Need some advice on Dillon reloader.

[armyguy209]

Hey guys. I am new to reloading. I have reloaded about 150 rounds so far of .223. My current setup is a Lee Classic Turret press, a Thumbler's tumbler with steel media for cleaning, a WFT trimmer, and a RCBS chargemaster 1500. I also have a Dillon Super Swager for swaging all of my LC brass.

It is not a bad setup, however it it still pretty darn time consuming. I am really considering getting either a Dillon 650 or Dillon Super 1050. I want to load anywhere from 500-1000 rounds at a time. The only loads I plan on doing are .223/5.56, .308, 9mm, and .40s&w. It will obviously be cheaper and quicker to swap out calibers on the Dillon 650. From all of the research I have done, the only difference between the 650 and the 1050 is the 1050 has a built in swager, and the 1050 does everything on the downstroke. The 1050 also comes with the casefeeder where the 650 does not.


I am having a really hard time deciding on which one to get. Down the road I will probably have one of each, with the 1050 being set up strictly for .223.

My other main concern is regarding case prep(which I hate). I want to make it as easy as possible. I have a Giraud case trimmer on order, which should be getting shipped probably in the next week. Now that I am really looking into getting a Dillon, I am wondering if I made a bad choice by getting the Giraud. I know it is a good trimmer, but for processing 500-1000 cases at a time, I am not sure if it is the fastest way to go. I can still cancel my order(been waiting almost 3 months) but need to do it ASAP if that is what I am going to do.

I was thinking I should just get a Dillon 1200 trimmer, set up on a separate toolhead which would be just for case prep. I would also probably get a RCBS lube die for the toolhead because I dont want to throw lubed cases into the casefeeder.

Which route do you guys think I should go?

Thanks for any help

[rsrocket1]

Since it seems you have a very large budget, get the Dillon press mounted trimmer. You want to do everything on the press without taking the cases out or else you lose the advantages of the progressive press. A shop vac mounted to the trimmer would also be good.

Just remember the 1050 does not come with a lifetime warranty. Not that you're likely to need it, but if you did, you wouldn't have it.

I initially wanted to load .223 on my LnL AP, but by the time I fully prepped the cases, all I had to do was to drop the powder and seat the bullet so there was no advantage to the progressive. I now load .223 and .308 on the single stage press in big batches and reserve the progressive for handgun rounds that don't need trimming or swaging (or lube). 100 rounds in a casual 10 minutes is real nice.

Just my $0.02 (of which I try to save as many).

[Dark Mod]

Yeah man, if you can afford it, get the 1050 with a trimmer. It doesnt get much better than that. You could always look into a camdex

[Zamble]

I just recently got my 1050, setup for 9mm. And I also bought everything to load .223, with the RT1200. I really like the swage. I got some 9mm that needed swaging. But I didn't know it until a couple of primers got destroyed. Really glad the swage was built in because it was 2k of 9mm brass that need swaging.

Overall I am really impressed with the 1050. The only thing I wish was that I bought a spare toolhead when I made my order. I waited until I got it before I realized I actually wanted/needed one.

[Bill Steele]

Life is short, get what you want.

[Colt562]

If I had the money, get a 1050 in every caliber. But I would go with a 1050 for 223 and a 650 for everything else.

[armyguy209]

If I had the money, get a 1050 in every caliber. But I would go with a 1050 for 223 and a 650 for everything else.

Haha a 1050 for every caliber would be nice. I don't have THAT big of a budget. I am thinking about just maybe getting the 1050 for .223 for now, and using the Lee turret for the 9mm and .40cal until I can get enough for a 650 down the road.

[MrElectric03]

If it were me I'd get a 650 now and do your rifle case prep on a separate tool head with a dillon trimmer. That way ypu can use the case feeder and save time over the giraud trimmer. You can also save some time by adding a bullet feeder. Later on if you find yourself shooting a lot of 223 then get the 1050 for one caliber. Most lucky guys reloading rooms that are posted have one 1050 and a few 650s.

I love my 650 and really wouldn't consider a 1050 unless I were starting a commercial reloading business.

[tiller]

A huge reason I chose a 1050 was it primes on the the down stroke! It makes it dummy proof once you set up the swage rod correctly!

[klewan]

Obviously, cost is not a concern. Get the 1050. I'm surprised rsrocket1 didn't mention his anthem; buy once, cry once.

[ricemanff]

I can load a lot of ammo thru my 550 and 650. The 1050 is top of the line. I did see all three at Barnwood Arms Ripon if you are looking for one soon. Just a FYI good luck with you decision

[GeoffLinder]

If you want a 1050, get a 1050, it would simplify process. A 550 along with the Giraud and an RCBS RockChucker would slso be a good way to run .223.

The advantage of the 1050 is everything is done at once. With the 550 you would want to size and deprime on the Rock Chucker, trim on the Giraud (it's very fast and easy, just an extra step) and then run the .223 cases through a dedicated primer pocket swager (like the RCBS one) to remove crimp ring from crimped primer pockets. Then run it bulk through the 550 to prime, charge, seat and crimp (very little if any crimp required for .223).

The advantage of the 550 and Giraud mode is the Giraud does a nicer trim than the Dillon trimmer which does a square case mouth trim. The Giraud chamfers the cases and makes bullet seating a tad more precise and gentle especially if you don't use boat tail .223 bullets. Flat base bullets will be a PITA to seat cleanly with a square mouth case trim like the Dillon does.

I would 100% agree with a 650 for pistol cartridge loading because this is where a casefeeder will really shine.

[armyguy209]

I can load a lot of ammo thru my 550 and 650. The 1050 is top of the line. I did see all three at Barnwood Arms Ripon if you are looking for one soon. Just a FYI good luck with you decision

When did you see them? I just called and they said they did not have a 1050, only a 550 and a 650. I wouldve went down there and bought it.

I don't really feel like waiting 3 months for one from Dillon.

I did find a used newer model Dillon 650 on here with case feeder and extra heads/etc for $900. I was considering just picking that up for now. It has a .223 and a 9mm conversion but no dies for either.

[Oceanbob]

The 1050 is well worth the money and the wait. It does everything well. (and fast).

I run a 1050 for .45ACP and a 550 for .40/10MM. I have an optional case feeder on the 550 as well.

The real cost that can add up are conversion kits. Buy them now.

Have fun!

[armyguy209]

Well after scouring the net, I was able to actually find a Dillon Super 1050 with .223 regular dies in stock at the regular price of $1,689 with free shipping and no tax. It was the last one. I also added the powder check die which was also in stock and at regular price.

I will just use this for my .223 and my Lee Turret press for handgun cartridges.