DILLONS

[Chris Leong]

Hi all

Thinking about upgrading from my first press, the Square Deal (I need a life! :-)

What's the story behind the 1 year only warranty for the 1050? And why are there 7 stations?

Also, could anybody tell me why I should be paying more than

twice the price of a 650? Is it really worth that much?

(I'm reloading in 40S&W only, at least for the foreseeable future).

[Flexmoney]

I think they have a shorter warranty because they get used as commercial reloading tools.

[Ross Chevalier]

Kyle's right, it's meant to be a commercial machine.

MOO, the 1050 is a great machine.  Station 2 takes a swager for handling military primer pockets.  Do note however the price of additional heads, accessories et. al.  Also note that the stroke on the regular 1050 (not the new Super 1050) is too short to load rifle.  I've thought about this a great deal, and my next press (got two hands, need two presses) will be a 650.  Muy less expensive to start and for all the gadgetry.

Ross

[Flexmoney]

Chris,

I am setup the same as you.  SDB for 40S&W.  If I start to load for a different caliber I might just get a second SDB.  Hard to beat for the money.

How come you are wanting to upgrade?  Are you having problems with the SDB?

[Chris Leong]

Hey folks

thanks for the input. I simply need a life. I find that if I'm going to shoot more than 500 rounds per week not including matches then life without a casefeeder sucks.

[Storm]

Chris,

I can't answer why you'd want/need a 1050 vs. a 650 since I don't have a 1050.  I can tell you you won't be disappointed in the 650.  

I switched to a 650 from a 550 a couple of years ago.  I know several others who have switched from 550's and SDB's to 650's.  For the average heavy shooter (25K-75K a year), the 650's a great press.  The caliber conversions are easier to switch and less expensive.  And, the lifetime warranty is worth it.  If you're reloading a lot, you will eventually wear a few parts out.  With the 650, just call Dillon up and they'll ship the new parts right out.

You'll love the casefeeder.

[Chris Leong]

Cool Storm

Now in search of a 650 in 40S&W with a casefeeder...

[Rich Bagoly]

I went with the 1050.  Main reason was all the high primers I have seen from SQB's and 650's.

This is likely an operator thing, and most will not have a problem.

On the 1050 if the brass is in spec. and the press is set up right, you can't have a high primer.  Well, if you try to seat a new primer on top of the old one, it will be a little high, but that is only because the case rim bent.

I have never taken a good look at the 650, so I can't compare the two.  What I tell people is that the 1050 is industrial. The only zinc is in the powder measure.  Everything is cast iron, steel, or plastic, and nothing structural is plastic.

I am sure that I would have been perfectly happy with the 650, but I am not going to go backwards now!

[benos]

Chris,

I might just add a couple things. The 1050 is an incredibly awesome machine; you'll never be unhappy with it. It is a little easier (and faster) to load on than the 650 - just from a "cycling the handle" standpoint. It's definitely more durable and reliable over the long haul. When little things "happen" during normal reloading - it's easier to fix quickly. And I like the priming mechanism much better on the 1050. The primer seats on the downstroke - you never even know it's happening. Whereas on the 650, you have to consciously seat the primer on every stroke - at the end of the upstroke.

If possible, you might try to find a couple machines (with experienced operators) to either observe or to actually try a few rounds on before making the big decision. (If you haven't already.)

be

[Chris Leong]

Thanks Brian

I have the incredible good fortune to be living next to the Reloading Center here in the San Fernando Valley and those guys, apart from being Dillon dealers extraordinaire, have been very helpful in getting me started up. They have machines there to try out etc., and I'll follow your advice and try the 1050 out first.

[Detlef]

Just a thought to ponder: The top Limited shooter in the USPSA classification data base, Phil Strader from VA, reloads on a........SDB!

--Detlef

[Scooter]

You can buy 4 SDB for the price of a 1050.  I can load 100 rounds every 10 minutes with my SDB.

1050 is good if you never change calibers.

[Patrick Sweeney]

Is he the Phil Strader who is a kick-butt pin shooter?  I went with the 550 for two reasons, I didn't have enough bench space to bolt an SDB for each caliber.  And I won one at the Golden Eagle in 1988.  Ok, three reasons, to load rifle calibers.

[DougCarden]

I started out on the SDB, couldnt get the volume I wanted(read lack of time!).  Then got a 650 with casefeed, OH MAMA!  good rig if you learn how to baby the priming system.  Then a friend wanted to sell his spare 1050 and found a guy that paid enough for my 650 set up to buy the 1050.  Havent looked back since.  I figured out the time, money etc spent with the others, and I should have ponied up the money to get the 1050 years ago.  It only takes 15min to switch calibers, and it doesnt hurt to clean it up when you are switching it over anyway.  Works for me anyway.  If you want it and can swing it I say get it, and get a Lee factory taper crimp die.  You will be set!  DougC

[benos]

DougC,

It's like many things - once you've been there it's hard to go back.

be

[Shooting Coach]

Another vote for the 1050. Although I load commercially using a 1050, it is much more than a 650 could ever be. A monumentally better priming system, does not mind less than stellar hulls or military brass, and it IS easy to clear if you get a jam from a bent rim on a case or whatever.

15 minutes to change calibers, including time spent to clean and lube. No big deal.

You get what you pay for. I now do not enjoy loading on my 650's, and try to use them with new brass. The 1050 is definitely faster. I generally load 100 rounds in about 3 minutes, then go to the Primer Filler for a reload. A tall powder measure tube helps keep things rolling on those high volume days.

Even when loading for my personal needs, I much prefer the Big Boy.

Edited January 15, 2010 by Shooting Coach

[Pat Miles]

DougC,

It's like many things - once you've been there it's hard to go back.

be

Another vote for the 1050. Although I load commercially using a 1050, it is much more than a 650 could ever be. A monumentally better priming system, does not mind less than stellar hulls or military brass, and it IS easy to clear if you get a jam from a bent rim on a case or whatever.

15 minutes to change calibers, including time spent to clean and lube. No big deal.

You get what you pay for. I now do not enjoy loading on my 650's, and try to use them with new brass. The 1050 is definitely faster. I generally load 100 rounds in about 3 minutes, then go to the Primer Filler for a reload. A tall powder measure tube helps keep things rolling on those high volume days.

Even when loading for my personal needs, I much prefer the Big Boy.

Now there's a leap in time! From Brian's post in 2001 to Coach's in 2010!

CYa,

Pat

[Action Pistolero]

I don't believe Phil is loading his own ammo anymore either.

I started with a Lee 1000. Threw that out and bought a 650. Bought a 1050 and now cuss when I use the 650 which isn't very often.

[smokshwn]

One aspect to consider between the 650 and 1050 that I don't see come up very often is the widespread use of Non Toxic primers. The swaging station of the 1050 almost makes it a necessity unless you want to sit and sort out all of the crimped primer pocketed NT brass that is out there now.

[Macca]

My first press was a square deal....I load 2 main calibers and then everything else is sporadic at best, but as a square deal to 650 purchasers my two cents might be relevant to your decision.

My square deal now is set to just load 38 for the revolver which I don't shoot as much, the new 650 now does mostly 9mm

I bought the 650 late last year....and it is worth its weight in gold.

Everyone told me I didnt really need a 650....and technically I could have kept loading everything on the square deal...technically...not happily

now I don't spend half my life loading...have several thousands rounds minimum ready to go and I am shooting twice as often plus I have more socialising time. I am much more likely to just have another go at a match at the club on the weekend and don't have to check in my ammo box to see if I happen to have enough rounds left.

Can't comment fairly on the 1050, I've used a friend's briefly but...I wasnt prepared to spend the money on a Dillon without a lifetime warranty, to me.... the 650 is definitely still a huge step up...I could never get the number of rounds that dillon lists as nominal per hour on the square deal, but I do on the 650. Plus now I have a roller handle...which as small a thing as it may sound, is waaaay more comfortable than the ball handle on the square deal, specially after several hours at the press.

If you are serious about a 1050 I am sure it is a fine machine worthy of Dillon's reputation like everything else Dillon I have ever bought, and won't let you down....I just didnt see the need to load more than a 650 can handle for just me....cause I won't shoot more than a thousand rounds a day (Im more likely to shoot approx 250 a day)....that and I love the peace of mind of the lifetime warranty.....if that came on the 1050 for personal consumers purchasing it I might have splurged for it....without it Im probably more likely to end up with a couple of 650s down the track....

My other tip...spend the money on good dies....I love my Redding competition dies...

Edited January 15, 2010 by Macca

[Canuck223]

My first press was a square deal....I load 2 main calibers and then everything else is sporadic at best, but as a square deal to 650 purchasers my two cents might be relevant to your decision.

My square deal now is set to just load 38 for the revolver which I don't shoot as much, the new 650 now does mostly 9mm

I bought the 650 late last year....and it is worth its weight in gold.

Everyone told me I didnt really need a 650....and technically I could have kept loading everything on the square deal...technically...not happily

now I don't spend half my life loading...have several thousands rounds minimum ready to go and I am shooting twice as often plus I have more socialising time. I am much more likely to just have another go at a match at the club on the weekend and don't have to check in my ammo box to see if I happen to have enough rounds left.

Can't comment fairly on the 1050, I've used a friend's briefly but...I wasnt prepared to spend the money on a Dillon without a lifetime warranty, to me.... the 650 is definitely still a huge step up...I could never get the number of rounds that dillon lists as nominal per hour on the square deal, but I do on the 650. Plus now I have a roller handle...which as small a thing as it may sound, is waaaay more comfortable than the ball handle on the square deal, specially after several hours at the press.

If you are serious about a 1050 I am sure it is a fine machine worthy of Dillon's reputation like everything else Dillon I have ever bought, and won't let you down....I just didnt see the need to load more than a 650 can handle for just me....cause I won't shoot more than a thousand rounds a day (Im more likely to shoot approx 250 a day)....that and I love the peace of mind of the lifetime warranty.....if that came on the 1050 for personal consumers purchasing it I might have splurged for it....without it Im probably more likely to end up with a couple of 650s down the track....

My other tip...spend the money on good dies....I love my Redding competition dies...

The warranty issue is a non-starter. Anything you can't break in a year, you very likely can't break at all. Should you wear out a part through herculean efforts, you will not begrudge paying for a replacement.

[sperman]

Another guy who started on the SDB and switched to the 650 with case feeder. I couldn't be happier. The ONLY reason I would ever think about going to a 1050 is because of the occasional problem with the primers on the 650. I've never loaded on a 1050, but I can't image it would be enough faster than my 650 to justify the additional cost. (especially if I break down and buy the bullet feeder.)

[gunracer38]

I must say I have had all the Dillon Loaders. I still own a 650 and 1050. I recently sent my 1050 back to be refurbished. When they received my 1050 I am sure they were surprised. I have had it since about 1993. When it was returned to me I was totally surprised. It was completely redone with new case feeder and powder measure. All the bearings and fittings were also replaced. The Dillon company has always been the best when it comes to reloading . The 1050 in my opinion is the best reloading machine for people who shoot competition. The 650 is the next step down and just a little slower. The 550 worked for me for many,many years and still works today. What ever machine you purchase it should work with a minor amount of malfunctions. I am sure the other companies green and red have equipment that is well made. But these loaders I give to people who are just learning to reload and are too slow for me. When I went to blue I never looked back. My Dillon electric powder scale and automatic primer filler are excellent additions to any reloading system. I have had serious problems with other companies which I will not mention at this time. They were dangerous due to equipment malfunction and poor manufacture. Buying a Dillon loader comes with a large group of people who are trained and informed of their product. They are always there to help you.

[Loves2Shoot]

Another guy who started on the SDB and switched to the 650 with case feeder. I couldn't be happier. The ONLY reason I would ever think about going to a 1050 is because of the occasional problem with the primers on the 650. I've never loaded on a 1050, but I can't image it would be enough faster than my 650 to justify the additional cost. (especially if I break down and buy the bullet feeder.)

Just don't try a 1050 with a bullet feeder and you might stay satisfied,

I loaded over 100k on the square deal and then went to the 1050 and don't regret skipping the 550 and 650, though I have loaded on both various places. It is not just the speed, but the ease of operation and everything happening on the down stroke.

[CocoBolo]

I bought a Camry because I didn't have the money for a Lexus. So if you got the money go for it 1050 that is. Then you will never have to think you should have or there is something out there that could be better.