How many presses will I need

[Droc101]

Hello All,
Been a long time since I was a kid reloading in my Grandpas hobby room and I am getting my shopping list together in light of 63 passing.

I am only interested in single stage but I have no idea how many presses I should buy. The idea is that I want to have one press specialized for one job (set it and forget it). How many single stages will I need to make that happen?

[stphnman20]

Hello All,
Been a long time since I was a kid reloading in my Grandpas hobby room and I am getting my shopping list together in light of 63 passing.

I am only interested in single stage but I have no idea how many presses I should buy. The idea is that I want to have one press specialized for one job (set it and forget it). How many single stages will I need to make that happen?

If thats the case, then you'll need about 4 or 5. If I were you, I'd get the Lee Classic Turret press. It can be used as a single.

[Droc101]

Thanks. I am actually going with RCBS since I work for the company that owns them.

[kcheung2]

Just buy 1. I don't know what you mean by set it and forget it but with a single stage every time you switch calibers you need to unscrew/rescrew the dies anyway. They have a locking ring that you set for the proper depth the first time you set it up, then afterwards you just keep it there. It takes all of 20 seconds to unscrew the die & replace with the next die.

[Paseclipse]

Thanks. I am actually going with RCBS since I work for the company that owns them.

LOL... RCBS is a good idea, especially when you get the EPP price!

I sure do miss working for ATK. Fortunately I stocked up on all the major RCBS goodies before the division I worked for merged with Orbital.

[Droc101]

Yeah, ATK actually split off their non-rocket divisions into Vista Outdoor. They took us over earlier this year. It has been nice working for them so far.

[Droc101]

Just buy 1. I don't know what you mean by set it and forget it but with a single stage every time you switch calibers you need to unscrew/rescrew the dies anyway. They have a locking ring that you set for the proper depth the first time you set it up, then afterwards you just keep it there. It takes all of 20 seconds to unscrew the die & replace with the next die.

What I mean by set it and forget it is have one press for powder, one press for priming, etc. etc. Yes, adjustments would have to be made for each load but the specific job for that press does not change.

[kmullins]

I would go with a turret press. That way you can have one turret head dedicated to each cartridge (essentially "set and forget"). I like Lee because of the price but if you can get a good price on the RCBS turret then go for it!

[arrowshooter]

What I mean by set it and forget it is have one press for powder, one press for priming, etc. etc. Yes, adjustments would have to be made for each load but the specific job for that press does not change.

How many calibers are you going to load? You are going to be far better off with a turret/progressive and different tool heads that are setup and forgot about. But to keep in the spirit of your question:

Powder is not handled on the press, so just a Uniflow and stand. 2 if you load rifle and pistol. More if you want to set each one to a specific load.

Sizing, decapping and priming can be handled on one press with one stroke using the primer arm.

You will need separate trimmers for bottle necked cases as needed.

You will need one for "flaring" pistol brass.

One for seating.

One for crimping, unless you intend to use the seating die for that purpose.

So that is 4 per caliber.

[not-fishing]

I use two presses for 4,000 + handgun rounds and 1,500+ rifle rounds per year.

A RCBS manual turret to: decap, shape, bell handgun rounds - 3 stations
decap shape rifle rounds - 2 stations
set bullet, crimp handgun rounds - 2 stations

A RCBS single stage to: set rifle bullet (I don't crimp)

It takes me maybe three minutes to set up the harder calibers

I load for 7 handgun calibers and 7 rifle calibers

The fancy presses like "Dillions" are nice but I've never had the disposable income that I wanted to spend on one.

[Michael in California]

What I mean by set it and forget it is have one press for powder, one press for priming, etc. etc. Yes, adjustments would have to be made for each load but the specific job for that press does not change.

Your view of the process is flawed. If your view was right, you would see others doing it and you don't. You are not the first to reload.

Youa re not going to take one cartridge and walk down a line of presses doing one thing at each station like a progressive press that has been peeled like an apple. You are going to batch process each operation. That can be (and is) done with one press exchanging your pre-adjusted dies. Powder is dropped from a measure on a cheaper, purpose built, stand (or weighed). Trimming, if needed, is handled differently too. Your way also required lots of bench space.

I don't think your proposal has merit.

[jimmykan]

OP, I've said this before in other reloading threads, and I'll say it again here:

If you're just considering getting into reloading now, you are late to the party. The buying frenzy began earlier this year, and we are now in a reloading component shortage, especially powder and primers.

See if you can obtain enough reloading components before you think about how many presses to get.

For example, if you're looking to reload 9mm and 38 Special, and you can't find any small pistol primers for sale anywhere, then you won't have a need for any presses either.

Reloaders these days treat powder and primers like they are "guzzoline" in the Mad Max movies.

I for sure do not perceive components as a replenishable supply anymore, where I can go to the store or website and have my pick of powder choices and primer brands, and then purchase just enough to load up my next box or two of ammo.

When I see some components that I could use, in stock at a price I'm willing to pay, then I buy as much as I can afford, and then some. It's the Costco shopping mentality X 1000

If you are hesitant to spend your hard earned money in this fashion, reloading might not be for you, and you might as well pay the $50 for the ammunition permit and background check and go that route.

Now to answer your question, if you want a dedicated press for each operation, you will need 2 - 4 presses per caliber.

1. Size/Deprime
2. Expand/flare case mouth (required for pistol, optional for rifle you can also just chamfer)
3. Seat bullet
4. Crimp (required for pistol, optional for rifle)

If you are willing to go with a turret press, then you can just set up a turret for each caliber, and then just swap turrets to change caliber. The Lee Classic Turret would be my pick.

[wbunning]

I turret press, one extea turret for each caliber. Way less expensive, more efficient in space requirements and movement.

[Paseclipse]

Yeah, ATK actually split off their non-rocket divisions into Vista Outdoor. They took us over earlier this year. It has been nice working for them so far.

[MrElectric03]

How big is your bench?

I'm pretty addicted so I currently have an old rockchucker, a Dillon xl650 and a Dillon Super 1050. Looking at adding another xl650 on an auto drive for case prep and maybe a hydraulic Mec for shotgun shells.

I've seen many setups with a Dillon Square deal B setup in each caliber. I've seen as many as six lined up on a bench. On my rockchucker I use the LNL system to speed up the process, definitely worth the investment.