Reloading Press

[mallc]

I think progressive loading takes away the kind of forced slow solid learning curve that can keep a person safely reloading ammunition over the course of a lifetime.

Assuming, of course, that the new reloader is a slow learner.

If one really wants to load safely, then one should by all means load on a progressive press. You can purchase the machine with factory set dies and alarms to check primer availability, powder availability in the measure, and powder depth in the case. Mechanical safety devices are MUCH more dependable than the human attention span.

Just my 24.8 grains...

Scott

 

[jcwit]

Is that how you learned to walk? Just started out running maybe.

 

[mallc]

Since you asked

I took a NRA metallic reloading course and bought a Dillon 650 XL as my first press. Purchased dies and conversion kits for 9mm, 45 ACP, an .223 along with the press. Perfectly happy and never had regrets. Next I bought a Redding T-7 for small batches, and finally rebuilt a couple of junk Rock Chuckers for my Dillon trimmers. I just purchased 2 Hornady LNL-APs to dedicate to mid-volume runs. BTW, I'm installing the Dillon powder check on the LNL-APs.

But then again I'm a 55 year old engineer with who spent 10 years in tool design and tool making while working my way through school. Learning to reload, really wasn't all that difficult.

Now the flip side is that there are several very wise and experienced THR members who have shared their knowledge with me and kept me from learning some lessons the hard way.

Short answer is that the "single stage" learn slow advise is not necessarily good advise for everyone who decides to take up reloading.

Scott

 

[lykoris]

I fully agree with Scott, it really depends on the individual.

I also started on a 650 as my first press but in the months before buying a single piece of reloading equipment had bought and read cover to cover.

the abcs of reloading
sierra
lyman
lee

I knew I wanted a progressive for 9/45/357 & 223/308.

On the other hand I think we would be a small minority and from a safety perspective it is best to suggest a single stage/turret press as it is impossible to evaluate somebody across a PC screen.

I think for a progressive you also have to have a willingness to take things apart and understand how it all goes together.

 

[dmazur]

I tend to agree with mallc's viewpoint...

I believe a thorough study of the process is what is required, regardless of the type of press involved. Safe reloading should follow from that understanding.

I don't see how anyone can reload safely if they don't understand what they are doing.

From some of the questions I've read recently, there are some newer reloaders out there that haven't a clue about their single stage equipment.

Long ago, it seems that all shooters had to start out with a single shot bolt-action .22 -- nothing else would do. From that foundation, centerfire rifles were added, perhaps semi-automatic actions, etc.

Today that just isn't seen. The new shooter has a Glock, or an M4 copy, and that's what he's trying to learn with.

Like reloading, I'm sure there are shooters who are somewhat challenged by the complexity of their rifles/pistols. With time and study, they will probably figure it out. If they ask questions, they will probably figure it out faster. (At our range, I try to find time for any new shooter who will ask a question, and also avoid saying anything to those who don't.)

So, for my $0.02 worth, I'm not so much worried about what kind of press the guy is using as I'm worried that he isn't studying the process of reloading.

 

[jcwit]

Short answer is that the "single stage" learn slow advise is not necessarily good advise for everyone who decides to take up reloading.

No more than a Dillon 650 is the end all press for all new reloaders to learn on. Granted, a person with experience in engineering and tool and die design is a huge plus, very few people have this, and learing how things work in a slow way is very helpful to their learning process.

Another aspect to look at for many new reloaders is the cost of equipment. I would guess we would agree Dillon is on the high end of the sprectum of cost and possibly quality, this meaning single stage reloading gets many going at a minal cost. Also for many quanity is not important as they have no need to reload/shoot in high volume. I imagine their some out their still happy using a Lee Loader, one slap at a time.

With all this said I still believe a single stage press is an excellant start for the greater majority of beginning reloaders. And if nothing else they end up with a press for experimentation or dedicated for depriming or ect., ect.

 

[ranger335v]

"it will avoid alot of risk with running in batches and forgetting which casings are charged and which aren't". "

Only a self-destructive dummy would attempt to remember which cases are charged and which are not. When a loading block is filled, or you think it is, hold it under a strong light so you can look into each case to check for the height of the powder colume. It's as easy to see a double charge as it is to see an uncharged case.
ONLY after a careful eyeball check can you safely begin to seat bullets in the "batch" processing system.

I've been loading that way since '65. Never a blooper, never a double charge. It works, if you do! If you don't, nothing will.

New guys should go single stage, at least until they get their feet under them. Many will never need more than that. Far too many of us old hands love to recommend what WE like - and maybe even need - instead of what the new guy actually needs. The man set his criteria, respect him enough to answer his question as stated instead of being a guru speaking down from a mountain top.

 

[jcwit]

Well stated!!!!!

 

[alfack]

Money, not safety is the only reason to not go progressive from the start.

I started off on a Dillon 550B and have never had a double charge or other round that did not go bang etc.. On pistol cases, the seating die is right behind the powder die, so when I reach over to grab another bullet I visually check the powder level before putting the bullet on the case. Of all the calibers I reload, I don't think I have one that a double charge will fit in. I would surely notice powder dropping all over the shell plate.

I do rifle cartridges one at a time on my 550. This is only because the powder drop doesn't work as well with most rifle powders and I usually only do a small amount at a time. I like them to be accurate so I weigh each charge and use a trickler.

The only reason I wish I had a single stage press is so I could mount a case trimmer in it and dedicate it for that purpose.

If you are only loading for one caliber, you might look into the Dillon Square Deal.

 

[cook45]

lee pro 1000, its progressive, comes caliber specific, no chance of double charging, comes with everything you need and want....(case feed, primer feed) 159.00

 

[THE GUESS WHO]

I bought a RCBS Jr.today online. I appreciate all the input.

 

[oldreloader]

I think you will like the JR. I bought one in the early 70's and still use one today.They are almost indestructable and you won't beat RCBS warranty and customer service.You do know that the warranty is still good for you.

 

[oneounceload]

Got rid of a Dillon 550 and went BACK to my RCBS Jr. for all my metallic - works well with no issues like primer feed issues........but then I don't shoot 500 rounds a week either

 

[jcwit]

RCBS makes excellent reloading equipment. To bad they now outsource their castings and dies to china and/or India. The almighty dollar at the U.S. workers expense.

 

[bullseye308]

I started loading around 94 for my lever action and my contender. Ordered the Lee anniversary kit, bolted it to the coffee table, and loaded what I needed. I did that for 2 years. Stopped loading for a while then got back into it 4 years ago when I started shooting again a lot. I ordered the Lee Reloader press and a Loadmaster. I do all my resizing on the single stage then hand prime in a comfortable chair, then load without the auto index on the Loadmaster. I manually index it every stage so I can check every case for powder. When I load small batches(150 or less) I do it all on the Reloader press.

The point of all that was that everyone will load in their own way on whatever equipment they have. I loaded 14k+ last year that way on the loadmaster and had fun doing it. I knew every round would do what it was supposed to because I went slow enough to ensure it. Just cause you have a fast car doesn't mean you have to drive fast.

 

[hydraulicman]

THE GUESS WHO

I bought a RCBS Jr.today online. I appreciate all the input.

good choice. and a great start

 

[ARTinCT]

I load my 38 Special on an old Star progressive which I pickup up about 10 years ago. These STAR machines are quite impressive with their accuracy and ease of use. They occasionally show up on Ebay or Gunbroker. It would be an investment as these machines, if in good shape and complete, are a joy to use and have a solid user following.
In this press the cases move in a rotary manner from station to station. You just manually place in a bullet and the next empty case.

However, since you are reloading 300-500 rounds per month, then a single stage machine would work for you given you have enough time. In the area of non-progressive machines, a CH 4D Pistol Champ is a wonderful press with 4 stations and an optional powder charge capability. In this press you need to move the case(s) from station to station.

In the modern sense, the Redding line of presses should be given some consideration as well as the RCBS line and Lee as well.

Personally, I use the Star for 38 Special, an CH4D Autochamp Mark V for 45 ACP, another CH4D Autochamp Mark V for 9mm and use my CH4D Pistol Champ for load development purposes. The Progressive presses are not a good choice for load development in my opinion as once these are set up they are not often really easy to modify powder charge amount and such.

 

[THE GUESS WHO]

Thank You, it should be here anyday. I cant wait to get started.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Started w/single stage, reloadin' 500-1k rounds/month (when ya have 4 kids that shoot competition with ya.....). Got out of it for a while after the kids were gone, then jumped back in after the last election - found a helluva deal on a Dillon 650. When I set up for a caliber, I load 2-4k rounds - so the progressive is more fun than a cheap floozie on Saturday night!

 

[Marc257]

I first got into reloading with a Dillon Square Deal B. As long as you keep your powder hopper full, you would have to have a brain fart to make a mistake. It's a great machine, especially if you load primarily one caliber.

 

[angus6]

I first got into reloading with a Dillon Square Deal B. As long as you keep your powder hopper full, you would have to have a brain fart to make a mistake. It's a great machine, especially if you load primarily one caliber

The SDB can be found used from around $160 and up would be a great starter press for someone planning on handgun only.
Started with a Lee CT and added a SDB to the bench, could not imagine doing h/g on a single stage or the Need to start that way either

 

[Landric]

I did handgun, well everything, on a single stage from 1994-2001 when I got myself a Dillon SDB in .45 ACP. After that, I did everything except .45 ACP on a single stage until this year when I got myself a Lee Classic Turret.

I will be the first to say that since I switched the majority of my handgun loading to the LCT, I don't like to load in volume on a single stage. I use the single stage for mostly rifle now, and low volume rifle at that.

However, none of the fast presses are necessary, they just make the process quicker. The Lee 50th Anniversary Breech Lock Challenger kit is a fantastic value, and perfectly fine for loading .38 Special or any other handgun cartridge. Other systems are faster (and more expensive), but they don't make better handgun ammunition.

The SDB is a fantastic press for a single handgun chambering. I'm very happy with mine, but if I decide to add another press for .38 Special it will probably be a 550b since its more versatile than the SDB.