Did I do the right thing? First reloading purchase...

[Superpsy]

I've been thinking about reloading for a while and finally bought:
1. A Lee Breech Lock Challenger press kit
2. Some 9mm carbide dies
3. Some miscellaneous other tools: calipers, bullet puller etc. etc.

Here's my concern. I'm starting to get slight buyer's remorse about getting the single-stage and not a turret press. I'm initially going to reload 9mm Luger and my thinking at the time was that I may want to get into loading .223 so I wanted something versatile. In addition, since I'm brand new to reloading I wanted something simple.

So I guess what I'm looking for is a little reassurance that I did okay and everything will work out to be fine. What did you guys start with...will a single stage really be painfully slow compared to a turret press? Will I constantly wish I had gotten the turret?

 

[RustyFN]

You did fine and it depends on how much you shoot. Yes the single stage will be slower than the turret. The SS will load around 50 rounds per hour. I can load 200 per hour on the classic turret. I load 9mm, 38 spcl, 45 auto and 223. I started with the classic turret and was loading 200 per hour after a couple of weeks. If you decide to go to the clasic turret you will already have everything else you need, just buy the press.
Rusty

 

[armoredman]

Good choice - learn with the single stage. I started with a single, and I am still using it. If you want to go turret later, no problem, but the single is the best way to learn, IMHO. Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading!
PS, got manuals yet?

 

[jfrey]

You'll be fine with the single stage press to start out. It is slower but you can really pay attention to what you are doing. Later, as your shooting gets greater and your reloading becomes more frequent, which it will, you will naturally want a better system. Skip the turrent and look carefully at the Dillon progressive presses. They are definately worth the money and work great.

As far as starting out, I started with a Dillon Square Deal B progressive press and wouldn't go back. You can only load straight walled cases on this particular one, but it will crank out the ammo. For both pistol and rifle ammo, check out the 550B press. Their customer service is the best in the business.

Good luck and load carefullly.

 

[Landric]

You made a fine choice. I loaded on a single stage Rockchucker for seven years before I got another press, and I still use the RC all the time. Once you get the process down, you can probably do as many as 100 rounds an hour. 9x19 is an easy cartridge to handload and a great place to start.

Even if you eventually decide to get a faster press there will always be a use for a single stage. Don't sweat it.

 

[dave from mesa]

Agree with above.
Learn on a SS. Might be slower but it's the best way to learn. You can always buy a progressive machine later. All the rest of the stuff you bought will still apply. I have a Dillion 550b and 1050 and I still use my RCBS jr at times. Will never get rid of it.
Enjoy your new hobby.

 

[lgbloader]

Totally agree with above. I have a Dillon XL650 dedicated to the 9mm but last week, I loaded 100 rounds on a Lee challenger single stage. The old one without the breach locks, too. I am proud to say that I could get buy without all my progressive presses but I could not get by without my single stage.

If and when you do decide to make the jump to turret, you will still have the single stage to do rifle and any other chores.

Good buy, don't have remorse.

LGB

 

[remingtondude58]

I thikn it is a very good choice of press, I use a single stage very often. Welcome to the word of reloading! Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!

 

[The Bushmaster]

Did I see a manual in your list?

Start with the single stage then when you really know and understand how to reload then get that turret. Don't loose the single stage because you will continue to use it for odd jobs and other things...(I hang my hat on mine)(No I don't)

 

[VegasOPM]

You will never regret having a single stage- but you will (probably) want to upgrade to a progressive once the reduced cost of ammo translates to more shootin'. I use my single stage to prototype and experiment. Once I get it all figured out, I switch over to the progressive. I don't really see the need for a turret press.

 

[fourdollarbill]

Single stage presses are therapeutic and will never let you down. Progressive are intense to set up and your always watching 4 functions hoping not to screw up.
You will love it.

 

[rdhood]

Well, I am going against everyone else and say I'd have bought a turret press.... especially for pistol calibers like 9mm. You are going to shoot 100-200 rounds per outing. It would take you about 1 hour to make those on a turret, and it will take considerably longer to make them on a single stage. If I want to do something in single stage, like decap or prime, I take 10 seconds and take the indexing bar out of my Lee Classic Turret. Voila.... single stage. When it comes to dropping powder, bullet seating and crimping, I like to do that 1-2-3. There is no chance of a double charge or missed charge. There is nothing to weigh out... its all metered.

 

[Landric]

VegasOPMsaid:

You will never regret having a single stage- but you will (probably) want to upgrade to a progressive once the reduced cost of ammo translates to more shootin'. I use my single stage to prototype and experiment. Once I get it all figured out, I switch over to the progressive. I don't really see the need for a turret press.

With most turret presses I would agree with you. However, the Lee Classic Turret auto indexes and it actually quite fast. Its not a progressive, still only one round loaded at a time, but it does speed things up significantly over a single stage. The other advantage is that I have a Lee Classic Turret, enough turrets to load six different cartridges, and a powder measure for each (I already had dies for my single stage that I use), and I've got less in all that than I would have paid for a Dillon to load one cartridge.

I've been handloading since 1994 on a Rockchucker. I got a Dillon Square Deal B in 2001. It went to live with a friend in 2005 when I got divorced and didn't have space for it. He loaded me so much ammo on it I decided to let him keep it. Until last month I was back to loading on just the Rockchucker again. I got the LCT because it was inexpensive enough to outfit for multiple cartridges with all the stuff and still offer a significant advantage in speed. I'm glad I chose the way I did.

 

[Eric F]

you didnt do bad, I would have prefered the lee cast turret, its a single stage, with a rotatable tool head there are a few ways to do it, it would be faster than a true single stage, but the challenger is a fine press too.

 

[Floppy_D]

Everyone needs a single stage. I run a Dillon 450, but I would never give up my single stage RCBS. I've used the Lee single quite a bit, and it's a good press.

If you upgrade to a faster press, you'll still have use for the single, if for no reason other than speed of setup and the ability to closely monitor every step.

 

[RustyFN]

Everyone needs a single stage. I run a Dillon 450, but I would never give up my single stage RCBS. I've used the Lee single quite a bit, and it's a good press.

If you upgrade to a faster press, you'll still have use for the single, if for no reason other than speed of setup and the ability to closely monitor every step.

Don't take this wrong I'm not disagreeing with you or trying to argue, it's just my experience. I have been reloading for three years and started with the Lee classic turret. I haven't found anything I needed a single stage press for yet. I have used the classic in single stage mode to size rifle brass. I even run my lead hardness tester in a turret.


Rusty

 

[ants]

You did great. Get a book or two, learn your craft, start loading.

Like lgb and Bushmaster and VegasOPM and the others said, it will be a workhorse for various tasks and chores long after you move up to a turret or progressive. A single station press is never a wasted tool.

Now get some books.

 

[Superpsy]

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys!

I actually did buy the ABCs of reloading before making the initial purchase...I plan on getting a few more books. Thanks for the replies!

 

[Eb1]

Superpsy, good choice. I love mine. I have been loading for a little while, and I am thinking of upgrading, but when I start to order the new press, I just end up buying more powder, primers, or bullets. My SS works good for me.

I will upgrade soon, but for now I will allow me to load ammo. I would rather upgrade my case prep tools. That is where the speed will come from..

 

[Stormbringer]

Good choice. I have a Lee Challenger Press...the older non breech lock model, as well as the Classic Turret and Loadmaster full progressive. I think its always a good idea to start out with a single stage press to familiarize yourself with the basic operations of reloading one step at a time. Besides, its a well made and reliable press that will last you for years to come. Not a bad choice at all...and considering the cost savings its a plus in the win column for you. Now have fun and get some additional dies and components.

Jim

 

[jcwit]

Welcome to the fold, you did good as most everyone said.

 

[Floppy_D]

Don't take this wrong I'm not disagreeing with you or trying to argue, it's just my experience. I have been reloading for three years and started with the Lee classic turret. I haven't found anything I needed a single stage press for yet. I have used the classic in single stage mode to size rifle brass. I even run my lead hardness tester in a turret.

Fair enough. Everyone needs a single stage or a turret.

 

[Afy]

Floppy... Everyone needs a single stage AND a turret.
I have just started reloading 9mm on a single stage... it is a painful affair. Given how much more ammo you go through a semi auto than with a bolt.
Then again I am trying to justify a turret to my wife.

 

[JoeShmoe]

I load 38 spl, 9mm, 40 S&W, and 44 Mag, all on an RCBS single stage. I like to do each step in big batches. Sometimes 500 or so, cases at a time. When it comes time to charge, seat, and crimp, it actually goes pretty quickly. I think it's more effecient that way.

 

[ghoster]

no!!! bad spy, bad spy, pack it all up and send to the ghost.

i got the lee classic turret and now i want a single just for depriming.

somthing i could do in the reck room with the boys, 3,4,8 and 10.
a handful of brass and you would think they had diamonds.

i wont let them help load but deprime clean and inspect would be a lot of fun.

they already clean their matchbox cars in my tumbler.

almost forgot ---have fun.