Dillon 650 vs 1050?

[brighamr]

I'm looking at buying one of these presses within the next couple of days. Trying to see if the extra $$$ for the 1050 is worth it.

I plan on reloading .223 and .45acp for my brothers and I (probably around 3-4000 rounds per month). the way I see it, the 1050 is faster with limited warranty, while the 650 is cheaper with lifetime warranty.

Anyone own both of these and care to input on the differences?

Anyone own one of these and care to share your experiences?

I have the money for the 1050, but if someone can sway me to the 650 line, I'll have enough money to buy the 650 and a new STI Trojan...

Thanks!

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Depends very much indeed on how much you can bring to the 650 - the Super 1050 comes with much more than the 650 so the real price difference is much less than the sticker.

The marginal cost is much less for the 650 IF the new owner brings dies and such already paid for but still the case feeder + 650 gets closer to the 1050 as an all at one time purchase.

Strictly large primers is another reason to give less weight to easier change over in the 650.

I'd say buy the 1050 for sure IF by .223 you mean 5.56. The 1050 is a vastly superior choice for military brass - the 650 again needs optional extras for crimped primers.

For my money the 1050 is a cheap way to buy time with money - do you have more time than money or more money than time?

 

[krs]

If you don't have the money to buy both the 1050 and your STI gun, then buy the 650.

 

[brighamr]

ClarkEMyers - I have more time than money (wish it were reversed, but wayy too many expenses right now).

I'll be buying a whole new setup. I've used a 550 before, and have experience but I've never owned my own setup. After looking at setting up the 650, it appears to be closely priced to the 1050. Military brass will probably be used in the future, so that's a good point.

Here's another question. To switch calibers, is the 1050 an 8 hour swap or is it just a little longer than the 650? I do plan on switching calibers often (between 45acp and 223/556. Possibly 9mm or .308 later on).

Appreciate the responses. I'm really excited to get the setup, but want to make sure all the research is done first

 

[Jim Watson]

There is no way in the world I would consider changing calibers, especially different primer sizes, "often" on my S1050. Actually not at all, I am NRA Mechanically Inept and just adjusting and maintaining it is about my limit. Which is why I own several presses. The S1050 does .45 ACP, period. I have an old CH AutoChamp for .38 Special; could not change it if I wanted to, the parts are not available. Other pistol calibers on a 550 which is easy to change out. I load target rifle ammo on a single stage. I don't load large volume blasting rifle ammunition and do not need to set up a progressive.

Clark is right, the 1050 with primer pocket crimp swage station is a big help with military brass.

For 3000-4000 rounds a month, I'd tell the brothers to get off their wallets and buy a dedicated press in one or the other calibers.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I'll stand by my previous answer - total setup the 1050 isn't that much more

I'll stand by my previous answer - total setup all at once the 1050 isn't that much more money.

- on the one hand the 1050 comes setup and more or less ready to go; on the other hand it is a noticeably bad choice for a first time user - on the gripping hand I have trouble thinking of somebody down the road saying gee I should have bought something not as good

- but I've known people to find they had too much money tied up in a Dillon; then again I've known people who found it not too terribly hard to get most of their money out of a Dillon and with no complaints because it was good to have while they had it.

My suggestion is that the longer time to change over will be more than made up by the shorter time to load so the extra time to change over the 1050 will not be an undue burden for using the 1050. Once again there will be a chance to buy time with money in the form of tool heads and such or money with time -

I suggest that likely enough more brass will be accumulated as time passes. The .45 is not the cheapest possible handgun brass but hardly the most expensive either - ask me I shoot 9x23 and .460 Rowland among others; there's a lot to be said for 9x19 barrels and .22 conversions in the handgun world - and .223 is among the less expensive and more readily available rifle brass. Larger lots of brass will mean more time between change-overs and as noted there will be a strong desire not to changeover if it isn't really necessary - maybe .45 one month and .223 the next and so it goes. Just possibly an eventual routine of small primer similar case head with a 9x19 and .223 then a large primer similar case head for .45 auto and .308 and lots of brass for each. On reflection I'd say 3000-4000 total a month of multiple cartridges doesn't give an obvious answer but 3000-4000 cartridges this month of one and 3000-4000 next month of the other suggests the 1050.

If you know that versatility is more important to you than production then backing down to a 650 is the way to go - but if enough brass is in the picture for large (I can't define large but I know it when I see enough ammunition to hold me for a while and it is good) lots of one load then the 1050 is a production machine. It's debatable, and probably doesn't matter for most users, but as I understand it results from the Palma ammunition that was loaded on Dillon once and some other indications say to me that over large and long runs the 1050 will do a better job - or maybe the 1050 and operator combination does a better job together - if only slightly.

 

[taliv]

i have a 1050 and load 223 and 45acp in it. swapping between the calibers takes 45 min or so because i clean the press every time i swap.

i like to load 5-10k of one cartridge, then switch to the other for 5-10k rnds.

it sure would be more convenient to have two 1050s though

 

[freakshow10mm]

Unless you are processing tens of thousands of military brass, a 1050 is impractical. The loading rate isn't any higher than the 650. The 650's warranty is better, costs a third of the price (you can get a 650 outfitted for 2 calibers and still save way less than a 1050 setup for one. The caliber conversions on the 650 are a lot cheaper than the 1050.

As a commercial loader, I wanted to blow my wad on a 1050. I thought about it and crunched numbers against the 650. Buying the 1050 would be a grave mistake in my case. I can get a 650 decked out with 3 calibers plus case feeder for less than a 1050 setup for one. The loading rate is no different. You are paying $1100 for 200rds/hr more and a primer pocket swaging station. Big deal. Buy processed brass with the money saved.

Hell, I sell 1050s. If someone wants one, go for it. For me I just can't see the justification.

 

[taliv]

uhh, dude, not sure where you're getting your intel, but dillon says the loading rate is a couple hundred rounds per hour faster.

as a commercial loader, i'd think having 25% higher production capacity for less than $1000 would be a no-brainer

 

[lgbloader]

Hello Brighamr and all cc'd,

If I am reading this correctly, I would buy 2 XL650's for the price of one 1050. By the time your said and done, your in about $1,850.00 usd with all the bells and whistles and don't have to worry about changing calibers and your ass is covered for life. This is what I did with my 2 XL650's but in my case, I have one set up for 9mm and one set for 45acp. I can load 1000 rounds taking my sweet time in about 1 hour and a half and if I really wanted to, I could probably double time and cut it down to 1 hour. That's basically all you really need. If you are using military brass, you can buy a Dillon swager and INSPECT while you swage if needed for under a C note. But them 1050's are cool...

This is just my opinion.

Have fun shooting with your bro's, Mate, Family is where it's at.

 

[freakshow10mm]

uhh, dude, not sure where you're getting your intel, but dillon says the loading rate is a couple hundred rounds per hour faster.

The 650's rate is 800-1000 per hour. The 1000-1200 per hour. At that level of loading, 200rds per hour isn't justifiable by the $1100 premium you have to pay to get that increase in production. That is my point. Do you want to spend $1100 for an extra measly 200rds per hour? Not me. That is a hell of a lot of conversions or components for the 650.

as a commercial loader, i'd think having 25% higher production capacity for less than $1000 would be a no-brainer

The 650 can load 200rds per hour less than the 1050. The rate increase over the 650 isn't worth the premium. A thousand dollars is a lot of money and it sure as hell is a lot of money to pay for a 200rd/hr increase in production. If the 1050 loaded 1500rds/hr or more, then the 1050 might be looked at harder.

As a commercial loader I do just fine with a 550 for now. I'm getting LE agency contracts for their training ammo so my production needs will increase. I can get a 650 press, with a few conversions, and a KISS bullet feeder for less than a bare 1050 press.

If that 200rds per hour is seriously that much of a concern, then drop $1K extra and get the 1050. I'm happy for you. Honest.

 

[lgbloader]

Freakshow and Taliv, BOTH of you are really cool cats, Mate. To Each, their own. What works for one, works. We all see both your points, and respect them.

 

[TAB]

I was in your boat last year, after searching the net for days, talking with every one, I was only more unsure about which to get. Then when talking to a clerk at a gun store a gentlemen over heard are convo and asked if I had ever tried them both at the same time. "no", "would you like too?"

long story short, the next weekend I went invited over to his house, he had both straped to a bench, spent a total of about 2 hours on each. I went with the 1050... and he got the out side of his house painted ( asked for a bid while I was there) for free as a surprize.( worked it out with his wife)

 

[Roccobro]

To put it more in perspective, how much $$ would it cost for a SINGLE caliber conversion on the 1050 vs. the 650? The cost of the 650 vs. the L-N-L AP is what pushed me to the Hornady.

To keep the comparisons fair, does the 1050 come with a bullet feeder? Dillon site doesn't say it does and all these years of drooling over the Blue presses I have yet to see one in person... SO! You have to compare a 650 with KISS feeder production numbers to a 1050 without bullet feeder production numbers to keep it true.


One thing for the OP to think about, the Square deal B will do a single caliber pretty quick and cheap (assuming a case feeder and auto bullet feeder would not be used in his case). You can buy one of them for almost the price of a caliber change on the high end Dillon models.....

EDIT: yes I know you can't do rifle on the SDB...

Justin

 

[brighamr]

Thanks for all the info thus far. I was thinking along the lines of loading 3-4000 rounds of .223, then switching to 45 for 3-4000 rounds.

Still undecided. Can anyone give me some good sites that sell the presses? (I know brianenos, are there any others?) I'd like to compare the models some more.

 

[TAB]

youtube has some videos of them in action, not many, but some.

 

[Roccobro]

As for Dillon price, that is almost the place to go for new presses.

As for "more information" Are you dead set on the Blue machines? There are reloading sites all over to read comparison's.

One last question, Are you budgeting for the caliber changes too? (Now and future calibers) Just something to keep in mind. I've spent as much as my press on making all my caliber changes easy and quick. That can add up even faster on the Dillons keeping things "quick and easy."

Justin

 

[lgbloader]

Hey mate,

I would buy 2 XL650's for the price of one 1050. By the time your said and done, your in about $1,850.00 usd with all the bells and whistles and don't have to worry about changing calibers and your ass is covered for life.

That would include:
2 XL650's
Dies
Strong mount
Aluminum Bullet tray
Extra primer primer tubes
Case feeders


www.sugarfreebob.com

www.brianenos.com

These two places will probably give you the best deals on Dillon.

If you deal with Sugarfreebob, he may waive the tax.

Brian Enos will waive the credit card fee if you pay by certified check, so you will save there.

I hope this helps

Cheers Mate

 

[highlander 5]

I own 2 650s wouldn't/couldn't justify the cost of the 1050 The main reason I own 2 is the primer assembly is a PITA to change easier to switch machines than the primer assembly.
I can do 100 44 mag/45 acp in 8 min and I'm not well coordinated never timed 223 though.

 

[lgbloader]

Highlander, I know what you mean. That's why I have two!! I have mine set for 9mm and 45 acp. I hate changing calibers PITA to the max!!!!

Cheers, Mate

 

[highlander 5]

Changing calibers is easy but the primer assembly ARRGGH
NO room for a wrench,pliers etc Other than that I love my 650s and I load from 9 mm to 45/70 some 12 or 13 calibers

 

[lgbloader]

Wow... I have a couple of question and will PM if that is okay?

 

[taliv]

don't misunderstand, i'm not advocating the 1050 in this particular case. i don't really think you can go wrong with either of them.

as was mentioned before, for a regular joe, the main advantage of the 1050 is that it swages primer crimps out as one of the stations.

on a 650, with a dillon hand swager, i believe you would have to run all once-fired military brass through the press once, doing nothing but decapping, then run them all with your hand swager to remove the crimps, then run them all through your 650 again to prime/powder/seat/crimp. i.e. two whole trips through the press plus the hand-work, which could all be done with one trip through the press on the 1050

but if you're not shooting 223, where military brass is relatively high quality and cheap, then it's a non-issue.

for a commercial reloader, however, running the press 8 hrs/day, a 1050 will give you 1600 more rounds in a day. If your GP is say, 2 cents/rnd then you clear $1000 extra per month, which pays for the difference in the first 30 days.

brighamr, i bought all my dillon stuff from brianenos. he was extremely helpful when i talked to him over the phone and i wouldn't think of buying anywhere else now.

other interesting differences in the two presses are:
1050 is somewhat shorter than the 650 with casefeeder
1050 has two more stations on the head
1050 moves the toolhead and dies where 650 moves the shellplate


for me, the decision would hinge on how many calibers i planned to load. the more calibers, the better the 650 looks.

my decision was to standardize on two calibers (45/223) and load the crap out of them. i got rid of most of my guns that weren't in these two calibers. for the remaining non-standard guns i own, i load very low volumes using a single-stage press.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Like half the world I suggest Brian Enos has earned some business and I've given him some mail order.

Myself I suggest that if I were getting setup from scratch today I'd seriously consider a visit to Powder Valley - but that's just me I have family in Winfield - or a serious cash in hand discussion of total package price for the Dillon branded gear AND all the components I could afford as a package.

 

[jmorris]

I have both, my 650’s stay set up for pistol rounds and trimming rifle cases (one for large primers the other for small). I use the 1050 for .223, almost all of the brass I use has/had crimped primer pockets. The 650’s have GSI bullet feeders (so the powder check can be retained) the 1050 has a KISS bullet feeder (GSI doesn’t have one for .223 yet), all of them load as fast as you can complete a full up and down stroke. For pistol I’d say a 650 with case and bullet feeders and a RF 100 primer filler would be a better way to spend your money than just a 1050.