Primer crimps and 223 resizing is a pain, so I decided... to get the completely over-the-top solution. I think I really must be amazingly lazy. That, or an enthusiast that's lost to my hobby.

Here's the crappy cell phone video: http://youtu.be/e0FvYYUdZLk

It's a Dillon Super 1050 powered by a Ponsness Warren motor, with a Dillon 1200B trim motor doing the work on the top of the toolhead. I've put 4,000 cases through it already and I have to say, it's amazing. It does do what it's advertised to do. When I got it, I was hoping I would be able to set it and forget it. In other words, more or less just walk away while it does it's thing. After putting a few cycles on the machine, I can see that's an unwise idea. But that's about the only downside I've found so far.

For those that don't know, what's unique about the Dillon Super 1050 is that it does everything and it does it all on the downstroke (including priming). The upstroke has no function aside from resetting the mechanism. To non-reloaders that may not sound like all that big a deal. To the practiced progressive reloader it's a great perk. Now, when I say "it does everything", what I mean is that in addition to the usual suspects (automatic case feed and automatic primer feed for example), it also swages the primer pocket. I may be incorrect, but I don't know of any other progressive loader that swages the primer pocket (unless we're talking commercial machines).

In any case, the net effect is that I put cleaned / lubed cases in the case hopper, run the motors, and I get completely processed 223 brass out on the other end. Pretty cool.

Man oh man does that look nice!

Wow! That is pretty wild. Is there anything that stops it if a primer doesnt seat properly, or a charge is missed?

1050 is a commercial machine, is it not?

Anyway, very cool!

Question: does the press come with the automatic bullet and case feeders? I looked at their web site and it does not list them either as options or in specifications...

That takes all of the "fun" out of the process....

Well, okay. That's AWESOME. I might be a little jealous.

I'm pretty convinced this is not a "walk away" solution, so missed charges or improperly seated primers would be something the user would need to keep a close eye on. Dillon does make powder alarms such that a case with no charge would set off the alarm.

Yea, Dillon thinks of the 1050 as a commercial machine. But in today's line-up of commercial options, I can't think of a good reason that a person would select a 1050 if you have commercial needs. For all the 1050 does, it leaves a lot to be desired if a fella wants to get in the ammo manufacturing biz.

Auto case feeder? yes, it's built in on the 1050 (which is why it's not listed as an option or accessory). Auto bullet feeder? no, though available: Mr. Bullet Feeder ( http://www.powerfactorshooting.com/Mr_Bulletfeeder_p/mr-bulletfeeder-unit.htm )

Long story short, a fella could set this up for auto-reloading more or less. I'm not really interested in going quite that far ... at least not yet. Personally I think a reloader needs to be more involved in the loading process. For example, I like to feel the primer seat since I think I get useful feedback during the process (like, is the primer cup tight or too loose, or did the primer seat correctly?). If a machine is running the process I get none of that feedback.

In any case, I'm just using this set-up for 223 processing for now. The consistency is staggering. I'm digging it.

The 1050 is definitely a going concern, especially with the P-W drive. Just watch out though. I've got a friend that got a little careless one day while running his and he had to make a sudden trip to the ER. Something about a huge piece of his thumb being gouged out when caught between case and die.

The 1050 is essentially a modernized and highly refined version of the old Star loader which was the epitome of loading machines back in the day. It's still a carousel machine however. Commercial machines like the Camdex or Ammo Load are "inline" machines but waaaaaay more expensive. An Ammo Load Mark L for rifle is a $40k machine.

The 1050 is about the best you can get without putting a serious hurt on your wallet.

The 650 is almost as good as the 1050 as long as you're using processed brass or process your own with an initial pass through the machine with it set up to de-prime/size/trim. Still have to swage separately but at least you only have to do that once.

As for setting it up for unattended auto loading, good luck. Unless you can devise a series of sensors like those on the camdex/ammo load machines that check for presence of a primer, measure the powder charge more closely than Dillon's Powder Check, and SHUT DOWN THE MACHINE if there is a problem, you could end up with some real dangerous ammo.

There's a reason for the extra $35k or so.

As always deadshot2, you add a lot to a reloading conversation.



This part of your response is, more or less, why I noted that there are much better options if a person wants to go further. I think you're spot on. This is also why I noted that I think there are much better options if unattended auto-loading is the goal... if that's the goal, then the loader likely has commercial needs (which I don't). And if that's the case, then $40k is a small investment for getting it set up correctly the first time. ...just one guys opinion.

By the way, thanks for the reminder about the thumb issue. I can't agree more. The PW drive is damn cool, but it's not stoppin' if a guy's thumb is in the way.

Rock on reloaders!!

Cool, me and a buddy just went half and half on a 1050 and a casefeed for 223. Im gonna do prep on a 650 with a casefeed/trimmer and use the 1050 just for loading.

I'm jealous. I have both of those machines too, but I don't load on the 1050. I tried it just before I set it up for processing and I have to say there's a world of difference between the 650 and the 1050. I would think the 1050 will be damn simple to bang out 1,000 rounds in an hour. Nice set-up man. Congrats!

If one wants to go cheap, they can do the de-cap/size/trim on an old Lee Progressive. Just add the RT-1200 and case feeder. That's about all those old Lee Presses are good for. I've got one that I use to just de-prime 9mm cases before I put them in the "Wash". I run a piece of tubing from my Dillon Case Feeder to the Lee that I clamp to the bench. I have put a bunch of ammo boxes around where the cases fall out and they spill off the edge of the bench into a 5 gallon bucket on the floor. Damn thing works flawlessly for that process but try and load ammo on it, everything from the primer feed to shell plate ratchet get f-ed up.

Sure wish i would have had one of those when i did 3000 cases by hand! Nice setup.