Any reloading machine experts?

[Jeffro_510]

Wife n I are going to start getting into reloading.
We bought a used Dillon 1050.
Everything appears to be in order, I made a 100 rounds on it at his house before buying it.
Not sure how much age matters on these, but its from 1997.
Appears to work well, but would love a second oppinion.

Also if you have any special recipes you are willing to share, feel free. We really only plan on doing 9mm on it, probably 4000 rounds a month.

 

[H. Bowman]

Old is fine if it works. They're completely rebuildable. 1050 to start is a choice.

 

[mindwreck]

age isn't the problem. they are well made machines. Just don't force anything and take care of them and they will last. I have a RL550 from 2007, im the 3rd owner. My s1050 and 2 xl650s were also used and have no idea how old. None of them have failed me. all +10k round counts just from me. If your machine worked at his place, its probably goign to work for many years to come. Just know that the 1050s don't carry the same warranty as the smaller machines, They used to be pretty loose with this policy but now they have really locked down on what free parts they will give you. recommend getting a spare parts kits to have backup springs on hand.

Its not a simple machine but its not a rocket space ship either. Download the manual and run the machine with no case in it. just look over everything and what everything does. Every mechanism has a direct action and role. Its just that one handle pull does all everything at once so there's a lot to pay attention too. The top half of the machine is pretty much the same as the s1050/1100 so lot of parts are still readily available. Post some pictures or video if you see anything you need help with.

what kind of 9mm and what powder are you planning to use.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

1st thing to learn is don't trust ANY reloading data from people online. 9mm is hard to f up but still, there is so much bad load data in gun forums. Use published data. And with that, the only way you can correlate to the data is with a chronograph, the velocity is what relates to the published pressure not the weight of the charge. So especially if you are running hot loads, it's worth measuring to see what you are actually getting pressure-wise. But it's also helpful on the bottom end, I loaded a bunch of minor power factor last week and it chrono'd at 850 fps and under, so less than 120 power factor. Ooops, still cycles the guns fine though at least

 

[token]

Diving right into a progressive haha. There is a small learning curve to them. I started out on a Dillon XL650 and currently have a Mark 7 Apex manual. Will be picking up another with auto drive unit on my way back from a road trip.

Looking to make match or just plinking loads? You definitely save when you buy powder 8lbs jugs and bullets in bulk. Looks like you are in norcal so you have access to Miwall when they let people into their warehouse for their annual sale otherwise you have to catch them at a gunshow and if the venue allows them to bring in primer and powder.

I just make bulk/plinking 9mm with Alliant Promo/Red Dot as the powder used to be cheap when I first started it was about $160-200 for 8lbs but now its on par with most pistol powders now. I use about 4 grains with 124 gr so one jug can theoretically last me 14,000 rounds while filling up the majority of the case from the flake powder.

There is QuickLoad and Gordon's Reloading Tool(has not been updated since 2021). They can help do the theoretical FPS and chamber pressure but still need to work up ladder loads and verify with a chronograph along with checking the spent brass and primer for pressure signs. I really like the Garmin Xero C1 should be cheaper with the C2 being released.

 

[RickD427]

I'll also agree that age is not an issue for quality made machines such as the Dillon. The 1050 has been around for a long time and is well proven.

It was made and marketed as a commercial machine. You'll pay a bit more for the caliber change components than you would for their lower grade machines.

The Dillon "No BS" guarantee is quite legendary among reloaders. I have a 550B machine. I moved and it was in storage for quite a while, in a humid environment, al lot of parts rusted. It was my fault. I sent it back to Dillon for repair expecting a significant bill for the service. It came back like new and with no charge.

Interestingly, Dillon excludes the 1050 and 1100 reloaders from the "No BS" guarantee on the basis that they're intended for commercial use. You have to settle for a "BS" guarantee on these machines. But my experience with Dillon was good enough that I have since added an 1100 machine to my reloading bench.

At 4000 rounds/month, the Dillon 1050 is a good match.

I would recommend adding a powder check die to your set-up. You've got plenty of stations to use one, and at that loading volume, you're running the risk of a squib load. I'd also look at Dillon's Primer Tube Filler. At your loading level, you're gonna get real tired of using a primer pick-up tube. I would also look at adding a frame mounted LED light. You'll want to keep a close eye on things as you load and a frame light really helps.

 

[AR15barrels]

Wife n I are going to start getting into reloading.
We bought a used Dillon 1050.
Everything appears to be in order, I made a 100 rounds on it at his house before buying it.
Not sure how much age matters on these, but its from 1997.
Appears to work well, but would love a second oppinion.

The early 1990's 1050's are the older machines that have less press ram stroke than the super1050 and the 1100's.
The earlier ones were made specifically to load handgun cartridges and only short rifle cartridges up to 223 or 7.62x39 length.
The later ones were lengthened to be able to load 30-06 length cartridges.

The early 1050's have the best feel when loading because of the shorter stroke giving you more sizing power.
I have dedicated old-style 1050's for 9mm and 223 on my reloading bench.

 

[Jeffro_510]

age isn't the problem. they are well made machines. Just don't force anything and take care of them and they will last. I have a RL550 from 2007, im the 3rd owner. My s1050 and 2 xl650s were also used and have no idea how old. None of them have failed me. all +10k round counts just from me. If your machine worked at his place, its probably goign to work for many years to come. Just know that the 1050s don't carry the same warranty as the smaller machines, They used to be pretty loose with this policy but now they have really locked down on what free parts they will give you. recommend getting a spare parts kits to have backup springs on hand.

Its not a simple machine but its not a rocket space ship either. Download the manual and run the machine with no case in it. just look over everything and what everything does. Every mechanism has a direct action and role. Its just that one handle pull does all everything at once so there's a lot to pay attention too. The top half of the machine is pretty much the same as the s1050/1100 so lot of parts are still readily available. Post some pictures or video if you see anything you need help with.

what kind of 9mm and what powder are you planning to use.

Mostly just plinking rounds for now.
Im am about to start competing for the first time ever in a couple of months, and eventually will want to do a custom round specifically for competition.

 

[Jeffro_510]

1st thing to learn is don't trust ANY reloading data from people online. 9mm is hard to f up but still, there is so much bad load data in gun forums. Use published data. And with that, the only way you can correlate to the data is with a chronograph, the velocity is what relates to the published pressure not the weight of the charge. So especially if you are running hot loads, it's worth measuring to see what you are actually getting pressure-wise. But it's also helpful on the bottom end, I loaded a bunch of minor power factor last week and it chrono'd at 850 fps and under, so less than 120 power factor. Ooops, still cycles the guns fine though at least

Good to know, thank you

 

[Jeffro_510]

Diving right into a progressive haha. There is a small learning curve to them. I started out on a Dillon XL650 and currently have a Mark 7 Apex manual. Will be picking up another with auto drive unit on my way back from a road trip.

Looking to make match or just plinking loads? You definitely save when you buy powder 8lbs jugs and bullets in bulk. Looks like you are in norcal so you have access to Miwall when they let people into their warehouse for their annual sale otherwise you have to catch them at a gunshow and if the venue allows them to bring in primer and powder.

I just make bulk/plinking 9mm with Alliant Promo/Red Dot as the powder used to be cheap when I first started it was about $160-200 for 8lbs but now its on par with most pistol powders now. I use about 4 grains with 124 gr so one jug can theoretically last me 14,000 rounds while filling up the majority of the case from the flake powder.

There is QuickLoad and Gordon's Reloading Tool(has not been updated since 2021). They can help do the theoretical FPS and chamber pressure but still need to work up ladder loads and verify with a chronograph along with checking the spent brass and primer for pressure signs. I really like the Garmin Xero C1 should be cheaper with the C2 being released.

I want to be as little as a factor as possible, lol. As it is setup right now, i just have to watch the stations, pull the handle, place the projectile on the casing.
And keep the stations full
Plan on a mark 7 eventually too

 

[Jeffro_510]

I'll also agree that age is not an issue for quality made machines such as the Dillon. The 1050 has been around for a long time and is well proven.

It was made and marketed as a commercial machine. You'll pay a bit more for the caliber change components than you would for their lower grade machines.

The Dillon "No BS" guarantee is quite legendary among reloaders. I have a 550B machine. I moved and it was in storage for quite a while, in a humid environment, al lot of parts rusted. It was my fault. I sent it back to Dillon for repair expecting a significant bill for the service. It came back like new and with no charge.

Interestingly, Dillon excludes the 1050 and 1100 reloaders from the "No BS" guarantee on the basis that they're intended for commercial use. You have to settle for a "BS" guarantee on these machines. But my experience with Dillon was good enough that I have since added an 1100 machine to my reloading bench.

At 4000 rounds/month, the Dillon 1050 is a good match.

I would recommend adding a powder check die to your set-up. You've got plenty of stations to use one, and at that loading volume, you're running the risk of a squib load. I'd also look at Dillon's Primer Tube Filler. At your loading level, you're gonna get real tired of using a primer pick-up tube. I would also look at adding a frame mounted LED light. You'll want to keep a close eye on things as you load and a frame light really helps.

I will look into the additions.
It does have a couple sensors that beep when there isnt enough powder in the shell, one for the low primer count, it holds 100 primers, has a few tubes that you load then drop them in the primer slot.
Has extra dies for 300bo and 223. Its mainly going to be 9mm only because thats what we mostly shoot.
Once i get comfortable changing calbers on it and getting adjustments precise, i will probably do 223 as well

 

[compshell]

You might have an rl1050 and not the modern super 1050- if it has sat for a while , you will want to oil it before using it. Plenty of videos online regarding maintenance and upgrades as well to replace parts that fail

 

[token]

Check out https://www.instagram.com/b_team_engineering?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

He makes autodrives as well and he is working on an automated primer feeder where you just dump primers in a bowl for the Dillon.

Also look into a shock bottle or armanov 100 round case gauge.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

...then some day after you spend a few more thousand dollars on all the extra gadgets you can really start saving money LOL. There's always more gadgets to buy.... But they actually do make it easier

 

[ejhyun]

I just loaded up some 9mm for minor power factor on a Dillon XL750. 147 gr TC Bayou Bullets, 3.1gr Vihtavuori N320, Winchester SPP 1.10 OAL out of a CZ Shadow 2. All were hitting right around 130pf.
Chrono results attached

 

[Gawernator]

Ask my dad

 

[BIGOX]

The early 1990's 1050's are the older machines that have less press ram stroke than the super1050 and the 1100's.
The earlier ones were made specifically to load handgun cartridges and only short rifle cartridges up to 223 or 7.62x39 length.
The later ones were lengthened to be able to load 30-06 length cartridges.

The early 1050's have the best feel when loading because of the shorter stroke giving you more sizing power.
I have dedicated old-style 1050's for 9mm and 223 on my reloading bench.

I just started loading on an older 1050 with a short stroke frame and you are dead on target with that statement . I love the feel of the short stroke. Most pistol calibers will now be loaded on the older 1050 and the newer will be for rifle calibers