Apartment Reloading, Dillon 550 and SDB

[cinifica]

Howdy folks, I'm interested in upgrading my press. I'm gunning for the Dillon 550 or SDB for a 9mm dedicated progressive press.

Currently I have an old Lee Value Turret Press, I would say it's semi-progressive as it can auto dispense powder, has manual priming, and auto-indexing. Unfortunately the Lee disc powder system leaks ball powder everywhere, and the depriming system dispenses removed primers into the body of the press. This is very messy as it deposits the primer with debris into the press body or sometimes allover the ground. The press must be unbolted to remove spent primers so I don't use this for depriming and I add powder with an external Lyman dispenser.

My considerations are:
-I live in an apartment so space and storage considerations are a high priority.(i.e. I want to avoid very tall presses like the more expensive dillons. I don't care for a case feeder)
-I have a cat, so anything that has a chance to drops debris, primers, etc is not ideal
-Noise considerations when performing high force actions like case sizing and priming(I'm a night owl and reload late at night).

What is interesting to me is the Dillon Square Deal B recently had a price increase. I'm seeing prices that put it close to the Dillon XL750! I thought the SDB was supposed to be their budget option?
MidwayUSA Dillon Presses RL550C $625, SDB $750
Dillon Store Presses RL550C $625, SDB $750

Kind of makes the choice much easier, I'm currently leaning to the 550C. The price increase of the SDB makes me think there must be some kind of benefit I'm not seeing. Hopefully someone has an idea?
My questions for everyone are, what do they think about the size differences between the two, is this even enough to care about? (Dillon claims SDB is their smallest footprint press.)
If anybody happens to have experience with both, is the force required to size/prime any different between the presses?
If anyone has any insight to a better fitting press other than these two, feel free to recommend it as well.

 

[bonesurf]

pretty sure that the SDB comes basically ready to go. dies etc. the 550 I do not think comes with dies.

ie you have to buy more aftermarket things to get a 550 going whereas the SDB I'm pretty sure you just supply the consumables and mount it

 

[Pewpewwagon]

You’ll be happy with either Dillon. Way easier to prime and resize compared to the Lee.

 

[AR15barrels]

Go with the 550.
Easier to convert and many more options in the future if you decide to not dedicate it to just 9mm.

SDB comes with dies and has auto indexing where the 550 does not have either.
550 uses standard dies while SDB is a funky setup to make the press smaller/cheaper.
The 550 has a real heavy duty frame while the SDB is pistol only and much smaller/wimpier.

 

[gwb251]

Have had SDB’s for many years.. why manual index a 550?
SFB excels at its main purpose.. handgun ammo. Ready to go out of the box.
They also include an inert round that the press is pre adjusted to produce.
For additional calibers, a set of Dillon dies and a tool head is all you need , or you can get with a dedicated powder measure for the additional caliber.
Swap them out and your goof to go.

 

[DesertDepotArms]

Have had SDB’s for many years.. why manual index a 550?
SFB excels at its main purpose.. handgun ammo. Ready to go out of the box.
They also include an inert round that the press is pre adjusted to produce.
For additional calibers, a set of Dillon dies and a tool head is all you need , or you can get with a dedicated powder measure for the additional caliber.
Swap them out and your goof to go.

This is it.
If all you plan on loading is 9mm the SDB will be perfect

 

[allright]

I reload in a small condo's laundry room, so I understand your needs. I started with Lee Classic Turret, and got to a point I was ready for a progessive. I decided on the Dillon 550, and happy with it. The dillon priming set up is much nicer than the Lee, and having a progressive is a lot better. There's a learning curve for using the Dillon, but IMO is a much better press. I have it mounted on a Lee, 3 legged press stand, and had to drill the holes to mount the dillon. So it's pretty portable. I found a couple additions that I really like. I think you'll like the 550.

 

[6MMBRA]

I have both the SDB and 550. Square deal is a lot smaller than my 550. $750 is a huge increase from what I paid years ago. I think it was 475 new? Been too long. Down side of the SDB is it’s all proprietary, so cartridge conversions are going to be pretty expensive and you can only load pistol.

550 conversions are also expensive especially with you want a dedicated powder measure for each tool head. I’ve been thinking about getting a 9mm conversion for it, but it’s not worth it since I have the SDB. 550 is cool since I can load rifle ammo on it. I use my 550 to load my precision ammo and it does a great job.

At the end of the day, if you don’t have stacks of components you bought on the cheap, it’s not worth the time and expense. Better to buy factory if you’re not loading for something specific.

 

[five.five-six]

At the end of the day, if you don’t have stacks of components you bought on the cheap, it’s not worth the time and expense. Better to buy factory if you’re not loading for something specific.

I disagree with your defeatist attitude. Right now I can find 55grain .223 blems for 4.5CPR. WC844 under $20/# shipped and primers for a nickel. .223 for 15CPR. you can do 9mm for under a dime a round.

 

[star.3d]

Unfortunately the Lee disc powder system leaks ball powder everywhere, and the depriming system dispenses removed primers into the body of the press. This is very messy as it deposits the primer with debris into the press body or sometimes allover the ground.

I'd love to have a Dillon, but I don't - I do have a new-ish Lee Ultimate Turret though, and I reload 9mm. Also a night owl apartment reloader. I use the auto-drum powder measure (not sure exactly which you have) which has gone through several revision and it does not leak. Primers exit bottom of ram, no mess. I use the bullet feeder. 100rds/hr is doable for me. Maybe an upgrade of some of the Lee components could fit the bill? Just a thought

 

[ar15robert]

I have a SDB set up for .45 since back then thats what i shot alot.Still use it for .45 but got a 9mm a couple years ago and shoot that alot now.

Thought about getting a 9mm set up for it but damn conversion cost more than what i paid for the press in 2000.Besides i get 9mm locally for 256 OTD for a case so cost to buy vs reload is a factor in just using it for .45.

But if you plan on loading a single round that you shoot often they are hard to beat.They are also pretty simple easy to set up etc.I also load for 10mm but i use my rcbs single stage for that since i dont shoot it much

 

[hambam105]

The responses on this topic are well intended. However, I do not see the OP's concearns for small operational areas and machine noise signature being addressed.

Reloading speed & efficiency are definately limited to these two outside factors regardless of progressive machine model or costs.

It would be easy and a hassel hiding a single stage set up from nosey neighbors and landlords. But not a progressive operation. Too obvious.

The worst case is spending big bucks on a reloading set-up that you can't use without drawing attention to yourself.

 

[cinifica]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going with the RL550C.
What kind of ergonomics does everyone prefer?
I often see raised mounts for Dillons; do you prefer sitting or standing?

 

[bonesurf]

JMO stand. raised mount. your mileage may vary

edit: especially when you are starting out you aren't just "cranking the lever". you will be looking at things, moving around etc. double checking. blah blah blah

 

[Pewpewwagon]

I agree. Raised mount and standing. The roller handle is nice too. Makes seating primers a little easier.

 

[bootcamp]

The Dillon 550 will occasionally drop spent primers and you may occasionally spill tiny bits of powder. If you must reload in an apartment, I would reload where there is no carpet and keep your cat out until you are done and have cleaned and vacuumed the area.

 

[AR15barrels]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going with the RL550C.
What kind of ergonomics does everyone prefer?
I often see raised mounts for Dillons; do you prefer sitting or standing?

No need for a raised mount if you make a custom height counter to mount the press.
If you have a smalll hall storage closet, do a built-in counter at a custom height.
This gets you a more solid bench AND it hides the press when you close the closet door.

Take the 550 and measure from the top of the handle down to the base of the press and note the height.
Now measure from the floor to your shoulder.
Subtract the handle height from your shoulder height and that;s your shelf height.

 

[Pewpewwagon]

The mount also gives you extra places to mount bins, keeping tools under the press, and you don’t have to mount the press on the edge of your bench. I also have a couple RCBS presses without mounts, that works too.

 

[five.five-six]

No need for a raised mount if you make a custom height counter to mount the press.
If you have a smalll hall storage closet, do a built-in counter at a custom height.
This gets you a more solid bench AND it hides the press when you close the closet door.

Take the 550 and measure from the top of the handle down to the base of the press and note the height.
Now measure from the floor to your shoulder.
Subtract the handle height from your shoulder height and that;s your shelf height.

Absolutely true, I don ‘t use a raised mount on any of my presses. My ergonomics are perfect.