Sam Casey
Member
Space is a problem as I have several MEC loaders, related scales, components, etc. for all gauge shotshells. What would be a good choice for compact progressive loader to be used primarily for 38 & 357? Thanks.
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Hillbilly77
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I don't know if this will help you, but here is my solution to working with limited space.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/406761-reloading-tips-space-impaired.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/406761-reloading-tips-space-impaired.html
Compact and progressive are often mutually exclusive, especially if you add bullet and case feeders. Without those, the LNL or the Dillon aren't THAT much bigger than a single stage in terms of bench space, but you are giving up a fair amount in terms of functionality.
gwpercle
Member
I don't think compact and progressive are compatible. But, If you are looking for compact, let me suggest a Lee Hand Press. It's a single stage but it is compact . I put a hand press and all stuff I need to reload with in a gym bag, take it to the office and reload sitting at my desk. I found the compact setup so handy I bought another hand press and now find myself loading anywhere I want to. Easy chair in living room, kitchen table, sitting on a bed...my desk at work ( I'm the boss and owner so it's OK ).
It doesn't require a bench or the need to be bolted down. That said it's fine for handgun reloading but lacks multiple linkage for heavy duty resizing chores. The only thing I couldn't resize were some 303 British cases fired in generous Enfield chambers that required a lot of sizing and a Pacific Super C , bench mounted, to get resized. But other than that 30-30 , 7.5 Swiss, and 30-06 cases have been loaded with the Hand Press.
Gary
It doesn't require a bench or the need to be bolted down. That said it's fine for handgun reloading but lacks multiple linkage for heavy duty resizing chores. The only thing I couldn't resize were some 303 British cases fired in generous Enfield chambers that required a lot of sizing and a Pacific Super C , bench mounted, to get resized. But other than that 30-30 , 7.5 Swiss, and 30-06 cases have been loaded with the Hand Press.
Gary
My choice, off the top of my head, would be a Lee turret press. While I hand index my press, many use the auto-indexing feature as a "semi-progressive" press. I have no need for 500 rounds per hour and am quite satisfied (and have been for several years) with my hand indexing and batch loading...
Bkreutz
US Veteran
For a compact pistol caliber press, the Dillon Square Deal comes to mind, but be sure you only want to load pistol, they won't do rifle. Add a quick detach mount and you're all set. The only downside is that they use proprietary dies (but if all you're going to be loading is 38/357 that's not much of a problem.
gmiller0737
Member
I have been pretty happy with My Lee Turret Press Space is not a problem for Me however it does not take up much space & I have all My dies in their own dedicated extra turret so caliber changes are pretty quick,either The Lee Turret or The Dillion Square Deal should work well for you.
Twoboxer
Member
There is very little difference in the two dimensional area taken up by the various progressive presses. The main difference is in height.
One way to accommodate as many presses as you want is the Inline Fabrication Quick Change System. You secure a flush, 6", or 9" mount to your bench where you want to reload. You mount each press on a plate and store them wherever you can. It takes less than a minute to choose a press, slip it into the mount, and secure it.
The IF web site has pictures and videos that explain it better than I can. The photos below show the system on my bench.
In the first pic note the Hornady single stage and Hornady LnL AP (with case feeder) presses stored in 13.5" on the side of my bench. In the second pic note the presses, the flush mount front-right that is holding an RCBS primer ready for use, and the >20" long RCBS case prep center rear-left. IF has plates drilled for lots of presses and tools, and will make a plate that allows use of even that monster.
This system will work on any bench that can support a press in the first place, so it may work better (but be a bit more expensive) for you than mounting presses to plywood and clamping them in place.
One way to accommodate as many presses as you want is the Inline Fabrication Quick Change System. You secure a flush, 6", or 9" mount to your bench where you want to reload. You mount each press on a plate and store them wherever you can. It takes less than a minute to choose a press, slip it into the mount, and secure it.
The IF web site has pictures and videos that explain it better than I can. The photos below show the system on my bench.
In the first pic note the Hornady single stage and Hornady LnL AP (with case feeder) presses stored in 13.5" on the side of my bench. In the second pic note the presses, the flush mount front-right that is holding an RCBS primer ready for use, and the >20" long RCBS case prep center rear-left. IF has plates drilled for lots of presses and tools, and will make a plate that allows use of even that monster.
This system will work on any bench that can support a press in the first place, so it may work better (but be a bit more expensive) for you than mounting presses to plywood and clamping them in place.
Google "reloading bench" and you will get a lifetime of ideas.
For a compact setup, mount your reloading press on the side of a roll away tool box. The drawers provide you with instant storage space. The foot print is about 20" by 26" wide.
For a compact setup, mount your reloading press on the side of a roll away tool box. The drawers provide you with instant storage space. The foot print is about 20" by 26" wide.
Appreciate all the input. I in turn have watched most of the online videos relating to same. Concluded that I might not be up to complexities or really need a progressive. Have come to like the small footprint of RCBS Summit and fact that it can probably be used freestanding for most pistol apps. Anyone here use one? Opinions? Is the updated green model with 3 screws on each side of column worth $70 more than 2013 RW&Blue model with only 2 screws on each side? Thanks.
venomballistics
Member
A scatter gun hull stuffer ....
well, most progressives won't be any worse on your space budget than any of your mec's.
at worst, you might retire one of your least used till you figure out how to efficiently swap them on the bench
well, most progressives won't be any worse on your space budget than any of your mec's.
at worst, you might retire one of your least used till you figure out how to efficiently swap them on the bench
With my MEC Sizemaster it is 6 pulls to make a shell. With my Lee Classic Turret it is 4 pulls and a push to make a pistol round. I find the two presses leave me with similar opinions. Each one is a pretty good economy press that can turn out more than enough rounds for a casual but frequent shooter. If you are a high volume shooter neither press would make you happy.
If you plan on loading about a hundred or so rounds at a sitting then the Lee Classic Turret is a pretty good option. Easy to set up, while still being very affordable. If you are going to load a thousand rounds at a sitting then a progressive will make you happier in the long run.
Although you can certainly change the setup with only one set of dies between .38 and .357 you could consider two sets of dies and a spare turret. Very quick and easy to change over. For mine I have turrets ready to go for every caliber I load, these turrets are complete with everything including powder measure. I can literally change calibers and be up and running in about a minute if I don't need to empty or fill the powder measure.
If you plan on loading about a hundred or so rounds at a sitting then the Lee Classic Turret is a pretty good option. Easy to set up, while still being very affordable. If you are going to load a thousand rounds at a sitting then a progressive will make you happier in the long run.
Although you can certainly change the setup with only one set of dies between .38 and .357 you could consider two sets of dies and a spare turret. Very quick and easy to change over. For mine I have turrets ready to go for every caliber I load, these turrets are complete with everything including powder measure. I can literally change calibers and be up and running in about a minute if I don't need to empty or fill the powder measure.
It comes down to do you shoot a lot of shotgun and a lot of metallic.......................or
do you dabble in shotgun and metallic ammo.
I did more shot gun back in the 90's and have a mec and a 366 that I use.
Today I do more metallic.......
so it really depends on your needs.
The good thing it that you can usually improve your set up in a few years down the road, one way or the other.
do you dabble in shotgun and metallic ammo.
I did more shot gun back in the 90's and have a mec and a 366 that I use.
Today I do more metallic.......
so it really depends on your needs.
The good thing it that you can usually improve your set up in a few years down the road, one way or the other.
Geo. T.
Member
Another Thought!
I have two Dillon Square Deal B's and they are the best in the price range and their warranty is the best! If 400 an hour with flawless primer feed is your goal there is really is no second place.
The down side is that it is handgun rounds only. I have the Lee and it is seldom used. Their primer feed is not very good. I have a RCBS Ammo crafter and it's large and expensive.
Dillon has videos on their web site showing how their loaders work!
I have two Dillon Square Deal B's and they are the best in the price range and their warranty is the best! If 400 an hour with flawless primer feed is your goal there is really is no second place.
The down side is that it is handgun rounds only. I have the Lee and it is seldom used. Their primer feed is not very good. I have a RCBS Ammo crafter and it's large and expensive.
Dillon has videos on their web site showing how their loaders work!
This. In fact, I replaced my LNL with a T-7. Can't say enough good about it.
ggibson511960
Member
I have same problem.
MEC's don't require a lot of support as the handle pressure is quite low. I bolt my multiple MEC's down to my bench with simple carriage bolts and wing nuts into hole patterns in the bench top. My Forster Co-Ax stays bolted in place with better and more permanent fasteners. The MEC's get used in batch runs, un-bolted and stored away. They take up too much vertical space to leave on a bench.
MEC's don't require a lot of support as the handle pressure is quite low. I bolt my multiple MEC's down to my bench with simple carriage bolts and wing nuts into hole patterns in the bench top. My Forster Co-Ax stays bolted in place with better and more permanent fasteners. The MEC's get used in batch runs, un-bolted and stored away. They take up too much vertical space to leave on a bench.
Have used MEC for a lot of years and think most users bolt them up more than necessary. Have 12 & 20 ga 9000 hydros that occupy one bench and are free standing in 10x14 metal baking pans close enough together so hydro hose can be connected to either. My Grabbers & Sizemasters also sit in baking pans mounted on double thickness plywood about size of baking pan & are thus easily moved from storage to smaller sturdy table that I would also like to use if I get back into handgun metallic. That is reason I am drawn to RCBS Summit .... in pan (to catch the inevitable spill) & on plywood base for easy movement.
