jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,236
That's the point. But the win-win is that when you graduate to a progressive, you already own it.Those that advocate using a progressive one round at a time, well that is pretty much single stage
Yeah, some good points. Some presses would lend themselves easier to use as a single stage than others. On my Dillons (650, 1100), it's easy to remove a shell at pretty much any station, although you shouldn't have to even if using them as a single stage. My old RCBS is a bit harder to do that with. And changing tool heads on the 1100 sucks compared to the 650/750. A LOT more expensive on the 1100 as well, if you're going to buy tool heads for it. So picking the right progressive to use as a single stage for a beginner would still take some forethought and research. But it is still a win-win to go that way, in my experience.maybe it's just the presses. i have 2 dillon 1050s and even though i bought the extra tool head etc to load 6dasher on it, i don't like it and still load on single stage. i get better ammo and have more control with the single stage. even though i anneal with an AMP, i still get occasional bullets that seat way too hard or way too easy. when i load by hand i feel it and relegate that round to the practice ammo pile. no way to do that on a progressive. same for priming as i prefer to prime by hand to feel if a pocket has expanded or remains tight.
progressives weren't designed to put cases in and pull them out easily at various stages. they were designed to run through the case feeder and come out finished after 6 or 8 stations. i find it a pain to pull a round out after sizing and priming so i can run it through the giraud to trim/chamfer, and then stick it back in for seating. I'd need 2 or 3 separate progressives to do my reloading process effectively.
That's the point. But the win-win is that when you graduate to a progressive, you already own it.
I would have never used one, and I'm glad I never bought one. The only person I know with a single stage is the reason I started with a progressive. He was a pheasant hunting buddy and would not go trap shooting with us because it took him so long to produce a box of 12ga shells with his single stage MEC.Yet, pretty much every reloader that has a progressive also has a single stage or several other presses.
Look at all the excitement over the new Lee Press. Why?? who needs it?
There is no loss in buying a single stage in the beginning, it will always be used.
I appreciate the "start with a single stage" thing too. Whatever works. Just saying there is more than one way to skin a cat.The buy once cry once mantra is BS,
It is far easier to change calibers and primers
I still prefer my LCT to the LnLAP as I can change calibers in a few minutes
Did years of batch loading on my Lee single stage and cranked out a lot of ammo.
There is no loss in buying a single stage in the beginning, it will always be used.
I have considered one as it's a single operation but removes all the extra handling...I started reloading in the 1980's using a Lee 1000 progressive press. It was pretty easy to set up once I read the directions. I now have three of them including the first one I bought which is still functional and reliable.
Maybe 10 years ago I bought a Lee Turret press, a four hole one. It's sort of a cross between a progressive and a single stage. I now have two of those - I think most shooters would like them and I think I like them better than the progressive.
I learned to drive in a Nash Rambler station wagon with a three-on-the-tree. I thought it was the bees knees until I got the chance to drive a European sport car - not mine! - and got to experience a floor shift. I also learned to drive a tractor but after I showed I could handle a car. Cars are cheap; tractors are $$$$$!I enjoy reloading, now using my Co-Ax. But while I suggest starting with a single stage, I cannot totally fault one starting with a progressive. Many (most) people learning to drive start out in something like a Toyota, auto trans, power steering, power brakes compact car. But I learned to drive in a 1948 International 1 ton PU with a 5 speed, straight cut gear manual transmission. I had a terrible time but once I mastered that truck, everything else seemed like "a walk in the park". I was totally inundated with things to think of, double clutching, no power steering nor brakes, trying to remember which slot was for what gear and the ride was terrible. I believe the same would apply to starting on a progressive press. But if one is fairly mechanically inclined and can deal with 4 or 5 things happening at once, and a good idea about the hows and whys of reloading, learning reloading can be done...
Several years ago I had a friend that shot competition with his 1911 and I helped him reload once or twice. He owned a Dillion "auto everything" press and all I had to do was pull the handle and finished 45 ACP rounds dropped into a 30 cal ammo can. I could have been yanking on a slot machine or churning butter as I felt waaay removed from reloading. Not for me...
Part of what's probably inferred but not said it that progressives are the only choice for people who don't enjoy the process. Why spend a second more doing something you dread.I enjoy reloading, now using my Co-Ax. But while I suggest starting with a single stage, I cannot totally fault one starting with a progressive. Many (most) people learning to drive start out in something like a Toyota, auto trans, power steering, power brakes compact car. But I learned to drive in a 1948 International 1 ton PU with a 5 speed, straight cut gear manual transmission. I had a terrible time but once I mastered that truck, everything else seemed like "a walk in the park". I was totally inundated with things to think of, double clutching, no power steering nor brakes, trying to remember which slot was for what gear and the ride was terrible. I believe the same would apply to starting on a progressive press. But if one is fairly mechanically inclined and can deal with 4 or 5 things happening at once, and a good idea about the hows and whys of reloading, learning reloading can be done on a progressive press...
Several years ago I had a friend that shot competition with his 1911 and I helped him reload once. He owned a Dillion "auto everything" press and all I had to do was pull the handle and finished 45 ACP rounds dropped into a 30 cal ammo can. I could have been yanking on a slot machine or churning butter as I felt waaay removed from reloading. Not for me...
Good point.Part of what's probably inferred but not said it that progressives are the only choice for people who don't enjoy the process. Why spend a second more doing something you dread.
This is your own projection, and isn’t true for many, many reloaders.
Out of my own 30yrs reloading, I can recall around a decade or so of accumulative years where I’ve not had any use for a single stage press - and in several more of those years (and counting up), my only use for a single stage is hydroforming, which I expect you’d agree isn’t a common activity, especially among reloaders.
A turret press really should be the base standard, and volume reloaders are obviously advantaged by progressives. Single stage presses are a specialty game.
It is amazing how many "infantile newbies" buy single stage presses. RCMS, Hornady. Lee, Foster all sure sell a boat load of them
A turret press really should be the base standard, and volume reloaders are obviously advantaged by progressives. Single stage presses are a specialty game.
Those that advocate using a progressive one round at a time, well that is pretty much single stage
I’m still not sure what was said that was so offensive by the AMU that every Progressive felt the need to go on defense. Who really cares what you do? The person being interviewed answered a question, answered it honestly, and without any malice. So much defensiveness… makes me think the people who are offended are extremely insecure.
Your missing the guys that just buy another press when they add another cartridgeBTW; One major part of learning to reload is die adjustment. Necessary for getting good handloads thar chamber and fire without problems. Also essential for troubleshooting. Can't get that from "set it and forget it" as in a turret or progressive. Swapping dies every step in a single stage will insure learning to properly adjust dies (repetition)...
Swapping dies every step in a single stage will insure learning to properly adjust dies (repetition)...