mvmojo Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 I've been using a Dillon 550b for loading 9mm the past 8 years. I'm currently shooting 1,500 to 2,000 rounds per month. Just wondering if it makes sense to move to a Dillon 1050? I can buy a used one fully set up for 9mm for about $1,100. Go, no go??? I'd keep the 550b for .45acp even though I don't shoot that very much... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HesedTech Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Yes do it! I took three stops prior to a 1050 and if I had to do it over I’d skipped the Lee progressives, and 650 completely. Just thought I was saving money initially. Today loaded 600 rounds 9mm in 1/2 hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caspian guy Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 I can't give you an answer to that, instead let me offer you a way to think about it. The way I think about that is what's your time worth? A 1050 is 2x or more the loading speed of a 550. When you find the need to reduce your time spent loading for a month by that much (other stuff in your life needs the time) and you are willing to pay that to get the loading time back... then you have your answer. I still load all my pistol ammo on a 650 (I also have a 1050 that I use for processing. 233 brass) but that's what works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddc Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Can anybody remember a thread on the 1050 where someone who upgraded from a lesser machine was sorry they did so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnr88 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Do you need it? No. It is worth every penny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtchevy841 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 I just upgraded to a 1050 couple weeks ago. Started on sdb then went to 650. The 1050 is it. Night and day compared to the others. Only been setting it up and messing with it a little do to space while building new house and I tell you I can’t wait to see what it will do in my new reloading room. You won’t regret getting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V2plus25 Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 I was in the same boat as you. I could bang out rounds fairly fast (so I thought) on the 550. Then I broke down and got the 1050. Totally night and day especially if you are loading over 1000 rounds a month. Sure you can do that on a 550 but why go through all that headache? Think of it like needing to dig a ditch. You can certainly hack away at it with a pick and shovel, but why go through that pain when you can use a tool designed specifically for the task like a ditch witch. Get the 1050 for the higher volume ammo production. And with the extra cash you saved over buying the 1050 new buy a bullet feeder. You'll wonder how you ever got along without one once its all set up and running. It's really nice being able to effortlessly bang out 1000 rounds in less than a hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 11 hours ago, mvmojo said: I can buy a used one fully set up for 9mm for about $1,100. Great price, obviously, Great machine, obviously. Don't forget, Dillon does NOT have an unlimited warranty on the 1050's - check out the condition of the machine. p.s. if you decide NOT to buy it, send me a message and let me know where you found it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmojo Posted January 9, 2019 Author Share Posted January 9, 2019 Thanks for all the comments. I'm convinced!! 1050 in my immediate future! It's just money.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim m Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Get the 1050!! Do NOT get rid of the 550!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmojo Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 That's my plan - use the 1050 for 9mm, which I shoot about 2K rounds per month and keep the 550b for .45 acp. From what I understand, it's much easier to change calibers with the 550b than it is the 1050, which is a production machine! Gonna pick it up on Tuesday. Now just trying to make room on the bench for two presses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 550 for load work up and odd calibers .1050 for production. Bought my 1050 a year ago best money i have spent in a long time. Most 9mm that i get has crimped primers . this was the deciding factor. 223 process on 1050 load on 550. life is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMechanic Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Jump on it!!! I scored a 1050 for $1,500. $1,100 is an insane price. Grab it. I jumped from a 650 with bulletfeeder to a 1050, and thought it was worth it beyond measure. Coming from a 500, you’ll literally be in heaven. 1,000 is done in an hour at a very casual pace. Very casual. With good brass and the press totally tuned flawlessly? Well over 1,00 per hour should be fairly easy to accomplish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMechanic Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 (edited) And yes you unbolt the entire upper half of a 1050 to change calibers. 70% of the press coems apart. 1050 owners either load several month’s worth of one caliber THEN swap the press over, or leave it set up for one caliber. If you always have been “make 200 of everything, go shoot it all, repeat?” you’ll quit that on the 1050 fast! Edited January 12, 2019 by MemphisMechanic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultimase Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 To answer the topic's title... When you can afford it. The 550 makes a lot of sense if you're not shooting as much or you're shooting a lot of different calibers as the conversions are cheaper. But honestly, if you could afford it? I think most people would just have rows of 1050's. I don't shoot anywhere enough to really justify the 1050, but I can sit down and crank out hundreds of rounds in less time than any other press this side of an auto. Time becomes the most expensive commodity at a certain point in one's life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmojo Posted January 13, 2019 Author Share Posted January 13, 2019 I don't know that my time is worth much in terms of $$$, but like everyone, time is a precious commodity that once squandered (OK, expended if you wish) can never be regained! I don't find reloading particularly onerous, but in really I don't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I enjoy shooting. I tend to sit down and load 200-300 rounds at a time (300 takes maybe an hour including primer tube loading, case gauging, etc.) then get bored and quit. I'm shooting about 500-600 rounds per week, so that's 2 hours per week, 8+ hours per month, plus I'd like to keep several rounds in reserve. A few hours/week is not that big of a deal, but if I can cut it in half that, why not? Since I'm retired and have time on my hands, I can't make the numbers work in terms of the 1050 making economical sense, but in terms of me being able to crank out a weeks worth of ammo in less than an hour - who knows, maybe I'll shoot more and get better at it! I really appreciate all the comments - this forum is great for bouncing ideas around! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag17 Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 (edited) On 1/8/2019 at 8:30 PM, mvmojo said: I've been using a Dillon 550b for loading 9mm the past 8 years. I'm currently shooting 1,500 to 2,000 rounds per month. Just wondering if it makes sense to move to a Dillon 1050? I can buy a used one fully set up for 9mm for about $1,100. Go, no go??? I'd keep the 550b for .45acp even though I don't shoot that very much... For that money, if you can afford it, I would say buy it.... You will not using to full potential but better to have it and not need it that need it and not have it!!!!! I upgrade to 650 from 550, not because I really wanted to but got a 650 for a price I could not pass up..... Edited January 14, 2019 by mag17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmojo Posted January 14, 2019 Author Share Posted January 14, 2019 Yup, well stated. I pick it up on Tuesday - got the price down to $1,000 cash fully set up for 9mm. What's not to like?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtchevy841 Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 1 hour ago, mvmojo said: Yup, well stated. I pick it up on Tuesday - got the price down to $1,000 cash fully set up for 9mm. What's not to like?! That’s a great deal. I thought I was getting a good deal. I paid 2k for s brand new 1050 in40cal and a new mbf for it. Pkg deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmojo Posted January 14, 2019 Author Share Posted January 14, 2019 this one's not new, but guaranteed to work by seller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balakay Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 11 hours ago, mvmojo said: this one's not new, but guaranteed to work by seller. Do they have another 1050 at the that price?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmojo Posted January 14, 2019 Author Share Posted January 14, 2019 No, sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetToof Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 buy it The worst part will be realizing how much time you wasted over 8 years Considering the cost of your components, guns, and most importantly time, a 1-time 1100 purchase is small in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjmill87 Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 Wow that is a heck of a deal, I'd say for that price definitely jump on. Worst case you don't like it, you can resell and easily recoup your money (and maybe a little extra too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwood Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 i just upgraded from the 650 to a 1050 this weekend... It is night and day difference. Dont get me wrong the 650 worked great but the 1050 runs like a smooth sewing machine. I actually like reloading again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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