Done with Progressive reloading

[jmorris]

I have to ask the people here of a real number of rounds used per month (or year) to justify a progressive or even a turret. I am fine with my single stage. I have a system that works for me. 500 rounds a month is easy while working in the evening, after work. I believe I could do 1000 rounds a month with ease with the single stage.

I am not sure we have the same idea when it comes to "with ease" 1000 rounds takes less than an hour on a few of my set ups to load (-prep) and that is without touching a single case or bullet. In the case of the autodriven one, you don't even have to crank the handle or even be in the room except to add 100 primers, cases and bullets every 5 min.

With the addition of a kiddo to my life I only go through 20k a year or so but it's nice to be able to load the ammo I need for the next match while being with her vs trying to keep her out of the room.

 

[Walkalong]

I love reloading a few test rounds, or playing with a few cases getting ready to do so etc, but when it comes to cranking out 500 or 1000 of a proven product for stock, faster is better. I don't try to set any speed records, but I can still get done much, much faster with a progressive.

There are a lot of reasons faster is better for many reloading tasks.

 

[RealGun]

bds - Oh my. The OP did not post which progressive is better than Pro 1000 rather go from progressive to single stage.

gsc3zny
Has anyone else ever dropped down to single stage from progressive?

But the OP's question is spurious in the context of his very next sentence:

I bought a Lee Pro 1000 with all the goodies-bullet feeder, multi tube assemblies, shellplates, etc but just could never get it to work right

The real topic here is one more round of Lee bashing, and thus the longevity of the thread and your being on full alert.

 

[stavman11]

LOL

Ya us who like the pro 1000 are in our Defensive Posture for sure....HAHAHAH


that Said.... I dont think I would ever get a single stage Press... In .357 i change it up quite a Bit, powder measure, Type etc, and is easy...

Now if i start loading a bunch more different calibers... I may get a Classic Turret.. or similar, something fast to change Calibers...

But my Time is needed to usualy shoot at least 1000-1500 rds a month... trips to range 2x a week normaly... (Monsoons in town so havent shot this week)


So for me a progressive is what is needed for my shooting style

 

[Barr]

I was echoing the OP's frustration with this product to let him know he is not alone.

To answer the OP question:
I use a Redding single stage Big Boss II press for all rifle and some handgun loading in small qty. .45 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, and 9mm are loaded on the progressive only.

As to Lee Bashing:
I have used many of their products such as dies, hand tools, progressive press, hand presses etc. They make great beginner tools and their dies are a great value. The problem with "Lee Bashing" is most folks base comments and opinions on things they have heard. I speak from experience with their products, I would not buy a Lee Progressive. They do make good single stage presses.

If you do not agree with my conclusions on Lee progressive presses, that is ok too. I am sure you are happy with your choice of given brands/tools. The advice is free and worth the price paid for it.

Lee Progressives:
I can follow directions and enjoy working with mechanical systems. Fixing a device and constantly adjusting it when it should work is frustrating. Its why some people buy older American cars vs modern foreign imports, for some its a hobby and others its a serivceable tool.

As to beginner press:
I did not recommend a progressive press for beginners. If anything I usually recommend a Lee Hand Press for beginners, for $40 they can find very quickly if reloading is for them or not. If they do enjoy the hobby, they can always sell the press for $25 and invest in a nicer press.

Hope you guys enjoy the 4th! Its raining here and a good reloading day in the shop.

 

[RainDodger]

For me, hand loading is more than half the fun of shooting. It's an art in itself. That said, I ONLY use a progressive Dillon Square Deal press for pistol, and I didn't have that until I had already been a hand loader for 15 years.

Everything else, including bulk amounts of 5.56 are loaded on a single stage. I use a Redding Ultra-Mag press for all sizing (nice and smooth, big press with lots of leverage), and a very old RCBS Jr. press (my first press in 1969) for all bullet seating.

I would highly discourage any new hand loader to get a progressive right off the bat. I always recommend a single stage press and a good manual for new guys. Learning what's happening at every stage of the process and the dangers involved is a good thing. Perhaps that's why I've never had one single bad round make it as far as a chamber (shouldn't have said that).... anyway, a repeatable process and ingrained habits while loading will keep you out of trouble - and that's hard for a beginner with a progressive press! My thoughts.

No experience with Lee, ever, so can't add to that.

 

[LiveLife]

As to Lee Bashing:
I have used many of their products such as dies, hand tools, progressive press, hand presses etc. They make great beginner tools and their dies are a great value. The problem with "Lee Bashing" is most folks base comments and opinions on things they have heard. I speak from experience with their products, I would not buy a Lee Progressive. They do make good single stage presses.

Thank you, very good point. Whether the post is positive or negative, they should be based on first-hand review of equipment/products based on actual experience.

If you do not agree with my conclusions on Lee progressive presses, that is ok too. I am sure you are happy with your choice of given brands/tools.

Actually, I agree with most posters' comments about Pro 1000. What I disagree is to the extent. I do not think it's a totally useless press but a press that's workable once the user understands the requirements for proper press operations which is applicable to any progressive press. I think too many users buy the Pro 1000 due to its value for the amout of equipment you get (a complete progressive kit including dies which is very attractive) expecting the press to just work from day one and when it doesn't, simply blaming the press for problems users caused is not "High Road".

I was destined to buy a Dillon press but fate derailed me into starting with the Pro 1000. In some ways, it's been a curse and a blessing. After having help set up numerous reloaders on Pro 1000, I think a better instruction manual and a DVD may help.