Wanna help me choosing between these two single stage presses?

[Nordeste]

Hey, it's me the one who's thankful for your advice and inputs, Lost Sheep . I plan on reloading some 150 to 200 9 mm cartridges per week. That should do with my pistol shooting needs. When I get the rifle, I estimate that 25-50 per week should do. The good thing about the Challenger kit is all the stuff that comes along with it (dies, shell holders, scale,etc...). When it comes to bang for the buck, that combination is difficult to beat. If the .308W is not that demanding on the press, that's very good news. As said, I still have to talk with my Lee dealer and will seek his opinion. He owns a gun shop close to where I live and is a very knowledgeable person, but your opinions have been very helpful so far.

Amongst the cr*pload of really stupid gun regulations we have in my country, one of them is that we need to get a permit for reloading (I'm serious, I know some of you will be laughing ), and one of the requirements for that permit is that we undergo some reloading training and get a certificate. This training is usually taught by certified gunsmiths or shooting instructors at shooting clubs (my case). When I got that training, we handled both the single stage Challenger and the Classic Turret Press, so I am already familiar with how it works. It will, definitely, be another option. My only concern with the Classic Turret Press was that it has some aluminum parts too, and how would that go along with the rifle reloading, but if it does work for you guys, I assume it'll work for me .

 

[GLOOB]

I figured I'd start cheap and upgrade later (or quit the hobby). But over 2 years later, I'm still plugging away on my Challenger. I have reloaded thousands of 223 and 308 on it, no problem.

it doesn't have quite the weight and leverage of a higher grade [press]

I leave the handle shortened to around 2/3's the full length all the time, even when doing 308. So I somehow doubt leverage would be an issue for the average reloader. The only time I found it helpful to extend the lever for more leverage was for push-thru sizing of a batch of bulged 40SW brass.

The cost of a Lee turret or SS press will likely be a very small part of your overall reloading gear and components. So get whichever one you would rather have right now.

 

[Sam1911]

I will predict that a consistent 100-200 of pistol ammo a week is going to exhaust your patience sooner rather than later. No reason not to start with a single stage or turret press, but something progressive is very likely going to be on your wish-list soon.

If you are retired and/or have a lot of free time on your hands, perhaps not, but if you've got much going on in life 125-225 rounds on a single stage every week gets to be too much like work.

 

[-Gadsden-]

interesting discussion -- I'm also eventually going to be getting a press (6-8 months down the road since I'll be moving soon) which I'll use like OP to load 9mm. I don't shoot very frequently (since it's so expensive where I live!) and would be fine making 100 rounds per week to stockpile a bit until I'm able to shoot.

how frequently do most who reload shoot? Theoretically I don't really find the idea of making ammo slowly a problem since I like being careful and methodical, but maybe that's a pipe dream and it's obviously not a good idea to waste money on a single stage that you'll only use because you dont have a progressive yet!

 

[Sam1911]

I'm not sure if there's a good average number for how many rounds the average reloader shoots.

Some guys reload to have a relatively small quantity of high-quality (or otherwise difficult to get) rifle ammo. Some reload on high-rate progressives because they're really burning a lot of ammo. I know a surprising number of people who are shooting between 10 and 30 thousand rounds a year in practice and competition, and a whole lot of folks (hundreds in my own circle) who shoot 5,000-10,000 a year.

There's several reasons to reload and a wide variety in the numbers.

 

[4895]

I recommend the Lee Anniversary Kit. It has almost everything you need to get started. The press is solid enough for what you will be doing and there is nothing wrong with starting nice and easy.

I have reloaded 300 win mag on my Lee Anniversary kit press; 308 will be just fine.

I used to use the press for handgun ammo but later bought a progressive. It would take me quite a long time to load 500 rounds of handgun ammo, but it really isn't that bad. What worked for me was to break it up into multiple sessions over a few days.
Day 1, I would resize all of the brass.
Day 2, I would prime all of the brass.
Day 3, I would charge with powder and seat the bullets.

If you are going to knock out 200 rounds, I think you could spend 1 hour each night and within 3 days be done.


Here is a link to a youtube video that I think is really well done. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21P8LDUqWYU

I picked up a trick for resizing quickly on a SS press. Turn the shellholder so that the opening is facing 3 o'clock or so. Swing your hand in and 'catch' the brass in the shellholder. Raise the ram to resize while grabbing another case. Then 'flick' the case with your finger out of the shellholder into a container while 'catching' the next piece of brass in the shellholder. You will use less muscle doing it this way and fatigue will be minimal. You could probably resize 200 pieces of brass in about 20 minutes this way.

A progressive press is nice but really after you figure out your load. Once you have a bunch of components that you will be shooting, you can easily crank out your 200 rounds in a couple of hours at a nice, relaxing pace. It is better to work your loads with a SS system and then start buying cases of bullets, kegs of powder, etc. so your press won't need adjustment as much as verification of settings.

You will still want that SS press for your rifle rounds IF you decide to upgrade to progressive. You can't really go wrong with the LEE kit, but you may want to pick up an inexpensive digital scale to verify the LEE scale. The LEE perfect powder measure works really good and is worth the money. I have the older LEE auto prime tool and I have no complaints at all. It really is worth the money, but I didn't like the scale. I did find a RCBS 5-0-5 scale at a gun show a couple of years later for $40 to replace it though.

 

[TheCracker]

Just get the classic turret if you thought about it. I started with the breech lock and ended up getting the classic turret about 6 months later.

All I use my single stage for now is my bolt gun stuff. The turret would easily do the same thing.

Just take the rod out and go single stage at first.

Just my .02 and what I wish I would have done

 

[aliveisalive]

Still using my RCBS rock chucker kit.

Enjoy it, and use everything that came with it.

I'd really like a dillon 550b, but everytime I think about it, I realise I dont even have the money to shoot as much as it could produce.

I dont mind the single stage at all, but then again I only shoot 100 rounds at a time or so.

I'll size 400 brass one week, prime the next, etc.

Just loaded up 350 (powder,seat bullet, then crimp seperatley.

Took about 2 hours. But of course everything was size, primed, and belled already. But hey, I enjoy all that time, and you might too!

 

[TBH]

I have a Forester and a Dillon 550. I come home from work and load for 15 minutes and end up with a hundred rounds loaded then continue with other things. If you have lots of free time and enjoy more time reloading than shooting, a single stage press is fine. Remember you can still load one round at a time with a progressive press. Dillon has some great instructional videos.
Of course having a single stage press is great for load developing.

 

[Nordeste]

I'm not retired yet . In fact I'm in my -very- late thirties, so still a long way to go 'till retirement. I can't complain about the spare time I enjoy, but then, family obligations and sports keep me busy during the week when I'm not working, and I usually work one out of every two weekends. With that in mind, the Classic Turret option is growing rapidly in me. The shooting buddy who trained me in reloading says I could produce 200 rounds in a couple of hours with it. Unless the press+equipment bill is too large, you guys have convinced me that's the way to go.

Thank you, you're awesome! .

 

[fiftybmg]

Have a look at the Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic press. If you take it in the kit form, it's the best value.

 

[kelbro]

I'm not sure but it might be a challenge to find someone that ships ammunition manufacturing equipment to Spain.

 

[Nordeste]

This is a globalized world, Kelbro. Lee, Hornady, Dillon, RCBS, and whatever reloading gear is available here. That applies to firearms manufacturers as well. When I look at the prices, though, they're significantly cheaper there. But that happens with a lot of other stuff, not just firearms or reloading equipment.

 

[TheCracker]

I'm not retired yet . In fact I'm in my -very- late thirties, so still a long way to go 'till retirement. I can't complain about the spare time I enjoy, but then, family obligations and sports keep me busy during the week when I'm not working, and I usually work one out of every two weekends. With that in mind, the Classic Turret option is growing rapidly in me. The shooting buddy who trained me in reloading says I could produce 200 rounds in a couple of hours with it. Unless the press+equipment bill is too large, you guys have convinced me that's the way to go.

Thank you, you're awesome! .

You won't regret it! The classic turret is awesome. I can do 200 rounds in one hour easily including setup and pack up time. Here is one of my YouTube videos demonstrating the classic turret press speed loading 9mm. Once you get a good system there is no comparison to a single stage.

http://youtu.be/9iDGCObmFTk

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sorry if I'm repeating because I didn't read all the posts.

The Lee Classic Cast single stage press is a very high quality press. I don't like aluminum presses and I think the breach plugs are a gimmick. They are an additional cost with no real need.

I own and use 3 presses and one is a RCBS Rockchucler. If I didn't already have a Rockchucker I wouldn't mind buying a Lee Classic Cast press at all... It would go well with my Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press.

 

[Nordeste]

Great vid, TheCracker!. I had already watched it, actually, so I smiled when I clicked on the link and... watched it again. Do you also reload rifle rounds with this press?.

 

[Nordeste]

Just talked with my dealer on the phone, and there are some news. He has no stock of the Classic Turret Press, but he's made a very good offer on the Pro 1000, that comes with dies thrown in for free. That would make the Pro 1000 just 30€ more expensive than the combination Classic Turret+dies. With the Pro 1000, every stroke on the lever will produce a cartridge. I know it will be more difficult to set up than a Classic Turret and require more attention on my side. Dealer told me it would be able to handle rifle rounds, no problem.

There's something more here. This guy told me he has ordered a fairly large number of presses, parts, etc to different manufacturers in the U.S. and that they're out of stock everywhere. Furthermore, they were unable to tell him when they'd be able to ship his order. Explanation was "it looks like some recent events over there have driven people crazy and they bought absolutely everything" .

I know I've drifted slightly out of my own topic, but what do you think about this Pro 1000 press?. Worth it or should I wait for the Classic Turret?.

 

[4season]

I started with the Lee Anniversary Kit. I still use the press but it is definitely not as strong and requires more maintenance than other single stage presses. The scale is very accurate, but is lightweight and easy to bump out of adjustment. I got frustrated with the scale very quickly and replaced it. I also found the powder measure to be wildly inaccurate, and leaked fine powders all over the place. That said I loaded some very accurate rifle loads with that kit. It wasn't until I started loading pistol that I started upgrading.

I would start with a singe stage press so you can see everything and watch what you are doing closely while you learn. I would NOT recommend any progressive press to someone new to reloading. There is just to much going on and too many things to set just right. However you can use a turret press as a single stage by only doing one step at a time. I would get either the Classic Turret or the Anniversary Kit if you can find either in stock. However if you can find the kits in stock somewhere, I doubt you can find dies, bullets or primers. Everyone is out of everything common.

 

[TheCracker]

Great vid, TheCracker!. I had already watched it, actually, so I smiled when I clicked on the link and... watched it again. Do you also reload rifle rounds with this press?.

Thanks! Not surprised you had already seen it as it has quite a few views!

I do indeed load all my 223 ammo on this press as the double disk kit for the auto disk handles 223 easily (you also need a powder measure riser for use with rifle dies) and I don't see the need to measure out every load for blasting ammo and the fact that h335/wc844 meters VERY well and consistently. For large cases like 308 or 270 I do indeed use my single stage mainly because I have it. There is no reason you cannot use the classic turret to load large rifle cases. My brother loads his 7mm mag with his classic turret and it does just fine for him. He just takes the index rod out and goes single stage since he is generally just using it to neck size and seat the bullet for bolt gun loading. He also just uses a lee dipper (comes with all lee dies) to start each powder charge then trickles up to the correct weight. I use the "perfect powder measure" that came with my breech-lock kit and its only slightly faster than using a dipper as I still weigh each charge.

Good luck and welcome to reloading. It can be addicting!

 

[TheCracker]

I know I've drifted slightly out of my own topic, but what do you think about this Pro 1000 press?. Worth it or should I wait for the Classic Turret?.

While I have never used the pro 1000 or any other progressive I have heard that the lee progressives are very temperamental.

Another thing about progressives is that you will have to buy a shell plate for every caliber. Shell holders come free with lee dies and are only used on single stage and turret presses. Also caliber changes on the press are supposed to be more of a pain.

I would personally love a progressive for handgun and 223 loading but would go with a Dillon as they are supposed to be the kings of progressive loading.

My opinion is that you would be better off as a beginner with a single stage or better yet the classic turret with index rod removed so you can watch all the steps closely.

Btw, if you haven't already watched ammosmith's beginning reloading videos on YouTube I highly recommend you do. I learned a lot from his vids

 

[xtarheel]

I love Lee. Have many of their dies. 30+ years ago, I bought a Rockchucker and never looked back

 

[Nordeste]

I've done some " online research" on the Pro 1000 and even when it appears to be easier on the reloader than its bigger sibling, the Load Master, I could find quite a few testimonies of people experiencing problems. Not so with the Classic Turret.

Problem... It's out of stock, as said, whereas there are units available in the case of the 1000. I'll have to wait, I'm afraid.

 

[G'dale Mike]

It hasnt been mentioed, but i started reloading recently after alot of research. I knew, as a newbie, i didnt want a progressive, but the idea of having several calibers set on a turrett appealled to me. I purchased a Redding T-7 turrett press and couldnt be happier. Single stage simplicity without the die changes. I cant brag on it enough.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Just talked with my dealer on the phone, and there are some news. He has no stock of the Classic Turret Press, but he's made a very good offer on the Pro 1000, that comes with dies thrown in for free. That would make the Pro 1000 just 30€ more expensive than the combination Classic Turret+dies. With the Pro 1000, every stroke on the lever will produce a cartridge. I know it will be more difficult to set up than a Classic Turret and require more attention on my side. Dealer told me it would be able to handle rifle rounds, no problem.

There's something more here. This guy told me he has ordered a fairly large number of presses, parts, etc to different manufacturers in the U.S. and that they're out of stock everywhere. Furthermore, they were unable to tell him when they'd be able to ship his order. Explanation was "it looks like some recent events over there have driven people crazy and they bought absolutely everything" .

I know I've drifted slightly out of my own topic, but what do you think about this Pro 1000 press?. Worth it or should I wait for the Classic Turret?.

I would definitely ask for a 100% money back guarantee about what your dealer said about the Pro-1000 being able to handle 308 rifle rounds. In writing.

As far as it being a challenge to keep running smoothly, I was not up to it, though many are. Besides, my two Pro-1000s were bought used. They worked ok, but I had the usual problems with primer feeding, but pretty much nothing else. I did not have the internet to help me with the solutions, nor did I have a mentor to advise me. But the greatest problem I had with the Pro-1000 was that I never did get accustomed to monitoring multiple simultaneous operations. It made me a nervous wreck by the time I finished a loading session. On every stroke, I would watch the primer movement, stop to check the powder drop, feel the primer seat, place a bullet and on and on. Every stroke was a stopping point.

With my Classic Turret, I have been able to achieve very nearly the same quantity of output and I am relaxed at the end of a loading session. Also, changing calibers is VERY easy (and I load for a half-dozen and swap often).

I think everyone should try a progressive. If it is for you, then go for it.

And make sure the 308 is not too long for the press.

Buena suerte

Lost Sheep

 

[Nordeste]

Gracias, Lost Sheep .

The offer on the Pro 1000 was tempting and made me hesitate, but the decision is made, it'll be the Classic Turret.

I read on the news that certain law that would affect your gun rights hasn't been passed. Hope it helps relaxing the market a little bit and we can get some Lee products at this side of the pond...