Single calibre progressive - Need help choosing one

Racingsnake · August 4, 2011, 02:14 PM

Hi guys,

I only shoot one calibre - 38 Special and want to move up to a progressive machine. I'm regularly shooting 200+ rounds per week and I just don't have enough time to do all loading single stage anymore. I've had my RCBS Junior for over 20 years now.

I've read as many threads and reviews as I can find and have decided to go with Dillon.

Given that I only plan to reload for one calibre should I go for the Square Deal or the 550B?

I'd really appreciate opinions from those you have used them or both.

Best regards, Racingsnake

GURU1911 · August 4, 2011, 02:39 PM

If i were you, i would choose the dillon 550b, because it will be no time in which your habit will soon eclipse what the square deal is capable of achieving. The 550b is endlessly adaptable to anything you might do in the future.

The same is true when purchasing a gun safe--choose the largest size you think you will ever need & then go one size larger !!!!!

Guru1911

TATER · August 4, 2011, 02:48 PM

Auto case feed Sure Is Nice! If you are going for speed and volume its the
Way to go, With very little effort, The case feed is not an option with the SquareDeal.
I load all of my bulk (Plinking stuff) on a 650 but, First hand I can tell you, Auto Case Feed Is NICE!
You can have the 550 set up with the case feed however it does not auto index like the SquareDeal and 650.
Case feed is not an option with the SquareDeal. All this to say, I would go 550.

deepcore · August 4, 2011, 03:19 PM

Plus one for the Dillon.
Autofeed....the speed of switching the die holders..Best customer/factory support (never had to be on hold for 30 mins or more)
Dies even I can't break...
Even without the autofeed (finally burned out my motor
after 10 years) filling the drop tube manually is pretty covenient.

Nosparetime · August 4, 2011, 11:54 PM

If you are really only going to load one caliber then the Square Deal is fantastic. It will come set up and ready to go.

Going from a single stage to the SD will be amazing for you.

When they first came out I bought one of the first ones in 9mm later I got a conversion for 45 ACP. Wore it out on 9mm. Sent it back and Dillon rebuilt it and I sold it to one of my customers.

Case feed is nice, I have two machines that have that. But it's not that big of a deal for your own use.

I have had fully automated machines. (5000 cycles an hour) But I sold them to a class III shooter. For range brass they didn't come close to working for me.

Shootest · August 5, 2011, 06:36 AM

If you are only loading 200 rds. a week and you are sure you will not load more than 38 spc. then the SD is the ticket. A one month supply of 800 will take about 2 hours or so to load. It’s far less expensive than a 550 or 650 with the case feeder.

kalevatom · August 5, 2011, 07:19 AM

The 550, on the basis of die versitility. I have a 550, but use Lee sizing and seating dies. The SD uses proprietary dies. Just my preference.

LDBennett · August 5, 2011, 07:54 AM

Take it from my experience, you will not always reload for just one caliber. At some point you will want to reload for a rifle caliber and if you go with the SQ Deal you will have to buy another press. If you go with the RL550B you get three presses that will do anything (except 50BMG). The RL550B can be used single stage, as a turret press, or as a full progressive. It uses anyone's standard die sets.

It is the fact that it does not have auto indexing of the table that allows it to be so versatile. Auto indexing is over rated. With auto indexing if there is a screw up on the table it becomes a big deal. On the RL550B you can make the table go forward or back to fix the problem (no matter what press you buy there will be occasional screw ups and you will have to clear the press .... its just part of the game).

I originally, some 25 years ago, bought the SQ Deal as I only had a 9 mm pistol. In less than a year I had bought rifles and had to replace the SQ Deal with a RL550B. I now have three safes full of guns for which I reload, all on my 25 year old RL550B. That is over 30 different calibers! I use my press so much that it has been rebuilt for free by Dillon three times.

In your case using the RL550B you can easily reload your 200 rounds in an hour on the RL550B. In fact, you will find that once you get going in a session you will not stop at 200 rounds and will develop a backlog of supply. For two hours you might get 500 rounds and reduce the number of session required to maintain your regular usage. But what I have found is I just shoot more, but that's me.

LDBennett

Fan45acp · August 5, 2011, 09:43 AM

I would recommend a square deal. They come setup ready to run in the caliber of your choice. The customer service is without question maybe the BEST in the industry. I'm using a Square Deal to load 357 mag,44 mag,44 special,and 45 colt.
If,later you want to reload for rifle calibers then you can go with a RL550B. Whatever Dillon you go with,you have made the RIGHT choice..

Racingsnake · August 5, 2011, 02:01 PM

Guys thank you for your opinions and advice. I think I'm going to go with the 550. Even though now I dont need all the flexibility it offers I may in the future.

BigJimP · August 5, 2011, 02:13 PM

Before you buy - take a 2nd look at the 650 vs the 550 ...the 650 auto indexes and the 550 does not ...the 650 also has room to put in a "powder check die" and the 550 does not....

I'm not saying the 550 is a bad press ...but in loading higher volumes of ammo ...the powder check die is a nice safety option. Between the 2 machines - there is about $130 difference ....and the conversion kits are a little more on the 650 ...but the 650 is a better machine in my opinion because of the auto indexing and the powder check.

excelerater · August 5, 2011, 04:22 PM

I can reload 350-400 an hour w my 550B when I get humpin
That being said I dig the machine but wish I had spent more
on a 650 since the 550 does not index (and should)

I like Dillon because its dead nuts consistant
once it set I dont have to check or fiddle with it,I just
pump that handle and fill the tub - I had a Lee Classic previos
and it was a POS

Missionary · August 5, 2011, 04:36 PM

Greetings
I have owned a 550 Dillon since 1987. Used it for everything and almost still would but I purpose bought a nice used Square Deal in 45 acp as I do shoot those alot. Cost right at $225 shipped all set up.
If I was going to have only one.. get the 550.. your dies will work. The SD uses and odd size die but they are readily available used out there.
Mike in Peru

salvadore · August 5, 2011, 07:08 PM

I like my SQuare Deal a lot. I've had mine since they first came out...sometime in the 80s? Dillon is a great company, you can't go wrong.

CPTMurdoc30 · August 5, 2011, 09:28 PM

Neither.

Spend the money and go for the 650. I am sure if you are not handloading for other calibers once you get a progressive you will want to.

I have the RL550b and love it. That being said I wish I would have spent the little bit extra and went with the 650 5 stations allows you to have a crimp die and a powder cop die.

So think real hard about the RL650 before you go with the SDB or the 550.

WANT A LCR 22LR · August 5, 2011, 09:44 PM

Questionm to the original poster. Are you reloading to save $ or to get the load you are looking for?

No one has talked $ for a press and parts it take to be up and running.

Waldog · August 5, 2011, 10:40 PM

I am a dyed-in-the-wool LNL user. However, I still have, and use, a Dillon SDB. If you are absolutely, positively, beyound the shadow of doubt, know that you only want to load pistol cases; you can't go wrong with a SDB.

JerryM · August 5, 2011, 10:52 PM

The added cost of a 550 is well worth it. If you get the SDP you will regret it in time. I have never known a reloader who settled for one cartridge forever.
Jerry

zippy13 · August 5, 2011, 11:05 PM

If you're only going to load one pistol caliber and 200 rounds per session, then the SDB is the definite way to go. That being said, if I were buying a new press (I currently have an old 450 that's been upgraded to 550B) I'd probably go with a 650, but I load for handguns and rifles. The auto index and extra station are significant factors to consider.

August 4, 2011, 02:14 PM	#1
Racingsnake Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Posts: 153	Single calibre progressive - Need help choosing one Hi guys, I only shoot one calibre - 38 Special and want to move up to a progressive machine. I'm regularly shooting 200+ rounds per week and I just don't have enough time to do all loading single stage anymore. I've had my RCBS Junior for over 20 years now. I've read as many threads and reviews as I can find and have decided to go with Dillon. Given that I only plan to reload for one calibre should I go for the Square Deal or the 550B? I'd really appreciate opinions from those you have used them or both. Best regards, Racingsnake

August 4, 2011, 02:39 PM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Dillon machine If i were you, i would choose the dillon 550b, because it will be no time in which your habit will soon eclipse what the square deal is capable of achieving. The 550b is endlessly adaptable to anything you might do in the future. The same is true when purchasing a gun safe--choose the largest size you think you will ever need & then go one size larger !!!!! Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

August 5, 2011, 06:36 AM	#6
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	If you are only loading 200 rds. a week and you are sure you will not load more than 38 spc. then the SD is the ticket. A one month supply of 800 will take about 2 hours or so to load. It’s far less expensive than a 550 or 650 with the case feeder. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member

August 5, 2011, 09:28 PM	#15
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	Neither. Spend the money and go for the 650. I am sure if you are not handloading for other calibers once you get a progressive you will want to. I have the RL550b and love it. That being said I wish I would have spent the little bit extra and went with the 650 5 stations allows you to have a crimp die and a powder cop die. So think real hard about the RL650 before you go with the SDB or the 550. __________________ Solving Virginia's Ground Hog problems 50gr at a time.....

August 5, 2011, 10:40 PM	#17
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	I am a dyed-in-the-wool LNL user. However, I still have, and use, a Dillon SDB. If you are absolutely, positively, beyound the shadow of doubt, know that you only want to load pistol cases; you can't go wrong with a SDB. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

August 4, 2011, 02:48 PM	#3
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Auto case feed Sure Is Nice! If you are going for speed and volume its the Way to go, With very little effort, The case feed is not an option with the SquareDeal. I load all of my bulk (Plinking stuff) on a 650 but, First hand I can tell you, Auto Case Feed Is NICE! You can have the 550 set up with the case feed however it does not auto index like the SquareDeal and 650. Case feed is not an option with the SquareDeal. All this to say, I would go 550.

August 4, 2011, 03:19 PM	#4
deepcore Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2010 Posts: 364	Plus one for the Dillon. Autofeed....the speed of switching the die holders..Best customer/factory support (never had to be on hold for 30 mins or more) Dies even I can't break... Even without the autofeed (finally burned out my motor after 10 years) filling the drop tube manually is pretty covenient.

August 4, 2011, 11:54 PM	#5
Nosparetime Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 100	If you are really only going to load one caliber then the Square Deal is fantastic. It will come set up and ready to go. Going from a single stage to the SD will be amazing for you. When they first came out I bought one of the first ones in 9mm later I got a conversion for 45 ACP. Wore it out on 9mm. Sent it back and Dillon rebuilt it and I sold it to one of my customers. Case feed is nice, I have two machines that have that. But it's not that big of a deal for your own use. I have had fully automated machines. (5000 cycles an hour) But I sold them to a class III shooter. For range brass they didn't come close to working for me.

August 5, 2011, 07:19 AM	#7
kalevatom Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Location: northwestern Michigan Posts: 198	The 550, on the basis of die versitility. I have a 550, but use Lee sizing and seating dies. The SD uses proprietary dies. Just my preference.

August 5, 2011, 07:54 AM	#8
LDBennett Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Hesperia CA Posts: 65	Take it from my experience, you will not always reload for just one caliber. At some point you will want to reload for a rifle caliber and if you go with the SQ Deal you will have to buy another press. If you go with the RL550B you get three presses that will do anything (except 50BMG). The RL550B can be used single stage, as a turret press, or as a full progressive. It uses anyone's standard die sets. It is the fact that it does not have auto indexing of the table that allows it to be so versatile. Auto indexing is over rated. With auto indexing if there is a screw up on the table it becomes a big deal. On the RL550B you can make the table go forward or back to fix the problem (no matter what press you buy there will be occasional screw ups and you will have to clear the press .... its just part of the game). I originally, some 25 years ago, bought the SQ Deal as I only had a 9 mm pistol. In less than a year I had bought rifles and had to replace the SQ Deal with a RL550B. I now have three safes full of guns for which I reload, all on my 25 year old RL550B. That is over 30 different calibers! I use my press so much that it has been rebuilt for free by Dillon three times. In your case using the RL550B you can easily reload your 200 rounds in an hour on the RL550B. In fact, you will find that once you get going in a session you will not stop at 200 rounds and will develop a backlog of supply. For two hours you might get 500 rounds and reduce the number of session required to maintain your regular usage. But what I have found is I just shoot more, but that's me. LDBennett

August 5, 2011, 09:43 AM	#9
Fan45acp Member Join Date: December 14, 2009 Location: Texas,USA Posts: 42	I would recommend a square deal. They come setup ready to run in the caliber of your choice. The customer service is without question maybe the BEST in the industry. I'm using a Square Deal to load 357 mag,44 mag,44 special,and 45 colt. If,later you want to reload for rifle calibers then you can go with a RL550B. Whatever Dillon you go with,you have made the RIGHT choice..

August 5, 2011, 02:01 PM	#10
Racingsnake Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Posts: 153	Guys thank you for your opinions and advice. I think I'm going to go with the 550. Even though now I dont need all the flexibility it offers I may in the future.

August 5, 2011, 02:13 PM	#11
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Before you buy - take a 2nd look at the 650 vs the 550 ...the 650 auto indexes and the 550 does not ...the 650 also has room to put in a "powder check die" and the 550 does not.... I'm not saying the 550 is a bad press ...but in loading higher volumes of ammo ...the powder check die is a nice safety option. Between the 2 machines - there is about $130 difference ....and the conversion kits are a little more on the 650 ...but the 650 is a better machine in my opinion because of the auto indexing and the powder check.

August 5, 2011, 04:22 PM	#12
excelerater Junior member Join Date: June 27, 2011 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 694	I can reload 350-400 an hour w my 550B when I get humpin That being said I dig the machine but wish I had spent more on a 650 since the 550 does not index (and should) I like Dillon because its dead nuts consistant once it set I dont have to check or fiddle with it,I just pump that handle and fill the tub - I had a Lee Classic previos and it was a POS

August 5, 2011, 04:36 PM	#13
Missionary Member Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 78	Greetings I have owned a 550 Dillon since 1987. Used it for everything and almost still would but I purpose bought a nice used Square Deal in 45 acp as I do shoot those alot. Cost right at $225 shipped all set up. If I was going to have only one.. get the 550.. your dies will work. The SD uses and odd size die but they are readily available used out there. Mike in Peru

August 5, 2011, 07:08 PM	#14
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	I like my SQuare Deal a lot. I've had mine since they first came out...sometime in the 80s? Dillon is a great company, you can't go wrong.

August 5, 2011, 09:44 PM	#16
WANT A LCR 22LR Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Posts: 389	Questionm to the original poster. Are you reloading to save $ or to get the load you are looking for? No one has talked $ for a press and parts it take to be up and running.

August 5, 2011, 10:52 PM	#18
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	The added cost of a 550 is well worth it. If you get the SDP you will regret it in time. I have never known a reloader who settled for one cartridge forever. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

August 5, 2011, 11:05 PM	#19
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	If you're only going to load one pistol caliber and 200 rounds per session, then the SDB is the definite way to go. That being said, if I were buying a new press (I currently have an old 450 that's been upgraded to 550B) I'd probably go with a 650, but I load for handguns and rifles. The auto index and extra station are significant factors to consider.