Hi guys,
So I've been interested in reloading for some time now.
The reason I am interested in reloading is because I take great pride in building my own stuff (working on my AR15 right now) and to allow myself some trials with ammo before the hunting season comes so that maybe I'll use my own ammo when hunting next year.
You will find it as equally rewarding as the shooting part itself
Mainly interested in loading rifle ammo (270 win, 223 rem to begin with) but I would love to reload some hand gun ammo too.
Now, the questions:
1. The difference between progressive press and regular one? Is the progressive combines steps that will have to be done separatly on the regular press?
Everything is still done in one step for the most part, although some dies will do two processes in one draw of the handle (for example you can size your brass and deprime with one die). I personally do everything separate as I go for accuracy and have a combination of dies and processes to go along with that. There is three types of presses for the most part:
A) Single Stage Press (Regular as you call it) - Basically one die at a time, for each process, slower to load ammo but typically you get a better quality product and can focus on accurracy with tight tolerances and everything else. They are also typically cheaper. This is a good option for someone starting off as it simplifies things doing one die at a time, minimal setup required. And you will want accuracy for precision or hunting styles of shooting. My recommendation tends to fall to RCBS like the RockChucker kit, although everyone makes a quality single stage, its hard to mess up.
B) Turret Press - Basically a single stage press with multiple positions for dies. Instead of screwing in and out each individual die, you can put them all in at once, set them proper, and then turn the "turret" to move each die over the cartridge as you go through each process. This allows you to finish one full cartridge at a time as opposed to doing each "stage" in batches like you would a single stage press. Lee (and i am sure other press makers) have an "auto index" turret press that automatically changes the die with each stroke of the piston. With an auto index is basically a half progressive press as you are still dealing with one case at a time. Ideal for quicker loading or medium batches. Lee is my recommendation in this area. Because the dies and turret have lots of play in them, accurracy tends not to be your primary focus versus cranking out your plinking stash.
C) Progressive Press - Automates most processes by moving the cartridge through each die as opposed to the die moving across the cartridge. They are typically expensive and require a lot of tuning to get it right. I never recommend for the beginner as its best you learn on a single stage and work through all the kinks that can cause you challenges and get yourself into habits so you don't miss a step or mess up a step and cause injury to yourself or firearm. Its essential for any large volume loading (which is typically sought by those who shoot AR15 for 223, or competitive handgun shooters for the action sports). Dillon is my favorite in this category. You can find them in small variants like the Lee 3 station you listed below, or to the complex like the Dillon 650/1050 where you have more stations to use more dies.
2. The machine I have seen is: Lee Pro 1000 progressive 3-hole reloading kit (link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KOVZL4/ref=s9_simh_gw_p200_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1KZ72QT5MMS89ENKXNJ5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846). This set is for 40S&W ammo reloading. Can I use it to reload different ammo if I purchase additional parts (dies or whatever else is needed)?
You certainly cant go wrong with that setup, many folks use it for a cost effective entry into the progressive world. Again I really recommend you go with a single stage to kick things off (you can always sell it if you want to crank out higher volumes). Its simply the best to learn on. Additionally single stages tend to be sold in beginner kits from all brands that give you all the essential tools you will need (press, scale, case tray, reloading manual, powder measure, etc).
3. How expensive is the tools required to add additional caliber to my loading set?
This varies quite a bit from brand to brand. I dont have experience with the Lee presses personally. Also note some presses require significant tinkering to change calber however some presses (such as Dillon's) allow you to "hot swap" calibers by changing out the turret plates with your dies already in place. That is something to consider from a cost and ease of use point of view.
I find with my reloading if I am looking for plinking high volume batches I am looking at $100 per caliber (as I am just buying dies, I have all my other tools and machinery - and doesnt include my components). Then for calibers that I focus on accurracy such as 308, I have about $300 in dies as I use competition / match grade dies with tighter tolerance.
You will find your initial investment high with all the bits and pieces. Pickup a $25 reloading manual which will serve as your research base for reloading itself but also what tools and equipment you will need. All the majors make a decent book. I tend to recommend the Hornady book to new reloaders as its an easy read and quite comprehensive. I never got into reloading to keep my costs down as I soon found out it was as addictive as buying guns, and I continually upgrade equipment for better results or efficiency. Additionally the main phrase is you won't save money on ammo, you will just shoot a lot more for the same price. Buy in bulk when you can on components.
4. Any other information you guys think I should know prior to making a purchase?
Again I highly recommend getting a single stage press kit with all the basics and learn and tinker from there, you won't regret it. I personally found it easier to start with rifle cases versus handgun but to each there own in that regard.
I'm new to this field, so any piece of information will be highly appreciated. Even if it looks obvious to you experienced loaders, my 'experience' sums to reading posts on this forum and watching some YouTube videos, so please spare no info
Everyone starts somewhere and I was lucky to have good friends who coached and continue to mentor me along the way.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to read my post,
Aviad
