Reload newbie

[Low Light]

I have always loaded single stage. I always thought maybe I will get that 650. Sometimes I still have those thoughts.... Once you get proficient at reloading on a single stage, you can actually do it pretty fast. The fact is, I will probably never get a progressive press. I like reloading too much!

I think learning and sticking with a single stage, at least initially, is fairly sound advice. I've been doing it for about 2 years now and still don't have the desire to drop 500-1000 bucks on "big blue". I always heard that reloading will never save you money because you'll just shoot more (and eventually need that 1050), but I've never left the range without unfired ammo. YMMV, of course.

[RaiderHawk]

I think learning and sticking with a single stage, at least initially, is fairly sound advice. I've been doing it for about 2 years now and still don't have the desire to drop 500-1000 bucks on "big blue". I always heard that reloading will never save you money because you'll just shoot more (and eventually need that 1050), but I've never left the range without unfired ammo. YMMV, of course.

I'm new to the forum, and started out on the RCBS rock-chucker and have some thoughts for any reloading newbies out there. I have trained more than a few people to reload and I have a recommendation that I think you may be very happy with (as all of my other trainees/friends have very much been): If you are looking at single stage or turret reloading as a starting point. Strongly consider getting a Redding T7 turret press instead of a starter single stage press read the coments at: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/588...7-turret-press. Reloading is more fun, rewarding and safe if you increase your productivity and reduce mistakes. The T7 is built like a battleship - has very little flex - and based on all my dial indicator, ammunition testing, and other measurements making match ammunition, is capable of consistently making ammunition as straight as most single-hole "O" single stage press. The T7 has *7* die positions for each turret head, so you can either do 2-3 calibers per head or do 1-2 for making high-precision ammunition (to do that I split out de-capping, sizing and neck expansion via mandril into separate dies). As pointed out above, once adjusted, your dies stay in place and you just insert a shell and *progressively* click through a sequence of dies to perform operations on a cartridge. It is very intuitive fore new reloaders, and if you later get a progressive, makes an ideal companion to the progressive to handle high precision/low-volume ammo and load development for rounds intended for the progressive press. Just my $.02, I have never had a reloader that, once they purchased a T7, see's any reason to get a single stage press or would consider doing so. Best,


Stephen

[J-cat]

Noobs should not be thinking about how many rounds they want to reload at a time. They should be thinking about how to make the best round they can.

[Seaweed02]

A couple days ago

Just a couple days ago I saw an add on the craigslist in San Diego for a guy selling a complete reloading set up, with tumbler, case trimmer bullet case prep center, and a number of reloading dies. I doubt it is still available, but you should keep your eyes on craigslist as well as here on the forum. Good deals to be had. I just bought a very decent RCBS Rock Chucker kit from a member here.

[emptybottle151]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/grd/4190638303.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/spo/4200285863.html

[sl0re10]

Thanks to all I was looking at the Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit. 119.00 at midwayusa that way don't spend too much cash on something I might not be good at. I 'll also look into the reload meets.

I have that press (not the whole kit). Good press / happy with it.

Good one for me since I don't trust auto powder measures. I have a separate one (vs. a multistage press) and I put each shell on a scale (before and after adding the powder).... then into the press.

I also joined the reloading club, that someone else mentioned, and went to their clinic / class in my area. I'd recommend it. Reloading is one of those grandfathered activities that probably never be allowed if invented yesterday / easy to blow your gun up if you don't know what your doing. The class was good for safety tips... in addition to 'how to reload'.

[stilly]

And how is your accuracy or do you just plink.

I plink, but I plink quarter sized stickers out of large paper targets at 25' so I bet the accuracy is all good.

This is shooting freehand .45 ACP and I NOTICED that my sights were off when I got my slide back.

...Question, at this price would it be worth to buy a second kit and set it up for 45 ACP?
Just how much of a PITA is it to change from rifle to pistol on the Classic Turret press?
TIA

Dillon = buy once, cry multiple times. Lee = buy once, be happy again and again. LoL, to answer your question, buy a SECOND turret top ($8 on sale or from FSreloading) and turn HALFWAY, lift up, put in new turret top, put in dies, lock in/tune dies, and get to reloading. If you are using the Lee Auto Disk pro, REAL simple, caliber change in about 30 seconds or less. If you are using the Lock N Load with the case activated linkage for the powder dropper, then you have the option of buying another quick change powder die from Hornady for $22 and screwing that in with your die set. Lee even has containers that are round and will hold your turret with the dies in place so you just half twist and lift to get a different caliber.

...Just my $.02, I have never had a reloader that, once they purchased a T7, see's any reason to get a single stage press or would consider doing so. Best,


Stephen

Good info for the T-7, but Single stage presses have a spot for light swaging and other utilities. I would never swage .224 bullets on a T7 or ANY turret press. Only on a swaging press or a single stage press like the Jrr3.