Single Stage press or Progressive press

[ExtremeX]

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

I know a few people who reload pistol ammo exclusively on a single stage press, but I’m not one of them, so I can agree with you there.

I still don’t think it’s a bad idea to start or buy a single stage press as the first press… even if you added another press down the road there is still use for a single stage.

[bandook]

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

Start with a lee classic turret. You can churn out 700 rounds in a couple of afternoons. Plus, if you do end up with a progressive, it's a great press to keep for those odd calibers that you just want to try out.
Adding a caliber to a progressive can get expensive. But With the Lee turret, it's literally just the cost of the dies. (most lee dies come with a shellholder).
Edit: I have all 3 types (single stage, turret and progressive). If I were starting out again, I'd skip the single stage and start with a turret.

[Ad0nis]

First recommendation: Buy a reloading manual and ABC's of reloading and read them.

Still, to best answer your whole question, we would need to know how much you are willing to spend (must factor costs for press, press accessories, case prep tools, components), and what long gun chamberings you are saving up for.

And for heavens sakes stay away from the Dillon SDB. Such a waste of money.

[Ad0nis]

Adding a caliber to a progressive can get expensive.

Not always true. In the case of the LnL its just the cost of the die set, shellplate (if needed), and a three pack of bushings (if needed). Not much more than single stage or turret.

[plinker27]

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.

I do plan to get the tumble calipers and such after i get the press and before i start reloading

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

the budget for the whole setup with press, tumbler, scales etc is 500 bucks

First recommendation: Buy a reloading manual and ABC's of reloading and read them.

Still, to best answer your whole question, we would need to know how much you are willing to spend (must factor costs for press, press accessories, case prep tools, components), and what long gun chamberings you are saving up for.

And for heavens sakes stay away from the Dillon SDB. Such a waste of money.

Definitely getting a reloading manual and do plan on doing a ton of reading up on the details before i reload any ammo. I'm looking at this as both something fun and informative.

And thanks for all the suggestions and replies guys i really appreciate it and i am looking at all the suggestions seriously. I think i have narrowed it down to two presses. The Hornady LnL progressive press (plus i like the 500 free bullets) and the Lee breach lock challenger 50th anniversary kit as it appears to have most of the things i will need with a single stage press. just trying to decide if i want to do single stage or progressive. i think my wife will kill me if i am spending 10+ hours a month on reloading (even if i think it might be therapeutic) so a progressive is looking more like a winner to me.

[ExtremeX]

I have no problem with the Lee Press in that kit… but everything else that is included with the kit kinda sucks.

You would be much better off buying the RCBS Rock Chuckers Masters Kit or the Hornady SS Package if you are looking for a single stage kit. The included accessories with the RCBS are IMO the best you can get in a kit.

The Hornady LNL AP progressive is a good choice, good value.

Whatever you decide, make sure you get a reloading scale that is up to the task.

[Colt562]

For 500 bucks I think your best bet would be a Lee Turret Press. For the LNL you can find them from 320-400. So lets start in the middle and say you find one for 350. Thats going to leave you about 150 bucks for the rest.

Dies- ~$28
Shell Plate- ~$30
Bushings- 3 pack ~$20 (they might come with the press)

Total so far- 428

Digital Calipers- 19.99
Scale- Lets say beam- 19.99 Digital- 80.00
Manual- $20

488 with Lee Beam Scale 568 with Hornady Bench Scale

Total-


Im not sure if the 500 included primers, powder, bullets. Brass (if you need any)


For the turret Press.

214 for press, scale, manual, powder measure, case conditioning tools.

Calipers-19.99
Bushings- 20/4 Not sure if they come with any or not.
Dies- 28.00

Total 282 (lets say 350, im sure I forgot some stuff)

That will leave you 150 for components.


Just something to think about.

[Colt562]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=229221

Take a look at that. I also forgot about the Lee Pro 1000. Cowboy T has two of them I believe that have worked great for him. I believe he is SFliberal on youtube

[MIAMIbaseballer]

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.

I think this a one of the best things for the OP to think about. How much time does he want to spend reloading.....

Also, your mechanical inclination will come into play as well.....

Best advice is find someone in your area or a couple people and bring them their favorite beer over. Then have them show you their components and how they work. Nothiing is better than first hand experience....

[damndave]

In that price range, I would look into the Hornady LNL AP Progressive Press. Caliber conversion for future caliber changes are easy and pretty inexpensive. It will also leave you room to add a case and bullet feeder if you so choose down the road. With just the $28 bullet feeder + pre-loaded primer/bullet tubes, I was able to punch out roughly 500 rds per hour.

But like others have said, a Lee Turret Press is a good value. When I had mine, I was able to load roughly 150 rds per hour.

[bigdrunk92037]

Agree with Allied, the Lee Turret was good for 150/rds and hour for me. Fine for rifle. When I started reloading pistol, I grew tired of Lee's safety prime system. The safety prime system is pretty rough.

Here are two interesting deals. Palmetto is having a 20% off reloading equipment sale I think ends today. The discount is reflected when the item hits you cart. I was able to get in on one of these deals for my Hornady LNL Progressive for less than $350 shipped. Palmetto has been running reloading specials like this at least twice a month. They just happen to be out of the LNL now. 20% off is a killer deal if you are willing to wait.


With this kind of discount, you could even get the RCBS turret press by itself for approx $160 and get 20% off the rest stuff you needs. Kind of a build your own kit so to speak. Supposedly, RCBS has some sort of a conversion kit to turn it into a progressive but I don't know much about it.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/rcbs-turret-deluxe-reloading-kit-88907.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/reloading/hornady-lock-n-load-single-stage-press-kit.html

In your situation I would not be looking at a single stage press for pistol. Get a turret and it can behave just like a single if you want it too. Once you get the reloading basics under your belt you will be thankful you did not go single as you will be kicking out much more ammo with a turret.

Before you buy something, watch some videos of all these presses mentioned in this thread on Youtube. Youtube may help drive your decision.

[plinker27]

Agree with Allied, the Lee Turret was good for 150/rds and hour for me. Fine for rifle. When I started reloading pistol, I grew tired of Lee's safety prime system. The safety prime system is pretty rough.

Here are two interesting deals. Palmetto is having a 20% off reloading equipment sale I think ends today. The discount is reflected when the item hits you cart. I was able to get in on one of these deals for my Hornady LNL Progressive for less than $350 shipped. Palmetto has been running reloading specials like this at least twice a month. They just happen to be out of the LNL now. 20% off is a killer deal if you are willing to wait.


With this kind of discount, you could even get the RCBS turret press by itself for approx $160 and get 20% off the rest stuff you needs. Kind of a build your own kit so to speak. Supposedly, RCBS has some sort of a conversion kit to turn it into a progressive but I don't know much about it.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/rcbs-turret-deluxe-reloading-kit-88907.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/reloading/hornady-lock-n-load-single-stage-press-kit.html

In your situation I would not be looking at a single stage press for pistol. Get a turret and it can behave just like a single if you want it too. Once you get the reloading basics under your belt you will be thankful you did not go single as you will be kicking out much more ammo with a turret.

Before you buy something, watch some videos of all these presses mentioned in this thread on Youtube. Youtube may help drive your decision.

Thanks for the heads up on the deal, i will really look into it when i am ready to buy.

[JNunez23]

I went with a Lee Loadmaster in 9mm and didn't look back. Single stage is great, if you have A LOT of time..

My advice, buy the most expensive press you can afford. You'll grow into it!

[skosh69]

I went with a Lee Loadmaster in 9mm and didn't look back. Single stage is great, if you have A LOT of time..

My advice, buy the most expensive press you can afford. You'll grow into it!

What he said, +1

[CSACANNONEER]

Reloading will not save a penny. In the end, you will actually spend a little more and shoot a lot more. The initial cost of a press and other supplies is a small investment after everything is said and done. So, don't go cheap.