SSN Vet
Member
Disclaimer: this is one man's opinion based on his experience. YMMV
I was fortunate that when I got into reloading some 7 or 8 years ago, I was already a THR member and found a wealth of good info., reviews, and helpful guys willing to share their experience and answer redundant novice questions.
So I purchased what was then the brand new hot ticket press, the Lee Classic (cast iron base with 4-hole) Turret press by Lee. The price was affordable, the set ups easy, and within a year or two I was banging out 8 different rifle calibers and pistol calibers (with dedicated turrets for most of them), scrounging brass like a mad man and getting into casting.
For me, the LCT press was just the ticket and I was making quality ammo, with tight tolerances at a modest speed. I could disappear into my man cave and punch out a box or two at a leisurely pace, punching out one operation per pull of the handle and OK, I'll admit it, sipping a beer and listening to music at a low volume.
Fast forward a couple years ago, when I attended a USPSA clinic and shot a qualifier. I really enjoyed myself and decided the following summer I was going to join a different club and shoot IDPA.... which would require quite a bit more loading.
My coworker got the Lee Loadmaster and after studying up on THR and watching the on-line videos, I convinced myself that because I was a gear head and loved to tinker, the LM would be a good press for me. And I must say, I really enjoyed setting up and dialing in the press and it wasn't long b4 I had it running pretty much fault free. So I put in a big order with Berry's and cast up a pile of wheel weights and even (say it aint so Joe) bought once fired brass. And within a week I had a couple ammo cans packed and ready to go.
Fast forward .... Life intervened... I've been finishing off a fairly nice shop in the basement, I never did join the club with the active IDPA group and continued to shoot a couple hundred rounds a few times a month, so that I'm just now seeing the bottom of those cans. I haven't pulled the lever in a year and a half!!
So I made another sizeable Berry's order, cast up some more wheel weights, and dusted off the LM and hit the cave.
And I have to admit that I find reloading on a progressive press a lot less enjoyable than the LCT, even somewhat stressful (as I worry about letting an improperly charged case slip by). I have to concentrate a lot more as there are 5 operations to monitor for every pull, no music, no beer, and just when I'm getting into the groove.... I'm done. Another ammo can of .45 acp polished off and I need to switch the press over to 9mm.
Maybe some day I'll have the time and money to compete and actually shoot 1,000 rounds a month in the summer (don't have an indoor range convenient for winter months).... but I have to admit, I enjoy the LCT a lot better.
Now all the Blue Kool Aide drinkers can chime in and chastise me for buying the wrong press. But I've loaded on my brothers 550, and have found it to be pretty much the same dynamic.
YMMV, but I wish I had just stuck with the LCT and used the LM $ to buy a nice scope or a set of CT laser grips.
I was fortunate that when I got into reloading some 7 or 8 years ago, I was already a THR member and found a wealth of good info., reviews, and helpful guys willing to share their experience and answer redundant novice questions.
So I purchased what was then the brand new hot ticket press, the Lee Classic (cast iron base with 4-hole) Turret press by Lee. The price was affordable, the set ups easy, and within a year or two I was banging out 8 different rifle calibers and pistol calibers (with dedicated turrets for most of them), scrounging brass like a mad man and getting into casting.
For me, the LCT press was just the ticket and I was making quality ammo, with tight tolerances at a modest speed. I could disappear into my man cave and punch out a box or two at a leisurely pace, punching out one operation per pull of the handle and OK, I'll admit it, sipping a beer and listening to music at a low volume.
Fast forward a couple years ago, when I attended a USPSA clinic and shot a qualifier. I really enjoyed myself and decided the following summer I was going to join a different club and shoot IDPA.... which would require quite a bit more loading.
My coworker got the Lee Loadmaster and after studying up on THR and watching the on-line videos, I convinced myself that because I was a gear head and loved to tinker, the LM would be a good press for me. And I must say, I really enjoyed setting up and dialing in the press and it wasn't long b4 I had it running pretty much fault free. So I put in a big order with Berry's and cast up a pile of wheel weights and even (say it aint so Joe) bought once fired brass. And within a week I had a couple ammo cans packed and ready to go.
Fast forward .... Life intervened... I've been finishing off a fairly nice shop in the basement, I never did join the club with the active IDPA group and continued to shoot a couple hundred rounds a few times a month, so that I'm just now seeing the bottom of those cans. I haven't pulled the lever in a year and a half!!
So I made another sizeable Berry's order, cast up some more wheel weights, and dusted off the LM and hit the cave.
And I have to admit that I find reloading on a progressive press a lot less enjoyable than the LCT, even somewhat stressful (as I worry about letting an improperly charged case slip by). I have to concentrate a lot more as there are 5 operations to monitor for every pull, no music, no beer, and just when I'm getting into the groove.... I'm done. Another ammo can of .45 acp polished off and I need to switch the press over to 9mm.
Maybe some day I'll have the time and money to compete and actually shoot 1,000 rounds a month in the summer (don't have an indoor range convenient for winter months).... but I have to admit, I enjoy the LCT a lot better.
Now all the Blue Kool Aide drinkers can chime in and chastise me for buying the wrong press. But I've loaded on my brothers 550, and have found it to be pretty much the same dynamic.
YMMV, but I wish I had just stuck with the LCT and used the LM $ to buy a nice scope or a set of CT laser grips.
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