[Rev. Chad]

I am looking to start reloading .45 LC and .38 Special, what would a good set-up to start with? which compnets would be the best to use in terms of the ammo? This is a totally new project for me so any and all advise is welcome.

[creeper1956]

If you're really a detail oriented, attentive and focused individual, you can start with a progressive. Dillon, RCBS, Redding, Horandy, Lee... they all make a good progressive. If you're not the guy I described, a single stage turret press might be the better way to start.

First... read this (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214), then buy one of the reloading books listed.

[BYJO4]

This question comes up all the time and there are many possiblities depending upon your needs and budget. How many rounds of ammo do you think you will reload monthly? Do you think you will add other calibers as time goes on? How much time do you want to spend reloading? These are just a few things to consider. Also remember that good equipment will last a lifetime and it can sometimes pay to spend more now and make the job easier. I suggest you start by reading existing posts already on the forum for this topic as well as getting Lyman's 49th Loading manual. This will provide you with the basics of reloading and equipment available. At this point, you will be in better position to ask questions concerning your particular needs. Reloading is a great hobby and everyone on the forum will be glad to help.

[Clark]

I would start with the 38 special until you find out what kind of reloader you are.

I own ~ 10 presses and I just bought another RCBS Partner press.
They are about $70 ~ $75 + shipping
Some of the best shots in the world use them.
I like them, and I am a lousy shot.
The love is universal.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/403729/rcbs-partner-single-stage-press

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/14056

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0004487460

I like Lee carbide die sets for handguns
They are ~ $30
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/418312/lee-carbide-3-die-set-38-special-357-magnum

You would also need small pistol primers, powder, and a funnel to get started.

I would start with a pound of Unique, but dozens of different powders would work.

The powder may look like $15/ pound on line, but shipping includes hazardous materials charge [haz mat] which makes ordering just one pound not practical. It is better to go to the nearest stocking dealer, gun store or gunsmthing and just buy one pound for $25.
http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

Same thing for the primers.
They may look like $31/1000 on line, but it is better to buy small quantities locally.

So it is at least $145 + Shipping to get started on 38sp with MY choices.
But you will not out grow any of that equipment, except the little yellow dipper in the die set.

You will soon want to move up from the dipper to scale and powder measure.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690681
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690058

That is at least $42 + shipping and with other brands, can be a lot more.

[CZ57]

The LEE Classic Turret is a great compromise between a single stage and a progressive. You can use it as a single stage to start with and when you get comfortable with it switch to the auto index mode that will allow you to load semi-progressive with a capability of up to about 200 rounds per hour of handgun ammunition. This is a press that will grow with you. You can buy it in kit form for $215 at Midway, but I'd suggest you discard the scale and get a better one like the RCBS RC 135 that is triple poised and designed specifically for weighing powder charges.

I have no doubt that LEE is in development of a new progressive based on the LEE Classic Turret. If that happens, you can then get an update kit that would turn the Classic Turret into a full progressive with a production rate of 400 - 500 rounds per hour. Like I said this press will grow with you and is capable of very good precision. ;)

[mrayw]

Lee Classic Turret Press!
I have 2 Hornady lnl progessives,RCBS Pro 2000 and others.
Love the progressive loaders but dollar for dollar the Lee Classic Turret is the most press for the money and great to learn the game on. It is very relaxing to pump out reloads on,low stress!!!

[gspn]

Questions you need to answer:

1 - How many rounds do you plan to reload per month (or year)?

2 - How much money do you want to spend on equipment?

For lower volume production (a few hundred rounds per month) the Lee will work perfectly. I started on the Lee Classic Cast press and I love it.

However...when my volume needs started increasing i had a choice to make. I could keep using the Lee and crank out 100 rounds per hour...and spend 4 hours a week in the garage pulling a handle on a press...or I could buy a progressive and spend an hour to do the same amount.

I ultimately upgraded to a Hornady LNL. I still have the Lee for calibers that I don't won't be reloading in large amounts.

Figure out the answers to the questions above and then come back to us. You're going to get lots of good advice here...I know I did when I started out.

[Detritus]

If ALL you're going to load are pistol calibers, my suggestion is one of the LEE turret presses. I use the 4 hole variant because i mainly load 45acp and a factory crimp die.
I also use the Auto-Disk powder measure, but if I was starting over i'd buy the "Pro Auto-disk" and will eventually upgrade to that measure because it's frankly easier to deal with for a number of reasons.

Single stage presses are just too dang slow for pistol caliber reloading, they're great for Precision reloading for a rifle, but I can turn out 200-300 complete rounds of .45 on the turret press in the time it would take me to just size/deprime and re-prime the same number using a single stage press and a hand priming tool

[James2]

Yep as noted, depends a lot on your needs, and also on your pocketbook I guess.

If you are wanting to get started cheaply you can look for a used press.
You can look on this board for the for sale forum and also on http://thefiringline.com/ for the for sale forum. eBay always has some presses and other reloading tools, if you can play that game.

Something like a Partner or RCBS JR3 will do a nice job for you for not too much outlay if you can find a used one.

You should read the stickies on this board about getting started. It is also recommended that you buy a reloading manual and read that for starters...... and yes, holler if we can be of any help. Lots of knowledge and experience on this forum.

As a bare minimum you will need a press, shell holder, set of dies, powder dippers, powder funnel and a be-burr tool. I would also prefer to have a scale and powder measure. Sure makes it much easier and the scale takes out the guess work. I have never loaded with just the dippers. Got a scale with my first set up. If you go with the scale and powder measure, you can forget the dippers. Again some of this may be found used.

[TooManyToys]

I'll jump in here and join others in recomending the LEE CLASSIC CAST Turret press. ( this is their model made with a CAST IRON base)
Every company out there makes good presses,.. but with that said, many people (including myself) feel this is the Best all around, do everything well press for the money today. It is a quality machine with a lot of nice futures and will last a lifetime.

While your at it,. LEE Carbide dies are a good choice too.

UNIQUE would be an excellent powder for 38 spl. & 45 LC.

You will need reloading books,... Lyman's current book ( #49) is a great 1st choice.
LEE's Modern Reloading ( 2nd addn..) is a good 2nd choice. Mr. Richard Lee has written a lot of good technical info found in the front of the book not easly found elsewhere.

Welcome to a great site, don't be afraid to post any questions you may have, there are many good people here ready to help.

[Otto]

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_218212_999_03?rgn=0,0,2000,1877&scl=5.2631578947368425&fmt=jpeg&id=2Bqfn1hkukeeEokcvTz15I

[RustyFN]

I started with a Lee classic turret press. After talking to some people on the forums I knew 50 rounds per hour would seem too slow and too boring to me. Their advice to start with the classic turret was the best advice for me. It has been a great press. Six years later I bought a Dillon 550 to speed up a couple of calibers. I still use the classic turret as much as the Dillon.

[manithree]

One more vote for the Lee Classic Turret. I love mine. And you can get some good kits here:
https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=630&category_id=190&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

They have great customer service, also.

I started on .38 special, and I'm glad I did. Revolvers are more forgiving than bottom-feeders, so it's a great way to start. I started with Clay's powder and bumblebee lead bullets because they were both available at my LGS.

I really like Hodgdon-family powders. They have lots of load data free on their web site that you can cut and paste into a spreadsheet, then sort by columns you're interested in. Plus H4895 and Trail Boss are just cool for reduced loads for rifles.

I have the Lyman and Lee manuals because they both include lots of loads for lead bullets. If you're interested in that, they're good ones to get. Plus they both have good introductory text.

[jmorris]

If money was no concern (it always is for me) and I knew then what I know now (can't thats why they call it experience) I would have started with a 1050. That being said I made a bunch of rounds with a Lee turret before giving it to friend so he could start reloading.

[Kevin Rohrer]

First off, read Lyman #49 and any edition of The ABCs of Reloading prior to #9. Your questions shall be answered.

[Hondo 60]

IMHO it is not wise to start anywhere other than by reading a reloading manual or 3.
(more than one is recommended)

My favorites are :
1. Lyman 49th Reloading Handbook - has a GREAT how-to section & the widest array of reloading data found in any manual.

2. Modern Reloading by Richard Lee - just be aware that he feels his reloading equipment is far superior to any other brand. (I've found that to not necessarily be the truth).

When you finish that - then I'd recommend a Lee Classic Turret press.
It's great for beginners because you can remove the auto-advance spindle & use it like a single stage.
Once you figure out what you're doing you can re-install the spindle & make 3x the ammo in the same amount of time.

[sho'nuff]

where is that deal found otto?

[Mike 27]

Whatever you pick I would recommend you start with a single stage, maybe even the turret. I started with a Lee single stage and still have it and use it on a regular basis. Even if you get a progressive later you will still use the single. There are many things that it comes in handy for. I still load almost all of my rifle rounds on it. The only thing I would say you may not like about Lee kits is the accessory's that come with it. You will end up replacing some of the stuff eventually but it will work fine until you find out what you want to upgrade. I still use a lot of the stuff, and have upgraded some of it as well.

[Charlie1022]

My bench is made with 2X10's with 1 1/4" work bench material glued and screwed from the bottom side that is attached to a 2x4 lagged to the wall with a simple 2X4 box leg system. I have it set up in an L shape and it has worked very well for the past 20 plus yearrs. I am 6ft 4inches tall so I made mine 40 inches tall and is 30 inches deep so I do not have to sit on a short chair and can stand up to load if I want without my back getting sore. This is a very sturdy bench and does not move no matter what I am loading or doing on the bench. I have been toying withthe idea to dress it up and have been looking at different ways to dress up the top and the front of the bench and possibly add drawers or doors to one section. been looking at adding a laminated hardwood top and shelves and or building some cabinets for storage. I have reviewed many of the pictures of other members set ups and did not see any that were any stronger than mine. THe nice thing is that I have very little in mine since the lumber was all donated or salvage so my main cost is in screws and glue. My reloading room is 12x20 room set up in my basement and I am still working on finishing it as time and money permit. I hope to submit pictures when finished.

[James2]

You can buy one of the kits from one of the popular names in reloading, or if you want go the cheap route and have the patience to shop around eBay, you can come up with some very nice used equipment for few dollars.

Go to eBay and search for reloading press, or RCBS reloading press, or you can be as specific as you want. I recently got a nice RCBS Jr 3 press there for what seemed like a very good price.

Here is an example of a very strong press for an almost giveaway price. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/HERTERS-MODEL-3-RELOADING-PRESS-VERY-GOOD-CONDITION-VINTAGE-RCBS-RELOADER-/271106833627?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1f39fcdb)

The only problem with these old Herter's presses is that they do not use standard shell holders. You may find what you need on eBay, or you can get an adapter that allows the use of standard shell holders. You can also order from Herters.

My Herters press is about 56 years old, and just as good as the day it was new. I went the adapter route for shell holders. Now any of the standard shell holders work.

Also you might shop the sales sections of any gun forums you may frequent. Interesting what used equip shows up in these venues.

[Centurian22]

Another vote for the lee classic turret. After almost a year of research it's what I'm ordering. Along with lee dies, scale, perfect powder measure (because I'll be loading for .308), calipers, bullet puller, two books, and funnel.

[gamestalker]

I've been loading on a single stage RCBS for decades and it takes care of my needs. But depending on how much you plan to shoot is going to have a lot of bearing on what to go with. In terms of speed. Single stages are not fast but they produce precision ammo and will last several life times, especially the RCBS Rock Chucker. At the press, and after tumbling and trimming, I can probably load 100 rounds of 38 spcl. in 1-1/2 to 2 hrs., which is pretty slow.

GS

[Reefinmike]

as 34 people have already suggested and is probably on the mail to you already- lee turret press. I can easily do 250 rounds of 38 an hour, 500 an hour if I have cases primed already.

if you buy the auto indexing value kit, all you will need is a tumbler and media(bought mine at harbor freight for $45), die sets for 45 and 38, Id suggest a extra drop in turret but it isnt necessary, safety prime system, autodisk powder measure riser and a set of calipers.

though the auto index is nice in theory, I dont like it as it makes it diffucult to pull the lever. i removed mine and simply turn the turret on the upstroke with my right hand while grabbing either a bullet or a new piece of primed brass with my left.

[Detritus]

though the auto index is nice in theory, I dont like it as it makes it diffucult to pull the lever.

That sounds like something is out of whack with your particular press. I've worked with two different Lee turret presses, one of the older 3-holers, and the 4-holer that was my first pistol setup. Neither shows an undue amount of resistence with the indexing rod in place. it's more than without the rod, but certainly not enough to be called "Difficult".

the Only issue i've had with either one is that on the downstoke out of the sizing die, when i'm repriming the case, since the portion of the rod that does the actual indexing conicides with the same portion of ram travel as the priming station ( i use the regular two sided primng ram/arm, not the safety prime) and requires a "Down to prime, slightly up to clear priming arm, down to finish index" proceedure, I have to be careful not to over-index the expander/charging die.
So in a way my issue is that the indexing feature is actually a little too effective at that one station.


Oh, i will add that I did have one incident where the index-rod became a PITA, but that was because the little nylon or plastic bushing that actually drives the index system wore out. as soon as i swapped to the spare bushing that Lee ships with all the turret presses, back to being trouble free and easy.

[PaisteMage]

I am looking at the Lee CLassic Turret press as well.
I will be loading for .357/.38
This will be my first press and my introduction to reloading. I have a friend who has been doing it awhile on a progressive. For me with children a single or turret price fits the bill nicely.

I do want, later int he year, a 45LC/45ACP revolver and will load for that as well.
I am building the workbench in a week or two. Buying a scale and some books very soon as well.

For me besides the obvious reasons to reload, it would be more of a relaxing methodical downtime in my work area. Time to clear the head I guess. Plus I want to reload lighter .357 loads for just target and heavier for other reasons.

Layman question...could I use the same die for .357/.38?

Any suggestions on powder for .357/.38? I didn't read the entire thread.
Thanks in advance.

[Detritus]

Layman question...could I use the same die for .357/.38?


If you stick with Lee Dies, I know that at least their current generation of 38Spl. die sets can be setup to load 38Spl, and 357mag. these sets only come with the .38spl load-data sheet though so you'd still need to buy a load manual or other verified source of .357 data.

the set of 357 dies i currently have sitting on my "die shelf" are a mix of 357 marked, and .38 marked dies, the sizer is the .38spl die, the expander/charging die, and seating die are .357 dies.
truthfully i don't know what i'm going to do with them. since
I have no idea if or when i'll ever own another revolver much less one in 357 or .38 (they were in the bin of reloading stuff my dad gave me this past spring)
they're still mounted to a Lee 3-hole turret plate, and I have no intention of going back to the 3-hole setup
I'm still very reluctant to sell them because I just might wind up getting a gun that shoots 357 one day...

[Reefinmike]

detritus- I wouldnt say its difficult, but it doesnt make operating the lever very smooth... I prefer working without it and im a good bit faster without. working on the downstroke will sometimes index it to the next die a bit too far. when I load 38's, i have primed cases, grab a case, powder charge it, push up on the lever as I grab a bullet, once the lever is all the way up, i rotate it to the seating/crimp die as I place the bullet, then seat the bullet as I grab a new case, push the lever up, remove the fresh round and put the casing in as I rotate the turret back to the powder thrower. Ive got it down pat that if I were going quick(still keeping an eye on the press making each case gets a powder charge thrown in) i can pump out a box in under 5 minutes. that rate is usually too fast for my thinker to compute and sometimes i accidentally grab a bullet when i really needed to grab a new casing lol. Its not about going fast, though it is nice to pump out three range sessions worth of ammo in an hour!

[PaisteMage]

Thanks for that info Detritus

[mike.h]

another vote for the LCT. You can always remove the indexing rod if you want to try single stage reloading.

[highlander 5]

My first reloading set up was an RCBS Rock Chucker and the aded equipment needed to reload. With that set up I was able to load 100 rds an hour. My next press was a Dillon,don't remember the model but it was bought not long after they went factory direct.
The last 2 were Dillon presses a 550,which I consider the most veritile of the Dillon line.
I now have 2 650s and wouldn't trade them for the world,with case feeders and primer tubes filled I can ro 100 rds in about 12 min. Dillon does cost more but their "No BS" warrantee is the best in the business IMHO.

[hubcap]

Ditto what Hondo60 said. Get RELIABLE info, not just what you get off the 'net. This is not a put-down, but as a newbie you probably won't know the difference between good info and BS. I've not used the Lee presses but they have some very good stuff at excellent prices. I started out with a Rockchucker nearly 40 yrs. ago with 38/357 and have been happy with it. I now load about 40 different ctgs. I've added several other presses including progressives, but it is my default. I would STRONGLY recommend starting out on a heavy duty single stage press. You'll never be sorry you have it unless you decide to totally get out of handloading. It will help you stay safe as you learn the basics and will come in handy when you need to do some case forming or swaging if you get addicted.

Everybody has a right to their own opinion, nobody has a right to their own set of facts.

[Joatmon]

Excellent advice about reading a manual (or two), it may not sound sexy or be quick but you will learn a lot. You may learn that you really dont want to take up reloading. Better that than buying a pile of equipment and selling it on the "bay" a year later. Not trying to talk anyone out of the hobby, but it is really not for everyone. Try to find someone you know that reloads and get them to show you the ropes. I would not suggest a progressive press to start out with, you can always move to that if the need arises. Virtually every compay makes a good servicable press, pick your color and price point.

[budman46]

i'm pleased to see the good reviews of the classic cast turret. 40+ yrs ago i started with a lyman single stage and progressed to dillons...i still have a 550 and two square deal b's, but do 95% of my reloading with classic cast.

i'm not a fan of reloading packages as no one has all the best stuff. i don't favor lee's powder measures or balances, preferring rcbs's 'lil dandy for all things handgun and an old pacific for bigger stuff. i have old manual scales, but rely on a jw digital bought off the internet or an mtm model costing about $25 with a trusted check weight.

as so many others have mentioned, a loading manual is primary..read it and follow the prescribed practices...reloading is not a place to become an experimenter.

[RainDodger]

I've been loading for decades, and I have ONE recommendation for a brand new handloader. Get a single stage press and start there. I believe that's the way to really learn what happens at each stage, and what can/will go wrong at each stage.

If you really have to get something fancier, a turret press would be my next choice, as it's essentially a fancy single stage.

[KevinR]

One vote for RCBS Rock Chucher, I don't think you could purchase a better press.

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for asking our advice and welcome to the forum.

Check out post #15 in this thread

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=623208

and the other posts there, too.

Lost Sheep

[joecil]

I also use a Lee Classic Turret and a Lee Classic Cast single stage for shot shell, bullet sizing etc.

[ranger335v]

New people (and a few old guys) agonise over what press and dies are 'best.' I have an old Rock Chucker that's done a lot of work and is in perfect condition, the only currently available single stage presses I've tried that were just as good as my RC were by Lyman, Hornady, Redding and Lee. In fact, if Lee's Classic Cast had been available when I bought my RC my main press would be red, it's actually a little better press in that it has better user features. Ditto dies. No mainline company makes bad reloading tools, what features we may prefer is user choice for the tasks we need to do; that's not a valid reflection on the performance of tools we like.

It's telling that most long time reloaders have very specific tastes for features but very little brand loyalty. It all works so we buy new stuff that works the way we want it too, not by the color of the box.

Buy your tools with a bit of common sense and all will be well. Don't get a progressive for casual rifle reloading, don't get a tiny Lee Reloader or RCBS Partner alum. frame press and expect it to last long working with .338 Win. magnum, etc.

[heavydluxe]

I am not intending to threadjack, so I hope this question helps the original poster, as well.

What are some 'realistic' round counts that someone can expect to load with a good single-stage press, turret, or progressive while maintaining decent precision/QC on each round?



I'm on the cusp of getting into reloading, too... I spent the past week reading through Lee's reloading book and another called "The Complete Reloading Guide" that I got off someone at our range who reloads.

Right now, I only shoot .223/5.56 and I have three reloading goals:

Be able to up the amount I shoot without drastically increasing costs
Load 68gr or greater bullets for more precision shooting (300-500yrd) with my current AR
Load 55gr rounds for plinking purposes (and eventually for practice in a 'tactical' AR)


I like the 'precision' and craftsmanship (and cost, too) of the single-stage, but, as a parent with young kids and a job, I'm not sure how much I can expect to load in terms of round count per hour. Any help here would be appreciated.

[cbmax]

Get a Dillon 550B if you are mainly reloading pistol calibers and be done with it!

CB

[Coldfinger]

As mentioned above a single stage press is great. Not great volume, but does its job. I used a Lee hand press for about a year so that I could really get my feet wet. I recently upgraded to a Lee Challenger single stage press. The Challenger comes in a kit with lots of stuff, most of which i will never use. Friend of mine schooled me on the craft and forced me to learn how to use a manual scale before I even touched a digital. The kit comes with a manual scale, powder measure (that is a real pain) and some small case tools. I like Lee for the price and for my needs fits the bill. If I shot/loaded more than a thousand rounds a month, and if I had another year or so experience under my belt I would have gone with a progressive.

Ditto on the Lyman 49th edition reloading manual. Read all you can, research on the net and in this forum.

[Lost Sheep]

I am not intending to threadjack, so I hope this question helps the original poster, as well.

What are some 'realistic' round counts that someone can expect to load with a good single-stage press, turret, or progressive while maintaining decent precision/QC on each round?



I'm on the cusp of getting into reloading, too... I spent the past week reading through Lee's reloading book and another called "The Complete Reloading Guide" that I got off someone at our range who reloads.

Right now, I only shoot .223/5.56 and I have three reloading goals:

Be able to up the amount I shoot without drastically increasing costs
Load 68gr or greater bullets for more precision shooting (300-500yrd) with my current AR
Load 55gr rounds for plinking purposes (and eventually for practice in a 'tactical' AR)


I like the 'precision' and craftsmanship (and cost, too) of the single-stage, but, as a parent with young kids and a job, I'm not sure how much I can expect to load in terms of round count per hour. Any help here would be appreciated.
You failed to mention how many rounds you shoot per outing and per month.

If you go for extreme accuracy with bottlenecked rifle rounds, a single stage might be your choice no matter how fast it goes. But if you are shooting greater quantities (like for combat simulations and such or casual plinking) an auto-advancing turret will do better with little loss in the rigidity prized by the hyper-accuracy hounds.

A progressive press is considerably more expensive than a single stage or turret, but if you want more than 250 rounds per hour at the bench, the only way to go.

With my single stage, weighing each charge, carefully quality-checking I could do about 50 rounds per hour. (RCBS RockChucker, but brand really doesn't matter). With my Lee Classic Turret, I could easily top 125 rounds per hour, but not weighing every charge, instead depending on a powder measure. Some people claim twice that rate, but I am not convinced they are not just reporting the cyclic rate instead of the continuous rate.

A Dillon 650 or Hornady LnL progressive can do over 500 rounds per hour if you have all the case feed, bullet feed and do your part.

A good single-stage setup can be had for under $250, but you can get by for a lot less ($150) if you wait on some of the optionals or scrimp on quality. 50-60 rounds per hour.

A truly fine quality auto-indexing turret press and all the accessories for a first class setup can be had for about $350 or less if you scrimp a bit. 125 to 150 rounds per hour.

A first-class progressive setup with all the bells and whistles to take true advantage of a progressive will set you back close to $800 to $1,000. But that is over 500 rounds per hour.

Advice: If you know your are going to want a progressive, get a single stage now and start saving up. Almost every loader I know has a single stage somewhere on his bench. They are handy to have sometimes.

If you will be satisfied with the quantity of a single stage or turret for the forseeable future, get a Lee Classic Turret (Kempf's Gun Shop online and add an Ohaus scale, miscellaneous accessories and a couple of manuals for a first-class setup for under $300)

Don't try to learn on a progressive. You can do it, but it is simpler on a single stage (or a turret operating as a single stage) A progressive can operate as if it were a single stage, too, but it is more complex. Simpler is better. You can learn to walk wearing roller skates, but it is a lot easier in shoes.

Lost Sheep

[budman46]

this thread offers much...

get a good loading manual, study and use it.

learn how to use a beam balance (scale) before progressing to a digital.

load single stage until you understand the process.


my additions:

lee's classic cast turret can be used as a single-stage press, as can a dillon 550, hornady lnl or rcbs progressive...what they let you do is become more efficient in the process; all will produce ammo every bit as accurate as a single stage. when i shot thousands of one or two calibers a month, i used dillons, now i shoot a hundred of this, forty of that, etc. so the removable turret system works better for me.

most importantly, follow forums such as this...the guys are always a learning experience...i appreciate their knowledge/experience.

[heavydluxe]

You failed to mention how many rounds you shoot per outing and per month.
Presently? 100 an outing, a couple times a month. Would like to do more.

A rough goal might be something like 300-500 rounds of generic shooting with another 200 precision-ish shot out to 300+yrds.

If you go for extreme accuracy with bottlenecked rifle rounds, a single stage might be your choice no matter how fast it goes. But if you are shooting greater quantities (like for combat simulations and such or casual plinking) an auto-advancing turret will do better with little loss in the rigidity prized by the hyper-accuracy hounds.
It kinda struck me that, if you wanted, you could use a turret essentially as a single stage. So, you could slow-the-heck-down, measure, re-measure, and build highly precise loads that way. But, you have the added benefit of being able to up the production speed if there was a need to crank out more - allowing for a little less precision in return.

Is that assumption - that slowing down on a turret allows you to essentially get single-stage precision - wrong?

What wasn't clear to me is what a reasonable load rate really is for the different style presses. If I'm right that both a single-stage and turret could, with care, turn out precise round, the choice between the two probably would come down to cost and how much value you place on the increased production capacity of the turret. Hard to do that math when you don't know the numbers.

If you will be satisfied with the quantity of a single stage or turret for the forseeable future...
I think I would be... In the short term, my main interest in precision .223 loads for a long-range/hunting AR I have. I'm not sure I can, or should, justify reloading equipment expenses for that alone. But, if I had the press and could also reload 55gr ammo for more casual shooting, all the better.

In the longer run, I'm hoping to add a handgun (9mm or .40) and bigger bolt-action rifle (7mm or some .30). If I had the equipment, I could handload for those, too. But, since I don't have them, it's not like I feel the total justfication to purchase.

Your figures, by the way, are helpful for giving me some perspective. Thank you.

Someone also PMed me to suggest some 'factory' ammo options that I had never heard of or considered. So, we'll see.

[Uncle Richard]

Lee's single stage for $27.49 at Midway is an excellent press to start on. After a period of learning, you will know what upgrades you want. Have loaded 100,000+ pistol rounds on this press, still works great.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press

good luck.

[DeadFlies]

Lee's single stage for $27.49 at Midway is an excellent press to start on. After a period of learning, you will know what upgrades you want. Have loaded 100,000+ pistol rounds on this press, still works great.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press

good luck.
I started reloading about 6 months ago with this press. I have loaded about 1200 rounds of 9mm and 350 rounds of 30-30 with it. I even use the Lee Ram Prime system to prime those cases. This is the sum total of my reloading experience but, for what it's worth (and that's a few thousand pulls of the arm) I cannot complain about the press.

It works, it was cheap and it doesn't seem to lack anything I need or have anything I don't.

[Lost Sheep]

Presently? 100 an outing, a couple times a month. Would like to do more.

A rough goal might be something like 300-500 rounds of generic shooting with another 200 precision-ish shot out to 300+yrds.


It kinda struck me that, if you wanted, you could use a turret essentially as a single stage. So, you could slow-the-heck-down, measure, re-measure, and build highly precise loads that way. But, you have the added benefit of being able to up the production speed if there was a need to crank out more - allowing for a little less precision in return.

Is that assumption - that slowing down on a turret allows you to essentially get single-stage precision - wrong?

What wasn't clear to me is what a reasonable load rate really is for the different style presses. If I'm right that both a single-stage and turret could, with care, turn out precise round, the choice between the two probably would come down to cost and how much value you place on the increased production capacity of the turret. Hard to do that math when you don't know the numbers.


I think I would be... In the short term, my main interest in precision .223 loads for a long-range/hunting AR I have. I'm not sure I can, or should, justify reloading equipment expenses for that alone. But, if I had the press and could also reload 55gr ammo for more casual shooting, all the better.

In the longer run, I'm hoping to add a handgun (9mm or .40) and bigger bolt-action rifle (7mm or some .30). If I had the equipment, I could handload for those, too. But, since I don't have them, it's not like I feel the total justfication to purchase.

Your figures, by the way, are helpful for giving me some perspective. Thank you.

Someone also PMed me to suggest some 'factory' ammo options that I had never heard of or considered. So, we'll see.
You are very welcome.

9mm and 223 have the slimmest savings (factory retail vs reloaded) and local commercial reloaders and sale prices might make buying that way more economical than loading. (I once bought a whole lot of 45 ACP at Wal-Mart cheaper than I could buy the components.) But such bargains are hard to find. Your 7mm and 30 caliber needs are likely to yield surprising savings, though.

The assumption (slowing the turret and emulating a single stage) is correct. Any turret press can be used exactly as if it were a single stage simply by not turning the turret head. All turrets have some movement, though, and those that anchor the turret head at the center have some tilt (which might be problematic for runout/concentricity). The Lee Turret presses anchor the turret head (disk) around the periphery, so the entire disk lifts straight up (front and rear), so potentially has less alignment problems than a center-anchored disk.

Most folks believe the Forster Co-Ax is the king of alignment and heavy, cast-iron presses like Redding's Big Boss, RCBS RockChucker, Lee's Classic Cast and such to be king for rigidity and leverage. At 300 yards you may or may not be able to tell the difference in your groups. At 1,000 yards, if your rifle, scope and eyesight have the goods, you are more likely to be able to appreciate the small differences press choices might contribute to group size.

At the kind of quantities you are likely to be shooting once you have a loading setup, you are right on the borderline between justifying a progressive press vs a turret. The deciding factor will probably be your budget, I predict.

Some progressive don't have a vertical opening large enough for rifle cartridges.

Good shooting.

Lost Sheep

P.S. My advice.

If I had only $100 to $150, I would start with Uncle Richard's and Deadflies example and go with Lee's single stage press. Either the $30 Reloader, the slightly more expensive (and useable) Challenger or the stronger Lee Classic Cast Single Stage.

If I had $250-$350, the Lee Classic Turret.

If I had $1,000 to $1,500, a Forster Co-Ax and Dillon or Hornady progressive.

I lean towards recommending to you that you contact Kempf's Gun Shop online and talk to Sue Kempf about getting dies for all your loading needs. Once you have the press and accessories, adding another caliber is about $75 and you can swap chamberings in about 10 seconds. If you don't keep a powder measure for every chambering, swaps will cost about $50 and take about a minute. Both examples have dies already installed on a turret disk, so normally no de-installing, re-installing and adjusting required.

[CZ57]

Good points about the turret flexing, Lost Sheep. That is the advantage of having Top-Dead-Center on the Lee Classic Turret. The flex will be the same with each ram-stroke because the ram stops precisely at the same point each time. ;)

[Lost Sheep]

Good points about the turret flexing, Lost Sheep. That is the advantage of having Top-Dead-Center on the Lee Classic Turret. The flex will be the same with each ram-stroke because the ram stops precisely at the same point each time. ;)
Thanks for the acknowledgement, CZ57. I do feel compelled to mention two corrections.

"Play" or movement due to clearance which I mentioned is not the same as flex. Both do allow dimensional variation, but the mechanisms are completely different. Flex will vary with force (which may vary with amount of lubrication, components' size, metal hardness, etc), where play depends almost solely on clearances. They do stack, however.

While presses whose stroke stops at Top-Dead-Center (as opposed to presses whose stroke "cams over") may be conceptually different, I think the operational, effective difference is nil and not worth worrying about.

Lost Sheep (an inveterate nit-picker)

[Fatelvis]

I agree that a turret press of some type would be best for a newcomer, especially if you are loading for more than one cartridge right away. Welcome to your next favorite hobby!