kilimanjaro
New member
It's worth it getting the progressive, time is a valuable resource.
progressive press or single stage ?
- Thread starter rebs
- Start date
Progressive is the way to go. I currently have/use a Lee auto-index turret. last year I loaded 17,300 rounds so lets multiply that by 8, 4 pulls and 4 pushes of the handle so I manipulated the handle 138,400 times. Just seems to happen that when I have the money for the upgrade to a Dillon Ii am in need of bullets, primers, and powder. So I'm still in limbo. Doesn't make sense to me to by the Dillon and have nothing to run through it. So for now I'm stuck with the Lee
Are both shoulders bad? I often switch hands when doing an "arduous" task.
Also I learned a loooong time ago; there's only one way to eat an elephant, that's one bite at a time. When I'm face with a large project (sizing/depriming 300 cases), to remain pain free, I'll just do a bit of the work, one bite at a time (I continued reloading through cancer surgeries and radiation treatments) and spread the "work" out over a longer period of time.
The press choice is really personal and no one can tell you exactly what's best for you, just decide how much you can/or are willing to do. If number of handle pulls is important to you, pick a press that gives finished, safe ammo with the least number of handle movement....
Also I learned a loooong time ago; there's only one way to eat an elephant, that's one bite at a time. When I'm face with a large project (sizing/depriming 300 cases), to remain pain free, I'll just do a bit of the work, one bite at a time (I continued reloading through cancer surgeries and radiation treatments) and spread the "work" out over a longer period of time.
The press choice is really personal and no one can tell you exactly what's best for you, just decide how much you can/or are willing to do. If number of handle pulls is important to you, pick a press that gives finished, safe ammo with the least number of handle movement....
Having both a single stage Lyman & a progressive I think the issue of lever strain is being a bit over emphasized.
My RL550 has way, way more compound leverage than the Lyman, so mechanical advantage is working to your favor & may even be less of a strain as you "yank the crank" so much less with a progressive.
RSI is probably way lower with a very slight increase in actual pressure needed.
My RL550 has way, way more compound leverage than the Lyman, so mechanical advantage is working to your favor & may even be less of a strain as you "yank the crank" so much less with a progressive.
RSI is probably way lower with a very slight increase in actual pressure needed.
Does no one offer a hydraulic option like Mec does for their shotshell reloaders?
https://www.mecshootingsports.com/p-387-9000hn.aspx
It might be expensive but it sure would be better than aggravating your shoulder condition.
https://www.mecshootingsports.com/p-387-9000hn.aspx
It might be expensive but it sure would be better than aggravating your shoulder condition.
I don't know of any hydraulic metallic reloaders or kits but there are a few electro/mechanical ones out there.
I built this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrFhnDQ-eUU
I built this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrFhnDQ-eUU
walnut1704
New member
I've found I need both.
The progressives are great for cranking out large quantities of a single load in a short amount of time. Caliber changes can be quick, but extra tool heads and shell plates cost real money.
For experimental work, case forming, small quantities, the single stages are much better.
For example: I shoot maybe a couple of hundred rounds of 9mm Makarov a year. Hardly worth the cost of the hardware, or the time to set the Dillon up for it. Simpler to use a single stage.
Plus sometimes I get a crazy idea and try to make a non-standard or obsolete cartridge. The single stage is better for that.
The progressives are great for cranking out large quantities of a single load in a short amount of time. Caliber changes can be quick, but extra tool heads and shell plates cost real money.
For experimental work, case forming, small quantities, the single stages are much better.
For example: I shoot maybe a couple of hundred rounds of 9mm Makarov a year. Hardly worth the cost of the hardware, or the time to set the Dillon up for it. Simpler to use a single stage.
Plus sometimes I get a crazy idea and try to make a non-standard or obsolete cartridge. The single stage is better for that.
I'm doing 40K rounds/year on a Hornady. With 9mm most of the force is the result of the sizing operation and just a bit of push to seat the primer. Using Hornady case lube really decreases the effort and not going overboard with cleaning brass seems to reduce friction as well.
Definitely get an Inline Fabrications roller handle: much easier than that darn ball handle, but if you're a Luddite stick with the ball
. Your volume doesn't warrant a case or bullet feeder and these frills would increase caliber changeover, but should you find yourself cranking out a lot of a single caliber the feeders would decrease the amount of work your shoulders were doing.
Some minor quirks with the Hornady, lots of info on the internet and I haven't replaced a part in 50K rounds.
Good luck!
Definitely get an Inline Fabrications roller handle: much easier than that darn ball handle, but if you're a Luddite stick with the ball
. Your volume doesn't warrant a case or bullet feeder and these frills would increase caliber changeover, but should you find yourself cranking out a lot of a single caliber the feeders would decrease the amount of work your shoulders were doing.Some minor quirks with the Hornady, lots of info on the internet and I haven't replaced a part in 50K rounds.
Good luck!
Sometimes the journey makes the trip and not the destination.
I use a progressive when I have to reload for a competition or impromptu range day coming up.
When I go into the reloading room for entertainment which because I enjoy reloading is often I reach for the turret press. More involved, simple, easy to swap calibers, etc. Once I get the progressive set up it feels like a ammo factory and changing something mid run is a huge pain.
I use a progressive when I have to reload for a competition or impromptu range day coming up.
When I go into the reloading room for entertainment which because I enjoy reloading is often I reach for the turret press. More involved, simple, easy to swap calibers, etc. Once I get the progressive set up it feels like a ammo factory and changing something mid run is a huge pain.