Which one?

[bullitt3123]

So I have done some research and I'm sure this question has been beaten to death but for a first press should it be a single stage or a turret or a progressive?
If its turret I am most likely going with a redding, and if its progressive I do like the hornady lnl ap.
Thanks in advance for any advice

[Cdcrofficer]

Just sold mine but I'd go progressive.

[enzo357]

Progressive for sure. Started with a Dillon 550, moved up to a 650. Really happy with the 650.

[Mot Mi]

I'd attend a reloading clinic and then decide from there. If you dont have the slightest clue a progressive could result in more errors than a single stage. Not trying to turn you away from progressive but the lee classic turret is a good start. I started with a rockchucker and went to a 650xl. Still load rifle on the chucker.

if yoi do know what youre doing then by all means go progressive. A yurret will cost you <140 and the rockchucker can be had for <100 right now. A lnl will cost you 400 and a 650 will cost you 600-700 and all of this is without the other necessary items.

[rdfact]

What caliber(s) are you going to reload? Progressives are certainly nice for pistol reloads. I have an LNL and do load rifle rounds on it but not really in a progressive mode.

[bullitt3123]

Right now only 9mm and 30-06 but 357 in the near future once I buy a revolver, I do plan to reload 223 and 308 sometime later

[Cowboy T]

Yes, this question has been beaten to death, you're right. :-)

So, let's beat it to death some more.

I would start with the cheapie little $30 "Lee Reloader Press". This is a single-stage. With it, get a good hand-priming tool. I find Lee's tool to be a good one, though RCBS's is also very good. As I always say, learn to crawl before you try to run. The progressive presses will be there 6 months from now, I assure you. They will be quite ready to take your money then if you seen the need for progressive-press-type output, I assure you. But learn the basics first.

Learning the basics on that single-stage saved my backside at least twice shortly after I moved to the progressive. One time, I caught a double-charge right as it was happening, and the other time, it was a squib. Either one could've been bad news.

So, now that I reload progressively, what happened to my single-stage? It's still there on my bench, and it sees a whole lot of use. I use it for not just initial load development, but also to fix errant rounds (they WILL happen), as well as for sizing my cast boolits. It's always handy to have a single-stage on your bench, so if you go that route, it won't go to waste.

[9mmepiphany]

I got the LNL and have no regrets. I had used a Lee SS, a Lee turret, a Dillon 550, and a Hornady LNL, which belonged to friends before deciding which to get.

What I've done is use the LNL with just one die at a time...like a turret press...to get a feel for each operation before moving on to the next.

You don't have to disable the progressive shell plate to only use one die station, as you can use the Hornady bushing system to switch out dies, in the press, in literally seconds.

I'm sure I'll get a SS at some point, but I can take my time to look for a used Rockchucker at a bargain price

[bullitt3123]

then a redding turret press would also be fine for a first press? as it is similar to the ss

[jericho89]

How much do you plan to shoot and reload.......

If you are shooting a lot then get a progressive, The Dillon 650 can easily do 600-800 per hour in 9mm, 38/357, and .223. I prefer a single stage rockchucker for the larger rifle. If you are not looking for volume then a good single stage, powder drop, and a hand primer will do you well, you can load 100-150 per hour if you know your equipment.

I would say that for what you are looking to may want both a progressive (for volume) and a single stage (for the large rifle).

There is a great difference in cost and it all comes down to cost vs benefit and what equipment you are willing to invest in.

[bullitt3123]

I have limited space and I also want to make sure that they are being reloaded properly as my gf will also be shooting it

[jericho89]

I have limited space and I also want to make sure that they are being reloaded properly as my gf will also be shooting it

Space is a big issue, but that is easy to factor...

Loaded properly... you can make mistakes with both... The difference is with a progressive if you make a mistake in the initial setup then you have a whole lot of misloaded ammo. with a single stage press you can make a mistake at any time and have a hot round or a primer only round. In either case only you can ensure proper reloads with care. Both can be very accurate for most peoples shooting habits. Most people who want super accurate loads and play with their loads use a single stage press.

When I use progressive presses I either look in each case before seating the bullet or I have a gauge that indicates if there is a double load or no load.

[bullitt3123]

So then one is safe to assume that the cost for a good single stage is about the same or less than say the hornady press?

[Mot Mi]

Thats upon you if she is going to shoot it. Just take every precaution whether it's a single stage or progressive.

[jericho89]

So then one is safe to assume that the cost for a good single stage is about the same or less than say the hornady press?

You can get a good rockchucker for not that much (I run across used ones often). That press can do just about any caliber, they have a small footprint, and are just about indestructible. hand primers are inexpensive and a powder can either be weighed out one load at a time or if you pick up a powder dispenser they will speed up the process (I still take a sample weight every number of rounds to verify the weight).

Single stage is not that bad because you do things in batches. You take all of the brass and de-prime. Then hand prime all of the brass. Change your die and use the powder die to size the mouth of all the brass. Use a tray and put powder in all of the brass. Change your die and seat all of your bullets. If you have a factory crimp die that is an extra step.

As stated before the single stage press is in almost every progressive owners bench and it comes in handy to fix issues that happen with a progressive.

Where are you located? There may be some members close that would be willing to show you their setups and help you make up your mind.