Which Press to Buy?

[bolson]

1. Not all that often, maybe once or twice a month. 100 or so rounds of pistol. 50 or so rounds of rifle.

2. I currently have the following calibers in order of desire to start reloading:

1. .460 S&W Mag
2. .308 win
3. .17 hornet
4. .44 mag
5. .357 mag
6. 7MM rem mag
7. .300 savage
8. 30/40 Krag
9. .40 S&W
10. .380 acp

3. See above
4. Batches of 25 for the big boys, 50 or 100 for smaller.

I would go with a turret based on this. If budget is an issue, nothing wrong with the Lee classic turret. Extra turrets are inexpensive and caliber change overs are fast and easy.

 

[kbm6893]

Rounds per hour, quality, and accuracy are not mutually-exclusive. Many competitive bullseye shooters, for example, load on progressives. Accuracy is not a function of the press, it's a function of the reloader.

For the average pistol cartridge, there is really no advantage in using a single-stage press over a turret.

The questions I would ask are:

--How much/how often do you intend to shoot? How much do you want to shoot?
--How many different cartridges do you want to load?
--What cartridges do you want to work with? More inexpensive cartridges like 9mm aren't really worth reloading on a single-stage, but make sense on a progressive.
--How big a batch do you want to work with? If you want to pick one load and stick with it, a progressive is great. If you want to experiment a lot, turrets are a better option.

Now, you can still get a single-stage, try it out, and then get a turret or a progressive later. Lots of reloaders will keep a single-stage around either for jobs that are tougher on other presses, or for things like depriming prior to tumbling.

I have a Hornady SS press. I batch load, so when I come back from the range, I resize whatever brass I have. When I have enough sized, I tumble. Then, I expand them all. Once they're expanded, I prime them in batches as I watch TV.

So I have several hundred primed s d ready for powder cases under my bench. I load 50 at a time.

I'm in no rush. I don't want or need a turret or progressive

 

[Thomas15]

It wasn't too long ago that I was trying to make the same decision. My opinions follow.

Started with a Rockchucker, moved to an RCBS turret then to a Hornady LNL progressive. I like all of them and plan to keep them until the day I expire.

If I had it to do all over again and was shopping for a single stage I would get the Redding T-7 turret with the optional press mounted priming tool. A very close second would be the Forester CO-AX.

I have no regrets with the purchase of my progressive LNL. Between that and the Dillon 650 both are good.

Add-ons really enhance the handloading experience. My LNL is mounted on an inline fabrications ultra mount, I have the inline fab short ergo handle, twin bullet bin/holder, the heavy duty finished ammo bin with large bin and bin barriers. I also have the Hornady LED light and micrometer metering screw and the RCBS lock out die.

I switch the mounting between the RCBS turret press and the rockchucker. It also has the ultramount and dual bullet bins.

So my point of telling you all this is you can buy a press, any press and bolt it to you bench and it will work. But the add-ons really make it much nicer and more enjoyable. Being comfortable while handloading is to me very important.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a single stage RCBS Rockchucker for most of my rifle loading. For handgun ammo I use a Lee Classic Turret Press. (not the Deluxe, the Classic) Lee also makes a very good single stage press, the Classic Cast press that can be found on sale for $100.

I do not think the breach lock system is necessary but only an additional cost. You need a lock for each and every die you use. Once you adjust your die and lock the ring it's just as fast to change dies as with the breach lock or maybe a few seconds more. With the turret press you but turrets for each die set for quick caliber changes, turrets are ~$10 each.

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme
Rock Chucker Supreme Press by RCBS RELOADING PRODUCTS

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme KIT (very good kit and on sale)
Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit by RCBS RELOADING PRODUCTS

Lee Classic Cast single stage press
Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press

Lee Classic Turret Press (on sale)
Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press

Spare Turrets
4 Hole Turret by LEE RELOADING PRODUCTS

 

[Mad_Charlie]

Quality advice.

I will start by loading 460 S&W, .44 Mag, .308 Win. Then progress into longer mag rifle cases.

Perhaps another post for bench set ups is forthcoming.

Thanks

Forster, hands down the best single stage out there for what you want, along with their dies.

There are more expensive presses, but none make better ammo.

 

[Steely85]

Forster, hands down the best single stage out there for what you want, along with their dies.

There are more expensive presses, but none make better ammo.

None make better?

 

[sbrmike]

I have been reloading a long time. I started with a 30-06 LeeLoader. The first upgrade was an RCBS hand priming tool. The next was an RCBS 5-0-5 scale. Then I took the plunge and bought a used RCBS Rockchucker press. I still have it and have loaded I don't have a clue how many tens of thousands of rounds with it.

If you are also going to load big, long, magnums, I would say buy a brand new RCBS Rockchucker complete outfit. If 30-06 length is the max then I would say buy a used RCBS Rockchucker or Rockchucker II as these have a smaller window and less ram travel.

My newest addition was adding a second used RCBS Uniflow with a small cylinder for handgun loads. I used the large cylinder for everything but it is only recommended to go down to like 5 grains of Unique; mine would load down to 4.5 grains of Unique accurately but not below that. I wanted to load some cat sneeze 38 WC's and the small cylinder does the trick. I bought a second Uniflow as my original has been mated to it's large cylinder forever and did not want to mess up a good system.

 

[cellllman]

I started with a Rock Chucker early on; then I purchased a Lee Pro 1000 progressive. I loved it EXCEPT for priming which I did separately. Then the Lee Classic Turret press came along and it fits all my needs. With it I get to check each operation separately but still able to get a full bullet each time.
But if you wish to complete each stage separately (i.e. 100 sized/primed, change die, then 100 powder charge, etc) I would go with the Rock Chucker. The main problem with that is keeping on task for quite some time to have a completed round. This is the best way to load precisely to have each round as matched as possible.
I do not load for this; I load to find the best bullet/powder for each of my handguns for off hand shooting target practice and for scenario type shooting for self defense in handguns.
So determine what type of shooting is for you and buy to fit! Good luck!

 

[Wise_A]

1. Not all that often, maybe once or twice a month. 100 or so rounds of pistol. 50 or so rounds of rifle.

2. I currently have the following calibers in order of desire to start reloading:

1. .460 S&W Mag
2. .308 win
3. .17 hornet
4. .44 mag
5. .357 mag
6. 7MM rem mag
7. .300 savage
8. 30/40 Krag
9. .40 S&W
10. .380 acp

3. See above
4. Batches of 25 for the big boys, 50 or 100 for smaller.

I would honestly suggest some sort of turret. I use a Lee, but brand recommendations are like excuses, which are like...well, you get the picture. Suffice to say, you really can't buy a bad press these days. Lee, Redding, RCBS, Hornady, and Dillon all make good stuff.

To give you some perspective, I can comfortably produce 100 rounds in an hour, including setup time. I generally make 100 rounds at a time, 50 for less-used stuff that I only keep a box of, and 25 or so for experiments.

I don't like to reload more than two or three hours at a time, and I usually don't shoot more than a box or two a week on average.

I do .38, .45 and .44, although I'm looking to expand into .460 S&W Mag (and related .454 and .45 Colt) and maybe some rifle calibers.

The price gap between a single-stage and a turret isn't huge. The biggest real expense you'll encounter is the price of a die plate for each die set, if you want to have all your dies set up and ready to go at a moment's notice. For my Lee, that's about $18 each.

The other thing you should look into is how you want to reload. For instance, I tumble my brass, then de-prime and resize it on the press. So I use a 4-hole. If I wanted to de-prime and then tumble clean, I could use a 3-hole, and an off-die de-primer, or even a separate single-stage press just for de-priming, re-sizing, and priming.

It's also entirely possible that you can start out with a single-stage to try, and then later on get a turret. Your single-stage won't go unused, especially if you prefer to resize and deprime prior to tumbling.

The one thing I would definitely suggest (at least for handgun cartridges), is to avoid combined seat-and-crimp dies. It's much easier to do these as separate steps. And carbide dies are totally worth it.

I suggest that you need to first find out if you even like reloading . I know folks that went out , spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars , sometimes close to a thousand only to find out that they didn't like it after all . Then sold it off for a fraction of what they paid for it .

I agree with the sentiment. But--I wouldn't suggest getting something that doesn't fit with your needs. For example, if you get started with a single-stage to produce 9mm plinking and IDPA ammo, it's only natural that you'll wind up frustrated.

No doubt, Forster and others make excellent reloading products. And I've no doubt that they're worth the money to those that can appreciate them. But they're a big investment for the beginner.

 

[THEWELSHM]

I started in reverse, I bought a Hornady lnl. Then a year later I got a used RCBS JR3 for my 500 mag rounds, bullet sizing etc. glad I have both set ups..I love them both, I also have Lee dies, Lyman etc

Enjoy your new hobby mate..

Thewelshm

 

[carpriver]

My Daddy told me buy what you can afford, He said there ain't much difference between a Lincoln and Ford. Been reloading for awhile. Started with Lee, and load pistol and rifle, 30cal carbine, 5.56 and 308 win. It's what I know, and it does what it was designed to do. My press makes good ammo. Can't speak for the other presses. People get caught up it brand names and if it isn't what they use it's not that good it there eyes. Ford vs Dodge,

 

[LAA]

My Daddy told me buy what you can afford, He said there ain't much difference between a Lincoln and Ford. Been reloading for awhile. Started with Lee, and load pistol and rifle, 30cal carbine, 5.56 and 308 win. It's what I know, and it does what it was designed to do. My press makes good ammo. Can't speak for the other presses. People get caught up it brand names and if it isn't what they use it's not that good it there eyes. Ford vs Dodge,

I went with the Dillon 650, after a lot of research on the subject. It's a brand name, but it lives up to the reputation. I'm more than happy, that I didn't settle for less. I do have several Lee die sets, as well as the cheap Lee powder measure which actually works quite well. Use it for single loads on the Redding.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I think most would recommend a Chucker for single stage press. The truth is they all work. I don't think I've heard anyone complain about their Lee, Hornady, Dillion, Redding, etc.

Lee Classic Cast is probably the least expensive and it works very well. That's what I have because I'm cheap.

 

[Wise_A]

If I were buying a progressive, I would spring for a Dillon. There's a lot of factional fighting between reloaders over brands, but really, there's no need for it.

 

[2011redrider]

If I were buying a progressive, I would spring for a Dillon. There's a lot of factional fighting between reloaders over brands, but really, there's no need for it.

Thought the OP was asking about single stage presses, didn't know Dillon was making single stage now?

 

[LAA]

Thought the OP was asking about single stage presses, didn't know Dillon was making single stage now?

Never hurts to suggest someone change their mind.

Get a progressive first, then the single. And then think how great a progressive is sometimes, when using the single..........or visa versa.

Dillon 650/Redding Big Boss

 

[Ceapea]

I have only been loading my own now for about 6 years. In my first 14 months, I loaded over 20k rounds on my SS RS2 press. I was unemployed for 6 months during that time. I really got into it, you might say! I have always believed that a new hand loader should start out on a SS press. It gives you more "hands on" with each round. More time to think about what you are doing. More times handling the cases to reaffirm the condition of the case and gives you experience with each stage of the process.
Sure, go to a progressive if you want, later. But I believe that you get a more solid understanding of the loading process overall, by first using a SS press.
It's not like you need to get rid of the SS after you gain experience and move up to a progressive. I still use the old RC2 and just bought a Forster Co-Ax. Heck, I went backwards...sorta. Before buying a second progressive, I went for a 2nd SS.

 

[BE Mike]

Thought the OP was asking about single stage presses, didn't know Dillon was making single stage now?

Actually Dillon does make a single stage loader, the BL550. Of course it can be upgraded to a progressive.

 

[Skeet 028]

They used to make another called the AT-500. It can also be upgraded. Mine will stay just the way it is. Just set mine up yesterday to do 308. I do rifle ammo and top end magnum pistol ammo on it. All weighed charges.

 

[BobG78]

Actually Dillon does make a single stage loader, the BL550. Of course it can be upgraded to a progressive.

And the interchangeable tool heads make caliber changes easy.