Go for the Dillon 550, 650 or 1050 depending on your budget. I have the 650 and have reloaded over 20,000 rounds on it. I have wore out a few parts, no problem warranty, and even lost a couple parts, warranty again. The company is the greatest to deal with. Most of my reloasding is 45acp, 40S&w, 9mm, 357 sig, 357 mag and 44 mag but I do several rifle calibers also. I spent about $750 when I started for the press and a few convesions but I would pay much more than that now after using it for over 10yrs.

 

TallTexun,

That's what I thought about the Square Deal press but I wasn't sure. The Dillon RL 550B I have was not cheap I think I have around $500-$600 invested in it altogether. It is a great reloader, but I did alright with my Lee Loadmaster and Lee progressive reloaders too. I still own them and use them just not as much as the Dillon.

The ammunition produced is still the same, you just sacrifice a little speed. But, save some money. I just ended up reloading so much quantity that time started to be a factor. I think I load 10000-30000 rounds a year for my Cowboy Action shooting friend alone.

I believe my brother just paid $120 for a Lee progressive reloader and then another $120 for a scale, dies and shell plates for his .357 mag. I think he ordered it from Natchezss.com a shooting supply catalog with very resonable prices.

It is probably better to start small and get some experience reloading. Then as your experience increases you can look at getting a bigger reloader. Contrary to popular belief reloading is not very hard, has some risks, but can be a lot of fun.


SJ

 

Get the Dillon 550B. Look on ebaY, there are always tons of them on sale there for darned good deals. I've been shooting competitively for a long time (IDPA, USPSA/IPSC), nationwide everyone is using the Dillon. I bought my first back in 1987. They are second to none. I run two 550B's and load and shoot tens of thousands of rounds per year, mostly 45ACP and 9mm but I am set up to do .380 ACP, 40S&W, .38/.357, 45 Colt, 44 Rem Mag, 450 Marlin, 7mm STW, 30-'06, .223, 22-250, 6mm Rem, 257 Robts, and on. For rifle dies I use RCBS or Redding or Hornady. For pistol/revolver calibers it's all Dillon. Their dies sets are 3 die sets and they are carbide which is exactly what you want for a progresive press. They are designed very uniquely too, they come apart for cleaning and changing seating options with the pull of a pin. They're great!

If you buy a Dillon, you'll spend more time shooting and enjoying what you created rather than standing over your inferior press making ammo!

 

Get a Dillon and don't waste your money on anything else. I started in 1987 with a Square Deal. I loaded 9mm, 45, 38/357 mag, and 38 Super with it. Thousands of them. So I bought another and it is dedicated to 45 ACP so I don't have to change over the primer system. I can load 9mm and 38 Super with just changing over top ends. For 38/357 I also have to change the shell plate. No big deal. I use small rifle primers in all of them but the 45 so that keeps things simple too.

I have broken parts on them including the handle, handle arms, and even the frame on one. Dillon replaced everything no charge. Pretty good considering my 1987 Dillon cost $134 new with dies. Dillon service is second to none.

I needed to load rifle and the SD won't work so I also have a 550 that I have loaded .223 and 300 WM on. I decided that the 550 was too slow for the mass quantities of .223 I load so it is now dedicated to the 300 WM.

Next, I got a 650 with case feeder for loading .223. If I had more counter space, I would probably get another loader- Dillon of course. Ideally I would have a loader for each caliber so I would never have to change anything. I wish.

I have a friend who has 3 Dillon 1050s. Lot of money but they are that good.

 

Get the Dillon 550B. I reload over 30,000 a year on it....Dillon will replace anything that breaks for free....just call them and its on the way....great unit, great service....


dave

 

Well Thanks all for the replies!

I found a guy in town that has a 650 Dillon. I went and visited hime, and it is an awsum press buttt..


Due to the cost of the Dillon and all 7 different cal I will be loading
my budjet put me in the Lee CAmp.

I ordered a lee turret press with all the power disks, and stuff i needed.

THis guy I visited had used one for a year, and liked it, soo I jumped.

I can always get a experience and dump it on e-bay and get the Dillon when I win the Lottery (ya rite)

anyway thanks again to all that replied, and will keep ya posted.

bob

 

Well Guys got my lee stuff, and was set up and reloading 3 caliburs in a mornings time. So far I have no complaints.

I realize it ain't a Dillon, but it works for me.

The guy that owned the dillon came over and helped me set up, and he was impressed with the way the dies set up, and the ease of settin it up.

We compared some 45 ACP loads he loaded and brought over, same powder primers bullet grain and so far so good.

No jams, cycles thru my 1911 just like factory, and in shooting his rounds and mine no difference was noticed.

The only difference he noticed was speed. 4 down strokes for one bullet, but as an old fart I am in no hurry (more time than money)

Any way thanks to all that responded!

PS I took the money I saved buying the Lee setup and bought a Cabelas winch for the ATV.

 

ji have the dillon 650 love it. reload .223 .243 .357 .260rem
also have older rockchucker press . and a reading single. like the dillon the best..