Is it ok to begin reloading w/ a progressive set up?

[SLT223]

I've been looking at this for a little while now, I would really prefer to be able to knock out about 500+ rounds an hour. It seems like wonce you get everyting set up properly, and confirm your settings, you should be good to go. I was looking at the Hornady AP set up. The versatility was reloading is appealing, but I want to be able to shoot more without the long term heavy costs of buying volumes of loaded ammo.

 

[SLT223]

I've been looking at this for a little while now, I would really prefer to be able to knock out about 500+ rounds an hour. It seems like wonce you get everyting set up properly, and confirm your settings, you should be good to go. I was looking at the Hornady AP set up. The versatility was reloading is appealing, but I want to be able to shoot more without the long term heavy costs of buying volumes of loaded ammo.

 

[Amici]

Many will advise you to get a single-stage press, such as a Rock Chucker, so you can learn reloading "the right way." They have a point and, if you want to load rifle ammo, this is particularly true.

However, if you need pistol ammo, you probably need VOLUME. Productivity requires a progressive press.

IF you only plan to do pistol ammo AND if you only plan to load one or two calibers, a Dillon SDB would be a good start.

If you also plan to do rifle ammo, or if you plan to load multiple calibers, consider the Hornady LNL or the Dillon 550. Either will do well. The LNL has just been improved and MAY still have that killer one thousand free bullet deal.

Dillon's customer service IS the industry standard.

 

[shovelwrench]

I would advise against any beginer getting a progressive, just for safety sake.

There is too much going on at once for someone with no experience to keep track of it all. AND, you don't know what to watch for either.

If you want a little production, get a Lee turret press, you can take the indexing rod out and use it as a single stage till everything is dialed in.

 

[SLT223]

Too much going on at once is my concern. I'm pretty careful, thoughtful, and technically proficient, but this worries. I think if I can find someone to show me the ropes, I would really like to crank out some volume with a progressive.

 

[Amici]

Dillon has a video for its machines, so you can SEE how to set them up, then use them.

I suspect a search of YOU-TUBE will turn up more.

 

[nitesite]

Start with a single stage, which will produce less ammo per hour but will let you know when you make a mistake. And make a mistake you will, if you start with a progressive.

Volume isn't your initial goal, it is your FINAL goal after you have learned to do everything perfectly.

 

[shovelwrench]

If your dead set on a progressive, why don't you get a single stage from Ebay (cheap), or get a single stage "kit" with scales funnel etc.... They are'nt that expensive, once you've got the hang of, setting dies up and putting out good ammo, then get a progressive. You'll need all the same stuff for the single stage but it'll give you a chance to learn procedures and what is involved in each step.

Remember, a progressive does 4+ steps and gives a loaded round every time you pull the handle. Makes for a lot of ammo to pull apart if you don't catch something right away.


A turret press will do 200rds an hour, but, only does one step at a time till a round is done, 3-4 pulls, much easier to watch, way easier to learn on. They are also inexpensive.

 

[lafayne]

I suggest starting with a single stage press and recommend the Rockchucker or similar high quality press. I have the Dillon 550, but I perform all depriming on a very old RCBS Jr. to keep the 550 clean.

I load all small batch test loads on the Rockchucker and still use it a lot when I am too lazy to change the primer setup on the 550.

Hmmm - maybe need another 550.

 

[keppelj]

The other thing is that the single stage or a turret press like the Lee Deluxe is much nicer for working up loads, getting any bullet right. I started with the Lee, used it for about a year and then went to a Dillon for production. I still go back to the Lee to work up a new bullet and make test versions of it. Once I know it's accurate I can crank them out on the Dillon. It's really not much fun to use a progressive for that. Too much is going on whether you want it or not.

 

[john traveler]

The most compelling reason to start with a single-station press instead of a high-volume progressive press is statistical.

Look at the number of ammunition kah-BOOM! and bullet-in-bore incidents that involve ammo made on a progressive machine. I am not saying that progressives cause kah-BOOMS, only that statistically it is so much MORE likely to end up with cartridges that contain either no powder or a powder overcharge. This happens even to veteran reloaders, and it happens way too often to relatively new reloaders. There are so many things going on that requires your absolute undivided attention.

My recommendation is like most of the others: start with a single stage that will do both rifle and pistol, and acquire some experience before cranking up the progressive.

 

[Waldo]

I started reloading with an RCBS Rockchucker press in about 1976. If you wanted a progressive then you had to buy a Star. The first caliber I loaded was .45 Colt. Followed very shortly by .45 ACP . I still have the Rockchucker but also use a Dillon 550 for most handgun rounds. I think you should start with a single stage press. That way you can concentrate on one thing at a time. You will find that a single stage press will come in handy even after you have a progressive.

 

[pwelsh4hd]

I'm going to buck the trend, and suggest going ahead and getting the progressive....you'll wish you had it later. I learned reloading on a progressive, and you can monitor and load a single round at a time if you wish....just simply don't introduce more than one round to the plate at a time. Then when you are proficient and ready, you can ease your way into true progressive loading. It's like buying any machine or electronics, always get the next size up from what you think you need....if you think you need a 42" TV, you better get a 50"....if you think you want a 5 gallon compressor, better get a 10+....if you think you want a 4000 watt generator, better get an 8000....and if you think you want a single stage reloader, better go ahead and get the progressive (you can operate it basically as a single stage anyway).

 

[VonFatman]

I know it was horribly wrong of me to do it...awful actually...a foolish blunder...

But my first press was (in 2000) Dillon 650.

I never used another type of press until a year or so back when I decided to start reloading bottle-neck ammunition. It was then that I tried a Lee single stage (worked just fine)...now I use a Hornady single stage LNL for my bottle-neck reloads...love those LNL bushings!!

What can I say, I like being able to crank out 750-800 rounds an hour with out hurrying or pushing any envelopes.

ANY/ALL press/reloading setup require(s) your full attention to ensure safe reloads. You also need a strong reloading manual library and should take time to read and understand reloading BEFORE you begin pulling the handle.

I have found that many who might say "don't start with a progressive" did not get into reloading using a quality progressive. Hard to judge if you chose a different path.

"Tweak intensive" progressive press may not be the best if you are not "mechanically inclined" (like me) but a solid progressive is a piece of cake.

Enjoy your new press.

Bob

 

[Kevin G]

I'm another "start w/a single stage" advocate. I started w/a Rockchucker kit,press,loading manual,powder measure,scale,etc. Got comfortable w/it and learned how to reload,step by step. After a couple of years I moved up to a Hornady LNL AP w/case feeder. The initial learning curve was steep enough w/the experience I had. Appproaching the progressive green would have been really frustrating.
I question the 500+/hr production rate mentioned. I've got my "system" where I stop at intervals to check various items,random powder weight checks,etc,things I feel are necessary to insure I'm safely producing quality ammo. I think I'm doing 250,perhaps 300/hr. I've talked w/others whom I respect and they admit to similar production rates,regardless if their equipment is red,blue,or,green.
If the attraction to reloading is strictly financial I suggest working a few hrs extra overtime a week at the job and using the $ to buy ammo,you'll come out ahead.
Kevin

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Start with a single stage.When you begin reloading,there is a learning curve to get through that takes time.The progressive will muddy the water.I understand why you find the progressive appealing but I believe you need to master the art of walking before you learn to run.

 

[ehb86]

Yes, it's ok, and it's plenty safe as long as you're a little mechanically inclined. The setup may take a little fiddling. As others have said there's no reason you can't load one at a time on your progressive. The rules are the same, you always need to pay attention to what you're doing.

I know several people, myself included that started with a progressive and have had excellent results. Just be careful, read the books and enjoy it.

 

[MrPhil]

You can use a progressive one case at a time. Watch the case go through each station. You can focus on each step without distraction. If you want, you can batch process, simulating true single stage operation.

Go ahead, buy a good progressive. Specifically, buy a Dillon or Hornady.

 

[kennyb]

my vote goes with a quality single stage to begin with....do u really need 3-500 rounds an hour??

 

[RON in PA]

Before you do anything read a couple of reloading manuals so that you understand what each stage of the reloading process is all about.

You can skip the single stage press and jump right into a progressive if you are technologically adept and anal compulsive. As one of the posters already said, use your progressive with one cartridge at a time till you get the hang of things.