Single stage or turret?

Get a solid singe stage and do a bucket of brass at each step. Better results than trying to swing the turret around on each piece of brass.

I use a Lee single stage for sizing/depriming, a Redding T7 for pulling bullets and some other functions and load with the T7 or a Dillon 550 or 650.

If I could have just one press, a good single stage would not be a problem for me.

But since I load 9mm and 223 by the thousands, a Dillon is a must for me.
 
I own a RCBS singles stage that has been in use since 1986, a Lyman "T Mag" turret press (with 4 turrets) that has been in use since 2013 and a Dillon 550 that has been sitting in its original box for 4 years. Single stage is used for all rifle caliber reloading and the "T Mag" is used for all my wife's and my Cowboy Action competition ammo. I don't use the Dillon with cast lead bullets due to the problem of excess lube buildup in the dies. If you are going to load a high volume of handgun ammo with cast lead bullets, I recommend a turret press.
 
Go single, then if you decide to load more, then get a progressive. A single will always come in handy no matter what.
 
Both...A heavy single stage with lots of leverage for resizing and a more delicate turret press for priming and bullet seating for when you want more "feel".
 
diopter said:
From Lee website, re turret press:
For rifle reloaders, the maximum cartridge length that can be reloaded on this press is 2.3125 inches. Any cartridge longer than this you will have to dis-engage the auto index and manually turn the turret by hand. In addition, you will need to purchase a rifle charging die, and appropriate case length gauge to trim your brass after sizing.

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I've reloaded full length magnums and Rigby based cases on a Lee Turret press. - dan
 
Thanks for all the reply’s so far everyone! Some very solid advice here so I think I will take it and look for a classic cast single stage press kit. I have a buddy who just started reloading last year with a single stage so I’ll be able to get some pointers from him.
 
By the way, I would advise the Hornady Classic SS over the Lee. Lee is the only one A.F.I.K. using their bushing system, but RCBS and Redding can also use the Hornady LNL bushings.
Any press with 1-1/4"-12 threads can take the female adapter for the system.
 
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diopter said:
By the way, I would advise the Hornady Classic SS over the Lee. Lee is the only one A.F.I.K. using their bushing system, but RCBS and Redding can also use the Hornady LNL bushings.
Any press with 1-1/4"-12 threads can take the female adapter for the system.
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Not sure where you got your info but I have a Lee Classic Cast single stage and the first thing I did was put a Hornady LNL bushing adapter in it. Unless they have changed them in the last 6 or 7 years since I got mine, the Hornady LNL bushing system works just fine.
 
JDMLandscaping said:
Hey all. So I have been wanting to get into reloading for awhile now and with Christmas on its way the wife has said she is willing to buy me a kit to get started. I am going to start out with a Lee kit until I am to a point where I need to upgrade to something better quality (if I do). Lee makes both the 50th anniversary kit which is a single stage and the 4 hole turret deluxe kit. I don’t care much about the price difference as it is negligible to me. Here is a rundown on my wants and needs.

I have a .308 and a 7mm Rem Mag I want to reload for accuracy long range and some range plinkers for the .308 (Stag 10). I also shoot my AR and my pistols (9mm) a lot.

Now my canumdrum comes with commercial ammo for 9mm coming in at $0.24-$0.27 a round and .223 at $0.43 a round I am thinking I would have to reload A LOT of rounds to make the turret press pay for itself. Where as with the single stage I would only reload for the long guns and buy bulk ammo for the pistols and the AR. That is until I start casting bullets but I don’t see me doing that for a few years. What do you guys think? Which one would best suit the needs of a new reloaded with the outlines above? Thanks in advance I much appreciate the advice!
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Initially I would do exactly what you said, buy bulk 9mm and .223 ammo and have at 'er. If you decide you want to get into accurate bolt guns, then get a Redding T7. With seven stations on a toolhead, you can load it up with all the dies you will need for each caliber and leave them set up that way. Inline Fabrication makes a nice turret racking system to hold the various toolheads. The T7 is nice to be able to just rotate and select the die you need for the processing stage you are on. If you want to get really anal about accurate presses, you can go to single stage.

AND if you REALLY want to get anal about it, there are all sorts of fancy accessories like scales, powder measuring sytems, and annealers that will make your eyes water and your wallet bleed.

So, I think you already figured it out. Start simple and see where you go with it over time. Buy reasonably good stuff that will last you essentially forever even though its main use might change slightly over time. Buy dies that work without breaking the bank. I'll say it again. The Lee collet neck sizing die is probably the most underrated die available. Sometimes it needs a bit of TLC to clean, lube and smooth out some of the rough spots when new, but it really works. I have at least one in every bottleneck caliber I reload. I have two of some of them, one in my older Lee Classic Turret toolhead, and the other in my Redding T7. Why you say? Because they are set up, ready to go as soon as the toolhead is changed.
 
My first real press was a Lyman Spar-T, back in about 1978. Up til then it was Lee Loaders. The press served me well. I loaded probably a dozen or more different rifle calibers. A few years back I sprung for a new Lyman turret. I also have single stage Lee presses, several Pro 1000's. I do all my rifle reloading on my turret. I haven't tried any super duper accurate rifle loading, mostly because I am not what I call a good shot. If I want a rifle tested for accuracy, precision and consistency, I get Deaner or Dave behind the wheel. Most of the rifles I shoot are older than I am, and I am old! :d
 
I have only been reloading for a few years. For the OP - if you are getting into reloading go single stage and learn -best advice that was given to me. I started with and still use a RCBS single stage manufactured in 1980 that I bought used for 75$ which has made sub MOA ammo out to 800m in several rifles. Until you need high(er) volume capabilities do you need another press? I am partial to RCBS due to OUTSTANDING customer service
 
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