which press should i get

[Batbunny]

I have recently started shooting more so I think its time to start reloading. Maybe I don't shoot as much as some but I think 200-300 rounds a month is enough for me to want to reload plus it seems kind of fun like another hobby.

I mainly shoot handguns in 9mm and .38/.357, but will eventually move into other calibers such as .40 and .45.

I have been looking into lee turret press deluxe kit, class turret press kit (seems like the best way to go), and the lee pro 1000.

this would be my first time reloading so obviously i want something that will novice user friendly.

I hear that the turret presses are a good way to start, but for a little more i could go progressive and get the pro 1000. But since I'm going to reload for multiple calibers I would like one that would make the change over easy.

Lee doesn't have to be the only brand, but it seems the most affordable that would meet my needs.

any input would be much appreciated. TIA!

[nn3453]

Get Dillon or Hornady. Stay away from Lee.

[Batbunny]

Get Dillon or Hornady. Stay away from Lee.

any recommendations on which one?

[Batbunny]

The Lee Classic Turret Press is well suited to your purposes. I have one and am very happy with it. If I was buying a progressive press I would probably buy a Lee Loadmaster rather than the Lee Pro 1000.

Check www.loadmastervideos.com and www.kempfgunshop.com for more information.

thanks for the input and the links!

[ar15barrels]

any recommendations on which one?

Dillon if you don't mind spending more money up front to own equipment that your grandkids will still be loading trouble-free with or Hornady if you want a lower initial cost, but you are willing to fidget a little bit more to keep it running right.
Lee has the absolute lowest initial startup costs, has the lowest resale % value and will require so much tinkering that you will likely replace it with something better in the future.

[problemchild]

RELOADING IS VERY DANGEROUS!

Its not a hobby!

That word of caution being said I would buy the Dillon 650. Then take some lessons from some one with great knowledge of your press!!!!!!!!!

Why the 650 you ask?

Auto-indexes and wont allow you to put two charges in one case.
The dillon 550 and other brands are self indexing and dangerous. DONT USE THEM! You only have to make a mistake once.
Powder charge bar lock. You cannot half cock the handle and double charge the case.
Powder alarm for low/high powder charge. Very important.
Fast
Lifetime NO BS warranty, if it breaks they replace or repair. I knocked my workbench over and broke my press and they replaced it.
Did I mention fast?
Many accessories.
Tech support that is very very helpful!

Now here is why I tell you its not a hobby. After over 20 years of reloading with a dillon 550 (unsafe IMO) I managed to double charge a 45 acp round with a very light load. Had it been a hot load I would have lost some fingers or hands. A good reason to shoot a steel frame gun huh?

[freonr22]

respectfully, it is a plastic gun

[johnrunner89]

The Lee Classic Turret Press is well suited to your purposes. I have one and am very happy with it. If I was buying a progressive press I would probably buy a Lee Loadmaster rather than the Lee Pro 1000.

Check www.loadmastervideos.com and www.kempfgunshop.com for more information.

I believe I will be going with the Lee classic turret press too. I just recently used my friends and its actually very quick when you get the hang of it. I have the Lee single stage press and the lee classic loader and both have made me very happy with no problems. I still use the Lee classic loader to make some great .308 handloads

[swerv512]

+1... on the turret press...
i'm definitley looking to upgrade from a single stage to a turret press. i just hate having to switch out dies every time i change modes.

[tamalpias]

So PC did it hurt?

[problemchild]

So PC did it hurt?

If felt like catching a baseball with bare hands. My pride got hurt too.

[nn3453]

Dillon if you don't mind spending more money up front to own equipment that your grandkids will still be loading trouble-free with or Hornady if you want a lower initial cost, but you are willing to fidget a little bit more to keep it running right.
Lee has the absolute lowest initial startup costs, has the lowest resale % value and will require so much tinkering that you will likely replace it with something better in the future.

What he said. I have the Hornady. My friend has a 650. The Hornady works just fine. You will have to muck with a bit (especially the case feeder to get it running right). Also doesn't hurt to have a bunch of case retainer springs on hand. This won't be my only and last press very likely so I am happy with it.

[anothergunnut]

I use to have a Lee turret press and it was okay but the indexing never worked so well. I eventually upgraded to a Dillon Square Deal which is great for cranking out ammo but I would not recommend it because it only loads pistol calibers and it uses proprietary dies.

Have you considered a single stage since you only want to load a couple hundred rounds per month? The cost is much lower and it is simpler to set up and to use. If you later decide to get a progressive, you would still be able to use the single stage. I have a Lee classic cast press (in addition to the Dillon) that I use with the Hornady lock n load quick change inserts.

[Batbunny]

Have you considered a single stage since you only want to load a couple hundred rounds per month? The cost is much lower and it is simpler to set up and to use. If you later decide to get a progressive, you would still be able to use the single stage. I have a Lee classic cast press (in addition to the Dillon) that I use with the Hornady lock n load quick change inserts.

You know I was thinking about just getting a single stage, but a turret seemed like a good idea since especially since I could have multiple turrets. I'll have to think about that some more.

Thanks for the input guys. keep it coming if there's more.

[Brasspolisher]

Doing anything the evening of Weds. the 18th?

The OC/IE reloading clinic in Laguna Niguel will have all three press types on hand, you'll get to make your own 9MM rounds, and fire them on an indoor range. Full details at Post #37 in this thread. Bit of a drive from SGV, but it'll be a great hands-on introduction if you can make it!

For small batches of a variety of calibers the turret press is a great choice -- exactly as you've identified:

• You can leave your dies set up as you like them (as anothergunnut mentioned, the Hornady quick-change bushings offer this on a single-stage as well, if you buy a bushing insert for each of your dies)
• Caliber changes are literally two-minute affairs (would be 15 seconds, but it's best to do things with deliberation and an extra double-check or two when you're reloading...)
• The flexibility of using the press as either a fast single stage (my preference) or a slow progressive

Lee makes a perfectly fine, extremely well-priced machine (despite the fact that people slag on them). And even though this line sounds like a review in a gun magazine, there are no bad products in this category -- some are better for some people in some applications, but nothing is crap. There's a reason all of these companies have survived decades in the business.