Dillon Square Deal Press

jimbobborg · Jun 6, 2015

My current reloading setup is a Lyman O-style single stage press and a Lee 4-hole Turret press. Most of my reloading is for bottle-neck cartridges, and so far I've not had a problem with keeping up with my reloading needs with my current gear. But now that I'm loading 9mm, I'm feeling the need to get a progressive press. I'm looking at the Dillon Square Deal press for 9mm as it's set up out of the box for reloading 9mm so no dicking around with setting up a progressive press. Graf & Sons has it for $384.99, plus another $67.99 for the mounting plates. Since it comes with 9mm dies and just about everything else I need besides supplies for 9mm, does anyone see a reason not to get this?

Overboost44 · Jun 6, 2015

The main reason that I see to look at another option is that for another $55 you can get a 550B and you have over 160 calibers that you are able to load as opposed to just pistol calibers. Sure, you will have to buy dies for 9mm, but you can change calibers in half the time of the Square Deal. The 550 also uses standard 7/8x14 dies.

Caeb75 · Jun 6, 2015

It is probably the best press out right now for people who are going to be reloading straight wall pistol cases only on it. The drawbacks aside from the caliber limitations are the proprietary die system, and the lack of case feed or bullet feed. Working over the course of a couple evenings, and at a very relaxed pace, putting up 1-2k shouldn't be an issue. I do personally prefer my 650 and 1050 on autodrives. If you even think you would like to step up the volume on your bottleneck cartriges, i would recommend the 550b at a minimum.

jimbobborg · Jun 6, 2015

I'd rather have a dedicated 9mm reloading setup versus switching out stuff which can get lost, which is why I'm looking at the Square Deal. The bottle-neck cartridges I'm reloading for are for cowboy action and I'm loading them with FFFg BP, so I really don't want to be running BP through a press like this. Yes, other folks do it, I'm not one of them

If things really heat up, I'll get a separate one for 40 S&W. I REALLY hate swapping stuff on reloading equipment.

jimbobborg · Jun 6, 2015

One more question. Are those mounting braces really necessary if you have a solid work bench?

Jmorrismetal · Jun 6, 2015

The "strong mount" name came from a marketing guy. Two sheet metal parts bent into a "Z" are not going to flex less than a casting. Then again "mounts the press above the bench vs off the front mount" doesn't have the same ring to it.

I have had two SD's for over 30 years and have loaded untold thousands of rounds with them even ammunition used at national championship matches. That said back then they cost $130, for what they cost now I would (and have) saved a little more and get a press that offers more.

Jmorrismetal · Jun 6, 2015

There was a discussion a few years ago on BE about a case feed for the SD, after it was concluded it could not be done, I built this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUdzxJenkX0

mgrs · Jun 6, 2015

jimbobborg said:
I'd rather have a dedicated 9mm reloading setup versus switching out stuff which can get lost, which is why I'm looking at the Square Deal. The bottle-neck cartridges I'm reloading for are for cowboy action and I'm loading them with FFFg BP, so I really don't want to be running BP through a press like this. Yes, other folks do it, I'm not one of them If things really heat up, I'll get a separate one for 40 S&W. I REALLY hate swapping stuff on reloading equipment.

This sounds familiar. I swore I wouldn't do bottleneck on a progressive. You know where I am now? Everything in volumes higher than 50rds at a time on an XL650 with casefeed. If only it swaged crimps out...

If you are not changing primer size, swapping from pistol to rifle takes less than 3 minutes if you have a toolhead and powder measure for each.

jimbobborg · Jun 6, 2015

mgrs said:
This sounds familiar. I swore I wouldn't do bottleneck on a progressive. You know where I am now? Everything in volumes higher than 50rds at a time on an XL650 with casefeed. If only it swaged crimps out...

If you are not changing primer size, swapping from pistol to rifle takes less than 3 minutes if you have a toolhead and powder measure for each.

I don't want to run Black Powder through the same powder feeder as smokeless. It's too messy and I don't want parts rusting on the press because I'm running Black Powder through it.

mgrs · Jun 6, 2015

jimbobborg said:
I don't want to run Black Powder through the same powder feeder as smokeless. It's too messy and I don't want parts rusting on the press because I'm running Black Powder through it.

Roger, that's why I mentioned using a separate powder measure assembly for each toolhead/caliber.

If you want to keep it off the press entirely, I get it.

jimbobborg · Jun 6, 2015

mgrs said:
Roger, that's why I mentioned using a separate powder measure assembly for each toolhead/caliber.

If you want to keep it off the press entirely, I get it.

Yup. Normal smokeless powder doesn't leave a trail of gunk like BP does. I only load up enough for a match a few days before the match as it's also a pain to clean off of my bench. Running 120 rounds of BP cartridges is pretty cool, but it's messy. I do appreciate the points you've made.

Caeb75 · Jun 6, 2015

Jim...

Don't get me wrong. It is a great little press. With everything self contained for 3something, it isn't too hateful on the wallet to have more than one. The auto index is what makes the press. If you KNOW that you won't be wanting to do more than it is capable of, go for it.

jimbobborg · Jun 6, 2015

Caeb75 said:
Jim...

Don't get me wrong. It is a great little press. With everything self contained for 3something, it isn't too hateful on the wallet to have more than one. The auto index is what makes the press. If you KNOW that you won't be wanting to do more than it is capable of, go for it.

Yup, plus it isn't huge, which is a big deal for me since I live in an apartment now :sad20:

mgrs · Jun 7, 2015

jimbobborg said:
Yup, plus it isn't huge, which is a big deal for me since I live in an apartment now

There's a few threads in the reloading section on Brian Enos Forums with folks who have set up limited space tables with SDBs.

I don't have an SDB and can't comment on mounting it, but the dillon strong mounts on the full size presses are a good investment if you do not have the most solid bench to work with.

Jmorrismetal · Jun 7, 2015

Even built a 2" receiver mount for one of mine so it is right there to work up loads.

Magnumite · Jun 7, 2015

The subject of press size came up. The footprint for a 550 isn't alpreciably greater than an SD. I lived in an apartment at one time and kept all my reloading confind to a 36" desk with the press mounted on a 1" x 4" to reinforce the press. Just sayin'

jimbobborg · Jun 7, 2015

Well, after all of this, the guy on Craigslist came through and I ended up with a barely used 550 with a bunch of extras. It came with three caliber conversions, .38 Special, .44 Special, and .45 ACP, 1500 small pistol primers, some W231, brass, bullets, and an orange brass trimmer. Anyone need a set of .44 Special dies?

DaemonAssassin · Jun 7, 2015

jimbobborg said:
Well, after all of this, the guy on Craigslist came through and I ended up with a barely used 550 with a bunch of extras. It came with three caliber conversions, .38 Special, .44 Special, and .45 ACP, 1500 small pistol primers, some W231, brass, bullets, and an orange brass trimmer. Anyone need a set of .44 Special dies?

Welcome to the 550 family! Time to drink your first cup of blue Kool -Aid!!!!

mgrs · Jun 7, 2015

jimbobborg said:
Well, after all of this, the guy on Craigslist came through and I ended up with a barely used 550 with a bunch of extras. It came with three caliber conversions, .38 Special, .44 Special, and .45 ACP, 1500 small pistol primers, some W231, brass, bullets, and an orange brass trimmer. Anyone need a set of .44 Special dies?

Nice. I think you will be happy with the 550. A lot of flexibility in that press.

Traveler · Jun 8, 2015

Congrats. I love mine. Time to crank out lots of accurate ammo quickly.

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