Lots of great suggestions. I won't be shooting thousands of rounds but I do go to the range every week and do 100 or so. I like a progressive press idea. I don't want a single stage eve though being retired time is not much of a factor anymore. I have about 300-500 budget to blow on one so I thank you so much for all advice
I want to try reloading, suggestions on a press
- Thread starter Dano4734
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gunrunner1
New member
I would get a Dillon 550. It can be used as a single stage until you get the hang of reloading, then you can reload up to 300 rounds an hour.
Is that 300 to 500 budget for everything or or just for the press itself?
In addition to the press at minimum you will need a die set for each caliber, a scale to check the powder charge, calipers for bullet seating depth settings, primers,cases, powder, bullets, a tumbler to clean the cases etc etc
I bought a progressive when the wife was going through pistol ammo like grease through a goose. Even though I had been using a single stage and a turret for years I found the progressive easier to make a mistake on and get a double charge or a squib. Mine sits under the bench most of the time these days only coming out for binge loading pistol fodder by the hundreds.
You might want to consider a turret, they are a good compromise between single stage and progressive
In addition to the press at minimum you will need a die set for each caliber, a scale to check the powder charge, calipers for bullet seating depth settings, primers,cases, powder, bullets, a tumbler to clean the cases etc etc
I bought a progressive when the wife was going through pistol ammo like grease through a goose. Even though I had been using a single stage and a turret for years I found the progressive easier to make a mistake on and get a double charge or a squib. Mine sits under the bench most of the time these days only coming out for binge loading pistol fodder by the hundreds.
You might want to consider a turret, they are a good compromise between single stage and progressive
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Just cut to the chase and get a quality set up right off the bat.....No matter what type or how much loading you do you will want (need) a good single stage press. Start with the Rock Chucker and you will not be sorry.....I could write a dissertation to support my point but my opinion mirrors much of what can be found online over and over again.
"...Got(SIC) to eBay and..." Help fund the people who want to take your firearms away from you.
Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading, then look into the RCBS kit($247.49 is an excellent price). RCBS stuff is generally more expensive, but it comes with a life time total and complete warrantee, on the kit, not the buyer. (Lee's is a year or 2 on manufacturer's defects only and doesn't cover used anything.) Have any issues of any kind, including if you buy used kit, and RCBS will fix it with a phone call or e-mail. The No$ler manual that comes with it is ok, but buy a Lyman manual too. It's far more versatile than any bullet or powder maker's book.
Speed with a single stage press comes with technique.
And don't hesitate to ask any questions here. The only stupid question is the one not asked.
Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading, then look into the RCBS kit($247.49 is an excellent price). RCBS stuff is generally more expensive, but it comes with a life time total and complete warrantee, on the kit, not the buyer. (Lee's is a year or 2 on manufacturer's defects only and doesn't cover used anything.) Have any issues of any kind, including if you buy used kit, and RCBS will fix it with a phone call or e-mail. The No$ler manual that comes with it is ok, but buy a Lyman manual too. It's far more versatile than any bullet or powder maker's book.
Speed with a single stage press comes with technique.
And don't hesitate to ask any questions here. The only stupid question is the one not asked.
I strongly recommend starting with a single stage press. It's use will do a good job of training the beginner on the finer points of each step of the reloading process.
I started out with a nice single stage starter kit about 30 years ago. Except for a newer digital scale I still use all of those kit tools regularly, even though I have recently added a progressive press to my reloading tools.
Setting up the progressive required considerable time, adjustments, and fiddling. It was frustrating enough as it was. I think it would have been much more difficult had I not had the previous single stage reloading experience.
I currently load five different cartridges on the progressive. But I still load other cartridges on the single stage. And unless I'm going to load at least 150 rounds, I'll still use the single stage over the progressive. And I'm sure glad for the single stage when working up a new load.
I started out with a nice single stage starter kit about 30 years ago. Except for a newer digital scale I still use all of those kit tools regularly, even though I have recently added a progressive press to my reloading tools.
Setting up the progressive required considerable time, adjustments, and fiddling. It was frustrating enough as it was. I think it would have been much more difficult had I not had the previous single stage reloading experience.
I currently load five different cartridges on the progressive. But I still load other cartridges on the single stage. And unless I'm going to load at least 150 rounds, I'll still use the single stage over the progressive. And I'm sure glad for the single stage when working up a new load.
TruthTellers
New member
Given the last post the OP made, I would say Lee Classic Turret. Loading 100 rounds will probably take 90 minutes on the single stage, but on the LCT the setup time is much lower because you can keep all your dies in the turret and switch quickly. It will also make more ammo in a shorter time. Easily can make 100 rds within an hour.
My suggestion for what it's worth. If you are not in a hurry go to ebay and watch for a used single stage O press of any brand for the least amount of money. These are very simplistic tools and any brand is good enough to get started with. No need to spend a ton of money on a new press to get started.
I state this because I see and hear of many newbie loaders that buy equipment and then find they don't enjoy it like they thought they would and give up on the venture.
While on ebay I would look for any balance beam scale that is complete and made by Ohaus. They were branded for RCBS, Lyman and Ohaus. Models like the 502, 505, 510 RCBS, D5 Lyman are fine old model scales and can be readily found used on ebay for a fair price. Just make sure the pan and hanger are there as those items are costly to replace.
I have 3 presses and each one was purchased used, even though used they will most likely outlast me.
I state this because I see and hear of many newbie loaders that buy equipment and then find they don't enjoy it like they thought they would and give up on the venture.
While on ebay I would look for any balance beam scale that is complete and made by Ohaus. They were branded for RCBS, Lyman and Ohaus. Models like the 502, 505, 510 RCBS, D5 Lyman are fine old model scales and can be readily found used on ebay for a fair price. Just make sure the pan and hanger are there as those items are costly to replace.
I have 3 presses and each one was purchased used, even though used they will most likely outlast me.
Pathfinder45
New member
I'm still using an old Lyman Spartan press that I bought at a gunshow for
$35. It just works.
$35. It just works.
^^^ "Sturdy and firm." Good advice! I believe the Rock Chucker is the best because it is so strong and rigid. Every stroke with an RC is identical so every cartridge is nearly identical to others. Of course, my statement ignores slight variations in powder charges, primer seating and resizing fired cases.
Dano, There is a LOT to be said for learning the reloading process on a single stage press.
The RCBS Rockchucker is a "Best" grade single stage press.
For $50,you are well set up.
I personally find the RCBS priming system easiest...for me.
Well done!!You have budget left for scale,calipers,measure,tumbler,blocks,manuals,trimmer,chamfer tool....
And you have a top of the line press.
The RCBS Rockchucker is a "Best" grade single stage press.
For $50,you are well set up.
I personally find the RCBS priming system easiest...for me.
Well done!!You have budget left for scale,calipers,measure,tumbler,blocks,manuals,trimmer,chamfer tool....
And you have a top of the line press.