[Shrinkmd]

What is the expected service life on a single stage press vs. a progressive.

For example, I have the Hornady Classic Single as well as a LNL AP.

How many rounds do people think you can produce before either of these presses would wear out or need maintenance of some sort? And do dies ever wear out? Is it worthwhile putting up a spare set, or is that getting a bit silly? Especially the carbide ring or titanium nitride Hornady sizers.

[rfwobbly]

That would depend a lot upon basic maintenance.

• Presses and dies need to be cleaned occasionally
• Presses need to be lubricated. Any oil is better than no oil. If your press is dripping, that's too much oil. If your press is rusting, that's too little oil.
• Dies need to be lubricated. The cartridge cases going through them need to be lubricated. No die needs to be run completely "dry".


With normal care and cleaning, most presses and dies will generally last a shooter's lifetime.

Just my 2 cents

[ranger335v]

Well, as a guess, and assuming the presses are properly maintained and lubed, I suspect any single stage iron press will last for maybe 500 to 700 thousand rounds with no significant problem.

Alum. alloy presses (such as Hornady's LnLs, Lee's old presses and the RCBS Partner) will likely not last nearly as long for the same wear, maybe only 200-400 thousand.

Like anything else, steel dies will certainly wear out eventually but I've never heard of anyone living long enough to do it. Carbide sizers may take three normal reloading lifetimes to wear out. Have no idea about the Hornady TiNi dies, never used them; two lifetimes maybe?

[Randy1911]

I have dies I have been using since I started loading 26 years ago and with a little cleaning every now and then, they are still going fine. My single stage press is that old also and still going fine, however I do most of my loading on a Hornady LnL AP now.:)

[CHEVELLE427]

BEEN using rcbs for 30+ years now and a lee progressive for 10 years.

nothing to speak of for repaires

[fecmech]

I have a CH Auto Champ progressive that I bought new in the mid 70's. I'm still loading on it today with no repairs to date. I have no idea the total number of rounds loaded but a conservative estimate would be way above 100 k rds.

[SlamFire1]

I have never measured the sections on any of my cast iron presses. But I suspect they are so oversized that they are well into the infinite fatique lifetime for the materials.

[Eric F]

user care and lack of abuse are key to a long life. Rule of thumb is the more moving parts the more likely for a malfunction. construction material and design are key too. Basicaly one could easily out last the other in the right owners hands. This question is too open to give any better answer to.

[CHEVELLE427]

Does not really matter :confused:, use a brand that has a life time warranty and send it back when/if it stops working.;)

i have sent items back to RCBS no??? asked :)

[Floppy_D]

My Dillon 450 is 25 years old, and sees regular use (most of that before I owned it).

I have dies with 7k+ rounds through them, and they still have plenty of life left.

[Shoney]

I am still loading on the Pacific press (forerunner of Hornady) I bought new in 1960.

[BigJakeJ1s]

This brings up an interesting thought. You probably won't ever have a good excuse to replace your worn-out press. You may eventually upgrade to a newer/nicer/fancier press, but your old one will still be doing fine.

Andy