Used Dillon Square B value

[Scalloper]

I have only loaded pistol ammo with my RCBS rock Chucker. I saw a Dillon Square B with 45,44mag and 38/357 dies for $500 obo. Is this a deal or should I look for a 550-650?

 

[powderbrake]

The Square deal uses different dies and caliber conversions I believe.

A Dillon 550C is $510 Plus dies. Dies are $76, caliber conversion is $53
I suggest , if getting into Dillon, a 550 is the best starting point.
Even if you buy new you are at about $640 for one caliber, I believe you will be able to find a used one on accurate shooter, or on ebay.
I do not suggest a 650, it is being replaced with the 750. I believe the 500 or 550 model is all you need. I have two 500's, one of which I bought when it was the only press Dillon had, and it's still going strong.

 

[Scalloper]

Thank you sir this is the information I was looking for.

 

[PopCharlie]

I have a Dillon SDB press I use for reloading handgun ammo. It will not convert to rifle reloading. Its a great press however, and has worked flawlessly for 5 years. I have loaded thousands of 45, 357, 40, 38 special and 9mm rounds.

If I was going to do it again, I would get a 550 because you can load rifle rounds on it, as well as handgun cartridges. I would reload .223/5.56 for my AR and .30-06 for my M-1 Garand in addition to reloading for my handguns.

My precision handloading is done on a Co-ax press.

If you just want/need to load for handguns, it is a great solution. That's a good deal too. I have about $1k in mine, bought it all new when I switched from a Lee Pro 100 I had for 25 years.

PopCharlie

 

[Scalloper]

I also have a Co-ax I do all of my riffle loading on. I was considering this for hand gun only. But maybe the money would be better spent on a 550 for hand gun and some rifle like 223.
Note the add did say $500 obo

 

[PopCharlie]

I also have a Co-ax I do all of my riffle loading on. I was considering this for hand gun only. But maybe the money would be better spent on a 550 for hand gun and some rifle like 223.
Note the add did say $500 obo

The 550 will always give you that option.
PopCharlie

 

[JSH]

New SDB list from the latest blue press is $460 with one conversion. Extra conversions are $100.

I bought mine in the 80’s. Dillon has rebuilt and up dated it twice. I bought another so I had one set up for small and large primers.
Some will say to go to the other presses. The SDB for the money today is pricey compared to the 550 and 650.
I have other progressive presses for rifle I prefer for me over the 550 and 650, yet I have a Coax and two RC presses also.

My two SDB presses are not going anywhere, but if I were to start out fresh I would really have to think it over.
If the package you mention has more than one powder measure, it is a good deal.
If it has measures for each conversion it is a SUPER deal. Powder measures list for $90.

 

[DirtySteve]

Ditto on the 550. I have two one for each size primer. I bought the second one used.

 

[V509]

Either stay single stage or go to a fully progressive press with auto index, the 550 does not have auto index and it is just one more thing you have to remember to do

 

[Chet58]

Just my two cents. I have a 650 that I have been running for 25 years. I started with a SDB which worked fine for one caliber. When I wanted to add a second caliber I really did want to buy the oddball dies. Luckily we had a dealer in the area that took the SDB in at full value when I up graded. My point is invest in your hobby that will give you the level of flexibility you need. If you are only shooting one pistol caliber the SDB is a great little press and a good place to learn. If you are a fairly avid shooter drop the cash on a bigger press like the 550 or the 650 for a used one. The 750 improvements are nice as well. You also get Dillons no BS warranty which will get you any needed repair parts.

 

[kelbro]

I have three caliber conversions for the SDB and it has produced 10s of thousands of rounds without a hiccup. I also have two 550s which I use for rifle.

That is a great price. Only problem I see and maybe why they are selling is that there is not a lot of 'finger room' with 44 mag and 45 Colt on the SDB. I load 45 Colt on mine and it's tight with the big bullets.

9mm, 38/357, 380, 10mm all load very fast on an SDB.

 

[hoz53]

I have only loaded pistol ammo with my RCBS rock Chucker. I saw a Dillon Square B with 45,44mag and 38/357 dies for $500 obo. Is this a deal or should I look for a 550-650?

I have a SDB and a 550. To me the SDB is great to keep set up with one caliber. With the 550 you can keep tool heads set up. I bought my SDB when they were a lot cheaper and don’t think I would pay the price for one now. That said 500 with all those caliber conversions is a good deal as long as you don’t mind setting it up each time you switch calibers.

 

[Chet58]

You can’t go very far wrong with a Dillon. They are all great presses.