A couple of thoughts...

Branwilder

Branwilder

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So I just got back from a trip to the range. After I took my last shot of the night I instantly had this thought.

- why do I never bring enough ammo...

and of course I immediately had this follow-up thought.

- I NEED to start reloading!!!

So guys, I need your help. Where do I start? I have been looking into a couple of the single stage starter kits out there.
 
If you want to do volume reloading I would suggest investing in a progressive press up-front, beats buying a single stage and later deciding it ain't doing the job...
 
Paladin308 said:
If you want to do volume reloading I would suggest investing in a progressive press up-front, beats buying a single stage and later deciding it ain't doing the job...
Click to expand...

x2 for a progressive, but I think it's also a good idea to have a single stage on your bench.

What calibers do you shoot?
 
From the research I've been doing, it sounds like a combination of a single stage (or turret) press is a must on any reloader's bench, even if they have a progressive. Main reason it seems is that it is easier to do more accurate powder loading for higher precision and match grade rounds. Most people I come across tend to use the single stage for rifle rounds. It also makes it easier to get a good idea for how each step feels on the pull of the lever. This can make it easier to detect problems as it is only one step per pull. On a progressive, it is multiple steps happening at once and can be more difficult to detect problems without a really good feel for what is going on.

Having said that, for simply putting together good plinking rounds en mass, a progressive will definitely do the job for you. I am currently planning on getting a single stage for .500 S&W and casting my own bullets. I will probably grab a progressive sometime way down the line when I start looking at .45 ACP or 9mm pistols.
 
+1 for a single stage & a progressive.

single is good for precise work, while your progressive can pound out the bulk.
 
cheier said:
From the research I've been doing, it sounds like a combination of a single stage (or turret) press is a must on any reloader's bench, even if they have a progressive. Main reason it seems is that it is easier to do more accurate powder loading for higher precision and match grade rounds. Most people I come across tend to use the single stage for rifle rounds. It also makes it easier to get a good idea for how each step feels on the pull of the lever. This can make it easier to detect problems as it is only one step per pull. On a progressive, it is multiple steps happening at once and can be more difficult to detect problems without a really good feel for what is going on.

Having said that, for simply putting together good plinking rounds en mass, a progressive will definitely do the job for you. I am currently planning on getting a single stage for .500 S&W and casting my own bullets. I will probably grab a progressive sometime way down the line when I start looking at .45 ACP or 9mm pistols.
Click to expand...

Your not going to get a better answer than this.
 
After 40 years of reloading I have a single, a turret, a 50 BMG and a Dillon 550. I am thinking of adding another progressive. If you are doing 40 S&W I would start with the progressive, and look at buying a single stage when I start rifle. I used to do 10,000 rounds of 45 ACP a year on a single, believe me it is not fun
 
spooksar said:
If you are doing 40 S&W I would start with the progressive, and look at buying a single stage when I start rifle.
Click to expand...
+1

I only load for rifles but sometimes I wish I had a progressive just for the 44 mag for my lever rifle. The only 223 or 308 I load are for more precision oriented use (not match or anything) and prefer the control of a single stage for that. If I was using a semi 223 like an AR-15 or some such I would probably want progressive.

Progressive presses can still load accurate ammo, they don't load junk, but the highest precision is generally accomplished with single stage presses.
 
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