Single Stage or Prog for Newb??

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kingdarb

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Hey guys. This has probably been beaten to death but I thought I'd ask. As a brand new person to reloading, would I be better served in looking for a decent single stage press and loading one round at a time, as opposed to looking for a progressive press?

I know one is obviously slower that the other, but I am looking to learn what I am doing properly, and not blow my fingers off in the process. heh.
 
single stage is deffinatly the better one to learn on IMHO it slows you down and you pay a little more attention to each step and get to learn what each step is doin exactly for the realoading process... yes its MUCH slower then a progressive if your loading for precission rifle its not a big deal since you dont tend to pump out a #### ton of ammo any way, if your shooting pistol in comp and blast 1000rds a weekend then its not goin to do the trick.

you can always upgrade your press later if you want to, theres lots of guys with a single and a pregressive press and use them respectively for different things
 
Thanks. I figure maybe it's better for me to get the basics down doing one at a time. My next question of course is where can I get some stuff to get started? Does anyone sell a decent kit that kinda has most things one needs to get going?
 
What are you reloading, handgun or rifle? For rifle I would say single stage, but for handgun I would only go progressive or turret.
 
http://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&&section=1187&section2=1285&section3=1481&ID=22998


every thing u need but a tumbler. probably the most complete kit i have seen, and u get the ever saught after chargemaster 1500 and the case prep center (if you use the hand debur tool u will know how nice this is haha)
 
Grizzly: It is going to be by and large handgun that I am loading for sure. I do understand that I will prolly be working five times as slow with a single stage press... :)
 
kingdarb said:
Grizzly: It is going to be by and large handgun that I am loading for sure. I do understand that I will prolly be working five times as slow with a single stage press... :)
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I would then opt for a progressive setup and very carefully watch each step, especially the powder measure. My Lee automatic dump can sometimes freeze and not add any powder, but if you keep an eye on it, you would catch the problem.
 
It's hard to go wrong with a single stage press, or a kit with one in it.

I have multiple progressives, yet I still use single stage presses.

When developing a load, a single stage is faster and less hassle.

If you pick up a gun in a oddball caliber, but don't plan to shoot it a lot, you just need dies and maybe a few dollar shell holder. To set up your progressive may cost you $35-$200 depending on your press, on top of the dies cost.

Anything such as reforming brass is nice on a single stage.

If you are going to load 9mm, and 9mm only, then maybe buying a progressive, and learning it by running cartridges through one at a time till you understand it is the more economical decision. (by 9mm I just mean a single pistol caliber)

Otherwise you won't go wrong with a good single stage, even if you add a progressive to your arsenal afterwards, you will appreciate having the single stage around. Most of the stuff that comes in a kit with the single stage, you will need anyway, even if you get a progressive, so only the actual press is redundant cost if you move to progressive and don't find a use for the single stage.
 
Scar: I am planning at this point to reload 9mm and 45acp. Wife may get a 686 so I might have to add 38 special and 357 magnum to that list heh.
 
If you're reloading primarily for handguns, go with a progressive and start by running one case at a time through it to familiarize yourself with the process. If you don't want to spend all of your free time reloading, you need to match your capacity requirements with your consumption.
 
Yeah if your shooting lots of pistol, a progressive is probably the way to go, however if you figure out what extra tools you need to go with the progressive, and aquire them, you can still pick up a used press at a gun show, or maybe a lee just to learn on or use for load development without a large investment.

Basically what I'm saying is I don't think you will ever be upset you have a single stage around, but you may not want to spend much on if it's not going to see much use.
 
IF you decide on a single stage to start, you won't be sorry. Even when you go to a progressive later, you'll keep and find uses for your SS press. Virtually everyone does. You may very well end up buying a SS press later even if you start with a progressive. Both systems have their strengths, weaknesses, and optimal uses. Point being that buying a single stage now won't $et you back in the long run. You'll use it.

With only a single stage, you'll run each stage of the process in batches so you'll need extra cartridge trays to accommodate the size of batch you wish to run. Organization is the key to creating a decent volume of ammo per hour spent, and you certainly can do that with a SS machine. A lee hand primer or equivalent is a must IMHO.

When it comes to progressives, you're gonna hear a lot of brand cheer leading. This notwithstanding, I think its appropriate to mention that with all the calibers you plan to load, the Hornady LnL progressive probably has an advantage for you. Caliber conversions with it are relatively cheap and quick. This leads back to the issue of the single stage. The Hornady LnL bushings are cheap and can be fitted to several popular SS press brands. Now or later you can speed up the process with your single stage by adopting the LnL bushings to your SS system. Preset dies just drop in and secure with a 1/8 twist. I mention it here as the system is integral on Hornady's progressive press so if you go Hornady you'll be using em anyway.

IF you decide to learn with a progressive, I'd recommend you consider getting a RCBS Lockout die. It effectively eliminates the possibility of your creating a double or a squib load which are inherent dangers when using a progressive press. You'll have plenty to keep an eye on as it is. Other dies and contraptions exist to help you police your powder charges though generally you have to watch em or hear em. The Lockout die does what it says. It locks your press when an inappropriately loaded case reaches it. Idiot proof even for deaf and blind idiots like me.
 
Progressive for handguns... you can always make it non progressive and run one station at a time, however you won't be able to do the opposite with the single stage when the time comes. Just take your time with it and you will be fine.
 
There are no disadvantages to getting a progressive press right away. There are any number of YouTube videos on how to use them, and it ain't rocket science.

My Dillon XL650 is a great little machine. I used it before I used my single-stage Hornady LnL, and I still have all my fingers. The double-charge and low primer alarms are useful for a beginner.

Don't forget to buy a kinetic bullet puller!
 
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