Dillon super 1050 or RL 1050

V

Venti30

New member
For those that have experience with either, I'd like to ask your opinion.

I've got the opportunity to get either an RL, or a Super 1050. Both were commercially used, elder owner claims not to know how many rounds through either.

I dont, and wont be loading any long rifle rounds, and it seems that some say the shorter throw, and stroke of the RL is preferred. The pictures of each though, show the Super to be in better condition, and would obviously be newer. The price difference between the two is only $300, the RL being the cheaper.

Thoughts, and or preferences for loading 9mm luger and 45acp?

Don't plan to automate, but knowing me, I may be lazy enough to be inspired to remove the repetitive action. = )

RL here $1400 w/one caliber

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Super here $1700 w/one caliber

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Thanks in advance for opinions.
 

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I have an old RL 1050 and I use it to reload five handgun cartridges and tons and tons of .223 for competition use. Production speed, reliability, and ease of use blew away the Hornady LNL that I used prior to getting the RL. I can't imagine any reason that I would want to spend more on the longer stroke version Super 1050.

While I do reload .308, these are long distance precision rounds and I use my single stage press to make them. If I wanted to process, resize, and prime .308 cases on the RL, I think I'd be able to do that with just enough clearance to do so, but I haven't felt the need to try it yet.

I'd go with the RL and use the savings to buy more of the severely overpriced conversion kits from Dillon.
 
I had an rl1050 for about 10 years. It's shorter stroke gives it the ability to really produce a lot of ammo. I never missed the Super 1050 as I never loaded anything more then revolver rounds.

As above take the RL.
 
A 1050 is a lifelong investment. Are you sure you'll *never* want to use it for longer rifle rounds? I would take the Super; It does everything the RL does and more, is in better condition, & is only 1 generation behind current (in case parts for the older press start to dry up). A lot of people seem to think that a 1050 is not suitable for long range precision rounds - I am not one of them; I use a pair of super 1050s exclusively to load for international level Palma competition to 1000 yards with great success.
 
Rox, I would love to use the RL-1050 for my long range .223 precision rounds. It would be great to hear your thoughts on things like shell plate flex, run-out, and accuracy of the powder measure compared to my stiff Rock Chucker and Charge Master dispenser.
 
IMtheNRA said:
Rox, I would love to use the RL-1050 for my long range .223 precision rounds. It would be great to hear your thoughts on things like shell plate flex, run-out, and accuracy of the powder measure compared to my stiff Rock Chucker and Charge Master dispenser.
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I see less than 0.001" difference between dimensions from each shellplate station (whether trimming, sizing, seating etc), so I have no issue with shell-plate flex. In fact, since the shell-plate rests against the machined surface of the press body, I can't see how it could flex. I have seen shellplates bent out of true (typically while using too much force to free a stuck-case) causing 0.001" or 0.002" difference between stations. Replacing the shellplate cures that. Far more important is ensuring there aren't imbalanced forces on the toolhead.

Controlling runout is more down to the process, rather than the press. Use of a sliding-sleeve seater, floating carbide expander mandrel, one-piece sizing die, not reducing neck diameter too much in one step etc, and, of course, firing the case in a straight chamber in the first place. After all, shellholders/shellplates don't lock the case completely; they allow the case to align into the die.

I don't use an on-press powder measure, so I can't comment on that. I vary the charge tolerance depending on how fast I need to load, typically between +/- 0.02 and +/- 0.06. I've used on-press thrown charges once or twice, and I'm always blown-away how well they work, even at 1000, when the load sits on the right point on the pressure curve.
 
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One of the many mistakes I made with firearms was when I bought my RL1050. I was offered 2 of them for $800 each, foolishly I bought only one. As jmorris mentioned the linkage is a stronger design on the 1050. I wouldn't hesitate on a 1050 if the price were $800 or $900.

One secret I learned after buying the 1050 is they are not that much more $ than a 650 once you add in the accessories like case feeder, bullet trays and what ever, it's all standard on the 1050.

I bought that 1050 from a LGS that used them to produce ammo, lots of ammo. I used it for 10 years and can tell you I did not have to replace any parts.
 
That video explains a lot. I had a super 1050 and sold it because I didn’t like the way it loaded pistol cartridges .
 
I second that $1400 for an RL seems high. But on the other side of the coin I haven't seen one for sale in 12 years. I paid $800 in 2006.
 
FWIW a manual indexing machine works as smooth as the operator uses it.

I have loaded 100 rounds in under 4 minutes on Dillon’s as well as the ‘lowly’ Lee progressives.

Every press, red , green or blue all have something going for them.
 
My 650 is 25 years old and the case feeder on the RL 1050 looks a LOT older than my case feeder. I would definitely pay the extra the Super 1050. I think you would get a press in much better shape for only $300 more.
 
I got neither, couldn’t come to terms.

I loaded 20k rounds or more on a xl650, so I have an idea of what it’s about but still a newbie by comparison to most.

The cost of the two I referenced was too close to a new one.

I won’t ever load rifle, just don’t have the time or inclination. Was attracted to the rl’s short stroke an pistol reputation but seller and I couldn’t get together on a deal that made sense to both of us.

I may wait to see what happens when the 1100 comes out. This is definitely not a need, or a rush.
 
Shame you couldn't come to terms. I agree for what he wanted it was too high. I paid $800 for the one I had and it came with extra heads and parts.

At this point I'm waiting tor the new press from Dillon myself.
 
I got neither, couldn’t come to terms.
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Sounds like good reasoning to me. Wisdom and patience is rare these days. I doubt you will be sorry. Real good deals aren't as rare as we are led to believe.:)
 
Guys I got a RL 1050 almost as a gift several years ago. It is set up to reload 45 ACP`s. I am mechanically challenged to say the least, like I'm dangerous with a screwdriver. I was sure I would never be able to make it work for me. But I mounted it on my reloading bench set the amount of powder needed and primers and I read the manuel a dozen times, and poured clean brass in the case feeder, and then turn it on. And walla it came alive mty cases started filling up the tube. I was really nervous at first and had to check everything a dozen times. But I finally loaded about 20 rounds very carefully and went and fired them. They all went bang, the accuracy was great and the fired brass still looked good. And I started reloading 45 ACP ammo for real but very slowly at first. And my reloading speed has improved but not anything like what is advertised. But now I have loaded many Army 50cal ammo boxes full of 45acp ammo, and I can shoot all the 45acp I want. My old DILLON RL 1050 is just fantastic, I have had no problems with it at all. For me to try to change it over to another caliber is just out of the question for right now. I would really be just pushing my luck.
ken
 
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