"Slow but Sho"

[redlevel]

My Lee Progressive balked about a year ago, and rather than getting it fixed or replacing it, I just started using a simple, cheapest model Lee bench mounted press and a Lee Hand Press. I was going to use the Lee Auto-Disc powder measure, but when I saw the variance in the loads (Unique) it was actually throwing, I decided to try something else. I am not trying to load huge volumes in a short time. I use the Lee "powder through" expander die and a dipper that the sliding scale provided by Lee says throws 9.2 grains of Unique. I weighed ten samples, and they averaged right around 9 to 9.1 grains, which is a very acceptable load for the .45 Colt/255 grain rounds I'm loading. It is relatively slow, but I can visually check each charge. I deprime/size/prime a thousand or so pieces, or just start with new Starline brass. With a box full of primed brass, I flare each case, dip a charge, inspect the charge, start a bullet, and set aside the round with a bullet started in the case. Some times I do this with fifty rounds, sometimes 100 rounds. I have the Lee hand press set to seat and crimp. Starting with primed brass, I can easily load 75-100 rounds per hour. This usually includes time out to check the S&W forum or get a cup of coffee. I only load .38/.357 and .45 Colt, so I don't have to keep up with a lot of dippers, dies, etc. I can change calibers in about 15 minutes. I am currently working on 1000 pieces of new Starline brass that I primed back in the late Summer, before I had carpal tunnel surgery in both hands. I failed to take into account that the surgery would put a temporary halt not only to my shooting, but to reloading, too. When I finish loading the .45s, I will prep a thousand or so .38 cases and start on them. I use both Unique and Bullseye with .38s, so I have dippers for each load. Based on the process of weighing multiple charges to get an average throw weight, I really believe I get a more uniform charge with the dippers than I was getting with the Lee powder measure that came with the Pro 1000 outfit that broke down. I also have confidence in my routine of only handling one round at the time, and starting a lead bullet in each charged case before charging another round. Anyhow, I can load five or six hundred rounds a week if not in a hurry, or as many as 1000 per week if I put my mind to it.

Slow but sure, or, as we say in South Georgia, "Slow but sho".

 

[flat top]

Redlevel; I have used the same old RCBS single stage press that I have used since I started reloading 50 years ago. It has always produced quality ammo, is still good as new, and for my reloading needs gets the job done. I have just never found a need for the new automatic, self leveling, laser guided, computer program driven presses that are now available, and I am more than happy to "keep it simple"!

 

[Cyrano]

My 1963 vintage RCBS Jr is still on the bench, but most of the time I use a pre-WW II Hollywood Universal. My powder measure is a 1955 Belding & Mull. Newer isn't necessarily better.

 

[flat top]

Cyrano; Old Belding and Mull drop tube here as well. Its amazing that in spite of all the new fangled reloading gadgets made today that we can still put together high quality ammo on the old junk we are using!!!! LOL!!!

 

[OKFC05]

Ironically, the Lee Classic Turret press is one of my favorites, and the Lee progressive press is on my "other" list.
Dillon for me when it comes to progressives.

The quality of ammo from the Dillon and a single-stage press is identical; progressives are about speed.

 

[Dale53]

I started out nearly sixty years ago with a single stage press. I did fine for several years. Then, in the Seventies, I got seriously involved with IPSC shooting (when it was a martial art). I got a "pistol only" progressive, a C&H Mark IV. It was a very nice press, but PISTOL ONLY. I could really run the rounds through that press.

However, IPSC shooting led to "three gun"shooting. I already had a MEC reloading press for shotgun but needed a progressive that would do rifle, also. I bought a Dillon 450, then later ended up with TWO Dillon 550B's. I have been VERY happy with my Dillons for both rifle and handgun.

I wouldn't be doing much shooting these days if I had to load single stage. I don't shoot as much as I used to do but do burn up 5000-7500 rounds per year. The Dillon 550B's handle this chore well for many different rifle and pistol loads. ALL are match quality. Handled properly a good progressive with do as well as a single stage press, even for critical work.

Dale53

 

[flat top]

I was very lucky during my competitive pistol shooting career to have a sponsor, so ammo was free, and thats probably why I never got a progressive press. All my other reloading was and still is for hunting or experimentation purposes, and, the single stage is fine for that, although most of my rifle dies are custom made hand dies (my rifle chambers are "fitted" so the need for resizing, etc is not needed) so the "type of press" issue doesnt even come into question there... I "do" understand the need for high volume loading equipment, and "if" I ever needed to reload in high volumn, I would most likely choose the Dillon...I have heard nothing but good things about their equipment.

 

[deanodog]

In the last couple of days I have reloaded 44 special on my single stage RCBS. I have a progressive and a turret press but I just wanted to use the single stage I still have mounted to my bench. I enjoyed doing it after a long time of not using it. I will always keep it around.

 

[H Richard]

When I started loading in about 1980, I bought a used, vintage about 1950's, Texan 7 hole turret press. I still use it. I do have a Dillon which I use for volume .38's and .45's, but everything else is loaded on the old Texan. Since I shoot Prairie Dogs, that's several thousand .222, 22-250,
.243 loads as well as all my 44 Spec, 44 Mag., and whatever else i load for.

I got a RCBS Uniflow powder measure at the same time and it still fills the bill for anything I want to do, as well as the RCBS 1010 scale.

 

[cjw3]

A late 70's vintage Lyman Spartan single stage is all I have, or will ever have.

It always interests me to see the posts on some of the boards about fixes, hangups, problems, adjustments, issues, etc., etc., etc. with various progressive presses. I'll limp along (happily) with what I've got. Simple is good.

 

[5906fan]

I have 2 presses set up in tandem, with a spare set of shellholders. if a shooting buddy or my nephew runs the seat/crimp die after I set it up be surprised the pistol rounds we can turn out.
I use the powder-thru-expander and dippers I make for specific loads from old cases. I use a punch to make discs to press into them if I have to reduce the charge they weigh.
have loaded over 200 rounds of primed brass/hour easily.