I recently started reloading and bought the Hornady classic kit. I thought a single stage would have been fine, but two things happened:
1) I bought an AR and the time it takes to shoot 50 rounds is way less than the time it takes to make 50 rounds. It's annoying. Same goes for my father and I's 9mm's. 50 rounds from start to finish is about the most my attention span will handle on my single stage.
2) Everyone said reloading would be so much fun and a hobby in itself; time spent wouldn't matter. I don't hate reloading, but I don't consider it fun until I get a finished product. Everything before that is just a means to an end. And when I look at 100+ cases that all need depriming, 100+ cases that then need this and that...it makes me hate my SS press. I have no problem with using it for my Mauser or Mosin, as I'll never do more than 25 rounds or so for each.
Now you might say "well, is reloading worth it for you?" Yes, it is, which is why I'm looking to already (well with winter on the way probably won't actually buy anything til spring) buy a progressive/turret press. I had some questions.
1) Since I have mostly Hornady equipment, if I went progressive I'd probably want to stick with the Hornady progressive press; I have mostly Hornady dies with their bushings, which I know is required. Besides the press, what do I need to buy? I know each caliber (I plan on just doing .223 and 9mm. I'll keep my SS for my larger calibers) requires a shellplate for around $30/ea.
I know the press would come with a powder measure. Now for a progressive, do you need to have multiple powder measures for each caliber? At $75/a pop that can get expensive. How easy is it to detach the measure from the top of the progressive? Also, how hard is it to re-calibrate the proper powder throw if I reused the same measure?
Did I miss any essential or good to have components for a progressive?
2) My other option, of course, is to go with a turret press. I'd choose the Lee if I did this. Then again, I feel like if I'm going to be reloading, I might as well go progressive, buy once and cry once. Is the round count drastically different between the two types of presses? I hear roughly 150 rounds/hour on a turret, maybe 300/hour/progressive. What is your guys' opinion on the two types? I know it's been beaten to death but I figured I'd ask. I am leaning more toward the progressive, though.
Thanks for any input you have.
-Mike
1) I bought an AR and the time it takes to shoot 50 rounds is way less than the time it takes to make 50 rounds. It's annoying. Same goes for my father and I's 9mm's. 50 rounds from start to finish is about the most my attention span will handle on my single stage.
2) Everyone said reloading would be so much fun and a hobby in itself; time spent wouldn't matter. I don't hate reloading, but I don't consider it fun until I get a finished product. Everything before that is just a means to an end. And when I look at 100+ cases that all need depriming, 100+ cases that then need this and that...it makes me hate my SS press. I have no problem with using it for my Mauser or Mosin, as I'll never do more than 25 rounds or so for each.
Now you might say "well, is reloading worth it for you?" Yes, it is, which is why I'm looking to already (well with winter on the way probably won't actually buy anything til spring) buy a progressive/turret press. I had some questions.
1) Since I have mostly Hornady equipment, if I went progressive I'd probably want to stick with the Hornady progressive press; I have mostly Hornady dies with their bushings, which I know is required. Besides the press, what do I need to buy? I know each caliber (I plan on just doing .223 and 9mm. I'll keep my SS for my larger calibers) requires a shellplate for around $30/ea.
I know the press would come with a powder measure. Now for a progressive, do you need to have multiple powder measures for each caliber? At $75/a pop that can get expensive. How easy is it to detach the measure from the top of the progressive? Also, how hard is it to re-calibrate the proper powder throw if I reused the same measure?
Did I miss any essential or good to have components for a progressive?
2) My other option, of course, is to go with a turret press. I'd choose the Lee if I did this. Then again, I feel like if I'm going to be reloading, I might as well go progressive, buy once and cry once. Is the round count drastically different between the two types of presses? I hear roughly 150 rounds/hour on a turret, maybe 300/hour/progressive. What is your guys' opinion on the two types? I know it's been beaten to death but I figured I'd ask. I am leaning more toward the progressive, though.
Thanks for any input you have.
-Mike