Looking to reload. Single stage or AP?

R

roche1982

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Location
Greenwood, NS
Hoe much time does a AP save. Lets say like a box of 20. What kind of times are we talking about for the single stage and AP. Not counting prep work like cleaning etc. Im looking at the Hornady kits currently
 
I have the Lock n Load, and also a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker.

The lock N Load will pump out ammo at 4-5 times the rate of the single stage.

I feel you sacrifice a bit of quality control for the speed, as I can't fully monitor all items at once, without slowing the process to a close to single stage speed.

I use the auto powder dispenser, but not for much longer, I'd like to fully trust it, but I don't. I'll be using a Chargemaster with a pour through flaring die.

I'd suggest starting with single stage, it's a cheaper route and will give you a great feel for all the nuances of each step.


All the best.

ITB





roche1982 said:
Hoe much time does a AP save. Lets say like a box of 20. What kind of times are we talking about for the single stage and AP. Not counting prep work like cleaning etc. Im looking at the Hornady kits currently
Click to expand...
 
Just using a box (20 round) for a time reference. Like how long would it take to punch out 20 rounds on a single and 20 on a AP. I figure id amass quite a bit and do more then 20 round batches.
 
In The Black said:
I have the Lock n Load, and also a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker.

The lock N Load will pump out ammo at 4-5 times the rate of the single stage.

I feel you sacrifice a bit of quality control for the speed, as I can't fully monitor all items at once, without slowing the process to a close to single stage speed.

I use the auto powder dispenser, but not for much longer, I'd like to fully trust it, but I don't. I'll be using a Chargemaster with a pour through flaring die.

I'd suggest starting with single stage, it's a cheaper route and will give you a great feel for all the nuances of each step.


All the best.

ITB
Click to expand...

I thought about doing the single stage to have better QC. I just dont want to want a AP right after using the single stage. If i buy a single i want to use it for a long time.
 
If you intend to produce larger volumes as you gain experience, get a multi-stage press.

Keep in mind you can run single cases thru a multi-stage press during your learning phase.
 
This is a good point mentioned below. It also sounds like you have a clear choice.

As for speed on an AP, how fast can you pull a leaver to a steady rhythm? 15 rounds in a min., probably more. I'll time myself next time for future discussion.


rodregier said:
If you intend to produce larger volumes as you gain experience, get a multi-stage press.

Keep in mind you can run single cases thru a multi-stage press during your learning phase.
Click to expand...
 
You can do 10-20 rounds a minute on a progressive so if you need volume then go that direction.

If you want to learn or want precision go single stage

Ultimetly you can never lose with a single stage as you will always find use for it. I use my old single stage for precision rifle reloading, and also use it as a primer decapper when i do batch brass processing. Also great to due small batches to test loads before moving to the progressive.

whereas starting with a progressive you might make more mistakes that are costly in time, money, or potentially health.
 
Avalonthas said:
You can do 10-20 rounds a minute on a progressive so if you need volume then go that direction.

If you want to learn or want precision go single stage

Ultimetly you can never lose with a single stage as you will always find use for it. I use my old single stage for precision rifle reloading, and also use it as a primer decapper when i do batch brass processing. Also great to due small batches to test loads before moving to the progressive.

whereas starting with a progressive you might make more mistakes that are costly in time, money, or potentially health.
Click to expand...

+1 Exactly right I use my single for rifle precision target work and my Dillon for all my pistols..
It's a great setup but I'm glad I learned the basics on a single and know how to fix something when it goes wrong..
 
I started with the RCBS single stage but I am reloading 9mm and 308.
It is too much time consuming for 9mm. Will be getting a progressive shortly.
 
Really? Advice? You don't even know what the guy wants to load! Like to see a progressive run with .50BMG. Perhaps someone should ask first, then offer advice.
Roche, I'll give you the best advice you can get. You are in Greenwood. Track down the North Mountain Gun Club. Those guys will help you out. Even to the point of getting to try lots of stuff before you buy. Unless they have all died in the past 15 years and the club closed. Used to meet in Wilmot in the upstairs of a member's shop. That's where lots of reloading took place.
 
"Apprenticing" under supervision of an experienced reloader on their equipment is a great way to start.

You supply or pay for the consumables during the process.
 
If you aren't married with kids and not a high volume shooter and can spare 30min for a couple nights a week, you can get away with a single press.

I ran a Lee 50th Anniversary single stage press and reloaded for myself and a good buddy. Sunday I'll deprime and clean all my brass. Monday or Tuesday I'll resize a bunch of brass. Another day I'll flare and prime 300-400 cases and just keep building a stash. Whenever I have spare time, I'll load up some ammo. All that's needed for me to do is grab my bin of pre-primed cases and crank out a bunch. This way, when you get into a groove, you can crank out about 250-300rnds per hour.

I can crank out about 450-500rnds/hr on my Hornady LNL AP but I use it mainly for handgun ammo. Soon I'll use it to crank out plinking 223 and 300BLK. For 308 or any precision ammo, I load 'em on the single stage.
 
rookie wildcat said:
Really? Advice? You don't even know what the guy wants to load! Like to see a progressive run with .50BMG. Perhaps someone should ask first, then offer advice.
Roche, I'll give you the best advice you can get. You are in Greenwood. Track down the North Mountain Gun Club. Those guys will help you out. Even to the point of getting to try lots of stuff before you buy. Unless they have all died in the past 15 years and the club closed. Used to meet in Wilmot in the upstairs of a member's shop. That's where lots of reloading took place.
Click to expand...

I had planned on joining that club in the new year. I would like to start by reloading 30-06 and .338... eventually 7mm REM down the road
 
Trinimon said:
If you aren't married with kids and not a high volume shooter and can spare 30min for a couple nights a week, you can get away with a single press.

I ran a Lee 50th Anniversary single stage press and reloaded for myself and a good buddy. Sunday I'll deprime and clean all my brass. Monday or Tuesday I'll resize a bunch of brass. Another day I'll flare and prime 300-400 cases and just keep building a stash. Whenever I have spare time, I'll load up some ammo. All that's needed for me to do is grab my bin of pre-primed cases and crank out a bunch. This way, when you get into a groove, you can crank out about 250-300rnds per hour.

I can crank out about 450-500rnds/hr on my Hornady LNL AP but I use it mainly for handgun ammo. Soon I'll use it to crank out plinking 223 and 300BLK. For 308 or any precision ammo, I load 'em on the single stage.
Click to expand...

I am married and do have a kid, but I have 30 mins a night, some times much more. When I work 4 on 4 off, so when I have those days off and they line up during the week I have hours to myself. So time isn't really an issue.
 
Avalonthas said:
You mad bro?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I guess, a little. How can you advise a new reloader if you don't know what he's doing? It happens too often here. Yes, I'm considered a #### because I ask questions and find out what someone is doing first. Most times, that means reading an entire thread to see if perhaps the question has been satisfactorily answered. If it has, I move on and don't post just to pad my count or to see my words in print. Many times, like in this case, there were multiple (14) posts before anyone knew what the OP planned to reload. Now we know it's .30-06, .338, and 7mm RM. Not many of these cases are gonna fit in a progressive press, so, why offer advice on it? But, everybody did, no questions asked, go for volume...get a progressive...need a Dillon... In reality, all he needs is a single stage, or for ease of operation and a little more speed as he gains experience, a turret press because a 7mmRM case probably won't fit in a 650, but you all got to post your advice.
 
rookie wildcat said:
Like to see a progressive run with .50BMG.
Click to expand...

Here you go:

http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25686/catid/1/Dillon_BFR_50BMG_Reloading_Machine
http://www.tenxammo.com/tx-50.html

rookie wildcat said:
Now we know it's .30-06, .338, and 7mm RM. Not many of these cases are gonna fit in a progressive press, so, why offer advice on it? But, everybody did, no questions asked, go for volume...get a progressive...need a Dillon... In reality, all he needs is a single stage, or for ease of operation and a little more speed as he gains experience, a turret press because a 7mmRM case probably won't fit in a 650, but you all got to post your advice.
Click to expand...

Any of those cartridges can be loaded just fine by any Dillon that isn't a Square Deal: 550, 650, or 1050. Hornady and RCBS also make progressives that will reload rifle cases. Whether one is worthwhile is simply a question of how much one shoots and how much time one is willing to spend reloading.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom