Dillon Precision Super 1050 Instruction Manual

							Super 1050
Instruction Manual
Version 1.1
illon
recision
Products, Inc.
Manufacturers of 
The Worlds  Finest
Loading Equipment 
						

							Table of Contents
Contents 4
How the Super 1050 Works: Stations 1 - 8 5
Super 1050 Assembly 6
Powder Measure Adjustment 8
Primer Magazine 9
Electric Casefeeder 10
Review: How the Super 1050 Works: Stations 1 - 8 10
To Begin Reloading 10
Adjustments 12
Primer Seating Depth - Station 4 11
Casefeeder 12
Handle 12
Swager 12
Swage Conversion & Adjustment 12
Primer System Change Over Instructions 13
Toolhead Removal 14
Shellplate Removal 15
Casefeed Plunger Conversion 15
Die Adjustments 15
Sizing/Decapping Die - Station 2 15
Back-up Expander Die & Swager - Station 3 16
Powder Die - Station 5 16
Bullet Seating Die - Station 7 17 - 18
Crimp Die - Station 8 18
RL 1050 vs. Super 1050 19
Trouble Shooting 20
Maintenance 21
Lubrication Points 22 - 23
Caliber Conversion Charts 24 - 25
Parts List 26
Schematics 27 - 31
#11011   Spot   Manuals   Super 1050 manual folder   SUPER 1050 Manual v1.1   9/01   WJC 
						

							Warranty Agreement
The Dillon Super 1050 reloader has been designed as a
commercial machine. Our expectation is that its life
expectancy will be in excess of two million rounds of
loaded ammunition. All Super 1050 machines are war-
ranted 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.
Mandatory Safety Measures
The reloading of ammunition and the handling of
components (gun powder and primers) is inherently dan-
gerous, indeed shooting firearms is inherently dangerous.
Accidents can and do occur, sometimes with disastrous
results including, but not limited to, loss of vision, hear-
ing or life. These accidents are nondiscriminatory, they
occur with both the novice and the experienced reloader. 
Dillon Precision Products has consciously designed
the Super 1050 with this in mind. We’ve shielded the
primer magazine and machined clearance holes for the
elimination of powder and primer residue. In short, we
have done everything we know how, to make the use of
our machine as safe as possible. We cannot however,
guarantee your complete safety. In order to minimize
your risk, use common sense when reloading and fol-
low these basic rules:
Never operate the machine without ear and eye pro-
tection on. Call our customer service department at
(800) 223-4570 for information on the wide variety of
shooting/safety glasses and hearing protection that
Dillon has to offer.
• PAY ATTENTION: Load only when you can give your
complete attention to the loading process. Don’t watch
television or try to carry on a conversation and load at the
same time. Watch the automatic systems operate and
make sure they are functioning properly. If you are inter-
rupted or must leave and come back to your loading,
always inspect the cases at every station to insure that the
proper operations have been accomplished.
• SMOKING: Do not smoke while reloading or allow
anyone else to smoke in your reloading area. Do not
allow open flames in reloading area.
•  SAFETY DEVICES: Do not remove any safety devices
from your machine or modify your machine in any way.
• LEAD WARNING: Be sure to have proper ventilation
while handling lead components or when shooting lead
bullets. Lead is known to cause birth defects, other repro-
ductive harm and cancer. Wash your hands thoroughly
after handling anything made of lead.
• LOADS AND LENGTHS: Avoid maximum loads and
pressures at all times. Use only recommended loads
from manuals and information supplied by reliable
component manufacturers and suppliers. Since Dillon
Precision has no control over the components which
may be used on their equipment, no responsibility is
implied or assumed for results obtained through the use
of any such components. Seat bullets as close to maximum cartridge length as
possible. Under some conditions, seating bullets exces-
sively deep can raise pressures to unsafe levels. Refer to a
reliable loading manual for overall length (OAL).
• QUALITY CHECKS: Every 50-100 rounds, perform
periodic quality control checks on the ammunition being
produced. Check the amount of powder being dropped
and primer supply.
•  RELOADING AREA: Keep your components safely
stored. Clear your work area of loose powder, primers
and other flammables before loading.
• COMPONENTS: Never have more than one type of
powder in your reloading area at a time. The risk of a
mix-up is too great. Keep powder containers closed.
Be sure to inspect brass prior to reloading for flaws,
cracks, splits or defects. Throw these cases away. 
Keep components and ammunition out of reach of
children.
• BLACK POWDER: Do not use black powder or black
powder substitutes in any Dillon powder measure.
Loading black powder cartridges requires specialized
loading equipment and techniques. Failure to do so can
result in severe injury or death.
•  PRIMERS: Never force primers. If they get stuck in the
operation of the machine, disassemble it and gently
remove the obstruction. 
Never attempt to clear primers that are stuck in either
the primer pickup tube or the primer magazine tube.
Never, under any circumstances, insert any type of rod to
attempt to force stuck primers out of these tubes. Trying
to force primers out of the tube will cause the primers to
explode causing serious injury or even death. 
If primers get stuck in a primer magazine or pickup
tube flood the tube with a penetrating oil (WD-40), throw
the tube in the garbage and call us for a free replacement.
Never attempt to deprime live primers – eventually
one will go off. When it does it will detonate the others in
the spent primer cup. Depriming live primers is the single
most dangerous thing you can do in reloading and can
cause grave injury or death.
• LOADED AMMUNITION: Properly label all of your
loaded ammunition (Date, Type of Bullet, Primer, Powder,
Powder Charge, etc.).
•  BE PATIENT: Our loading equipment is conservatively
rated and you should have no trouble achieving the pub-
lished rates with a smooth, steady hand. If something
doesn’t seem right, stop, look and listen. If the problem or
the solution isn’t obvious, call us. The reloading bench is
no place to get into a hurry.
We have done everything we know how to make your
machine as safe as possible. We cannot, however, guaran-
tee your complete safety. To minimize your risk, use com-
mon sense when reloading and follow these basic rules.
•  REMEMBER: If your machine does not perform to your
expectations, or if you are having technical difficulties,
give us a call.  Technical Support (800) 223-4570 
						

							4
Contents
items not to scale
items not to scale
•  Super 1050 machine with caliber spe-
cific shellplate and loading dies
installed and adjusted.
•  Casefeeder Assembly: casefeed bowl,
caliber specific casefeed plate, case-
feed mounting post, casefeed tube,
and post studs•  Collection bin support bracket
•  Bullet bin bracket
•  Collection bin
•  Bullet bin
•  Spent primer cup
•  Powder measure assembly•  Powder bar return rod assembly
•  Primer early warning system
•  Operating handle
•  Die box
See the schematics pages in the back
of this manual for more detail. 
						

							How the Super 1050 Works
Stations 1 - 8 (counterclockwise)
toolhead and dies cut away for clarity
Station 1: Empty cases are automati-
cally inserted into the shellplate via the
electric casefeeder.
Station 2: Here the spent cartridge
cases are resized and deprimed.
Station 3:This station is totally
unique. The case is supported from the
inside and slightly expanded (not
belled) while simultaneously a swager
is driven into the primer pocket to
remove any crimp.
Station 4: Anew primer is installed
at this station. The spring driven
primer slide is extremely smooth. The
steel shrouded primer magazine is
capped with an electronic Early
Warning Device to let you know
when you’re down to approximately
three primers.Station 5: Here the case is belled
and powder is dropped by the case-
activated powder measure. It is
extremely accurate and will not drop
powder unless a case is present. Dillon
Precision offers an optional accessory to
be utilized with the automatic powder
measure at this station – Dillon’s Low
Powder Sensor provides an audible and
visual reminder when it’s time to refill
the powder reservoir. 
Station 6: This station is open to
allow for case inspection.Station 7: The bullet is seated to its
proper depth at this station.
Station 8: In this station, the bullet is
crimped into place. The cartridge is
then automatically ejected into a collec-
tion bin. 
Your dies have been adjusted at the
factory. Before you change anything, try
it the way it is, once you thoroughly
understand the machine’s operation,
make whatever adjustments to the dies
you feel necessary.
Reminder: There may be some varia-
tion due to components.
5
Station 5 - Here the case mouth is belled
and powder dispensed.
Station 1 - The casefeed plunger inserts the
case into the shellplate.
Station 2 - Here, spent cartridge cases are
resized and deprimed.
Station 7 - In this station, the bullet is seat-
ed to its proper depth.
Station 8 - Here the case is crimped and
then ejected out of the shellplate with the
next pull of the handle.
Station 3 - Here the case mouth is expand-
ed  while a rod supports the case base for
swaging. 
						

							Super 1050 Assembly
Your new Super 1050 has been
assembled at the factory. All of the
adjustments necessary to reload have
already been made, in fact we’ve
even adjusted the dies to reload the
caliber you have chosen. However,
before you can reload you must do
some minor assembly.
Due to variations in components,
check all stations for proper settings
before loading ammunition. It is
absolutely necessary that you read the
following instructions. 
If you get stuck on something that
you don’t understand, call (800) 223-
4570 for technical assistance.
Step 1: Mounting the Super 1050 
Select a clear area on your reloading
bench. Be certain your bench is free
from vibration and is strong enough to
support your Super 1050’s mass and
operating force. If possible, attach your
bench to the wall using screws.
Remove the Super 1050 main frame
from the packaging and place it on
your selected area. The crank exten-
sion (#11000) should be to your right.
Bring the machine to the forward edge
of your bench – be sure to allow clear-
ance for operation of the handle. Mark
the four mounting holes using the
machine as a template. Remove the
machine and drill four 1/4” holes
through the bench. Replace the
machine and bolt securely. Fig. 1Install the handle (#12727) as indicat-
ed in the parts schematic. Secure in
place with the handle set screw
(#13432). Fig. 2You will note that there
are three different positions for mount-
ing the operating handle. Choose the
one that feels best for you. The longer
the handle, the less force required but
the stroke is longer.
The toolhead (#20420) is held down
on the main frame for shipping by the
use of plastic ties. Remove the ties
while holding the handle. 
Slowly move the handle up. This will
move the toolhead approximately three
inches to its “up” position. Note: If the
handle is not moving freely, carefully
inspect for shipping damage.Install the six brass locator buttons
(#20637*) around the shellplate
(#12600*). Fig. 4
Step 2: Installing the Casefeed
Assembly
Using the screw provided (#13377)
install the bin bracket (#13238). Fig. 5
Install the bullet bin bracket
(#12144) to the casefeed post (#20641)
using the screw (#13685) as shown in
the schematic on page 30.
Screw the casefeed post studs
(#13271) to the main frame (place
the washer provided on the bottom
post only), tighten securely with an
Allen wrench through the cross hole
provided.
Fig. 1 - Be sure the machine is to the for-
ward edge of the table or bench when mark-
ing the four holes to be drilled.
Fig. 2 - Note that there are three different
positions for mounting the operating handle.
Fig. 3 - Be sure to hold the operating handle
in place while cutting the plastic ties.
Fig. 4 - Locator button being inserted into
its proper position.
Fig. 5 - See the schematic on page 30 for
more details.
6 
						

							The casefeed mounting post assem-
bly (#20641) is attached to the case-
feed post studs (#13271) by the use of
two post bolts (#13205). Attach the
power cable and clamp and bin brack-
et (#12144) as shown in the schematic
on page 30. Fig. 6
The casefeed bowl assembly needs
to be placed on the casefeed post with
the Dillon logo and the on/off switch
facing you. 
The casefeed tube (#13761) should
now be inserted into the casefeed
adapter (#13654*) Fig. 7Note that
the tube is marked “up” on one end.
Press this end into the tube clip
(#13859) attached to the casefeeder
motor housing Fig. 8. This assembly
is now complete.Step 3: Installing the Powder Measure
Remove the blue cap from the pow-
der die (#20320) and loosely clamp the
powder measure in position.   Fig. 9
Install the powder measure return rod
(#13960) through the 3/8” eyebolt
(#13089) mounted on the left rear of the
main frame. Fig. 10Now attach the rod
to the powder measure bellcrank using
the clip. Fig. 10 Install the spring
(#14033) and wing nut (#13799) on the
rod and screw the wing nut up until
you feel light tension on the spring.
Tighten the powder measure clamp
screws (#14037).Step 4: Installing the Spent Primer
Cup and Bullet Bin
Install the spent primer cup (#13650)
on the right side as shown on the
schematic on page 27. Fig. 11
7
Fig. 6 - Shown is the proper position of the
power cable, clamp, and bin bracket.
Fig. 7 - The proper location and positioning
of the casefeed tube and adapter is as
shown above.
Fig. 8 - The end of the casefeed tube marked
“up” snaps into the clip at the base of the
casefeeder motor housing.
Fig. 9 - See arrow. A slight gap allows the
powder die to be adjusted without removing
the powder measure.
Fig. 10 - Note how the spring above the
wing nut is slightly compressed.
Clip
Spring
Fig. 11 - See the schematic on page 27 for
more details. 
						

							Hook the bullet bin (#13756) and the
collection bin (#13484) on to their
respective brackets. Fig. 12
Step 5: Cycling the Machine
At this point your assembly should
be complete. Gently pull the operating
handle towards you, make a full stroke
to the bottom and up again. The
shellplate should be indexing and the
primer slide (#20318*) should function.
The casefeed plunger (#13073*) shouldtravel forward to the shellplate. Make
sure that you repeat this several times
to gain an understanding of the various
functions of the machine before you
start reloading. Fig. 13
Now plug in the casefeed motor and
activate the switch. The casefeed plate
should turn smoothly within the case-
feed bowl.
Assuming that all is well, proceed
with components.
Loading Components
Your Super 1050 is equipped with a
cartridge activated powder measure
that will dispense powder only when a
cartridge is in Station 5. 
It is important to understand that
the adjustable powder bar should
reach the end of its travel at the same
time that the handle reaches the bot-
tom of its stroke against the frame
stop. Fig. 14To achieve this adjust-
ment, the die body must be screwed
up or down as needed.
The powder die has already been
adjusted at the factory. An empty case
must be placed in the shellplate at
Station 5 in order to check this adjust-
ment. Note that the case used to adjust
the powder measure die must already
be sized.
NOTE: If you are adjusting for a
straight wall case, start your powder die
adjustment with the die obviously too high
and work down. This will avoid over
belling the case.
If you are adjusting a case with a shoul-
der, such as a .223, do not turn the die
down too far or the shoulder will buckle.Use a reloading manual to deter-
mine how much powder you need for
a particular load and an accurate pow-
der scale to determine the weight.
Caution: While you do not have to use
a Dillon Precision powder scale, you
should use a scale of equal quality. Do
not use scales with plastic frames or
“razor blade” pivots. Quality scales
have jeweled pivot points. Razor
blade pivots can dig into the frame of
the scale and give dangerously inaccu-
rate readings.Powder Measure Adjustments
In Station 5 we adjust the powder
measure. It works like this: screw the
powder die into the toolhead and insert
the pistol powder funnel expander or a
rifle powder funnel with the grooved
end toward the top of the powder die.
Fig. 15The funnel should move freely
in the die, leaving a loose fit between
the top of the die and the powder
measure collar. This will enable you to
adjust the die to give you a bell on the
mouth of your pistol cases making it
easier to start the bullet.
On rifle cases, the die should be
adjusted so that the powder funnel will
contact the mouth of the case and then
fully actuate the powder bar. These
adjustments are accomplished with a
sized case in the shellplate and alter-
nately raising and lowing the operating
handle while adjusting the powder die.
When properly adjusted, the powder
bar will be moved to the end of its trav-
el by the cartridge case Fig. 14.
8
Fig. 13 - Cycle the handle several times to
observe the various functions.
Fig. 14 - This photo shows the powder bar at
the end of its travel.
Fig. 15 - Note the difference between the
rifle expander (center) and the pistol
expander (right).
Fig. 12 - Shown is the proper location of
the cartridge collection bin. Note: the bul-
let bin is replaced by the optional bullet
tray in this photo. 
						

							When you have determined that
your adjustments are correct, tighten
the lock ring (#14067). Fig. 16
Powder Bar Return Rod Assembly
The purpose of the powder bar
return rod is to return the powder bar
to its closed position.
Remove the blue cap from the pow-
der die (#20320) and loosely clamp the
powder measure in position. 
To install the powder bar return rod
(#13960) remove the blue wing nut
(#13799) and rod spring (#14033) from
the rod, then insert the bottom end
through the 3/8” eyebolt (#13089) that
is mounted on the left rear of the main
frame.
Next, using your thumb and index
finger of your left hand, move the lock-
link down and align the hole with the
slot on the bellcrank. Then, insert the
rod through the two holes and insert
the return rod clip (#13929). Fig. 17Install the spring (#14033) and wing
nut (#13799) on the rod and screw the
wing nut up until you feel light tension
on the spring. Fig. 18Tighten the pow-
der measure clamp screws (#14037).
You will notice an adjusting bolt on
the front of the powder bar. Counter-
clockwise reduces the powder charge,
clockwise increases the charge. Fig. 19
Your machine comes with two pow-
der bars. Fig. 20 One large (#20063)and one small (#20062). Rule of thumb:
Use the large bar whenever possible.
Index a sized and primed case under
the measure and operate the machine’s
handle. Turning the powder bar adjust-
ment bolt clockwise increases the pow-
der charge – counterclockwise turns
decreases the powder charge. By trial
and error, determine the correct weight
of your powder charge by using a pow-
der scale. Fig. 19
When the correct powder charge
had been set, cycle several cases
through the machine and check the
load with a scale.
Primer Magazine
Select the proper size primer pick-up
tube and fill it by placing the plastic tip
over loose primers and pressing down.
You will notice that the primer maga-
zines and primer pick-up tubes have
different colored tips. They have been
color coded to help you identify size
more easily. 
The color code is as follows:
Blue Small Primer Magazine 
Orifice
Red Large Primer Magazine 
Orifice
Yellow Small Primer Pick-up Tube
Green Large Primer Pick-up Tube
The shiny side of the primers should
be facing up. This is most easily accom-
plished by use of a primer flip tray.Fig.
21  This quality cast metal flip tray is
available from Dillon Precision and is a
better choice than the smaller plastic
trays which are difficult to use and
have a tendency to warp. 
Fig. 16 - Be sure to tighten the lock ring
when adjustments are completed.
Fig. 17 - Install the return rod clip to secure
the powder bar return rod. See the schemat-
ic on page 31 for more details.
Fig. 18 - See the schematic on page 31 for
more details.
Fig. 19 - Clockwise turns of the powder bar
adjustment bolt increase the powder charge
while counterclockwise turns decrease the
powder charge.
Fig. 20 - Small powder bar (left), large pow-
der bar (right).
Spacer
Fig. 21 - All of the primers must be shiny
side up.
9 
						

							Once you’ve filled the pick-up tube,
make sure the little retaining clip is in
place at the top of the tube.    Fig. 22
Pivot the switch lever (#13864) away
from the Early Warning System hous-
ing and invert the pick-up tube over
the primer shield cap (#13957). You
will notice the cap has a bevel to help
you funnel the primers in. Hold the
tube in place as shown in Fig. 22, pull
the retaining pin and allow the
primers to drop into the magazine.
Pivot the switch the lever back over
the Early Warning System housing.
Gently slide the follower rod down
through the switch lever and into the
primer magazine tube. When you are
nearly out of primers, approximately
three remaining, the follower will acti-
vate the buzzer.
The Electric Casefeeder
Use only clean cartridge cases that
have been inspected for any potential
problems; split cases, rocks or smallercaliber cartridges that may be hidden in
larger caliber cartridges. Fig 23
Warning:Be sure that no loaded rounds
are mixed with your empty cases. It is
possible to feed a blunt nosed cartridge
like a .38 Sp. WC into the shellplate
upside down and explode it when it is
hit by the decap pin.
Now fill the casefeed bowl with
approximately 500 pistol cases or about
350 rifle cases. Fig 24
Your Super 1050 is now charged with
components and ready to go, but before
you start reloading, read the following
explanation of the sequence of the eight
reloading stations and the processes
that are done at each station.
Review: How the Super
1050 Works
Stations 1 - 8 (counterclockwise)
Station 1: Empty cases are automati-
cally inserted into the shellplate via the
electric casefeeder.
Station 2: Here the spent cartridge
cases are resized and deprimed.
Station 3:This station is totally
unique. The case is supported from the
inside and slightly expanded (not
belled) while simultaneously a swager
is driven into the primer pocket to
remove any crimp.
Station 4: Anew primer is installed
at this station. The spring driven
primer slide is extremely smooth. The
steel shrouded primer magazine is
capped with an electronic Early
Warning Device to let you know
when you’re down to approximately
three primers.Station 5: Here the case is belled
and powder is dropped by the case-
activated powder measure. It is
extremely accurate and will not drop
powder unless a case is present. Dillon
Precision offers an optional accessory to
be utilized with the automatic powder
measure at this station – Dillon’s Low
Powder Sensor provides an audible and
visual reminder when it’s time to refill
the powder reservoir. 
Station 6: This station is open to
allow for case inspection.
Station 7: The bullet is seated to its
proper depth at this station.
Station 8: In this station, the bullet is
crimped into place. The cartridge is
then automatically ejected into a collec-
tion bin. 
As stated earlier, your dies have
been adjusted at the factory. Before
you change anything, try it the way it
is, once you thoroughly understand
the machine’s operation, make what-
ever adjustments to the dies you feel
necessary.
Reminder: There may be some varia-
tion due to components.
To Begin Reloading
Turn on the switch on the front of the
casefeed motor housing. The casefeeder
plate should begin to turn. Cases will
begin to dispense, base down, into the
clear plastic casefeed tube. The motor
10
Fig. 22 - When installing primers into the
primer magazine, be sure the pick-up tube
centers itself before pulling the clip.
Fig. 24 - The casefeed bowl will hold
approximately 500 pistol cases or 350 rifle
cases. Do not overload the casefeed bowl.
Fig. 23 - When loading, use only cleaned
and inspected cartridge cases.
Fig. 25 - Dillon’s Low Powder Sensor gives
an audible and visual warning when the
powder reservoir gets low.