, 9mm and 45 ACP. 308 is loaded on a 550 while 6.55x55, 30-30, etc. are loaded on RCBS single stage. Oh, 44Mag us loaded on Lyman single stage too.