Is it worth reloading 9mm or 38 sp with a single stage press ??

jacky

jacky

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Yes I know from loading shot shells that a progressive is better and that this might just be one of the dumbest questions asked.....:redface: but I was thinking that since I only shoot about 100 a week, and I have a digital scale and uniflow powder measure and a hand primer ( from my rifle loading) so I thought I could do 50 an hour.

I have the brass ( about 500 of each) although some was crimped and I don't know if I can use it again ?? all I need are the dies, powder, bullets and primers. It must be cheaper these days to reload than buy ??

Just wondering
 
It all depends on what value you place on your time. 400+ rounds per month'll take you over 8 hrs to reload. If you've got nothing better to do with your time and don't mind the tediousness of a single-stage press, go for it.

I do know that I personally wouldn't last long with a single-stager. I got into reloading only 6 months ago and even though I continously experience issues with all reloaded calibres using my 650, I still manage to crank out at least 200-300 rounds/hr. I'd freakin' die @ 50 rounds/hr....;)
 
I guess it depends on how much free time you have. 100 rounds will take you close to two hours, if you have that much spare time every week, then maybe it will be worth it to you. I shoot about 2000 rounds of handgun ammo a year, I load it all on a turret press that runs about 120 rounds an hour. I have that much time, but it is enough of a burden that I am rolling pennies to save toward a progressive.

.38 brass is indestructible, 9mm nearly so. The big factor with these rounds is the bullet. The primer is 4 cents, the powder is 2 cents, the bullet will be between 1 and 30 cents. Bulk cast bullets from Wholesale Sports will cost you about 8 cents. How much of a savings is 14 cents vs. what you are paying now? Will you shoot enough to justify the $50 for dies?
 
Speed on a single stage press isn't too bad as long as you prime on the press integral with one the steps. (ie Size and prime, or flare case mouth and prime, without removing case from press) and even better if you use something like the Lee powder through expanding die with one of their powder measures attached.

Without the powder measure I still do 100 in about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. But that is also optimizing things such as priming on the press and dumping powder while all the cases remain in loading blocks (not handling/charging the cases individually). I still only use a single stage for "odd" calibres and small runs.
 
If you are just an occasional plinker with those calibers then sure, why not. I single stage it for my .357 because i just take it out now and then for the novelty of it. My 9mm on the other hand I compete with and average 500 rounds per week. This week is the provincials so I've been out lots and have used up about 700 round since Monday and will be over 1400 by the time the weekend is over. Isn't humanly possible to keep up with a single stage, but rolled off 300 tonight in about 40 minutes with my Dillon. Just all depends what your usage is going to be.
 
i use about as much
i am reloading on a single stage press for 9mm since may and soon i will have saved the equivalent of the press and dies. everything i shoot afterwards will save me money that will eventually go towards a turret press
 
I use a single stage for 45 and 44. Just duck downstairs whenever the daughter is napping, or when I get home after work. I always make sure that I keep at least 2-3 range trips all ready to go at any given time. Being as I only get out to the range about once per month, it works for me. If I shot more, I'd buy a faster press, but this works for me.
 
jacky: X2 sandyroad. You may be able to use RCBS measure with a lyman powder thru expander die. If your press has a priming arm and primer tube feed, then you can prime, expand and powder dump in one stage. If your rcbs uniflow has large(rifle) cylinder, accuracy with pistol charges may be disappointing. good luck
 
I first reloaded 1000 .40 S&W over 4 days (extra long weekend) on a single stage press (RCBS Rockchucker). After that painful endeavour, I bought a Lee 1000 (Cause I'm a cheap SoB) and loaded 1000 in 4 hours. For rifle calibres I stil use the single stage. Though I'm thinking of setting up a progressive in .223 :)
 
way back when, i found the single stage to be far too fiddly. even for rifle rounds- this was before turrets bcame commonly available- even then , i had this set up single stage with dcapper/resizer/primer, powder dispenser in the middle and single stage with seater on the end- go back?- i have a dillon 550
 
Jacky, 400 rounds per month will take you about 8 hours. Spend the $130.00 for a turret press, this will bring it down to 2.5 hours.
 
100 a week is best met with a turret press, get the Lee, it will pay for itself quickly, I can load 150 per hour on it. A great press to learn on.
 
I think that a single stage is slower but it is a very good way to learn to basics of reloading.
It is also easier to catch mistakes & inspect the brass.

IMO once you feel confident about reloading then I would on to a turret or a progressive machine & save some time.
 
the only difference between a single stage and the turret is the auto index- remove the rod, and she's a single stage, but without all the fiddling- might as well get the turret to begin with inStead of flogging that single stage six months from now- as far as 'getting familiar" with the process goes, going through the reloading manual at least twice should be enough for most folks- and repeat each step in sequence- where the problems come is when enquiring minds want to know "what happens if" or i can do it this way and it's FASTER"
 
I would say go for it with a single stage press. 100 rounds a week isn't a lot. Later when you can justify / afford it, you can still use the dies on a turret or progressive press, so you haven't lost anything on your initial purchase of the dies.

100 rounds a week is very do-able and I'd be surprised if you don't have a couple hours spare that you can pull yourself away from watching TV or whatever you do in your down time.

I loaded pistol on a single stage press for a couple years and I didn't find it a big deal. I did three separate steps at different times,I found it easier to stay concentrated for 1/2 hour at a time rather than doing it all in one sitting. I did three separate steps: 1. case prep, 2. prime, and then 3. charge and seat bullets. It was no hardship and a lot cheaper than buying factory ammo.
 
Absolutely YES !

... 'Been doing it for years ! With a Single Stage Press, "throwing charges" and checking every 10th round or so, for correct powder weight one can still crank out lots of ammunition ! Plus, both the 38 Special and 357 Mag. are probably the easiest of rounds to handle and reload ! ..... David K :)
 
chise said:
Jacky, 400 rounds per month will take you about 8 hours. Spend the $130.00 for a turret press, this will bring it down to 2.5 hours.
Click to expand...

What type of press am I looking at for this money ?? Dies for three calibers I am thinking about $80 ( RCBS ??? ) each ( 9mm, 38 sp and 357). It really is not looking too too bad in term of cost.

I used to reload shot shells on a MEC 600 that did about 100 - 125 per hour and then I got a MEC 9000 hydralic that did about 300 per hour. I know what you guys are saying about the time thing, but then again I am only a plinker.

This is all good advice.
 
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