Single stage press?

[Thomasino]

I'm still using the Bonanza single stage that I bought in '82. I did use a progressive when I was shooting 500-1000 rounds a month years ago but now that I average 200-300 rounds a month the single stage suffices. Using the batch method it only takes about 1 hour per 100 rounds.

batch method?

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[LAA]

I use a Rockchucker pretty much for everything. I do have a JR that I use only for priming (I have the priming tube setup) and use the RC for everything else, one at a time. I have used progressives in the past of several makes and I find that I do better when I just take my time and go slow. Besides, it's fun to me so I don't mind the time. The only thing I don't really enjoy is cleaning primer pockets.
Right now I'm in the middle of about 350 .41 Mags. When I get done I have about 1000 38 specials to load (I cast also) and when I get done with that, I have about that many 44 specials/mag to load. Then I have a buttload of 380s to work on. I have plenty to keep me busy Every so often I get the urge to get a Dillon, but I've managed to do without so far. Maybe when I'm retired...

At this point in time, I do just as well, whether it's the Dillon progressive, or Redding single stage. Every finished cartridge is inspected, and barrel or gauge tested. They always fire without fail. I usually prefer the Dillon for 45's, 9mm, and 223's. But I'll also run those same calibers on the single, just for special test ammo, or plain relaxation. There are numerous other caliber sizes I just put together on the single. I like having the option.

 

[rwsmith]

My Rockchucer...

...serves me well. My only press. I've thought about adding to the arsenal but for the volume you are talking about, no problem.

 

[Shoo2tr]

My Lee Classic Turret does everything I need it to do: 9mm, .38 SPL, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .300 BLK.

 

[kbm6893]

It's all I use and all I ever intend to use. I'm not interested in cranking out large amounts in minutes. I batch load. Have a bin full of primed and ready to load cases and load 50 at a time whenever I feel like it. I weight every charge too.

I'm not gonna rely on a machine to make sure the powder drop is correct.

 

[silentflyer]

Have an old Lyman All American turret press, used it since the early 70's 95% of what I load are straight wall pistol rounds, has worked well for years. Cranks out about 100 rounds an hour, to me reloading isn't a race to anywhere.

 

[muddocktor]

While I have an old Dillon RL-450 progressive I use for pistol cartridges I shoot a lot of, I still use my old Pacific 007 single stage press for bottleneck cartridge loading and lower volume pistol cartridges. I've thought of upgrading to a turret press, but the one I want costs too much for me to justify it.

 

[federali]

RCBS and Dillon

I use my Rockchucker for rifle ammo, including .44 Magnum. I shoot too few of the .44s to warrant setting up the caliber on my Dillon 550B.

However, When using the Rockchucker, I prefer the Lee Auto-prime for priming which attaches to the die holder atop the Rockchucker. Seating primers with a stock Rockchucker is perhaps its only design flaw.

 

[forestswin]

Thomasino
You are getting "sucked in" to this hobby
Looking for Bigger, better tools!

A 100 rounds a week ......that'll be a little hard to justify something more than a single stage

It sounds like you need to buy a few more guns first... then you'll have the need for more bigger, better, faster tools

 

[elpac3]

I use my Rockchucker for rifle ammo, including .44 Magnum. I shoot too few of the .44s to warrant setting up the caliber on my Dillon 550B.

However, When using the Rockchucker, I prefer the Lee Auto-prime for priming which attaches to the die holder atop the Rockchucker. Seating primers with a stock Rockchucker is perhaps its only design flaw.

Never looked back since I got the RCBS bench top priming tool. Can't believe it took me this long to change from press priming

 

[Huskerguy]

I have an old Pacific single stage that I picked up used in the early 80's. Still works great. Several years ago I decided to venture into the progressive and got the LNL set up. It works very well.

I would size and deprime in big lots, usually around a plastic coffee can full, then prime while sitting on the floor. These would be set back and ready to charge and add bullets later. Each can has a card that stays with that batch so I know dates and what primers I used.

Several years later when I set up the new LNL I still have cans of 9mm that are sized and primed, ready to load. I can't bring myself to run them through the progressive press.

Once you develop your system you will be amazed at how much ammo you can load on a single stage and with hand priming. I don't load that many calibers and don't shoot competition but I like to have plenty of 9mm, 38/357, 40, and 45 ready along with 223 and 30-06 rifle.

If I had it to do all over again, I don't really know if I would get a progressive. I like the thing and it does pump out the ammo but there is something about a single stage that just feels right when I have some extra time. That to me is the big difference, time.

 

[les.b]

Single stage RCBS. Been using it since 1970.

Best Regards, Les

 

[LAA]

I'm not gonna rely on a machine to make sure the powder drop is correct.

Most users of progressives, don't totally rely on the machine either. I look visually, as well as using the powder alarm on the Dillon 650. During the process of reloads, I'll also periodically check the powder measure against my electronic & balance scales.

With mass produced loads, I'm not going for exact matched cartridges, where bullet weight & powder weight need to be exactly the same. Just as with factory made ammo, I expect chrono results to vary somewhat.

 

[BZimm]

This has been an excellent thread for me. Over the past couple months I have carefully been selecting and buying pieces of equipment online and from private sellers toward reloading 40S&W, 10mm, 357/38, 270Win and 30.06. I think I like hand priming and I see no problem decapping and sizing on a simple little Lee "C" bench press. I have an old Lyman 55 powder measure in great shape that I am getting comfortable with. I even bought an old Forster case trimming setup sitting quietly waiting for rifle cases.

Now this thread, and many others, has reinforced my idea that a turret press is my next step. I like the "repeatability" of having a separate turret with the dies set up and calibrated for a favorite load in each caliber, knowing they can be tweaked slightly for each firearm if need be.

I don't expect that my family will shoot much more than 2,000 rounds each year, and judging by how quickly I'm getting through my first 500 reloads with very little expense, I'm gonna go the turret way.

I thank you all for your willingness to share. Very much.

BZimm

 

[otisrush]

I think the key to answering the OP's question depends on how the OP views his time spent at the press. If the time spent is viewed "as a necessity" (meaning it's the best way to accomplish getting the ammo he wants, but he'd rather be doing something else) then maybe a progressive or something faster is the way to go. On the other hand, if time at the press is viewed as yet another enjoyable way to be in the hobby, then why reduce that fun hobby time? :-D

I use only a Rock Chucker. I love the simplicity and the methodical deliberate control I have over the entire process. I also have the time, and enjoy the time, I spend sitting at the bench. I would consider (it happens to be me and where I am in life) something that reduces my time at the bench a net negative.

OR

 

[gwpercle]

An old Pacific Super Deluxe "C" and two Lee Hand Presses.
I can load everything I need with these .
I also have a old Lyman All-American Turret , rescued from a yard sale, set up for 357 magnum only. And I have an old Eagle Cobra 300 , single station , just for back up .
Gary

 

[Wee Hooker]

You could add a Piggyback attachment to your rock chucker to get you to turret production levels. They seem to have a decent reputation. Still, a new conversion is going to cost you twice what you can get into a Lee Classic Turret Set Up for.
Personally, I'd just get the LCT and keep the Rock Chucker for rifle rounds.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have a Rock Chucker and an old #2 RCBS that I use for the Weatherby Magnums. I have 2 Dillon 450's for handgun and a Mec Hustler for 12 gauge trap loads.

 

[sasu]

For single stage I have two Redding T7 turret presses.

(c) Redding

It is very convenient to keep the most used dies in the press ready for use, no readjustments needed. Online forums seem to say the Redding turret is the strongest of them. I am sure happy with mine!

 

[LostintheOzone]

I think many reloaders just don't want the added expense of using a progressive. If you load more, you shoot more. I loaded for 12 ga for many years with a progressive MEC so I sort of understand the dynamics. Powder came in 8-12 cans, shot in 25 lb bags and it got used up fast. I had a lot of powder and shot on my bench and on the floor. Lots of operations to keep track of there. I like the simplicity of single stage. I've reached the limit on output with it so just regulate my shooting around that. I look at it as sort of a regulator. You can't shoot more than you load. Saves money twice.