BLUF - manual 1050 vs. mark 7 650 - what would be faster for total loading/QC time?
I enjoy reloading, but for me it's a means-to-an-end (shooting). Given this, the faster I can load quality ammo, the more time I can spend with my wife, personal life, and taking care of school. I only reload 9mm, brass is range-pick up. I don't have the funds to invest in a 1050 AND automation.
Currently I'm pushing 500 or so rounds an hour without any effort on the 650xl, and case-gauge every round with a hundo. Automating with a Mark 7 would mean keeping the machine supplies fed, a much higher cyclic speed, and visual confirmation of powder charges with QC after a run. Lowest speed it can be set is about 900 rounds an hour, so near manual rated 1050 speeds - can get it past 2000 rounds an hour too.
The catch to this is I don't have a powder check die, the bullet feeder die occupies that space instead. The way around this is selling my Mr. Bullet Feeder and obtaining a GSI bullet feeder, and wiring a powder checker into the automation. Moving to a GSI would allow for all the sensors to monitor and stop all operations if something is awry and let me do QC with confidence with the machine in operation, after things have been vetted and dialed in.
The other option I can see is moving over to the 1050 and manually operate, I can feasibly be around 900-1000 rounds an hour or more. I'd still have to QC after running the machine, but would be running faster than a 650 with a bullet feeder. I wouldn't be stopped from crimped primer pockets, but I don't know if it would be any faster in the long run to go this path or not. Automation is a ways down the road, if ever.
Any insight from those that have moved from 650 to 1050, or have moved from 1050 to automated 1050?
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