tewatson

I recently found the original owner's manual for my RL-550 press (purchased 1986). Near the back is a full-page ad for the RL-1000B. $2,495 with a 30-day special order lead time. The 550 was $235 at the time, and the RL-1050 was still three years away. Tom

I'm working up loads for the Rainier 200 HP myself, along with the Hornady 200 HAP. Currently at 6.7 - 6.8gr of WSF, with 1.24 OAL. Hoping to get some chrono data tomorrow. So far the accuracy of both is very good. Thinking I will use the Rainiers for practice and the HAP for matches. Tom

I just bought the Pocket Pro II. When I was competing 20 years ago, used PACT stuff exclusively, but current reviews on their products steered me away. Sounds like a lot has changed. Tom

I seem to recall a Dillon cover being available for spare toolhead/powder measure assemblies...? Can't find it on Dillon's site. Has it been discontinued, or did I just imagine it? Tom

Now that I am coming out of shooting retirement, spent this past holiday Monday building a little extension off one end of the workbench, to mount my RL550B. Not having used a 550 since 1989 (when the 1050 was introduced), or any loading press since 1996, don't have the deft touch of the old days so it took a little time to get everything set up while things to watch slowly came back to me. Might even try to produce some rounds this weekend. After getting my hands back on it, remembered how simple and effective the 550 really is. A great piece of engineering. Tom

Been there... Circa 1990 we were shooting an IPSC event at Wes Thompson's (the range where the Steel Challenge used to be held). One stage required all rounds to be fired from within a vehicle while seated and the prop was an old gutted 1950s truck cab with nothing in it but a bench seat. While making ready it did not strike me why I could hear the RO so perfectly, and as the start buzzer went off, realized my ear plugs were not in place. For some reason, completed the stage anyways...about a dozen rounds of .38 Super major fired inside that giant kettle drum. Ouch. You only tend to make that mistake once. Tom

It's been 20 years so going on distant memory here, but I recall just shutting off the case feed switch when getting close to the end of the primer supply and feeding in an additional case or two as necessary. One develops a feel for what case count and sequence works.

I have several issues of American Handgunner from my competition days. One of them is the Sept/Oct. 1992 issue, which includes an article on that year's Steel Challenge. Back then it was an April event held in CA...and one of the pictures from the match is of a Dillon rep with a 650 press which was "making its public debut." So the 650 dates back to early 1992. The issue also includes a Dillon ad for the 650, with its retail price of $375. The 1050 became available in 1989. As I recall, it was about $900. Tom

I competed in eight Cups (1988-1995) and dry-firing was explicitly prohibited at all of them. It was a time thing...allow it and a bunch of people would stand there and draw/dry-fire for five minutes at every distance. We saw a lot of that at local matches back in the day. Tom

Are there holes poked in the spent primers from the decap pin? Tom

Does returning to the sport at 55 after a 20-year hiatus to raise kids qualify? Tom

It took me five years before I shot my first 1920. Went straight from the range to LAX that night, got on a plane and headed for Vancouver, to shoot in the Canadian National AP Championship (the year was 1991, IIRC). Shot a 1918 in that match and dropped the two points on...the left side 35 yard barricade. D'oh! Turns out the match winner shot a 1918 as well, and he had a higher X count than me... Tom

That may be the idea. Thought of consignment at a LGS, but the average customer probably wouldn't have a clue. Tom

So, I competed in eight Bianchi Cups (1988-1995), all with revolvers. Retired from shooting in 1996 and stopped paying attention to what has been going on over the years. By the time I quit, autos were becoming more prevalent in Open, rather than the occasional exception as they were in 1988. The trend has probably continued. Wonder if there is still any call for the classic Cup-specific Open revolver any more? As luck would have it, I had two new Frank Glenn stainless S&Ws built right before retiring. Trying to figure out what to do with them (and no, I don't have any desire to return to the Cup). Observations welcomed... Tom

When I caught the action pistol bug in early 1986, it became evident that single-stage reloading gear was not going to cut it. So, I bought a Dillon RL-550 setup and it served me well until about 1989, at which time the Dillon RL-1050 became available. The 550 went into storage, while the 1050 took over. By that time I was shooting around 50,000 rounds per year, and the 1050 was just the ticket. I retired from shooting in 1996 after 10 years and having fired approximately 400,000 rounds, all of which was loaded on Dillon equipment. Sold everything but the old 550 and some basic equipment (scale, primer tray, etc) just in case the urge to shoot ever came up. Well, between work and raising two kids, it didn't...until now. So, 26 years (!) after it went into storage, the trusty 550 came out for inspection. Even though it was stored indoors, time had taken its toll. Light rust on the steel surfaces, dried-out lube and very stiff cycling. The powder measure had also seen better days. I spoke to the good people at Dillon, and they said to send the main press assembly, primer system and powder measure in and they could refurbish it for a small fee. No problem. Then...10 days after it left my hands, I get a package back from Dillon. They sent me a new press and powder measure! On top of that, they did not charge me anything. Holy cow...nearly 30 years after the original purchase...this is what I call customer support! This is why I will only load with Dillon Precision equipment. Tom