questions about Dillon loaders

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Pastor Jim

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I have a Lee classic 4 hole reloader but im not reloading a lot of different things. 9mm and 45acp is it for me, so I know nothing about reloading or different reloaders.
I received 2 loaders in a deal and I am trying to see what I have in order to sell or trade them fairly. Im not trying to fish for buyers here, I will post them on the appropriate page when I think I have an idea of what they are. Just looking for any help you guys could throw my way for identification. From what I can see online , 1 is a Dillon 550, it says as much on the press, I don't see anything on the smaller one but it looks like a square deal B from looking at online pictures. They both look like they are certainly older but in good shape. any information would be helpful thanks.

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Thank you guys. The square deal B has 45acp dies in it, I will look at the 550 and see what it has in it. The lee loader I have seems to be enough for what I do, so ill probably look up used prices for a Square deal b and a 550 c and list them for sale or trade. Again thank you for the quick replies, the pics on Dillon's page are newer and I couldn't see exactly what I had.
 
An easy way to determine a lot about what you have as well as what may be missing would be to place a polite call to Dillon & request a Manual for each model. It's free.

You may be missing small parts or other stuff that a potential buyer may need.

Long, long ago I was given a Dillon SDB, torn down & all in pieces in a box. A polite call, a new manual, and then assembly. As I found I was missing stuff, I made a list. After I determined what I needed,, another call, and a quick order of parts got that press up & running just fine. It lives in Florida now, and the owner has been nothing BUT happy with it. He still comments on how his handloading is so much easier now.

Both the SDB & the 550 are excellent machines. Backed by Dillon's "Lifetime NO BS warranty. "
 
Both great presses. I own the 650. My uncle has the SDB and he was a competition shooter and would put thousands of rounds through his every year. That what made me get a Dillon press. Plus their no BS warranty is amazing.
 
I’ll be the contrarian. If all you shoot is 9mm and 45acp, then the little SDB is an awesome second press if you have space, set it for one caliber and just leave it. Not that it’s hard to change calibers, but there is nothing as easy as having a press ready to go all the time.

For pricing, I always just sell complete and well working Dillon stuff at 75% of new. That used to work great, but with current component pricing I’m not seeing much interest.
 
Just FYI, have buddies that shoot Precision Pistol, and use the SD press. They're Experts. Does a great job with loading very accurate .45. My 550's are workhorses. With them set up and brass/bullets/primers handy, can load 100 .45's in about 20-25 minutes. Cannot say enough good about them!
 
I tinkered and futzed with a Lee load master for a long time and thought I was happy until I tried out the Dillon and didn't have to tinker anymore. no complaints with my SDB. now those stupid primer tubes... I hate those things, but I can live with it.
 
My two SD are permanently set up for 38 spc and 45 acp. Wish I had a third one for 9mm
I also have a 550 I switch between 9mm and 5.56 Until I get my third SD
My 1971 Lyman Spartan handles all the other calibers, maybe 20.

Anyone out there have a SD for sale?
 
I've had my SDB for a bit over 30 years now. No telling how many thousands of rounds have been loaded with it but has certainly paid for itself several times over. Has proven to be very reliable through the years and on the rare occasion when something breaks Mr. Dillon has always rapidly sent me replacement parts for free.
It might be worth your time to set it up and go for a ride. You may find yourself converted.
 
Yes, the SDB uses proprietary dies, but like others have said, set it up for one caliber and run with it.

One thing that may not be obvious when comparing different models on the Dillon website - to change calibers on the 550 and 750, you need both a caliber conversion kit AND a set of dies. With the SDB, all you need is a caliber conversion kit since it comes WITH the dies.
 
Like others here my SDB's have cranked out thousands of rounds over the years. I bought or traded for 3 used ones so I never convert anything rather I simply grab the one set up for the caliber I intend to load - 9mm, 10mm or 45acp.

I will say they benefit from a couple mods. The Delrin Acetal shell plate bearings from Ballistic Tools are awesome and I covered the open primer discharge chute with a piece of clear plastic to eliminate the odd spent primer from landing on the floor. The ram wave bearings don't last forever and keep some spare parts around for the primer feed system like the return spring, slide bearing and the plastic tips for the primer magazines called "Magazine Orifice".

Some long tweezers helpful to remove index pins during set up or to grab a flipped primer other wise these little presses are very capable and deliver good ammo they just have some quirks due to the cramped layout.
 
Thanks for all the information it's been extremely helpful. I am going to post the SDB 45acp for sale or trade for $300 obo and keep the 550 for myself. It is set up for .223 and based on the information I got from you guys I looked into it and it won't cost hardly anything to get it running and it should last years. Again Thanks to everyone.
 
Started with a used SDB- great little press with auto index.
If you just need one or 2 pistol calibers it's hard to beat.
But the 550 is far more versatile.
Also SDB is a bit cramped - tiny shellplate area.
Wonder if used press market is depressed with primers so scarce.
 
Jmoser said:
Wonder if used press market is depressed with primers so scarce.
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Can’t say that it’s because of primers, but yes it is. I’ve got a 650 listed at 75% of new, sold it once but buyer backed out, otherwise have had several folks want to talk about it. I’m not in a hurry, so will just ride it out.
 
@JimB how would one go about finding the price of a new one? I can only find them on ebay.
 
Catfish said:
@JimB how would one go about finding the price of a new one? I can only find them on ebay.
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Sorry, I just use the price of a 750. I think the 650 is a better press.
 
Catfish said:
@JimB how would one go about finding the price of a new one? I can only find them on ebay.
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The 650 is discontinued and replaced with the 750. Not sure if you can find a price other than used.
 
falconew said:
I like the 650 over the 750. Don’t care for the priming system on the 750. If I had the room I would get another 650
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I’m not sure why the 650 had such a short life compared to other Dillon presses. I like mine, but I’ve never really looked at the 750. Is the priming system the only difference?
 
Average Joe said:
I’m not sure why the 650 had such a short life compared to other Dillon presses. I like mine, but I’ve never really looked at the 750. Is the priming system the only difference?
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It is taller to accommodate the 338 lapua and the primer system is like the 550
 
The SDB, 550 and 750 all now share the same priming system. It works, it’s just not as bulletproof as the old system on the 650 IMHO.
 
I have a small fleet of Dillon presses and LOVE my 2 SDB's. They might be a little slower, but load great ammo, Would love to have another one if you decide to sell that one!
 
The only difference really between the 650 and 750 is the 650 has a rotary phone dial primer feed, which is super finicky. Got rid of 2 of the 650's because they liked to jam the primers or detonate primers. Both were no fun to clear.

you will love the 550C. It is a great machine and warranted for life. Even from stupidity. I use a 550 for all the work up's of ammo for the big machines. It is consistent, easy to change from one caliber to the next and since it's manual indexing you can function it as 4 single stage presses or as a progressive press. It will basically do any caliber and it will take any manufacturers dies as well (7/8 x 14) that is. From 9mm to .300 Win Mag and .45-70 to 5.7 x 28. Its a great machine. Any problems, call dillon and they will walk you through it. Also a manual is available as a PDF file right on their website so you don't need to go buy one.

And someone will love your deal on the SDB. Great find you got there.
 
IronMikeArmory said:
the 650 has a rotary phone dial primer feed, which is super finicky. Got rid of 2 of the 650's because they liked to jam the primers or detonate primers
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Not so, IMHO. I’ve got 3 of them and have never had a primer jam or detonation. I find it more reliable than the SBD/550/750 primer feed mechanism.
 
I totally understand that everyone's mileage may vary. I am not in any way bad mouthing Dillon as I love their loaders and we have millions of rounds across our fleet of Dillon machines. My personal experience however coincides with why the 650 rotary priming is no longer available. I had multiple priming systems for it and just couldn't ever get them to run consistently, without having to disassemble them frequently for maintenance or completely swap out the rotary primer. I will preface that I had run probably 10-15K or more of rounds with them each before they started to malfunction, but the priming system malfunctions are the reason the 650 is no longer available. My personal experience was with my machines. The other problem with the rotary disc locators being close together was a chain detonation, I can attest to as I have had (2) entire primer stacks detonate because of shearing a primer when the shuttle jammed. To Dillons credit, the tubes bulged but did not rupture the outer steel. That is hard core safety in my opinion and Dillon makes a superior product. But there are some areas for improvement in most machines. You also get a chuckle when you tell Dillon Tech Rep you need another primer follower since yours is currently imbedded in the drywall ceiling in your shop. I am a firm Dillon Fan and have (4) 1050's and several 1100's as well as some CP2000's, the new DA3000 and even a Mark 7 or 2. I can also tell you that the rotary primer shuttle is the weak link in the Mark 7 Apex 10 as well. albeit for a totally different problem.
 
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