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11/30/2013 10:59:25 AM EDT
I'm thinking about selling my hornady lock n load and buying a Dillon 1050.  I'm currently set up to load 223, 9mm and 45ACP.  I also want to reload 300 blackout.  With the amount of cash needed to get up and running I want to spread some of the caliber conversion costs out and not all up front.  Do you need a separate toolhead for every different load?  What is really needed to switch calibers?  Also, I don't have a milling machine - how are people modifying the toolhead to work with a 1200 trimmer for 300 blackout.  Is there anything else I should be thinking about.  Everyone on this site always gives good advice so I appreciate it.

Thanks
11/30/2013 11:35:31 AM EDT
[#1]
I'm just getting started with the one I bought earlier this year.  I don't see the point of the extra tool heads.  Buy locking die rings like the Hornady ones and just swap dies.  
You are going to need to mill down the head for the Blackout trimmer.  A few pics online. Just have a shop do it.

For swapping those 3 calibers,  you should just buy the kits.  Not much in the way of overlapping parts.
11/30/2013 1:26:22 PM EDT
[#2]
Ball park 2Gs.

Only need one tool head.    Use the Hornady Lock Rings.
11/30/2013 2:55:02 PM EDT
[#3]
The 1050 is an awesome machine.   I have 3 of them.

If you can swing the $$$, use separate toolheads for each caliber.  If not, the Hornady lock rings will work.  I did that for a while but I got a good deal on a few used toolheads.  Now days I have a bunch of toolheads.

To trim 300 on a 1050 you need to mill off a bunch of a sacrificial toolhead.  Sometimes it is easier and cheaper to farm it out to someone that does it.

When loading ammo consider using lube on your brass.  It makes loading a lot easier.  Your arm/shoulder will thank you.

11/30/2013 4:05:57 PM EDT
[#4]
If you don't mind not  having complete dedicated use this to figure out the best way to put conversions together. I've got a couple complete and then picked up what was just needed to load other calibers, I'm at 10 calibers at a average cost below 650 conversions. I use the Hornady die rings also and plan a head as several calibers use the same shellplate .As said you'll have to mill a toolhead to trim 300blk but it can still be used to reload everything

There are a few guys that do a lot of moving used Dillon parts that were very helpful when putting conversions together.
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