Should I start with a single stage press

[Cowboy T]

Add a thermos of coffee
LGB

That's the only thing I don't agree with. Due to possible lead contamination on the fingers, I don't eat or drink anything while reloading. But everything else, +1.

[LGB Loader]

Cowboy T,

He'll be using Berry's plated. Unless he is sticking his finger up his nose or other places, I think he'll be okay.

LGB

[AAShooter]

That's the only thing I don't agree with. Due to possible lead contamination on the fingers, I don't eat or drink anything while reloading. But everything else, +1.

I used to drink coffee while I reloaded shotshells until I got to the bottom of my cup one day and had several pieces of shot in it. I don't drink coffee any more while reloading.

[bootcamp]

Your guns and your not blown up hands will thank you for learning on a single stage.

What you are about to learn is a life long skill that you can pass on to your next generation. Learn the proper way and the fundamentals on a single stage. Start off with 50 rounds as your goal for the "session", then bump it to 100 or 200, then as you feel 1000000% percent confident that ALL your rounds will go bang the safe way, consider the upgrade to progressive.

[Oceanbob]

Cancel the Load N Load

Get a Dillon 550B.

It is indexed manually and you can use it much like a single stage and take your time.

When you get it down, you can pump out 500 per hour.

I added a case feeder to mine. (on the right) On the left is a dillon 1050 dedicated to .45 auto. (1200 rounds per hour)

[Nessal]

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I would get the single stage anyways, you will need it down the road for precision handloads. I started off on a single and actually didn’t even think about buying a progressive until half a year ago. To this day, I still spend more time on my single because I mainly shoot for precision and rarely for plinking. Loading on the single is less “busy” than on a progressive IMO and is easier on the brain for a newbie. It allows me to focus on that one process more closely. But that’s just how my brain works. I can say that starting on my single allowed me to focus on the basic fundamentals a lot easier.
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Even if I wanted to load for plinking on my single, I can do them pretty darn fast as long as you have everything laid out ready to go and no brass work. I would estimate that I can do 200 an hour on my single which isn’t bad. But then again I’m really familiar with my equipment and my process is very methodical. You can start off on a Lee Breech lock press…it’s like 45 bucks. If you decide it’s not for you, sell it for $30.
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[problemchild]

Get a 650 and ask for initial help. If you are near LA I will help you.

[Divernhunter]

Keep your order and just go on ebay and get a used SS press. If you look and take your time you will get one cheap. They rarely wear out and if it is anyone but a lee it would be fixed for free. But that would be very rare that one would need repair. Dies can be got there also but get Carbide type for all straight walled cases as most pistol brass are.

[coyotebait]

I have never reloaded before. I will be doing Berry's plated .45 ACP 230 gr RN. I have ordered a Hornaday Lock N Load AP, but am seriously considering canceling the order and buying a single stage press to start out. Initially I was only going to get the single stage and not do the progressive at all, but everyone told me to get a progressive or I would go crazy doing the 500 - 1000 rounds a month that I anticipate shooting. I think I feel more comfortable doing one step at a time, and doing it perfectly. Does this make me crazy? If I were to get the single stage, how long would it take me to load 250 rounds for a day at the range? 2-3 hours? More?

When you give your advice, please note that I work out of the country on a rotational basis, so when I am home, I have nothing to do but golf, shoot and play computer games while my wife is at work. I don't golf on Mondays because the course is closed. I figured I would shoot 4-5 boxes on Saturday, and then reload them on Monday.

Thank you for your opinions

I've been using a single stage press for 12+ years, I find that even with my ss press, I run out of materials too fast.
I will get a progressive before too long for pistol and small rifle but will keep the ss for my big stuff.

[chickenfried]

I say keep the order as is. A single stage isn't a magical shield against kabooms and squibs. I learned on a progressive and bought a progressive for my first press. Glad I did.

for me single stage 50-100 rounds/hour, progressive 400-500 rounds/hour.

[scrat]

My brother-in-law bought a single stage press. Not long after he got a progressive.

He said the single stage was a good learning tool but like you said when you go to do 500 rounds it will take you a while.

We busted out 250 rounds with his progressive in 45 min.

The good news is he is lending me his single stage

A single stage press is the best way to start out. after you get the knowledge and experience with your single stage would i recomend a progressive. cost wise on the single stage press is very cheap and its a great way to learn. in the future you will still want that single stage. its just something everyone needs to have. you may do some casting and need a single stage for sizing your bullets. or rifle shooting where you need more precision on each round you make. there are many reasons while having a single stage press.

[Bert Gamble]

I have decided to cancel the order and get a RCBS Rockchucker. I appreciate all of the advice and I listened to both sides. I feel more comfortable starting out on a single stage press, and that is what really counts. I have plenty of time, and can pick up a progressive later.

Thanks for the input
Bert

[bootcamp]

Good on you. Way too many people recommend to drink the blue kool-aid really early. I love Dillon Precision and have a 550 and 650 but I don't regret one bit starting off on a rock chucker. I know of a few people who started off with a dillon and squibed at one time or another. It's all about fundamentals. Just like learning to swim, you don't jump off the deep end if you don't know how to float or swim.

[Nessal]

Good on you. IMO, you made the right decision. You’re going to need a single stage anyways, so why not learn on a single that is much easier to setup and learn on? Think of it this way, if you are just starting out, you aren’t going to be using the full features of a progressive anyways, so why drop down $600 bucks on something that you have no experience with? Essentially you have a $600 single stage press. Makes no sense to me considering single stage presses aren’t even that expensive! Or what if handloading really isn’t the hobby for you? I would go your route every single time.
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[Cowboy T]

+1 for bootcamp's words. Learn your fundamentals first and get good with 'em. And since you're choosing a Rockchucker, that thing will outlast you and several generations afterward with proper care.

To all those telling newbies to "just buy Dillon" right off the bat, shame on you. You're inviting blown up guns or worse. Now, now, chill out; I'm not saying Dillon's bad gear. We all, including me, know better. The newbies will have plenty of time to drink the blue Kool-Aid later on, *AFTER* they learn what they're doing and reduce their chances of serious injury. Gotta remember, folks, safety first.

Yes, I'm being a little judgmental here. I get like that sometimes when it comes to safety, and I don't apologize one bit for it.