All,

I have been wanting to get into reloading for a while and have started accumulating components and some gear.

My brother has a friend whose father is getting out of reloading and is trying to sell his gear. This includes a Dillon Square Deal press and a Dillon RL 550B press.

I was always going to buy Dillon, so this is in line with my plans.

I will be reloading 223, .308, 9mm, 45 ACP and maybe .300 blackout, 7.62X39 and 10mm.

Included are the presses, some dies, 6 heads for the Square Deal and 1 for the 550.

I was hoping for a 750 for pumping out high volumes of 9mm and .223 (and I will get one of these in the future), but from what I read and all I know about reloading, it helps to have more than 1 press for doing the oddball stuff and some prep tasks(like depriming).

They are asking $1,000 for everything.

From what I can see, these are old versions of presses still in production.

I cannot tell from the pictures I have if any of the wear parts are gone or are in need of immediate replacement, but I do have some pictures.

What do you all think? This a good deal (I have not looked at used presses in the past, only new).

I will only have a day or 2 to act....

Square Deal will be pistol calibers only but is auto indexing. The 550 will load most pistol and rifle calibers but is manually indexing. Both indexing methods have pros and cons.

Neither will be fast but will load lots of good ammo. Dillon will rebuild them for cheap and replace parts as needed.

I started with a borrowed 550, bought a 650 and then an RL1100.

For me, I’d wait and get the 750. While I’m glad I have the 650 for my lower volume stuff, I load enough of a single caliber that I’d rather have skipped and got the RL1100.

"Fast" is a relative thing. Either the Square Deal or the 550 will run rings around a single stage press. I've been using an old RL450 for decades. I upgraded it with the 550 frame so I can use the interchangeable toolheads and it's been plenty fast enough for me. That said, I don't load great big batches of ammo.

The one PITA I found on the 650, not as bad on the 550, is changing the primer size. But if all you're planning to do on it is 9mm and .223, that won't be an issue.

Dillon's customer service is unmatched, period. If there are any parts worn on them, Dillon will replace them, no questions asked.

$1000 seems a little bit steep for the pair, unless you're planning on waiting several years to upgrade.

I did pick up a cheap Lee turret press and keep it set up with neck turning mandrels for my two main rifle calibers (.223 and 6.5CM) for the inevitable times when I drop a case on the floor and ding the neck, along with a universal decapper. Well worth it.

Thanks fellas... That is what I thought, steep.

Considering the prices of new, upgraded models of the same, I am paying nearly new prices for equipment that may need time and effort to bring up to speed and the dies that are included are of unknow type (are they carbide, are they matched sets or a hodgepodge, and there are several calibers I will probably never own or load for).

And, I am not really ready to start my reloading adventure. I have a move coming in the next year to my retirement home/dream home, and I am 561 days from retirement. My entire focus right now is working, saving and networking for contract side gigs if I want them. I would not really use these things for a year or more

I appreciate the feedback. My intent is to get a high speed press for the stuff I shoot a lot of, and a lesser, but equal quality press for prep work and low volume loadings.

Again, I appreciate you fellas...

Dillon machines hold their resale value pretty good, price are usually up there 75% or better. That said, I haven't priced any new ones in a long time, but $1k seems like a lot.

Edit to add: Just check new prices and I'm STUNNED a Square Deal B is $629! They were always a good deal cheaper than 550's (which is why they were a "deal")

I will chime in with my two cents on this one.

If they are selling everything, find out if you would also receive dies for multiple calibers (the square deal tool heads appreciate dedicated dies that can only be used on the square deal press) but more importantly ask if there are unloaded bullets, primers, and powder included in the deal. Also ask if the 550 has a case feeder attached. If there are other items included, this could turn out to be a very good deal.

Keep in mind powder is averaging $40-$50 a lb now and primers are averaging $75-$90 a thousand. Bullet prices are all over the place depending on what type of bullet it is.

I would not walk away from this deal until you ask for a list or photos of everything that is included. There could easily be over $1000.00 in reloading accessories (mentioned above) that are part of this deal. Just my two cents worth…

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sigarmsp226,

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Dillon machines hold their resale value pretty good, price are usually up there 75% or better. That said, I haven't priced any new ones in a long time, but $1k seems like a lot.

Edit to add: Just check new prices and I'm STUNNED a Square Deal B is $629! They were always a good deal cheaper than 550's (which is why they were a "deal")

Cas - To add to your post if you purchase a 550 now with one toolhead, one caliber conversion, and one set of pistol dies, you are at $790.00

And

One caliber conversion kit for the square deal is now $145.00 - EACH so if this offer comes with six sets for the square deal press, the square deal press and die sets alone are valued over $1000.00 at today’s market prices, and that does not include the 550 press and accessories.

Sounds like $1000.00 could be a good deal if the calibers included are some of what you would be loading.

Also as previously mentioned, Dillon Precision warranties all Square Deal, 450, 550, 650, and 750 presses for LIFE. Even if you are not the original owner they will fix anything that breaks. They will also rebuild any machine that is worn out at little to no cost.

Sigarms...

Thank you.

There are no components for sale, although my brother stated that there is some old powder in one of the powder hoppers.

I have pictures and I will post them in a little while (still at work). They are not much as the person selling these items did not want my brother touching them (odd, but my brother said the guy is a shyster and a dick).

I have confirmed that the dies are not carbide and they are a mix of various manufacturers. Some are in Dillon die boxes, but they say "Lee" on them (per my brother who I spoke with while he was looking at the presses). There are only 2 sets of dies I would use, 9mm and 45 ACP. The rest are pistol calibers I do not own and have no interest in owning. And again, not carbide.

I will get the pictures up as soon as I get home. They are not much to look at. I will need to crop the guys name out of some of them, so it will take me a few minutes to do.

Regards,

Here are the pictures I promised:

Bozmam - Thanks for the additional details and pictures. Because you would only be using two sets of the available dies, and they are not carbide, and there are no additional accessories, I agree with what the other forum members have stated - Pass on this deal and Buy you a new 750 and never look back. Again, just my opinion.

I have two 650’s and one RL1100 and I love my 650 presses (both have case feeders attached, one set up for small primers and one set up for large primers).

Good luck on your decision.

Sigarms...

Thank you.

If I could get the pair for $700 or $750, would than then be a deal in your opinion?

What amount would you think you be a fair price for the lot?

I know nothing about the used market on these.

Regards,

I don’t really know Dillon prices or particulars with models, so not referencing that.

Just to back up some, new to reloading? I see you may switch around some, different cartridges?
Do you plan on high numbers or certain loads?

Just saying, if starting out reloading, $700 would go pretty far. No need to be like the spouse, accused of ‘spending $700 to save $300’.

Also buying used, you’ll likely get things you have little use for. Yes, you could try reselling yourself.

I’d look to see how far the $700 goes toward a turret press with supplies. I think you could get going well under that amount.

Bozman - These are just my thoughts. My hope is that other forum members will chime in with their recommendations/thoughts.

$700.00 to $750.00 would be a good deal for you for what is being offered. Here are my reasons for saying this.

1 - You can set up the Square Deal for the two pistol calibers you load. Sell off what you do not need and now you are set for pistol caliber reloading - and the Square Deal press is auto-indexing, made for pistol reloading.
2 - This allows you to set up the 550 for your rifle calibers. Yes, the 550 is a manual indexing system, but this is the best system for new loaders in that you carefully and manually manage every cycle. Nothing hurts a reloaders feelings more than having primer issues and finding out two to three cycles later when you see powder all over your press. Rifle loading on a 550 is a great way to start IMO.
3 - This would leave you with $300.00 give or take to purchase the dies you want, extra 550 toolheads, and and all of the other things you will either need or want to make your loading more enjoyable.

OR

You could buy you a new Dillon XL750 and get you several extra toolheads, a couple of sets of dies, and the other odds and ends you would need to get started for around $1000.00.

Again, just my thoughts on this. Hoping others will provide feedback also. Let us know what pathway you take..

Great points that Sourdough makes. There are many other GREAT turret presses in the market for a lot less that can make the same high quality ammo that a Dillon press can make.

So you know I am way off in the deep end related to being a Dillon press lover. Guess it could have a little to do with the fact that my last name is Dillon and I am distant kin to Steve Dillon (previous President of Dillon Precision) so please know my replies may be slightly biased.

quote:

(odd, but my brother said the guy is a shyster and a dick).

So...why are you even still considering this? Price wise it's not great, the seller is questionable, you could be buying someone elses headaches, and you can start with a new 750 for similar money and get the accessories you want and need (carbide) a little at a time...

60

All...

Thank you.

I made a final offer of $700 with an explanation how I arrived at that number. The seller refused to negotiate, so I walked away. Apparently the guy was stunned as my brother was holding the cash in his hand.

Again, I am committed to getting Dillon products for their outstanding reputation and ongoing support. I was willing to take a chance even if I had to send everything to Dillon for a complete rebuild as this is one of the things I intend to invest a lot of time into when I retire in 559 days or so (my 54th birthday).

I have many Dillon accessories that I have been accumulating through holidays and birthdays (primer trays, primer tubes, a swage, various books, etc.). I even picked up a Lee hand press to deprime brass and a wet tumbler. I have thousands of pieces of deprimed and cleaned brass in 9mm and 5.56.



I thought I could pick up a good "utility" press for some of the ancillary work or to dedicate to a particular caliber (like 45 ACP).

I will continue on my journey of looking for deals and probably go with new equipment in the form of a 750 or 1150.

Again, thanks all for the help. I will be back.