kgunz11 Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 OK I shoot .40S&W and my wife shoots .38SC. I have a Dillon RL1050 now set up in .40S&W. If I wanted to load ammo for her .38SC I know I'd need a new shell plate, but as far as the tool head, can I just screw out the .40 dies and screw in .38? My powder dispensor has a Uniquetek powder flow on there so I'm comfortable going back to my previous powder setting when I switch back. Do I really need the tool head conversion? Is it worth all the trouble to swap them out? I know I want to load a butt load of ammo before I switch out and that's not a problem. I can load 5000 rounds of one before switching to the other just because of the shell plate. Is it that hard to just swap the dies out and leave the tool head in tact? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 The toolhead has to come off to switch the shellplate, but that does not mean you can't switch the dies. Remember that you also have to switch the top swage/bell tool, and you need to set it right, so as not to trash the shellplate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted August 22, 2008 Author Share Posted August 22, 2008 Grrrr... Now I understand why people buy multiple machines. Well I guess I'm going to get a crash course on how a 1050 comes apart and goes back together! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Grrrr...Now I understand why people buy multiple machines. Well I guess I'm going to get a crash course on how a 1050 comes apart and goes back together! Or why we stick with our old 550"s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I suggest the 2nd toolhead. Used to be the 1050 TH + powder measure combo was only about $20 more than the TH itself, but it seems they fixed that price discrepancy. Yowza the 1050 TH's got pricy in the last bump. Still $200 versus hassle. Figure out how often you'd need less hassle to make up the $... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted August 22, 2008 Author Share Posted August 22, 2008 I# Product Number Qty A S# Price EP R O Extent. --- ---------------- -------- - -- -------- -- - - -------- 1 20482 1050 CONV 9 MM 1 00 102.95 102.95 2 21393 1050 QUICK CHANGE 1 00 244.95 244.95 3 20420 1050 TOOLHEAD (ASSEMBLY) -KC- 1 R 00 0.00 0.00 4 20421 1050 POWDER SYSTEM COMPLETE -KC- 1 R 00 0.00 0.00 5 14406 DILLON DIE SET 9MM 1 00 58.95 58.95 6 21073 CF PLATE SM PISTOL 1 00 36.95 36.95 *ORDER TOTALS* Ship Method: FEDEX GROUND Ship To: CAMILLA GA 31730 Net 443.80 Tax 0.00 .000% Misc/Desc .00 Shipping 19.99 Prev.Bal.Due .00 ------------ Order Total 463.79 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted August 23, 2008 Author Share Posted August 23, 2008 I could almost buy a 550 for what it cost to change a caliber on the 1050, but I already have the 1050 and it is head and shoulders above the 550. The 650's price take it out of that equation. I can load around 1100 of my .40S&W in an hour, so if I take an hour out of each day and load every day for a week (5 days of the work week) I can load 5000+ rounds. I shouldn't need to sit back down at the reloader for almost 2 months. I reckon I just need to learn how to switch everything over for caliber conversions and quit being a baby about it. BTW, I LOVE my Dillon 1050! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al503 Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 I LOVE my Dillon 1050! Agree. That caliber conversion is worth every penny. I started much the same way you started. 1 650. Then 1 1050. Then 1050 and a caliber conversion. Then 2 1050's + another caliber conversion. Then 3 1050's. I sold a 1050 and now I'm down to 2 1050's and 1 caliber conversion since I'm loading 9mm 95% of the time. Hopefully, you won't follow the same path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted August 23, 2008 Author Share Posted August 23, 2008 (edited) Well I have a buddy that just got a 650 and he is going to load my 9mm while I load his .40. The thing is my wife with her .38SC. [edit] Edited August 23, 2008 by Flexmoney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steel1212 Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 If I was only going to load 2 calibers and the conversion for my 1050 cost that much, I would get a 550 and set it up for the caliber I shoot the least. The 550 is super easy to change over. Hell I think I only use like 3 shell plates for 2 rifle and 3 pistol calibers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgunz11 Posted August 23, 2008 Author Share Posted August 23, 2008 I've been seriously considering that Corey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Man Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Add a 550 and you have a back up machine for your 1050. FM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 The 'extra machine instead of 1050 conversion' thing sounds good. Until you try it. I have a 650, had it for years before I got the 1050. Loaded a buncha rounds on it in a number of calibers. Then I got the 1050 and all was great in the world. Loaded a lot, shot a lot. but by then it was all 38 Super and later rimless. Kept the 650 as a backup and for the 'other' calibers, but rarely used it. Then I got a 9mm steel gun. No problem, I have a 650 toolhead setup for 9, I'll drag the 650 from the closet and load 9. 'Hmm.. I'd forgotten.. this is kinda weak compared to the 1050'.. 1000 rounds later.. 'wah, I don't have a bullet-feeder on the 650.. this kinda sucks compared to the 1050..". 1500 rounds later "Brian! Send me a 1050 toolhead!" All is well again Calibers I don't plan to ever load 500 of at a time still go on the 650. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 No offense to those people who own a 550 or 650, they are great machines, but once you get use to using a 1050 nothing else will come close. I am not trying to be a snob about it, it comes down to the ease of using it. I am all about making things easier. I have too be considering changing calibers. My 1050 is set up for .40. I am thinking of converting one of my .40s to a 9mm. My resistance has been, I have over 60 lbs of once fired .40 brass and no 9mm brass. But everytime I do the math, I can not quite get a good B/E. Consider: $600 dollars to convert the gun and get new mags, $600 dollars for the conversion, $200 dollars invest in brass. So for $1400 dollars, I will save approximately $.04. I think that means it would take about 35,000 reloads to break/even. Or at 500 rounds per month, it would be 70 months before I break even. UGH! my head hurts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEH Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 So when you dont have a job --changing tool heads is no problem---just sit down and load untill I want to stop,and have a cold drink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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