Super 1050

Dillon Super 1050 Reloading Machine

The Super 1050 is Dillon's commercial reloader, capable of loading ammo at 1 000 to 1 200 rounds per hour. Evolving from the original RL 1050 it now features a lengthened frame and new crank assembly. These modifications increased the stroke length to allow for longer rifle cartridges (up to .30-06), while maintaining minimum handle stroke for high production rates.

The included electrically powered case feeder automatically and reliably feeds the cases right-way-up into the shell plate. Just pour your lubricated, clean cartridge cases into the blue case feed hopper and the device sorts them and feeds them right-way-up into the case feed tube that takes the cartridge cases to the first station of the shell plate. Once the shell plate is fully charged, a loaded cartridge is ejected every time the handle is pulled. Manually place a bullet on the prepared cartridge case in station 7 and pull the handle; all other actions happen automatically.

The Super 1050 also swages the primer pocket of each round. This process removes the crimp typically applied to military and law enforcement brass, reforming the primer pocket to the correct size and shape.

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Starting with an empty machine but filled case feeder tube, the Super 1050 works as follows:

Station 1
  • The case insert mechanism is retracted as the handle is lowered and then inserts each cleaned and lubricated cartridge case automatically into the shell plate when the handle is raised each time.
  • The handle is operated using the right hand.
  • The only action that occurs in station 1 is to insert the case into the shell plate, so one more cycle of the handle is required to advance the first case to station 2, and load a second case into station 1.
Station 2
  • When the handle is lowered, lowering the tool head with dies to the cartridge cases in the shell plate, the cleaned, lubricated, used case in station 2 enters the first die and is resized and de-primed.
    • Unlike the smaller Dillon machines, all loading actions on the Super 1050 happen €œat the bottom€ when the handle is lowered, and the tool head lowers onto the cases in the shell plate.
  • The handle is raised, raising the tool head and the shell plate is automatically indexed to end the cycle, moving the resized and de-primed case to station 3.
Station 3
  • On the next cycle, as the handle is lowered, lowering the tool head with dies to the cartridge cases in the shell plate, the resized and de-primed case enters the swaging die.
  • Two functions are performed on the resized and de-primed case in station 3:
    • The primer pocket is swaged when a hardened swage rod is forced into the empty primer pocket from underneath the case.
      • Swaging reforms the primer pocket, especially the mouth of the primer pocket, and is primarily intended to remove the three-point crimp or ring-crimp typically applied to American military ammunition.
      • The swage process does not convert Berdan primed cases (typical South Africa military ammunition) to reloadable Boxer format!
    • To support the web of the case from the inside during swaging, a backup / expander rod is inserted through the case mouth.
      • The backup / expander rod supports the web of the case (where the flash hole is), pushing down against the swage rod.
      • At the same time the case mouth is also expanded by a wider portion of the backup / expander rod to be ready to accept the correct sized bullet (later in station 7).
  • The handle is raised, raising the tool head and the shell plate is automatically indexed to end the cycle, moving the resized, de-primed and swaged case to station 4.
Station 4
  • On the next cycle, as the handle is lowered, lowering the tool head with dies to the cartridge cases in the shell plate, a new primer is inserted into the empty, resized, de-primed and swaged case.
    • The primer is automatically fed from the reinforced primer magazine to the correct position under the resized and swaged cartridge case.
  • The handle is raised, raising the tool head and the shell plate is automatically indexed to end the cycle, moving the newly primed case to station 5.
Station 5
  • On the next cycle, as the handle is lowered, lowering the tool head with dies to the cartridge cases in the shell plate, the newly primed cartridge case receives the correct powder charge.
  • The case enters the powder die and the case mouth pushes the powder activator up. The powder activator serves two purposes:
    • Firstly, only if a case is present, the powder activator is forced up into the powder die, activating / cycling the powder measure to dispense the previously-calibrated charge of propellant. No case = no mess!
    • Secondly, the powder charge falls through the hollow powder activator (also known as the powder funnel) and is guided into the case without mess.
      • It does take time for a large powder charge to fall through, so pause for a second or two when your load requires large quantities of propellant, especially extruded types. This is why rifle cartridges load slower than pistol calibres.
  • Unlike the smaller Dillon machines, pistol cases are not flared / belled here in the powder measure station €“ this happens in station 3 on the Super 1050.
  • The handle is raised, raising the tool head and the shell plate is automatically indexed to end the cycle, moving the primed, charged case to station 6.
Station 6
  • This station requires the optional powder check system, a valuable safety feature that we highly recommend to verify that the powder charge is at a safe level.
  • On the next cycle, as the handle is lowered, lowering the tool head with dies to the cartridge cases in the shell plate, a powder check probe enters the case mouth and rests on the propellant in the case.
    • The level of propellant / powder in the case pushes the probe up.
    • Should the level of propellant in the case be out of safe limits (too high or too low) an alarm is sounded to alert the operator to take remedial action.
  • Like the powder measure, the powder check system must be pre-set to the desired charge.
  • The handle is raised, raising the tool head and the shell plate is automatically indexed to end the cycle, moving the primed, correctly-charged case to station 7.
Station 7
  • Using the left hand, a bullet is manually positioned in the case mouth.
  • As the handle is lowered, lowering the tool head with dies to the cartridge cases in the shell plate, the resized, primed & charged case and bullet enter the seating die, as the die is lowered. The bullet is pushed into the case and seated to the desired, pre-set depth to achieve a suitable overall length of the cartridge.
  • The handle is raised, raising the tool head and the shell plate is automatically indexed to end the cycle, moving the cartridge to the final station.
Station 8
  • On the next cycle, as the handle is lowered, lowering the tool head with dies to the cartridge cases in the shell plate, the case with seated bullet enters the final die. A taper crimp is applied to remove the flare that was applied at station 3 (on pistol calibres) and to suitably grip the bullet.
  • The crimp is especially important for semi-automatic firearms to ensure safe and reliable feeding from the magazine into the chamber.
    • All Dillon dies feature separate seating and crimping.
    • Other brand dies may not apply crimp, and this is generally the norm for bolt-action rifles.
  • The cartridge is automatically ejected into the cartridge bin when the handle is raised, raising the tool head and automatically indexing the shell plate to end the cycle.
    • With progressive machines like the Super 1050, all of the functions are being simultaneously performed each and every cycle, so a loaded cartridge is ejected each time the handle is cycled.

Dillon designed the Super 1050 progressive reloader as a commercial machine and expects that its life expectancy will be in excess of two million rounds of loaded ammunition. All Super 1050 machines are warranted for life from defects in material or workmanship, plus a one-year, 100% warranty against normal wear. All electrical & electronic components in Dillon equipment are covered by a one-year warranty, as are textiles. Shooting Stuff fully supports Dillon€™s warranty and has a spares cupboard with most spare parts available in stock. 

Technical Specifications

Ram diameter 1½” 
Loading rate
  • 1 000 to 1 200 rounds per hour
Height (from bench)
  • 38" (~960mm) with the electric case feeder installed.
Capacity
  • Extra Small Powder Bar - throws from ½ grain to about 3 grains
  • Small Powder Bar - throws from a little under 3 grains to about 20 grains of powder.
  • Large Powder Bar - throws from around 15 grains to nearly 45 grains of extruded type propellant, and from around 20 to about 50 grains of ball/spherical type propellant.
  • Magnum Powder Bar - throws up to ~73 grains of extruded type propellant and ~82 grains of ball/spherical type propellant (not generally required for the Super 1050). 

NOTE: Capacities depend on actual propellant type, the values listed here are approximate.

Key Features

  • 8-station, progressive reloading machine:
    • Station 1: Insert case into shell plate
    • Station 2: Resize and de-prime
    • Station 3: Swage primer pocket
    • Station 4: Seat a new primer
    • Station 5: Dispense propellant
    • Station 6: Powder check
    • Station 7: Seat the bullet
    • Station 8: Crimp the cartridge case
  • Insert cartridge cases automatically.
  • Index the shell plate automatically.
  • Feed and insert new primers automatically.
  • Dispense propellant automatically.
  • Check propellant level (for safety) in each and every case automatically.
  • Operator places bullets manually.
  • Eject loaded cartridges automatically.
  • Loads most popular handgun calibres and several rifle calibres (requires additional calibre-specific items).
  • Accepts standard ⅞” x 14 tpi (thread per inch) dies. Dillon dies are designed for high speed use, as well as rapid cleaning. Non-Dillon dies must re-size and de-prime in the same die. Note that the case flaring die from other brands is not used on the Super 1050, as this function is covered from the calibre conversion kit and powder die.
  • Interchangeable tool head, for easy calibre conversion.

 Package Contents

The basic Super 1050 machine (the big white box – OK, the 1050 comes in a brown box) includes the following:

  • Super 1050 machine
 With dies pre-adjusted in the tool head, and primer system already fitted.
  • The primer system is configured at the factory for correct size primers.
  • The Super 1050 for the 6.8SPC and the 7.62x39mm is supplied with both the large and small primer systems.
  • Case Feed Assembly 
  • The Super 1050 Case Feed Assembly (Euro Case Feeder; 220V),
  • In a white box with the correct grey, plastic case feeder plate included.
  • 1050 Accessory Box 
  • One die box, containing
    • Die instructions
    • Sample cartridge case and cartridge (inert)
    • Spare decapping pin (Dillon pistol dies)
  • 1 x bin bracket
  • 1 x bin support bracket
  • 1 x loaded cartridge bin (large, blue, plastic AkroBin).
  • 1 x bullet bin (small, blue, plastic AkroBin).
  • 1 x bullet bin bracket.
  • Additional powder bar (large bar, if small bar fitted to the powder measure)
  • 1 x spent primer cup (black plastic)
  • 2 x case feed post studs (black steel rod with screw thread one end and tapped hole other end)
  • 1 x bushing driver with wooden handle
  • 1 x set of standard Allen wrenches (6).
  • 2 x long Allen cap-screws (post bolts)
  • 2 x short button-head screws
  • 2 x washers
  • 1 x thick button-head bin-bracket mounting screw
  • Lower cord clamp
  • Spare primer punch spring
  • 1050 Calibre Conversion Box
  • 1050 calibre conversion box (blue plastic), contains:
    • Six brass locator buttons (calibre specific)
    • Five blue locator tabs
    • One Short blue locator tab
  • 1050 Tube Bag
  • One primer pick-up tube - large primers (green tip), or small primers (yellow tip)
  • Powder measure failsafe rod assembly (with blue wing nut)
  • Two spare plastic tips
  • One R-clip
  • Primer early warning system
  • Blue buzzer and black follower rod, to warn when primers in the magazine get low; before they run out!
  • Case Feed Tube
  • 1 x case feed tube, clear plastic ~45cm long with black label (DLN-20533)
  • Case Feed Mounting Post
  • 1 x case feed mounting post, black, square-tubing
  • Operating handle
  • Operating handle, with blue aluminium roller.

Essential

Other than the basic machine which includes a calibre conversion kit, a set of dies and the electric case feeder, we suggest you will also need the following items:

  • Scale 
 Set and periodically check your powder charge, we recommend one of the following:
  • Loading Manual
  • Safety Glasses 

You should always protect your eyes when reloading. Primers contain explosive compounds and nitrocellulose propellant is extremely flammable, with explosive characteristics when burning in a confined volume. We recommend tough, clear polycarbonate glasses for indoor use, like reloading.

  • Case Lubricant
Shooting Stuff Smooth Glide Case Lube (SSB-SGCL) - spray-on lube highly recommended even when using carbide dies, and is essential for all rifle and bottle-necked cases. Trust us on this one; you need a bottle!
  • Vernier calliper 

Set and check cartridge dimensions, like crimp and overall length, we recommend:

  • Powder Check System 

Verify the powder charge in each and every case using the Dillon Powder Check System (DLN-21044). Once adjusted for a specific charge the sensor’s brass-tipped probe enters each case and is pushed up by the propellant, to check the level of powder in the case. In the event of a significant error in powder charge, either too high or too low, the sensor sounds an audible alarm. This is a safety check, not an accuracy check, and while not absolutely essential we feel it’s valuable enough that we included it as essential!


Recommended 

These recommended accessories for the Super 1050 are very popular and we do feel they add a lot of value. We’ve grouped them to make the complex list a bit more understandable.

Machine Mounting

The Super 1050 mounts directly to the bench.

  • Bullet Tray
Dillon Cast Aluminium Bullet Tray for Super 1050 (DLN-22215) - blue, elevates the bullets to the level of the shell plate for easier reach. It is shallower than the plastic AkroBin that is supplied as standard for easier access to the bullets.

Primer Transfer

Dillon offers a manual system of flip tray and pick-up tubes or an automated system to get the primers from their shipping box into the Super 1050 primer magazine. While the manual approach is most popular approach, the RF 100 is really convenient!

  • Primer flip tray
Dillon Primer Flip Tray (DLN-13606) - This steel tray gets the primers “the right way up” after dispensing them from the box, prior to loading into the pick-up tube, and won’t flip them back!
  • Additional primer pick-up tubes

These are used to transfer the primers from the flip-tray to the machine’s priming system. Once the primers are shiny-side up in the flip tray, dab each one with the appropriate pick-up tube to load-up a hundred primers into a tube.

The Super 1050 is supplied with one pick-up tube of small primers (yellow tip) and one for large primers (green tip). Extra primer pick-up tubes, pre-filled, are useful when loading more than a few hundred rounds per sitting.

They are available individually, or in value-packs of four.

  • RF 100 Automatic Primer Filler 
The Dillon RF 100 Automatic Primer Filler is an electrically powered machine to sort and transfer a hundred primers from their packaging box into a "transfer tube", for subsequent transfer into the primer magazine of your favourite Dillon progressive reloading machine. The RF 100 eliminates the need to manually fill primer pick-up tubes, and is available for either large or small primers with conversion kits to change to the other size.

Tools, Setup & Maintenance

  • Toolkit 
The tool head on the Super 1050 is quite compact, with little space between dies. Conventional spanners or shifting spanners may be too bulky to work well in the confined space, so we offer a specially designed spanner to get in and adjust then lock your Dillon dies. 

Other than the 15/16” tool head bolt, most other adjustments on your Super 1050 require Allen wrenches. The Super 1050 is supplied with a standard set of these, adequate to work on your machine. The development of ball-ended Allen wrenches made it much easier to adjust bolts and screws where space constraints make it difficult to perfectly align the standard Allen wrench with the bolt. The ball-end allows you to work “off axis”, a much more convenient solution!

We have developed a stylish toolkit bracket to conveniently hold a set of ball-ended Allen wrenches as well as the 1-inch spanner. The bracket mounts to the left of the machine.

Convenient toolkits with mounting brackets are available (all the tools required to adjust and basically service the Super 1050 machine):

  • Dillon Toolholder with Wrench Set for S1050 (DLN-62202) - a two-part bracket that mounts to the Super 1050 progressive reloading machine to organise and store a set of dipped, ball-ended Allen wrenches and the 1" Bench Wrench. These tools are supplied in the kit and are what's required to adjust and basically service the machine.
  • Shooting Stuff Toolkit for S1050 (SSB-TK1050) - *Coming Soon!* a stylish, one-piece bracket that mounts to the Super 1050 progressive reloading machine to organise and store a set of ball-ended Allen wrenches and the 1-inch spanner. These tools are supplied in the kit and are what's required to adjust and basically service the machine. 

Individual items available:
  • Spare parts kit

Dillon Super 1050 Spare Parts Kit (DLN-20779) contains an assortment of small parts for the RL 550B, to avoid downtime while waiting for a replacement part should something break or get lost. Consider this kit insurance against Murphy’s Law which states that if something can go wrong, it will, at the worst possible time – i.e. the night before a big match! 

  • Case gauge 

Dillon's Stainless Steel Case Gauges allow rapid checking of critical aspects of each loaded cartridge – especially valuable for competition or carry ammo. Invest in one for each calibre!

NOTE: Dillon’s case gauges are available for defined popular calibres only, but those from LE Wilson expand the range considerably: view here.


Optional

This final set of optional accessories for the Super 1050 offer additional convenience, but are not for everybody. Nevertheless, this section includes more than just “nice to have” items. Some of these items (like the extra small powder bar for .32 S&W;) are required to load the more exotic calibres.

  • Roller Handle 
The Super 1050 features Dillon’s aluminium roller handle as standard, designed to reduce operator fatigue.
  • Shooting Stuff’s Smooth-Glide roller handle (SSB-RH1050) - *Coming Soon!* has a round grip and features internal ball-bearings for smoother operation and more tactile feedback. The shaft of the handle is also treated with silver zinc-blue for better corrosion resistance.
  • Low Powder Sensor 
  • Dillon Low Powder Sensor (DLN-16306) - warns you both audibly and visibly when propellant level in the powder measure’s hopper gets low. Yes, the level is visible through the clear polycarbonate hopper, but safety features like these back you up when you lose concentration or get distracted. The weight of the sensor is reported to enhance charge consistency at low powder levels.
  • Machine Cover 
Our machine covers are designed to keep the machine dust free. They have a locking feature to secure the machine from little hands, or other unauthorised tampering.
  • Powder Bars 

NOTE: See Technical Specs tab for powder bar capacities


Calibre Conversion

Calibre Conversion on the Super 1050 is both as quick and easy as you want to make it. Dillon offers various levels of convenience to suit your requirements and budget.

Option 1 - Minimum Kit 

As a minimum, you will need the following to change calibres:

Adding a Case Gauge for the specific calibre is always a good idea! 

Option 2 - Convenient Conversion

Option 1 does not take full advantage of the convenience offered by the Super 1050’s interchangeable tool head. So, if you want to leave your dies pre-set, you'll need:

Including an additional Dillon Powder Die (DLN-20064) allows you to move your powder measure from tool head to tool head without changing the flare or belling adjustment. Consider taking a second powder die to also share the powder check system.

We call this “calibre conversion, the moderately easy way” and believe that a case gauge for the specific calibre would be a good idea!
Option 3 - The Easy Way  For the full Dillon convenience of changing calibres “the easy way” consider the option to leave your dies, powder system and powder check system set up and dedicated to a specific cartridge for faster, easier calibre changes. We call this “calibre conversion, the easy way”

You may also need a different case feed plate for the electric case feeder. Please refer to the calibre conversion chart in the Instruction Manual for the correct plate. The Super 1050 Instruction Manual can be downloaded here, or call Shooting Stuff for advice. Available case feed plates (applicable to the Super 1050) are:

  • Large pistol (DLN-21072)
  • Small pistol (DLN-21073)
  • Small rifle (DLN-21074)
  • Large rifle (DLN-21075)

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