Need 1st press advice, what do you suggest?

[BikerRN]

Even if only for a month I would start on a single stage.
You can buy a single stage press and a turret or progressive. Just a single stage, without the kit, won't set you back too much and let you delve in to loading at a slower pace that let's you begin to understand what is happening.
Granted it leaves a lot to be desired if loading a lot of ammo at one time. The good thing is even with a progressive you will have need of a single stage for various jobs. Also, when loading hunting or precision target ammo you will likely want to load them on a single stage.

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[johngalt]

Midway has a sale on the RCBS Summit for $150.

RCBS Summit Single Stage Press

I know I'll need a case trimmer, decent scale, primer pocket swager (for crimped .223), some kind of case cleaner. What else will I need?

I plan on loading mostly .223/5.56 and .40 S&W and maybe a little .270

If you were starting off fresh again, what would you do? I currently load shotshells.

Thanks for the help!

Most suggest a single stage for a new reloader. Since you already reload, you probably don't need to start there.

I started out on a single stage for .38 and .45 auto. It didn't take me long before I got tired of the tedium and upgraded to a Hornady LNLAP. Since you are going to reload for rifle, a single stage may be more accurate. I don't reload for rifle, so I don't know if this is actually true.

I really like my Hornady press, haven't touched the single stage since.

You may also want a micrometer for measuring OAL, bullet puller, and a combo scale/powder dispenser. I have a rcbs chargemaster 1500. Fantastic gizmo.

Of course reloading manuals. Hornady is my favorite.

 

[njl]

Part of this is a question of how much you're willing to spend on the press and how much spare time you have. Single stage is slow. Turret is faster, but still slow. If you know you're going to shoot/reload much, you're going to end up wanting a progressive press unless you have unlimited spare time to reload. My first press was a Dillon RL550B, and 6 years later, it's still my only press. All I've had to do is add parts for additional calibers and occasionally contact Dillon to get worn parts replaced. Sure, a single stage is much cheaper, but a progressive is several times faster. How long do you want to spend making a box of .40?

 

[novalty]

It goes on and on my friend, it's the argument that never ends...

 

[fredj338]

Sure, a single stage is much cheaper, but a progressive is several times faster. How long do you want to spend making a box of .40?

It's 2015. Back in the day, yep, everyone started with a ss press. Today, with all the options, maybe not so fast.
Sure, 30yrs ago I started on a ss press. The heavy O frame seemed more sturdy than the few turrets available. Today, i recommend the 550 to new reloader over any turret. Just run one round at a time like an inverted turret. As you get more familiar, you can ramp it up to slow progressive speed, 200-250rds/hr. Want more, 500rds/hr can be done with experience, something not possible on a turret & you are doing 75% less work. Nothing wrong with a good ss press, I still use mine often, but there are better options for the handgun or ar shooter.

 

[Madoktor1]

I just got into reloading myself but have been around my friends for years who reload. So I had several people to talk to and experience hanging out with them while they were reloading. I chose the Lee 4 hole Turret for ease and simplicity. It's faster than a single stage but, IMO, easier and simpler than a full progressive and I won't be loading massive amounts of ammo. I'm mainly just using it to load a few hundred rounds for range trips to be able to shoot more for the same price as factory ammo. My wife is also wanting to learn how to use it and reload as well. So for my purpose, the Lee Turret is perfect. Good luck and happy reloading.

 

[Iowa Fox]

If you're not in a hurry, I would check out estate sales, yard sales, and auctions. You'd be surprised at what gets sold and reloading equipment usually doesn't go for huge amounts. How you shoot and how much may dictate the kind of press you be best served with. If you are into competition, you'll want a progressive and I'd recommend the Dillon 550B. If you are into occasional plinking or hunting you may find the single stage will do you fine. I've been loading over 30 years, and I still use my 1950's Texan 7 hole turret (single stage but with multiple dies set in) for all my load development and all my rifle loading. I use my 550B for 38, 357, 45& 9mm. The MEC 9000 handles the trap and skeet loads.

Perfect advice. I think a person could start for around 100 dollars ( press-dies- scale )if he was patient and shopped for used deals. I started with a hammer style Lee Loader in the early 60s. Still have it along with all the presses, scales, powder throwers, and other junk an old guy acquires along the way. I have two Dillons but the single stages see plenty of use for small batches and experiental load development.

 

[dla]

Midway has a sale on the RCBS Summit for $150.

RCBS Summit Single Stage Press

I know I'll need a case trimmer, decent scale, primer pocket swager (for crimped .223), some kind of case cleaner. What else will I need?

I plan on loading mostly .223/5.56 and .40 S&W and maybe a little .270

If you were starting off fresh again, what would you do? I currently load shotshells.

Thanks for the help!

Lct. Anything rcbs is 2nd-rate for the beginner.

 

[novalty]

Lct. Anything rcbs is 2nd-rate for the beginner.

Is the point of this post just to incite members that purchase RCBS equipment?

 

[hanno]

Lct. Anything rcbs is 2nd-rate for the beginner.

I started loading on a Rock Chucker 2 also using a Rangmaster 750 scale. In addition to the RC2, I now own a LCT. The RC2 and the LCT are both fine presses. I use both of them but find myself using the RC2 more often.

There is nothing 2nd rate about RCBS for the beginner or anyone else.

 

[fredj338]

Lct. Anything rcbs is 2nd-rate for the beginner.

Wow! So what does that make Lee stuff?? Nothing wrong with the LCT, probably the best thing lee makes, but top end RCBS gearis quite good.

 

[pmhayden]

I think a high quality SS press is a good press to learn on. It is not the worlds best press. But it is like taking a woman on a date your first time. It's a good place to learn. Focus on the fun you have and confidence you acquire. Go slow. There will be other presses. But what you learn matters more.

 

[BikerRN]

Get a good, make that great, first press and you'll never look back.

I started with a Lee Breechlock before I went to a Forster Coax press. I should've got the Coax first and never looked back.

 

[glenwolde]

I shoot pistol only.

I started with a single stage and quickly came to the conclusion it was too slow. I pretty quickly upgraded to a Dillon RL450, which was the predecessor to the current 550. I have loaded with that for decades. I got rid of my original single stage and added more progressives (another 450 and an RCBS Green Machine) then upgrade one of the 450's and got rid of the other two. I was back to a single Dillon.

Recently I decided I had a use for a single stage. I actually bought one of those Summit presses but returned it unopened. I decided I would at least like the option of being able to prime on the press. I got a Lee Breech Lock Classic Cast instead.

The reason I wanted a single stage is sometimes I want to do things that just don't require the speed of the Dillon. Plus the Dillon caliber conversion cost is significant, about $70 for a toolhead and a shell plate/buttons/powder tube.

If I had to do it again I would get the regular Classic Cast, not the Breech Lock. You can buy the regular Classic Cast for less than $120. Sometimes simple things are best.

I'd still suggest a single stage for you. There's enough to figure out when you begin reloading without the overhead of a more complex machine. If you get into it enough then you can upgrade to the Dillon one caliber at a time. At that point you will still find uses for the single stage where it adds convenience, not having to disturb your Dillon setup.

 

[novalty]

This thread brings back old memories.

 

[Huskerguy]

15krounds

No shortage of advice and recommendations. I reloaded many years on an old Pacific I picked up used. Two calibers and it worked great. Put it all away as kids grew up and I took on administration jobs. 30 years later I get back in to reloading and now two rifle and 4 pistol cartridges. Got out the old Pacific and it works wonderful and in fact I still use it for 223 and 45 and any time I am working up loads. I love the art of reloading so a single stage is not a problem for me. A few years ago I purchased a LNL and love it. I can sit down and crank a bunch of 38's in no time but really it isn't that big of deal. The cost is much much more despite what the initial figures look like. I could be happy going back to my single stage only for all of my rounds. I load in batches on the SS doing a bunch of sizing, a bunch of hand priming, a bunch of belling and then load so when the time comes loading doesn't take very long at all. Even though I have the progressive I still have several thousand of multiple calibers ready to drop powder in and go. My experience and advice is to find a nice used SS and go with it. You will be happy with whatever you get and you won't feel guilty about spending big bucks on a progressive press and all of the parts to have it sitting there. I enjoy the reloading because it gets me back to working with my hands and mind. I love doing it as much as shooting. Good luck