Published: October 2025 | Last updated: June 2026
Disclaimer: All load data referenced in this article is drawn from published manufacturer sources. Always consult a current reloading manual before developing any load. Start below published minimums and watch for pressure signs.
Two facts about the Dillon RL 1100 establish its position in the reloading press market before anything else. First: it has eight stations, an integrated primer pocket swager, a variable-speed case feeder included as standard equipment, and a cast-iron frame rated for sustained production use at 1,000+ rounds per hour. Second: it carries a two-year limited warranty – not the No B.S. lifetime warranty that Dillon attaches to the RL 550C and XL 750.
Those two facts together describe a press that Dillon categorizes and prices as commercial-grade production equipment rather than as a consumer reloading press. The RL 1100 is what a serious competition shooter, a club armorer, or a professional reloading operation buys when the XL 750‘s five stations and optional case feeder are no longer adequate for the production volume or the die configuration required. It is not the press for someone who loads 500 rounds per month and wants to maximize rounds per session.
Understanding exactly what the RL 1100 provides that the XL 750 doesn’t – and what the XL 750 provides that the RL 1100 doesn’t – is the analytical work this review is designed to do.
What’s in the Box
The Dillon RL 1100 ships with:
- RL 1100 press base with 8-station toolhead (7/8-14 die threads)
- Variable-speed case feeder with large hopper
- On-press primer system with small and large primer interchangeability
- Built-in primer pocket swager with interchangeable large/small swager body
- Spent-primer collection cup or chute
- Printed instructions and warranty card
What’s not included: dies, caliber conversion kits, or a bullet feeder. The caliber conversion kit is a separate purchase for each caliber you plan to load – shell plate, powder funnel, locator buttons, and primer disc specific to the case head diameter. Factor this into the total cost alongside the press.
The case feeder being standard rather than optional is a meaningful difference from the XL 750. At the RL 1100’s production rate of 1,000+ rounds per hour, manual case placement between strokes would cap the operator’s throughput at a fraction of the press’s mechanical capability. The included case feeder with its large hopper is not an upgrade on the RL 1100 – it’s a baseline requirement for the press to function at its intended production rate.
The Two-Year Warranty: The Most Important Specification
Before discussing the RL 1100’s impressive feature set, the warranty situation deserves direct and prominent treatment because it surprises most buyers familiar with Dillon’s reputation.
Dillon Precision’s No B.S. warranty is one of the most frequently cited reasons to buy into the Dillon ecosystem. The RL 550C has it. The XL 750 has it. It means Dillon replaces defective parts without receipts, without arguments, and typically without charge, for the life of the product under normal use.
The RL 1100 does not carry this warranty. It carries a two-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. This is Dillon’s commercial-equipment warranty term, not their consumer-press warranty term. The distinction reflects how Dillon categorizes the RL 1100: as production equipment used in commercial and high-competition environments where sustained high-cycle use at near-continuous rates is the expected application. Verify current warranty terms directly with Dillon Precision before purchasing.
This doesn’t mean the RL 1100 is less durable than the XL 750 – its cast-iron frame and commercial-grade construction are, if anything, more robust than the XL 750 for sustained production use. It does mean that the warranty safety net is different, and buyers who specifically value Dillon’s lifetime coverage as a purchasing justification need to understand that the RL 1100 is not in that warranty category.
Eight Stations: What They Enable
The RL 1100’s eight stations versus the XL 750‘s five is a difference of three stations. Those three stations are not incremental – they fundamentally change what die configurations are possible without compromising any required loading operation.
A full eight-station configuration for 9mm Luger or 223 Remington military brass:
- Station 1: Full-length size and decap
- Station 2: Primer pocket swage (first pass, if needed for crimped brass)
- Station 3: Primer pocket swage (second pass or finish, if needed)
- Station 4: Seat primer and expand case mouth
- Station 5: Powder charge
- Station 6: Powder check die – visual confirmation of every charge
- Station 7: Seat bullet
- Station 8: Crimp
Every required loading operation has its own station. The powder check die is not competing for space with a loading function – it has a dedicated position. Seating and crimping are separate operations. And the swager occupies its dedicated station(s) without displacing any other function.
On a five-station press, this configuration is impossible without combining operations – powder check occupies a station that would otherwise be a required loading step, or seating and crimping share a station. The RCBS Pro Chucker 7 with seven stations handles most of this configuration. The RL 1100’s eight gives you the complete sequence plus the integrated swager, which the Pro Chucker 7 doesn’t include.
The Built-In Swager: The RL 1100’s Defining Feature
If one feature distinguishes the RL 1100 from every five-station press on the market – including the XL 750 – it’s the integrated primer pocket swager. Understanding what this means in a production workflow is essential to understanding why the RL 1100 commands its price premium.
Military surplus brass – 223 Remington from Lake City and other US military headstamps, 308 Winchester class 7.62×51 NATO, and comparable foreign military brass – has crimped primer pockets. The crimp is a ring of metal around the primer pocket edge that locks the primer in place for reliable function in automatic weapons. Before any primer can be seated in crimped brass, the crimp must be removed – either by reaming (cutting the crimp material away) or swaging (pressing it flush with the pocket wall).
On the XL 750 and RL 550C, crimped brass requires a separate processing step before it can run on the press – either a hand swager like the Dillon Precision Super Swage 600, or the dedicated Dillon CP 2000 case processor. This pre-processing step takes additional bench time and requires additional equipment investment.
On the RL 1100, the swager is a station in the press itself. Military crimped brass runs through the press like commercial brass – the swager station removes the crimp as the case cycles, and the primer seats in the next station in the same cycle. For a reloader whose primary supply is military surplus 223 Remington or 308 Winchester from bulk purchase or range pickups, the RL 1100 eliminates the separate swaging step entirely.
The swager is interchangeable between large and small primer versions – the same press handles 9mm Luger small pistol and 308 Winchester large rifle crimped brass with different swager bodies.
Key Specs and Compatibility
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frame Material | Cast iron, powder coat |
| Stations | 8 |
| Indexing | Auto |
| Die Thread | Standard 7/8-14 |
| Primer Pocket Swager | Integrated, large/small interchangeable |
| Case Feeder | Variable-speed electric, large hopper – included |
| Powder Measure | Dillon-specific, case-activated |
| Shell Plate | Dillon-style quick-change |
| Max Caliber | 308 Winchester class (NOT 30-06, NOT magnums) |
| Primer System | On-press, automatic feed |
| Production Rate | 1,000+ rounds/hour |
| Automation Compatible | Yes – bullet feeders, auto-drives |
| Warranty | Two-year limited (NOT Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime) |
| Origin | Dillon Precision Products, USA |
The 308 Winchester class case length limitation is the specification that most affects hunting-oriented reloaders considering the RL 1100. The press handles cases up to approximately 2.015 inches – covering 308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Blackout, and similar. It does not handle 30-06 Springfield (2.494-inch case), 300 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, or other large-capacity magnum cases. For those calibers, the Dillon Super 1050 with its longer stroke is the appropriate Dillon product.
The Dillon-specific powder measure is integrated into the RL 1100’s toolhead design with a case-activated mechanism – powder drops only when a case is present in the shell plate, which prevents double-charges and missed charges. This safety feature, which the XL 750 also uses in its case-activated measure, is particularly valuable at 1,000+ rounds per hour where missed cases are more likely than at lower production rates.
Where the RL 1100 Excels
High-volume pistol production for serious competition. 9mm Luger for USPSA, 3-gun, and Steel Challenge competitors who shoot 5,000-10,000 rounds per month. 45 ACP for major-power-factor IPSC shooting. 40 S&W for IDPA competition. At 1,000+ rounds per hour with a bullet feeder, the RL 1100 loads ammunition at a rate that matches the consumption rates of serious competitive shooters without requiring daily bench sessions. For production at this volume, the eight-station configuration with a dedicated powder check die at station 6 provides a safety margin that five-station alternatives can’t match. The best powders for 9mm Luger handloading guide covers the ball powder choices – Hodgdon Titegroup, Winchester 231, Hodgdon CFE Pistol – that meter most consistently through the RL 1100’s case-activated measure at production speed.
Military surplus 223 Remington and 308 Winchester production. The integrated swager is the feature that makes military surplus brass processing practical at RL 1100 production rates. For an AR-15 competition shooter who sources Lake City 5.56 NATO brass at lower cost than commercial brass, the RL 1100 processes crimped brass through the swager station and loads it in the same cycle. The Dillon Rifle Die Set or RCBS AR Die Set with small-base sizing die handles 223 Remington for semi-auto reliable feeding. For CCI No. 41 small rifle military primers in AR-15 loads, the harder cup is appropriate. Ball powders – Hodgdon CFE 223, Hodgdon Varget, Ramshot TAC – meter consistently through the case-activated measure for volume production.
Operation paired with the CP 2000. The most efficient high-volume setup pairs the RL 1100 with the Dillon CP 2000 case processor. The CP 2000 pre-processes raw brass – decapping, swaging, and sizing – while the RL 1100 handles the loading cycle. This parallel workflow, with the RL 1100’s built-in swager as a redundant safety for any case that comes through with remaining crimp, produces the highest total throughput in the Dillon ecosystem for military surplus brass. For operations loading 5,000-10,000 rounds of 223 Remington or 308 Winchester monthly, this is the correct production architecture.
Club and commercial reloading operations. For a shooting club that produces practice ammunition for members, a commercial reloading operation serving retail customers, or a professional gunsmith who offers handloaded ammunition, the RL 1100’s production rate and cast-iron durability suit the commercial use case better than any consumer-grade progressive press.
Realistic Limitations
Case length limitation: 308 Winchester class only. The RL 1100 does not handle 30-06 Springfield or any large-capacity magnum rifle case. This is confirmed by Dillon’s own FAQ for the press. For hunting reloaders who load 300 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, or 30-06 Springfield alongside their pistol calibers, the RL 1100 cannot replace a longer-stroke press for those applications.
Two-year warranty. Covered in detail above – not Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty. The XL 750 carries the No B.S. warranty; the RL 1100 does not.
Not for beginners. Eight stations, an integrated swager, a case feeder, and the case-activated powder measure all operating simultaneously create a complex setup. A reloader who hasn’t worked through the fundamentals of progressive reloading on a simpler press will find the RL 1100 setup considerably more challenging than starting with the Lee Pro 4000 or Hornady Lock-N-Load AP and working up to production-grade equipment.
Cost and caliber conversion investment. The RL 1100 is among the most expensive consumer-available progressive presses. Each additional caliber requires a conversion kit. Bullet feeders – not included and not optional if you want the press’s full production rate – add substantial additional cost. The total investment in a fully-equipped RL 1100 for two calibers is a serious capital commitment.
Size and permanence. The cast-iron frame and integrated case feeder make the RL 1100 a large, heavy, permanent bench installation. It cannot be moved easily or stored between sessions. If bench space is limited or the press needs to be portable, the RL 1100 is the wrong choice.
RL 1100 vs XL 750: The Core Decision
Most buyers considering the RL 1100 come from the XL 750 or are comparing the two directly. The comparison has a clear structure:
| Feature | Dillon RL 1100 | Dillon XL 750 |
|---|---|---|
| Stations | 8 | 5 |
| Built-in Swager | Yes | No (separate tool required) |
| Case Feeder | Included standard | Optional upgrade |
| Case Length | Up to 308 Win class | Up to magnum capable |
| Production Rate | 1,000+ rph | 500-900 rph |
| Auto Drive Compatible | Yes | Yes (Mark 7) |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | No B.S. Lifetime |
| Powder Check Die Station | Yes (8 stations) | Limited (5 stations) |
| Price | $$$$$+ | $$$-$$$$ |
| Best For | Commercial/high-comp volume | Serious hobbyist to competition |
The decisive factors in the comparison:
- If you load military surplus crimped brass at volume: RL 1100 – the swager is there
- If you load magnum rifle calibers: XL 750 – the RL 1100 doesn’t handle them
- If Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty is a priority: XL 750 – the RL 1100 doesn’t have it
- If you load 5,000+ rounds monthly and want maximum throughput: RL 1100
- If the investment ceiling is meaningful: XL 750 handles serious hobbyist volume at lower cost with better warranty
Competitors – Four Direct Comparisons
Dillon XL 750
The Dillon XL 750 is the intra-family comparison that defines the RL 1100’s market position. As detailed in the comparison table above, the XL 750 has Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty, handles magnum calibers, and costs significantly less. The RL 1100 has more stations, the integrated swager, and the case feeder as standard. For a reloader whose applications are within the XL 750’s capabilities and whose volume is in the serious hobbyist to moderate competition range, the XL 750 is the more defensible purchase – better warranty terms and adequate production capacity for that use case. The RL 1100’s advantages only justify its cost when the application specifically requires what the XL 750 can’t provide.
Choose the RL 1100 if: you load military surplus crimped brass in volume, need eight stations for a complete die sequence with dedicated powder check, or load at commercial/high-competition volumes where 1,000+ rounds per hour is the production target. Choose the XL 750 if: your volume is in the serious hobbyist range, you load magnum calibers the RL 1100 can’t handle, and Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty matters to you.
Mark 7 Apex 10
The Mark 7 Apex 10 is the premium automated progressive press that competes with the RL 1100 at the top of the automated production market. Ten stations rather than eight – the additional stations accommodate more add-on dies, sensor integration, and automation interfaces. The Apex 10 uses an aluminum frame rather than the RL 1100’s cast iron, which makes it lighter but raises questions about long-term rigidity under sustained production use. The Apex 10 is the choice for operations that want the maximum automation integration and software control that commercial-scale reloading can support. The RL 1100 is the choice for operations that want Dillon’s production-proven mechanical reliability with the automation capability of bullet feeder and auto-drive integration, at lower cost and simpler setup than the Apex 10.
Choose the RL 1100 if: Dillon’s mechanical reliability and simpler automation integration at a lower cost than the Apex 10 serve your production requirements. Choose the Apex 10 if: maximum station count, software integration, and premium automation at any cost are the requirements.
Hornady Lock-N-Load AP
The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP is the five-station alternative for a reloader whose production volume is below the threshold where the RL 1100’s eight stations and integrated swager are necessary. The LNL AP uses Hornady’s Lock-N-Load bushing system for die changes, has a more reliable primer system than Lee’s alternatives, and has a lifetime limited warranty. For a serious hobbyist reloader loading 2,000-3,000 rounds per month without military surplus crimped brass, the LNL AP covers the production need at considerably lower cost than the RL 1100. The comparison is relevant when a reloader has outgrown the LNL AP’s five stations but is evaluating whether to stay at the LNL AP’s production level or step to the RL 1100’s throughput.
Choose the RL 1100 if: you’ve outgrown the LNL AP’s five stations, specifically need the integrated swager, or your production volume justifies the RL 1100’s cost premium. Choose the LNL AP if: five stations serve your die sequence, your volume is in the moderate range, and the LNL AP’s cost and warranty terms are the appropriate investment for your production level.
RCBS Pro Chucker 7
The RCBS Pro Chucker 7 offers seven stations – one fewer than the RL 1100 – with a quick-change die plate system and RCBS’s lifetime limited warranty. It doesn’t have the RL 1100’s integrated swager, included case feeder, or production rate. For a reloader who wants more stations than the XL 750’s five but doesn’t need the RL 1100’s integrated swager or production rate, the Pro Chucker 7 sits in the middle at a price point below the RL 1100. The key operational difference is the swager – if crimped military brass is a regular part of your supply, the RL 1100’s integrated swager removes the separate processing step that the Pro Chucker 7 requires.
Choose the RL 1100 if: the integrated swager and 1,000+ rounds per hour production rate are both specifically required, and the cost is within budget. Choose the Pro Chucker 7 if: seven stations cover your die sequence, you don’t regularly process crimped military brass, and RCBS’s warranty terms are preferred over the RL 1100’s two-year coverage.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Dillon RL 1100 | Dillon XL 750 | Mark 7 Apex 10 | Hornady LNL AP | RCBS Pro Chucker 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stations | 8 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Indexing | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto |
| Frame | Cast iron | Cast iron + aluminum | Aluminum | Steel | Die-cast aluminum |
| Built-in Swager | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Case Feeder | Standard (included) | Optional upgrade | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Production Rate | 1,000+ rph | 500-900 rph | 1,000+ rph | 500 rph | 600 rph |
| Powder Check Station | Yes (8 stations) | Limited (5) | Yes (10 stations) | No room | Yes (7 stations) |
| Magnum Capable | No (308 Win max) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 30-06 class |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | No B.S. Lifetime | Varies | Lifetime limited | Lifetime limited |
| Price Range | $$$$$ | $$$-$$$$ | $$$$$+ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Best For | Commercial/high-comp | Serious hobbyist-comp | Full automation | Moderate volume | 7-station mid-volume |
Setup and Mounting
Bench requirements. The RL 1100’s cast-iron frame requires the most robust bench mounting in this press series. 2-inch minimum hardwood, all-thread bolts rather than lag screws, large-diameter washers, and the press mounted over a structural bench leg or cross-member. At 1,000 rounds per hour, the press cycles rapidly and the forces transmitted into the bench at that rate are cumulative – a bench mount that’s adequate for 300 rounds per hour may loosen or flex under sustained RL 1100 production rates.
Case feeder setup. Install the case feeder hopper and column at the correct height for the caliber’s case length. Load the hopper with clean, sorted brass. The variable-speed potentiometer controls the feeder motor speed – start at a lower speed and increase until the feed rate keeps pace with the press cycle without cases backing up. For 9mm Luger, the small pistol casefeed plate is appropriate. For 223 Remington, the small rifle plate. Cases must be clean before loading the feeder – dirt and debris in the case head area causes feeder jams that interrupt production.
Swager setup for crimped brass. Install the appropriate swager body – small for small pistol/rifle primers (CCI 500, CCI 400), large for large pistol/rifle (CCI 300). Adjust the swager rod depth for your brass lot’s crimp depth per Dillon’s setup instructions. Test with 10-15 cases before running production – primer pocket resistance after swaging should be equivalent to commercial unprimed brass. Verify with a primer punch before running a full batch.
Die setup. The Dillon Pistol Die Set and Dillon Rifle Die Set are the natural companions. Standard 7/8-14 dies from any manufacturer are compatible. Set the sizing die using the how to tune a sizing die guide. Verify OAL on 5-10 test rounds at each seating die adjustment before running production. For 223 Remington for semi-auto platforms, small-base sizing dies ensure reliable feeding and chambering.
Powder measure calibration. The Dillon Precision Powder Measure for RL 1100 is the case-activated measure integrated into the toolhead. Calibrate charge weight by loading 10 charged cases and weighing each on a powder scale – the RCBS Rangemaster 2000 or Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series. For the overpressure context of high-rate production, charge weight verification at the start of every session and spot-checks every 100 rounds is not optional.
Troubleshooting
Swager producing inconsistent primer pocket depths. Check swager rod depth – too shallow leaves residual crimp, too deep produces over-swaged loose pockets. Different brass lots (LC vs WCC headstamps for example) may need different rod depth settings due to web thickness variation. Test with 5 cases from each lot before running mixed brass. Mark the rod setting for each brass lot and change when lots change.
Case feeder jamming. Clean the hopper, check for deformed cases in the supply, and verify the casefeed plate is appropriate for the caliber. At RL 1100 production rates, a case that’s slightly deformed or incorrectly sized for the plate will jam the feeder more quickly than at lower production speeds. Sort cases for severe dents and deformation before loading the hopper.
Powder check die stopping production. A powder check die in station 6 that’s regularly triggering indicates actual charge weight variation – don’t bypass it to restore production rate. Stop and diagnose the powder measure. Check for powder bridging in the hopper, verify the measure activation mechanism is clean, and weigh a series of charges manually to confirm the variation source.
Shell plate indexing stopping partway. At high production rates, the indexing detent must engage cleanly on every cycle. Clean the detent area of primer compound and brass residue. Check that the indexing spring has full tension. A detent that works at 300 rounds per hour may not keep pace at 1,000 – cleaning frequency increases proportionally with production rate.
Primer feed stoppage. Check the primer track for primer compound accumulation – this builds faster at production rates than at hobbyist rates. Clean the track with a brush and compressed air at the start of each session and whenever primer feed becomes inconsistent. Use CCI 500 or Winchester WSP small pistol, CCI 300 or Winchester WLP large pistol as the most dimensionally consistent feeders at production speeds.
What to Buy with It
Caliber conversion kits. Required for each caliber. Budget these as part of the total RL 1100 investment. The shell plate, powder funnel, and casefeed plate for 9mm Luger and 223 Remington are the two most common starting conversions for RL 1100 buyers.
Die sets. The Dillon Pistol Die Set with carbide sizing die for pistol calibers, Dillon Rifle Die Set or RCBS AR Die Set with small-base sizer for 223 Remington semi-auto loading.
Bullet feeder. Not included and not optional if you want to approach 1,000 rounds per hour. A dedicated bullet feeder – Mr. Bulletfeeder, DAA, or similar – eliminates the manual bullet placement step that caps production rate without feeders. Budget this as part of the day-one setup investment.
Dillon CP 2000 (if running military surplus at volume). For operations processing large quantities of crimped military brass, pairing the CP 2000 as a parallel pre-processing station with the RL 1100 as the loading press maximizes total throughput.
Powder scale. The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Digital Scale or RCBS Rangemaster 2000 at the bench for charge verification.
Frankford Arsenal Vibra-Prime for primer tubes. At RL 1100 production rates, primer tubes empty frequently. The Vibra-Prime fills tubes efficiently without interrupting production session flow.
Ammo quality checker gauge. For completed rounds, a caliber-specific ammo checker gauge catches over-length, over-crimp, or undercharge rounds that don’t meet spec before they leave the bench.
FAQ
Can the RL 1100 load 30-06 Springfield?
No. The RL 1100 is limited to approximately 308 Winchester class case lengths. 30-06 Springfield (2.494-inch case) exceeds the RL 1100’s stroke capacity. For 30-06 Springfield and comparable long cases, the Dillon Super 1050 with its longer stroke is the appropriate Dillon product.
Why does the RL 1100 have a two-year warranty instead of Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime?
Dillon categorizes the RL 1100 as commercial-grade production equipment with different warranty terms than their consumer reloading presses. The RL 550C and XL 750 carry the No B.S. lifetime warranty; the RL 1100 does not. Verify current warranty terms directly with Dillon.
Does the RL 1100 need a bullet feeder to reach 1,000 rounds per hour?
Yes. At 1,000+ rounds per hour, the operator cannot manually place bullets fast enough to keep pace with the press’s mechanical cycle rate. A bullet feeder is not optional at production rates – it’s what makes the press’s rated output achievable rather than theoretical.
What powders work best at production rates?
Ball and flake powders meter most consistently through the case-activated powder measure at production speeds: Hodgdon Titegroup, Winchester 231, Hodgdon CFE Pistol, and Alliant Power Pistol for pistol calibers. For 223 Remington, Hodgdon CFE 223 and Ramshot TAC flow consistently. Coarse extruded stick powders require check-weighing at higher frequency at production rates. The best powders for 9mm Luger handloading and best powders for 45 ACP handloading guides cover the production powder options for each caliber.
Is the RL 1100 appropriate for a first progressive press?
No. The RL 1100 is the opposite of a first progressive press. Eight stations, an integrated swager, a built-in case feeder, and the case-activated powder measure all operating simultaneously require a systematic setup approach and existing progressive press knowledge. A reloader building production capability should start with the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP or Dillon XL 750 and step to the RL 1100 when those presses’ production capacity becomes a genuine limitation.
Can I pair the RL 1100 with the CP 2000?
Yes, and for high-volume military brass operations, this is the recommended production architecture. The CP 2000 pre-processes raw brass at 2,000-3,000 cases per hour while the RL 1100 loads at 1,000+ rounds per hour. The RL 1100’s integrated swager serves as a secondary safety measure for any case that comes through with residual crimp from the CP 2000 pass.
Conclusion
The Dillon RL 1100 is a commercial-grade production press that earns its position at the top of the Dillon progressive lineup through the combination of features that no five-station press can match: eight stations for a complete die sequence with dedicated powder check, an integrated primer pocket swager that processes military surplus crimped brass without a separate tool or machine, a variable-speed case feeder as standard equipment, and a cast-iron frame that sustains 1,000+ rounds per hour over extended production sessions.
Its limitations are honest and consequential. The two-year limited warranty is not Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime coverage – the XL 750 has the lifetime warranty while the RL 1100 does not. The 308 Winchester case length ceiling leaves large-capacity magnum hunters without a Dillon solution at this press level. The cost and the production investment required to operate it at capacity make it appropriate only for reloaders whose volumes justify that investment.
For the reloader who loads 5,000+ rounds monthly, regularly processes military surplus crimped brass, and wants the production capability that eight stations, an integrated swager, and a case feeder provide as standard – the RL 1100 is the correct tool. For every other use case, the XL 750 covers the need with better warranty terms and lower total investment.
Choose the Dillon RL 1100 if you load at commercial or serious competition volume (5,000+ rounds monthly), regularly process military surplus crimped brass that benefits from the integrated swager, need eight stations for a complete die sequence including a dedicated powder check die, and want a cast-iron production press that runs continuously at 1,000+ rounds per hour.
Choose the Dillon XL 750 instead if your volume is in the serious hobbyist to moderate competition range, Dillon’s No B.S. lifetime warranty is important to you, you load magnum calibers beyond the RL 1100’s case length range, or the XL 750’s cost and feature set is the appropriate investment for your production level.
Choose the Mark 7 Apex 10 instead if maximum station count, full automation integration, and premium software control are the priority at any cost.
Choose the RCBS Pro Chucker 7 instead if seven stations with RCBS’s lifetime warranty cover your die sequence and you don’t specifically need the RL 1100’s integrated swager or production rate.
Editorial note: Originally published October 2025, revised June 2026. The revision expanded all sections from list-format to full prose, moved the two-year warranty disclosure to the most prominent position in the review to address the most common buyer surprise about this press, added dedicated sections explaining the integrated swager as the RL 1100’s primary differentiator from the XL 750, expanded the RL 1100 vs XL 750 comparison into a standalone section with a structured feature table, corrected the article’s positioning (original implied this was appropriate for beginners – it is not), and added full internal linking throughout.
