dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Good point @Blue68f100. I am sure the OP will take that into consideration. I wondered about that myself. If that causes a problem, you can always purchase a new Lee.
Single Stage Press Advice
- Thread starter Obi Wan Reloadi
- Start date
AJC1
Member
Mentee not Manatee
Why not just use a turret, so you can leave your dies set up?
Like what though? I am asking a question. Why should I buy one? I was going to buy one to have a back up, I load a lot the night before. But then figured why not just buy another turret? I would hate have to reset up everything up, when I am short on time.
But what task is easier? Only thing I could wonder about is bullet seating long rounds. But setting up seating depth, is why I bought extra turrets and extra dies. So what would I do different? I am being serious. So far no one has actually said what is better. Never actually given an answer.
I do get that it is cheaper. But most of us at some point have exceeded the cost savings part of reloading.
You can't just say its better cause I say so, I am not your 5 year old kid.
If you can not articulate why it is better, or what task is better, than I will conclude it really isn't. And you are just doing it cause it is what you do. You have to be careful of doing something the way you have always done, it because that is the way you have always done it.
CQB45ACP
Member
I do. A T-7, but that wasn't your intentionally provocative question and thus my intentionally provocative response
CQB45ACP
Member
I use a T-7 to decap/size, seat, and crimp 9mm & 45acp. It's semi-permanently mounted to workbench. But, to expand/prime, I use a removable SS.
What is the benefit of that over a turret? Instead of having a press just for that, I just buy turrets for everything I load. I have also started buying them for different bullets, of things I load often.
kmw1954
Member
I have one Single Stage, two different Turrets and two different progressives. Right now when reloading bottleneck cases I use the Single Stage more than any of the others.
I use the Single stage to decap, I use a Single Stage for my Lee Quick Trim, I use a Single Stage with my Lee Auto Prime 2, I use the single stage to resize and to reform 6.5Grendel into 6 ARC... Don't think I'd want to do any of those tasks on my Lee Turret press.
CQB45ACP
Member
Well I really really like Lee's on the press safety prime thing as well as the function of their primer arm. Like it much better than Redding's. And, I don't want to buy another turret and find a place to store it. I have all but expanding/priming for both 9mm & 45acp on one turret. My bench is also my work bench and space is precious.
I can see priming on something stationary rather than hand priming. As for turrets, you can't stack turrets like you do boxes of dies. But reloading is about needing shelf space. Doesn't have to be on your bench. My brass, powder, and bullets are in another area of the basement.
And I suppose I could see it for some odd thing that I rarely ever load.
But I still now sure what they do better. You set up a die either way, and pull the arm.
I do wish mine was a little taller for rifle cartidges. But I do wonder if I just but different or newer press. But I hate setting seating depth, so would not want to do use single, unless one of those that lock the shell in and can changed out. Which I would consider if I ever got one.
And I suppose I could see it for some odd thing that I rarely ever load.
But I still now sure what they do better. You set up a die either way, and pull the arm.
I do wish mine was a little taller for rifle cartidges. But I do wonder if I just but different or newer press. But I hate setting seating depth, so would not want to do use single, unless one of those that lock the shell in and can changed out. Which I would consider if I ever got one.
CQB45ACP
Member
Agreed. But also, I'm 73. Every shelf is full.
You could rebuild that press. You could upgrade to the Lee classic cast, it's heavier built than the challenger, or if you're able to, I'd look hard at a lee classic turret. There are other solid options (rock rockchucker etc etc) but I'm fond of my lee presses mostly because of the features and my positive experiences with their customer service. I don't know how universal the shell holders are, iirc I had issues with a lee shell holder and a hornady press of my brother's? I wouldn't swear to that, could have been the other way around, it was 10ish years ago.... regardless you seemed to be fond of what you got, so I'd keep it in the Lee family for the features you're already used to.
Charlie98
Member
That was the press I started on as well... it's a great press. It was my brother's press, that he 'gave' to me many years ago when he decided to get out of handloading... and then it was redefined more recently as 'loaned out.' Now that he's retired, he wants to get back into handloading... so I had to give him all his stuff back. Good thing he's my brother...
Besides some of the uses for a single stage press already mentioned, they are great for removing a stuck case from a sizing die. (There are those that have stuck a case in the sizing die and there are those that will stick a case in a sizing die.)
Also, Lee makes a dandy cast bullet sizer that mounts to a single stage press. Great for sizing small runs of cast bullets or if you do not want to buy a complete lubri-sizer set up.
Along with decapping spent cases, single stage presses are great for removing a live primer that is mis-seated. You do not have to upset the press you are currently loading on to install the decapping die and fix the mis-seated primer.
Many folks start with a single stage press and at some point they upgrade to another style of press. It is no big deal to keep the old single stage press around.
Having a single stage press around is one of thoe tools that fall in the catalog "If you never had one, you can't justify it. Once you have one on hand, you find all sorts if uses for it that you would prefer not to do on your more advanced press".
I still don't understand the difference between screwing a die in a press and turret. Why would and of this be easier with a die screwed in the press, versus screwing the die into a turret?
Soonerpesek
Member Shnember
Sizing:
Loading:
Also loading:
Because someone gave it to me:
Because @Mark_Mark told me to get one:
Loading:
Also loading:
Because someone gave it to me:
Because @Mark_Mark told me to get one:
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Mark_Mark
Contributing Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 22,250
my little app sits between 2 giant press!Sizing:
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Loading:
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Also loading:
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Because someone gave it to me:
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Because @Mark_Mark told me to get one:View attachment 1247822
doubleh
Member
It's very simple. Because it does everything I need done.
On the surface, there isn’t.
But maybe you need to do a quick operation with a single die and don’t want to disassemble the turret press that is in the middle of a reloading run.
Do you have to have a single stage press—no. Does a single press add some flexibility and capability for your reloading pleasure—yes.
I am trying to figure out if there is a reason to buy one. So far for me, I don't think so. If I ever start loading calibers that I rarely use, I can use a spare turret and take the die out when done.
Is the handle bigger for more force? re the beefier for certain tasks? What reason should I get one?
A person should think, if they are doing something and don't know why.
First day at work maintenance manager hands ,me a photo copied story, with the punch line being because thats the way we always done it. the other story was about some japanese built who crashed in US. After months of investigation and massive amounts of money, he is questioned. Asked what happened, insert name, bleeped up.
Couldn't you just use a spare turret with no dies in it? That is my plan always have a spare. Plus many rounds I don't use all 4 holes.
Historically, the large single stage O-frame presses were stronger than the turret presses of the day.
Today’s turret presses are pretty robust.
Many reloaders start with a single stage press. So, when they upgrade to a turret or progressive, it is no big deal to keep their single stage press. They may even take a while to convert all the various cartridges they reload over to the new press so the single stage press continues to be used on a regular basis.
One of the great aspects of the reloading hobby is there are several levels of participation that can fit to each individuals likes and wants.
If you cannot justify having a single stage press, don’t force the decision and move on with what you are presently doing.
Mark_Mark
Contributing Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 22,250
for $150-ish, a turret press is good for muti-tasking different projects
CowboyTim
Member
I've got 2 single stage presses on my bench, a LEE Classic Cast and a Lyman Orange Crusher. Usually size on the Lyman and Seat with the LEE. Either would be fine by itself. ANY of the well established single stage presses will most likely give you good service.
doubleh
Member
I am sure it is but I am not in a hurry when reloading so no need for me. I am a slo-poke reloader. I am looking for the best accuracy I can get and shut out any distractions and check everything one at a time. I have been at this since the '60's and have never had so much as a blown primer. Many will consider me over cautious but that doesn't bother me. Better safe than sorry.
I was in an industrial accident in the late '70's that came within an inch of killing me. I am not kidding as I measured the mark on the piece of steel that saved my life after recovering. I still have problems from this incident and it taught me to be very careful when I am in control of what I am doing. I wasn't when the accident happened.
I was in an industrial accident in the late '70's that came within an inch of killing me. I am not kidding as I measured the mark on the piece of steel that saved my life after recovering. I still have problems from this incident and it taught me to be very careful when I am in control of what I am doing. I wasn't when the accident happened.
