Gieco...nah..I saved 15 hours swithing to Progressive

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Sorry, couldn't resist....lol

Anyhow I planned to finally move to a progressive press was just not so soon, but I ran across a deal on a Lee Loadmaster and pulled the trigger on it. Not having the cash flow to really spare I still feel I saved myself some money getting it while it was fairly priced (used). I could have spent another $85 plus shipping to get a new one but it came with and extra powder dispenser as well as a collator. Figure by the time I sell the single stage I won't have more than a few dollars in it. Can't say the timing was perfect, with powder being so scarce, but I am entering the busy season and the time I save cranking out some ammo for weekend shooting sessions will definitely be welcomed.

Set it up and ran some dummy test rounds through it....just need to grab some powder and I should be off and running!

 

[2 Horse]

Welcome to the dark side, for a lot of great info go to loadmastervedios.com
Tips and tweaks from users that work

 

[rskent]

You might want to rethink selling your single stage. They are very handy to have around.
Load testing, fixing screw ups, any time you need to load just a few rounds to try out.
Just thinking.

 

[Cheetos]

Congrats! Nice setup!

 

[jmorris]

Figure by the time I sell the single stage I won't have more than a few dollars in it.

Don't do that! I have 11 progressives here now and still use single stage and turrets. There is always going to be something you will use it for.

 

[Missionary]

Greetings
I agree also.. keep the single stage. As soon as you sell it you will want it back. I still have my origonal Green JR I bought soon after leaving the Pickle Suit Brigade. Have progressive loaders also.. but the old Green thing still has a place to sit on the bench for those unique tasks it does so well.

 

[blarby]

Its actually gEIco, but whateva.


I'd never sell my single stage. Ever !

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Thanks for all the input. I thought about keeping it at first. I could not justify the immediate need other than if something breaks on the progressive. It was a too early, good deal, when money was tight type of thing. I am looking at a week maybe two before I go back to work so it was more of a financial balance in my mind. Away to save long term and afford to make the move now.

Either way I plan to have one (single stage) either by keeping this one or just grabbing another one in the near future when cash is flowing much more freely. Thanks again, it's nice to have experience out there sharing input.

I use to load on a friends progressive and it was hard to catch up as our schedules were different and I needed something of my own. I can't say the little booger hasn't served me well and paid for itself by allowing me to shoot more D).

Yeah it's "Geico" not Gieco

 

[blarby]

If you ever have to FL size bottleneck rifle, you'll be very glad you kept a single stage.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

If you ever have to FL size bottleneck rifle, you'll be very glad you kept a single stage.

Currently only load pistol and all I have ever loaded . But I do have plans on getting a couple rifles. One Milsurp and one modern. Then cut my teeth on rifle.

 

[Havok7416]

I resize my .30-06 rounds on a progressive, but it's a bear. I apparently cracked my bench at one point doing it!

 

[shoebox56]

Wreck-N-Crew, great price on the used Loadmaster. I've been waiting around for a good deal but haven't seen anything close to what you got.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I'm predominately loading pistol now also, for the time being, and use my single stage for a lot. My other two progressives do an excellent job but you definitely need a single stage sitting around for odds and ends.

I would never get rid of it no matter what. It's a very vital piece of equipment.

 

[jmorris]

If you ever have to FL size bottleneck rifle, you'll be very glad you kept a single stage.

I do that all the time on progressives with no problem.

 

[GW Staar]

Don't do that! I have 11 progressives here now and still use single stage and turrets. There is always going to be something you will use it for.

He's right you know.

That'd be like getting rid of your socket wrenches because you bought an electric impact wrench. Hint: I think your press was designed with CCI primers, because they work much more trouble free in the primer feed tubes than any other brand....also graphite is your friend in those tubes.

Reloading bottleneck cases: Most of us at least deprime on a single stage, many of us size on one, and then do trimming & case prep off press. That leaves the progressive to prime, charge, seat, and crimp on the progressive.

Since much of what I call case prep happens only once in the life of a bottleneck case (uniforming and decrimping primer pockets, and deburring flash holes), then the second time around only trimming is necessary.....and that only if you don't use an RCBS x die......therefore if you were to use a Dillon trimmer on station one to resize and trim then you could do it all only on your progressive. But how many buy a Dillon trimmer? Statistically, not many.

 

[BillB204]

I have two Lee Load masters. I have one set up for volume handgun reloading and the other set up for precision rifle reloading. I use the rifle press more as a single press - FL or Neck size and decap, anneal (every 5 reloads), then stainless steel tumble and dry, trim if needed, prime on press, powder charge off press, seat bullets on press (I don't crimp rifle loads). Advantages are that the dies stay set. All I do is load the cases into the right stations. I also have interchangeable parts constantly available. And if one press goes down, I have a back up. And there may be other dies you'll want to use (bullet puller) without dismantling your progressive.

My suggestion is to keep your single stage.