I started reloading (over 30 years ago) with a single stage press (Lyman) and when I started with pistol and revolver calibers, I quickly bought a progressive press (Dillon RL550B) I now use my single stage press for rifle calibers only. The Dillon is fast, smooth, and trouble free.
Getting into reloading 9mm
- Thread starter Octane25
- Start date
I started reloading 4 months ago for rifle. I have now started to reload 9mm (last 2months). I can reload 150 rounds for 9mm in a hour, on a single stage Lee press. That is with it done in groups of fifty. The cheapest factory ammo I can buy was $16.99 and I can reload for $8.98 (box of 50). I plan on getting into casting which will drop the price down to around $2.50 for a box of 50.
- Location
- WMU - 41 & 48
Starting with a single stage is a good idea for sure but if you decide you like reloading and would like to stick in the 500$ range I'd recommend the LEE Classic Turret kit (4 Holes). You’ll have some money left over so you can get a decent scale, a caliper and a few set of dies and still remain within your budget. That’s what I started with a year ago and I love it. I bought it not knowing a thing about reloading and now I can load 100rds in about 40 minutes if I’m taking my time. I’m sure you will love it, and like many have said you will not save money but you will shoot way more!
Cheers!
Cheers!
This is how I learned to reload. I would argue that dropping a charge then immediately seating a bullet in the same case on a progressive press is actually safer than charging a bunch of cases in a loading block and then seating bullets in batches. In this day and age of readily available, comparatively inexpensive progressive presses, the single stage is at its best for low volume rifle reloading and odd jobs.
If you shoot even a couple boxes of pistol ammo a week, reloading on a single stage will be extremely time-consuming. The best approach is to buy the press that meets your time/volume needs off the bat and learn to use it. If anything, it is better to err a little bit on the side of more capacity than you need.
