Single Stage press or Progressive press

[J-cat]

I recommend SS. There is alot more to reloading than it appears. A SS press allows you to pick up the nuances without screwing up large batches of ammo.

[XVIga_Rob]

I too am just getting started with reloading and decided to start with a single stage press. I found a like new RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press & Uniflow powder measure on Craig's list for a great price.

[bandook]

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.

Those 'if neededs' run about $50, more than doubling the cost of a new caliber change.

I can understand getting these for med-high volume reloads, but if you want to occasionally reload let's say 50 each of .303 British and 7.5mm Swiss, you're at a $100 differential between the Hornady LNL and the Lee Turret (that's about the cost of the lee classic turret press).

The Lee Turret Equivalent is $10. (assuming you get a Lee Die Set with shellholder) or $15 if you also need to buy a shell-holder.

You'll also reload those 50 rounds faster on the Turret.

[bandook]

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.

.

I've made my thoughts known about the Lee Safety prime in other threads and will not hash it out here again...

Suffice it to say that I was better served by priming off-press.

The flip side to that is that once using primed brass, I was able to reload at speeds in excess of 300 round per hour (and I'm not talking about burst speeds for 100 rounds, I'm talking about actually reloading 300 rounds in slightly less than one hour including powder checks every 30-40 rounds). The press itself is that good... I use the RCBS automatic bench primer, but the handheld primer would be better as you won't have to deal with filling primer tubes.

[bigdrunk92037]

Exactly. I can hand prime a massive number of cases when watching NFL Red Zone. For loading rifle, I cannot see using anything other than a hand primer any longer.

I've made my thoughts known about the Lee Safety prime in other threads and will not hash it out here again...

Suffice it to say that I was better served by priming off-press.

The flip side to that is that once using primed brass, I was able to reload at speeds in excess of 300 round per hour (and I'm not talking about burst speeds for 100 rounds, I'm talking about actually reloading 300 rounds in slightly less than one hour including powder checks every 30-40 rounds). The press itself is that good... I use the RCBS automatic bench primer, but the handheld primer would be better as you won't have to deal with filling primer tubes.

[bandook]

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.

a Dillonite to the rescue?

Press requirements are off, but the recommendation is correct. For $500, you are in Lee Territory.

Include the cost of a tumbler. Sure you can do this the hard way (washing in a bucket) but do yourself a favor and get a tumbler/separator kit. It is almost a requirement for semi-auto.

[Cowboy T]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.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

He does, and is, indeed. Those vids are also available at his Web site, in his signature, for the YouTube-averse.

However, Cowboy T definitely recommends starting out with a single-stage press first, to learn the steps best. He made something like 500 rounds of .357 Magnum, followed by 500 rounds of .45 Colt, before going progressive, and it has saved his bacon at least a couple of times. Therefore, this recommendation is for your safety. Learn the craft well, first, before you start goin' fancy.

There's nothing wrong with progressive presses. As Colt 562 pointed out, I have two of them. But I haven't thrown away my single-stage yet, and I won't, because it's still too doggone useful.

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[Colt562]

a Dillonite to the rescue?

Press requirements are off, but the recommendation is correct. For $500, you are in Lee Territory.

Include the cost of a tumbler. Sure you can do this the hard way (washing in a bucket) but do yourself a favor and get a tumbler/separator kit. It is almost a requirement for semi-auto.

ahaha yeah, 500 was his range so had to help with his budget.

[Ad0nis]

Those 'if neededs' run about $50, more than doubling the cost of a new caliber change.

I can understand getting these for med-high volume reloads, but if you want to occasionally reload let's say 50 each of .303 British and 7.5mm Swiss, you're at a $100 differential between the Hornady LNL and the Lee Turret (that's about the cost of the lee classic turret press).

The Lee Turret Equivalent is $10. (assuming you get a Lee Die Set with shellholder) or $15 if you also need to buy a shell-holder.

You'll also reload those 50 rounds faster on the Turret.

My statement was in response to a comment suggesting that caliber kits for progressives are expensive. The fact is the LnL is exceptionally inexpensive for a progressive. Cost difference is no where near as expensive as a Dillon 550/650, nor is there a $100 difference between it and the Lee Classic Turret.

The difference between the LnL and LCT caliber change is $30 dollars (maybe). Leave the dies out as they are required by both presses but assume that you bought a set with a shellholder, the difference in price is only ~ $30. A turret for the LCT costs $12, so does a 3 pack of LnL bushings. You could choose not to buy an extra turret, you could also choose not to buy extra bushings (they are not welded on). The only difference then is the $30 shellholder, and that's only if you need one in the first place. If your new caliber requires a shellholder/shellplate you already own, then the difference in price is ZERO. How is that equate to a $100 difference on two calibers (Paul Ryan math maybe)?

I added the LnL conversion bushing onto my RC single stage, so caliber conversions for me always includes $12 for bushings (although because I have my SS calibrated to the LnL AP I can interchange the dies between them without adjusting settings).

[2shotjoe]

I'd go torrent if i could start over, nothing wrong in having more presses.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[bandook]

My statement was in response to a comment suggesting that caliber kits for progressives are expensive. The fact is the LnL is exceptionally inexpensive for a progressive. Cost difference is no where near as expensive as a Dillon 550/650, nor is there a $100 difference between it and the Lee Classic Turret.

The difference between the LnL and LCT caliber change is $30 dollars (maybe). Leave the dies out as they are required by both presses but assume that you bought a set with a shellholder, the difference in price is only ~ $30. A turret for the LCT costs $12, so does a 3 pack of LnL bushings. You could choose not to buy an extra turret, you could also choose not to buy extra bushings (they are not welded on). The only difference then is the $30 shellholder, and that's only if you need one in the first place. If your new caliber requires a shellholder/shellplate you already own, then the difference in price is ZERO. How is that equate to a $100 difference on two calibers (Paul Ryan math maybe)?

I added the LnL conversion bushing onto my RC single stage, so caliber conversions for me always includes $12 for bushings (although because I have my SS calibrated to the LnL AP I can interchange the dies between them without adjusting settings).

Dillon??? I was comparing the costs of a caliber change for a Lee Turret and the Hornady LNL.

I have both. Do you?

Notwithstanding 'Paul Ryan' math - (whatever that means, but I know its better than Obama's math - but we should take that to the politcal discussion forum)...

I still maintain that for low volume calibers (i.e. ones that you do not load in large volumes), you are much better off with a lee turret than a progressive. It is cheaper, gives you a single stage press 'option' and with only 50-100 rounds to load, overall, will run at about the same speed as the progressive.

[Ad0nis]

Adding a caliber to a progressive can get expensive.

Romnesia?

Caliber changes for some progressives (the blue ones) can cost upwards of $200 depending on how much convenience you want to pay for. My comment highlights how relatively inexpensive caliber conversions on the LnL are, and eventually showing that there's only a $30 price difference between the LnL and a Turret or SS w/ LnL conversion.

For your information, I have a Rock Chucker Single stage W/ LnL conversion, and a LnL AP w/ Case feed and bullet feed.

I load between 50 and 100 rounds of 454 and 460 S&W on the RC/month when I am home. I load close to max so I run them in batches checking every load. I have the LnL conversion on the Rock Chucker so that I do not have to fiddle with setting up the dies each time I run them on the press. This adds $12 for bushings each time I add a new caliber, but it's worth it. I suspect buying extra turret heads is the same.

[Colt562]

Romnesia?

Caliber changes for some progressives (the blue ones) can cost upwards of $200 depending on how much convenience you want to pay for. My comment highlights how relatively inexpensive caliber conversions on the LnL are, and eventually showing that there's only a $30 price difference between the LnL and a Turret or SS w/ LnL conversion.

For your information, I have a Rock Chucker Single stage W/ LnL conversion, and a LnL AP w/ Case feed and bullet feed.

I load between 50 and 100 rounds of 454 and 460 S&W on the RC/month when I am home. I load close to max so I run them in batches checking every load. I have the LnL conversion on the Rock Chucker so that I do not have to fiddle with setting up the dies each time I run them on the press. This adds $12 for bushings each time I add a new caliber, but it's worth it. I suspect buying extra turret heads is the same.

where are you shopping for your prices?

[Ad0nis]

Which price are you asking about in particular?

[Colt562]

The conversions on a dillon and lnl.