Single Stage press or Progressive press

[plinker27]

Hey everyone,

i shoot alot and am trying to save money on ammo, i have been reading up a lot on reloading and think i want to try my hand at it. My question is this: being that i have never reloaded before should i start on a single stage press? it seems more time consuming but looks like you learn more because your more involved in each step, or is a progressive press ok to begin on?

i shoot pistols only( saving up for my future long guns ) in .40 SW

[Bill Steele]

How much is a lot?

[Colt562]

How much is a lot?

+1

You could also look at the Lee Turret Press, can be used for a type or progressive and single stage.

[EL_NinO619]

IMHO you need both, buy a good progressive and a Lee SS.

[mindwreck]

How many rounds do you shoot a weekend or month? I agree on getting both a as and progressive especially if you plan on other calibers

[ExtremeX]

I think it depends on the person… If you have any sort of mechanical inclination I don’t think you would have any problems. If you have problems assembling Ikea furniture starting with a progressive probably isn’t for you.

My very first press was a progressive, and I learned to reload myself on that progressive. With that said, I added a single stage press anyways. There are too many things that can be done on it to not have one. It makes a great companion to a turret or progressive.

Depending on how much ammo you want to make and your budget would give better direction on what type of equipment you should start with.

[huckberry668]

I usually recommend new reloaders to start with single stage if you have no one to show you how to operate a progressive. I'd recommend buying a reputable brand/model used single stage press and a set of dies (with carbide sizer) so you don't have to spend much.

Take the time to learn to operate a progressive if you shoot a lot, like a few hundreds a week. It's worth the expenses & time in the long run. Plus you can do single stage on a progress press.

[plinker27]

I try shoot about 700 rounds a month. to me thats a lot but to some it may not be i try to buy ammo and stock pile it for future range trips but that never works i just end up shooting it all. Its costing me about 250-300 bucks a month just in ammo ( not including gas and range fees. ) so thats why i want to start reloading i figure i will spend half that amount but i may be wrong! i might just spend the same and shoot more lol

[huckberry668]

i figure i will spend half that amount but i may be wrong! i might just spend the same and shoot more lol

Plus it's fun! You'll love it which ever you choose.

[ExtremeX]

Which caliber do you shoot or want to reload for?

[Colt562]

Which caliber do you shoot or want to reload for?

.40 s&w

[Bill Steele]

At 700 rounds a month:

A single stage press will take you about 10 hours a month.
A turret like the Lee Classic Cast will take you about 4.5 hours a month.
A progressive will take you anywhere from 1-2 hours a month.

You will save between 25% and 50% per round depending on the type of components you use to load, how much brass you reuse (pickup), what type of commerical ammo you are shooting now, etc. This doesn't include the initial cost of equipment, but that cost can be regained if you sell the equipment down the line. In any case, unless you go nuts and buy something like a Dillon 1050, you will pay for the equipment in savings in less than a year.

If you still work and have other things going on in your life other than shooting, my recommendation would be a Dillon 550B or a Hornaday LnL AP. You will likely be really happy if you get either setup. You will need a bunch of other things like calipers, tumbler, etc. but you can read the stickies for that information.

Good luck, have fun.

[ExtremeX]

.40 s&w

Thanks, my eyes missed that detail in the first post.

[Colt562]

Thanks, my eyes missed that detail in the first post.

no worries, back to the op post. What is your budget for the WHOLE setup?

[bigdrunk92037]

If you are looking at reloading only 40 cal (or only pistol calibers), maybe consider a Dillon Square Deal B from the get go. As somebody mentioned above, if you have any mechanical ability, it could make a good first press.

If you may load rifle and pistol, I would pick yourself up a Lee Classic Turret to start. You can get the bare press for less than $100. With reloading there is so much other crap you need to buy that really adds up. The Lee can be run in either single stage mode, or turret mode. In turret mode with a Hornady bullet feed die you can crank out pistol ammo pretty quick. It is a great first press to learn the in's and out's of reloading on. If and when you outgrow it, the dies and other accesories llke tumbler, calipers, scale and other stuff will carry over and work on the new progressive if you choose to upgrade.

No way would I reload pistol on a single stage though. But that is just me.