Why is an AP Press a no no for first timers?

[GillaFunk]

When I was looking for a reloading press I was tossed up on what to get. I kept looking at SS presses (single stage) and at the AP's. Now, after about 18 months or so and maybe 5k rounds I never understood why it was so hard for people to use an AP.

Read the books, watch the YouTube vids, take your time, ect. I basically learned on an AP press and to date have never had an issue with any of my ammo in any of my rifles or pistols. Im not mechanically inclined, but Im also not so whats the deal?

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Starting off on a single stage press makes you a better progressive press reloader, IMHO. That being said, it's not "mandatory", or anything.

Because I started on single stage, I knew what to look for and I know what issues I can live with and which ones are unsafe, when I "traded up" to a dillon 650. The danger comes when you start working too fast and progressives tend to put you down that path; the process moves very quickly. As long as you do your homework and take it slow, you can start off on a progressive with little to no trouble.

[Justintoxicated]

You could start on the AP using it as a single stage with a couple limitations. But ill bet it is too tempting to start going to fast to recommend it

I'd trade my single stage for an AP press, I really want to keep both though, Just not sure where I would mount a second press....

[popeye4]

No one says you CAN'T learn on a progressive, but I maintain one is better off to start with a single stage press. There is less investment, one can learn the individual steps (one HAS to learn the individual steps) and a single stage press is always useful, especially when working up loads. I also load .223 and .308 for competitive shooting in gas guns, and loading on a progressive just doesn't help me. If I'm going to do brass prep for bottleneck rifle cartridges, the progressive press is relegated to charging the case and seating the bullet. I don't save any time on my Dillon 650 over my Harrell's/Rockchucker combo for that. But if you're loading for straight wall pistol with carbide dies, it is relatively straightforward to learn on a progressive, just pay attention to detail.

[Briancnelson]

I can learn to drive in a ferrari, but it might be more forgiving if I learn in a Honda. And I won't feel as bad if I break something.

Also, I think seeing each of the stages by hand really gives you more attention to detail when you move up to the next level. I recently started doing a progressive for pistol ammo, and I was able to spot and fix problems quickly that would have taken me a long sit down with a manual and the internet to sort out with less experience.

[Waldog]

No one says you CAN'T learn on a progressive, but I maintain one is better off to start with a single stage press. There is less investment, one can learn the individual steps (one HAS to learn the individual steps) and a single stage press is always useful, especially when working up loads. I also load .223 and .308 for competitive shooting in gas guns, and loading on a progressive just doesn't help me. If I'm going to do brass prep for bottleneck rifle cartridges, the progressive press is relegated to charging the case and seating the bullet. I don't save any time on my Dillon 650 over my Harrell's/Rockchucker combo for that. But if you're loading for straight wall pistol with carbide dies, it is relatively straightforward to learn on a progressive, just pay attention to detail.

Concur with POPEYE4!.

I have two progressive shotgun presses and two progressive presses for my pistol rounds. I still load 99% of my rifle rounds on a single stage press. The remaining 1% is 223 "blasting ammo" loaded on my progressive.

[Anti-Hero]

I started with Leeloader reloaders. Talk about a slow, manual process. Then I went to the LNL AP and never looked back. I'm now considering a single stage for high-precision rifle rounds.

[Kodachrome]

Biggest thing is that you have to pay attention to what you are doing.
No major distractions. You have to watch for double powder charges, no primers, poorly belled cases. It can be done, thats how I learned on an older Hornady AP.
Now I have a 650.

[bruceflinch]

The great thing about Progressives is that while you crank out a lot of good rounds in a short time, is that you can also make a lot of bads rounds real quick too...
I had a short learning curve, thanks!

Cool thing about starting on a SS, You can still use it for other stuff, like pulling bullets & case prep.

[Dark Mod]

I feel the same way about motorcycles. Before i got one all the advice out there was start with something slow, dont get a sport bike and start under 1000cc. I started with a sportbike and was fine, in fact i got bored within 8 months or so and wish i had gotten a 750 or a 1000

[freonr22]

I started off on an AP. Added the case feeder after 100 rounds. To me the case feeder made it so much easier to pay attention to detail imho if someone decided to go progressive first, they should be mechanically inclined and also have a case feeder

[LexLuther]

I learned on a progressive, I choose the Dillon 650 specifically because it has a station for the powder check. I think you just need to learn to be careful using either method. I have often wondered why people insist you need to learn on a single when the powder check station can help automate a QC check for such a hige risk. I am only maybe 20,000 rounds into my reloading life and i have only had to use the bullet puller very sparingly.

[damndave]

It's not a nono, it just comes down to what you will be loading.

[GillaFunk]

Thanks all. Fair enough.