Choosing reloading press...

[readysetgo]

I've gone through hundreds of google posts on presses. Since I'm just a casual shooter, I'm going single stage to load 357, 40SW, 45 ACP. looking at Hornady Classic, Forster, but I hear great things about Redding but not many seem to own one. Why? Any other suggestions?

What's your location jimwest? Check for some of the CGSSA reloading clubs that are getting started. Hands on experience would probably help a bunch. Good luck.

[Bumslie]

There is nothing wrong with simple....especially when you can get a rebate. RCBS rock chucker kit. You'll need more money for other things anyway.

Yup. Hornady and RCBS have a 500 free bullet promo when buying their presses. Just make sure you don't throw away the box. You'll need that UPC or else you won't be able get it. I missed out on my RCBS promo, but sure as hell didn't with hornady.

[Don the savage]

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-...loading+turret
Amazon has the standard Lee's on sale. Would this be a good deal for a beginner?
When/if I get the dies, I can load rifle, pistol AND shotgun on this?

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B008M5TSCG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1370707539&sr=8-4&keywords=lee+reloading+turret

This one isnt on sale, it is a turret style. That means progressive, correct? Or does the turret only speed up one process, not perform multiple?

Would I be better off just getting the turret one? Can I even find stuff for reloading right now for a decent price or at all?

I load pistol and rifle on my 25 year old 3 hole lee turret. Buy extra turrets for $6 and your dies are set up every time.
Shotgun is a different animal entirely and takes a different type of press.

[ricemanff]

I have the RL 550b it is a really good press. The 650 is better. It has been an awesome machine for me. If you are close to Ripon, Barnwood Arms has both in stock and no mark up. It is sold at the same price Dillon sells them for.

[74c5]

There is nothing wrong with simple....especially when you can get a rebate. RCBS rock chucker kit. You'll need more money for other things anyway.

[Bumslie]

I'd say stay away from kits for the most part, there is almost always something that wont work well. I use Rcbs powder measures and scales with my Lee press and dies.

The money spend on an RCBS kit is worth it when you break down the pieces individually. The press, uniflow and 505 scale make the kit worth while, everything else is just icing.

[Rimack]

I'd say stay away from kits for the most part, there is almost always something that wont work well. I use Rcbs powder measures and scales with my Lee press and dies.

[Bumslie]

Damn, I was hoping to get an "in before the blue koolaid crowd".

My vote would be for the rock chucker, especially the kit. If you're a casual shooter/reloader, lee is hard to beat for the money, but their safety scale and perfect powder measurer is garbage, which is why I go back to the rock chucker kit.

I'm sure there will be someone along here shortly to debate me on their blue koolaid products or the lee.


YMMV. Take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt.

[hairtumor]

I have the Lee 4 hole turret press, not the cast iron version, I'm only reloading 9mm so it is more than enough. I'm a casual shooter like you and this package is a great choice. I'll eventually pick up a Dillon 550 but for now the Lee is fine.

[Rimack]

A turret press will give you 1 new cartridge every three to four pulls. A progressive press will give you a new cartridge on every pull. I use the Lee 4 Hole turret press. If you go that rout, just make sure you get the one with the cast iron linkage. They make one with aluminum and I hear it can bust loading larger rifle rounds.

With that said, my next press will defiantly be the 550b.

[sdkevin]

Bought the Lee Load Master .223 Kit through Titan Precision for $235 in January.

If you expect to shoot for a while - start with a progressive.

[Kokak]

Got my 1st press back in January, Dillon 550B and have not had a single issue with it. Dialed it in and have not had to recalibrate a single thing (I randomly take powder and OAL measurements).

Since I have reloaded well over 1,000 rounds of 45LC, the press has paid for itself and I find reloading to be very relaxing. Good luck on which ever press you get.

[Majorheadtrauma]

"Just get a 550b"

^^^^^^^^
What he said


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[omnitravis]

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Anniversary-Challenger-Kit/dp/B00162RM3E/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370707363&sr=1-5&keywords=lee+reloading+turret

Amazon has the standard Lee's on sale. Would this be a good deal for a beginner?
When/if I get the dies, I can load rifle, pistol AND shotgun on this?

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B008M5TSCG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1370707539&sr=8-4&keywords=lee+reloading+turret

This one isnt on sale, it is a turret style. That means progressive, correct? Or does the turret only speed up one process, not perform multiple?

Would I be better off just getting the turret one? Can I even find stuff for reloading right now for a decent price or at all?

[XDRoX]

Reloading pistol ammo on a single stage will get old real fast. 50 rounds an hour, don't believe anything else. If you have way more time than money and don't mind spending an hour loading 50 rounds then a single stage will work fine.

A Forster would be an absolute waste of money to load pistol on. A press that expensive is best suited to load precision rifle rounds.

Any brand single stage will work fine, even the inexpensive Lee ones. The RCBS is probably the most popular.

A turret is a much better choice for pistol. You could load 3 times as fast for about the same price as a medium priced single stage. The Lee turret is around $100.