OP can buy whatever he wants, but reloading with a progressive isn't any more complicated than reloading with a single stage. If anything, the chances you'll double charge or make a squib load are much lower on a progressive because it auto-index.
Beginner single stage or progessive
- Thread starter AlbertanBound
- Start date
- Location
- Central AB
One thing that is rarely mentioned, but is a factor for me is that most (probably all) progressives cannot reload all chamberings. I currently reload about 50 different chamberings. Try and find the plates/conversion kits to load 41 swiss, 8mm lebel, or 8 x 50 mannlicher etc for a progressive. Even if available, i wouldn't want to even think what it would cost to get 50 different Dillon conversion kits.
So i use progressives for the chamberings that i shoot a lot of (if available) and a turret for the rest.
Sounds like this doesn't apply to the OP right now, but it didn't apply to me either when i just got started.
So i use progressives for the chamberings that i shoot a lot of (if available) and a turret for the rest.
Sounds like this doesn't apply to the OP right now, but it didn't apply to me either when i just got started.
Not sure about dillon, but for other companies the same plates will do multiple calibers, just like the same shellholders will do multiple calibers. A large part of the cost for a conversion kit is the dies anyway...
- Location
- Central AB
Correct, but the point is that many companies do not make progressive shell plates to fit a number of catridges. For example 43 spanish uses the same shell holder as 8mm lebel. Most companies don't make a shell plate for these catridges at all. So i single stage or turret is needed to load them.
Just did a quick check, and i in fact use 12 different shell holders, so if they existed (but don't) would need 12 different shell plates. Those costs along with the 50 conversion heads to keep cartridge change overs fairly quick to make would add up pretty quick.
Just one more thing to consider.
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If you shoot 50 calibers, a single stage is obviously a good choice, but even then, consider that 12 plates isn't nearly as costly as 50 sets of dies.
Anyway, OP wants 2 calibers, not 50.
- Location
- Central AB
All true, but sometimes you need to consider where you might end up, not just where you are currently.
I started with a Rockchucker which was a good press, but then went to a Forster CO-AX which I love! If I had the room and was still shooting pistol I would get a Dillion progressive (spend more time shooting instead of reloading ... and my wife is happier when Im not always in the basement for hours on end) but since I dont have enough space ( and no longer needing to reload as much) my next option might be a Redding T-7 turret press ... just because.
- Location
- West Quebec
That should handle all your requirements I timed it once and did 500 in an hour easily
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Dillon progressive for the 9mm for sure. You might want to consider the square deal B for a 9mm setup as it's relatively economical to buy and works awesome for all pistol reloading. The downside is that it doesn't do rifle cartridges. A single stage is perfect for rifle cartridges and can be picked up for reasonable cost. Personally I don't think a progressive is necessary for rifle unless you are loading HIGH volume like .223 or similar. 30-06 on a single stage is fine.
- Location
- Southern Manitoba
This helped me decide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irC3NuIKDm4
Your first step to reloading is a lot of research, by reading the manuals, watching credible videos, etc. Also, when reloading, 100% safe reliable ammunition is the goal for either single stage or progressive, not speed. I look into the case wherever possible which is easy for pistol calibers. Always keep one powder on the bench and make sure you you can distinguish between them. Also, perhaps choose a powder that will fill the majority of the case, which limits the likelyhood of missing a double charge. Also, the powder checker die with a visual look into the case
I prefer Dillon and have used the 550/650/1050 so I can recommend to you either the 550 or 650
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easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
This/\ Start your learning process by configuring the Lee Classic Turret as a single stage by removing the indexing rod. Once you’ve mastered all the stages or processes involved in reloading, ie decapping/resizing, priming, powder charging and case mouth belling, bullet seating and crimping, re-install the indexing rod.
I can do 100 rds an hour in turret configuration.
I’ve never loaded 30.06 on my Lee Classic Turret. I think the stroke is long enough though.
I recently started with a Dillon XL650. Between the manual they send you with the press, the instructions that came with my die sets, and some reloading manuals, I had everything I needed to set up and reload a few straight walled pistol cartridges. Not that difficult, helped to learn the basics on a cartridge with a bit less going on (I'll look for a lot more help/guidance when I move onto bottleneck rifle cartridges).
I'll probably get a single stage press for reloading rifle later, but for now I've been shooting WAY more pistol than precision rifle, so a progressive made sense.
I'll probably get a single stage press for reloading rifle later, but for now I've been shooting WAY more pistol than precision rifle, so a progressive made sense.
How about buy both single stage and progressive.
Try both and sell the one you wouldn't like, send in the reports to CGN about your experiments.
Then you will have more experience and more post count and better trading rating than most of free advisers .
Try both and sell the one you wouldn't like, send in the reports to CGN about your experiments.
Then you will have more experience and more post count and better trading rating than most of free advisers .
