Single Stage v Turret v Progressive

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JohnnyCanuck10

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Hi all,

Since I have bought some handguns
that are either impossible or at least very difficult to find ammunition for - it looks like I will be going down the reloading path.

In terms of context and my needs - I am a rookie gun owner and I will be reloading primarily 44-40 Winchester, 45 Colt, 44 Magnum, 44 special, 45 ACP, 357 Magnum, 38 special and a bit of 450 MARLIN rifle round for a BFR. I would like to reload decent quantities but I will not be at the range every week. Maybe a couple times a month to start and we will see from there. I would like to get involved with CAS and maybe even some IPSC. My mechanical skills aren't great but I can put in the time to do the reading, You Tube videos etc in order to learn.

Some say that beginners should start on a single stage or turret press. Some say the turret is a good happy medium. Others say that you should go straight to the progressive because of the far higher production rate and you can use it as a single stage if you really want. I am prepared to pay more for a progressive press if that is the better option. My time is quite limited due to work, kids etc.

What say you? Thanks!
 
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I have similar reloading needs to yours - plus a little 38/55 and some 6.5x55 occasionally. I have had considerable success with a Lee Precision 4 hole Classic turret press.

The press was not really expensive and its replaceable turrets allow me to store the dies for many calibers ready to load.

I pulled the indexing rod out of the press so it operates as a single stage press. This allows me to process many different loads at a time. I am a 'batch' reloader. I process 100 rounds at a time through each of the reloading stages. I prime with a handheld Lee Ergo primer (off the press).

The Lee stuff is not nearly as 'finicky' as the haters will have you believe, but not nearly as fast as the more expensive Dillon stuff. It is robust and it works well for me.

Good luck.

.
 
I started with an RCBS single stage press before I got into handguns. and it worked well for what is was. But once I got into pistols and started shooting IDPA I went to a Dillon 550 and I've been using that setup for everything. I can't speak to other brands but I've been very happy with the 550 for over 15 years loading "bulk" rifle and pistol ammo as well as precision rifle ammo in a single stage configuration.
It costs a bit more than some setups, but in the long run it's been well worth it for me.
 
Buy once, cry once - Get a Dillon - 650/750 is probably the best mid-priced for decent volumes. I'd also strongly recommend a single stage for either small batches or larger rifle loading.
 
Thanks for the input folks. How effective is a progressive press if you want to use it as a single stage press occasionally? Or is it just better to get a single press as well if one goes progressive?
 
stewbud said:
The Lee stuff is not nearly as 'finicky' as the haters will have you believe, but not nearly as fast as the more expensive Dillon stuff. It is robust and it works well for me.

Good luck.
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I wasn't impressed with the Lee breech lock pro, and the new Pro 1000.. Was way more fiddling and they were super choppy in indexing to next stage.

I since went back to using a single stage and turret. I use the single stage to deprime, pull bullets with a collet puller and seat/crimp.
 
I would suggest using a single stage press unless you are a high-volume shooter. In terms of a turret press, I'm adjusting dies for multiple calibers using a single-stage and it takes no time at all. I would suggest a powder dispenser to a single stage process to help speed things up a bit. Maybe if you were loading only a couple of calibers, a turret press would make sense, but not for me. Worse progressive that I ever used was LEE. Never again, as powder drops were dangerously inconsistent. Using an old Hornady progressive for 9mm and it works fine.
 
For reloading pistol in any kind of volume, you'll hate yourself if you go with a single stage lol. Turrets are better, but still can't come close to the output you get from a decent progressives.

Downside is that progressives are more expensive, and require considerably more effort/money to switch calibers. With a Dillon 650, for example, caliber conversion kits are $100+. That's if you don't want to have a dedicated toolhead with powder measure for them (That would be an additional $200 ish). Then you need case feed plates if you're running a case feeder (Totally worth it, IMO). You can get it done with just a conversion kit, but you'd be spinning dies in and out, setting up powder bars, etc. Again, not a big deal, but you can definitely pay for convenience with a progressive.

As far as using a progressive as a single stage- you can do it, but there will inherently always be a little bit of shell plate flex. When you're not distributing the force around the whole shell plate and pressing on one side only, it's gonna lean a bit. Might not be a big deal depending on what you're doing, but if you're looking to load precision rifle stuff it might be. There are single stage conversions for the 650 (Like this guy- https://www.ebay.com/itm/223077256490), but you'd almost be better off buying a dedicated single stage press at that point. I wouldn't bother with a Lee progressive, but I ended up with a Dillon 650 and a Lee Classic Cast. The Classic Cast is an awesome single stage, no complaints. Built like a tank. And Dillon progressives are probably the best bang for your buck. There are better, but then you're into multiples of what a Dillon costs.
 
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I have them all pretty much, the single stage RCBS, the Lee progressive, a Redding turret and a Dillon. I still do rifle rounds on my single stage, I use my Lee for .357, my 44 and 45’s I do on my Redding, as usually smaller batches, and the Dillon for 9mm. You can’t beat the Dillon for quality and volume, way faster for me than doing .357 on the Lee (Lee is a little finicky but ok once you get dialed in). Lately I haven’t been doing as much volume so using the Redding Turret which I really enjoy, nice piece of kit. If I was starting over, I would get the Redding first, then maybe a co-ax press, then a Dillon. my two cents.
 
I think you need to find out how much shooting of what caliber you are going to be doing before you invest in any press.
How much 44 Magnum can one guy really shoot?
Think about scarcity of components as well.
 
I use a RCBS Rockchucker for most rifle cartridges.

I also use a Lyman Turret - with several turret heads set up with adjusted dies - for 45 Auto, 357, 9 x 19 mm, and 45-70 which is reloaded in a similar manner to pistol rounds. I don't shoot competitively so the turret produces all the pistol ammunition I need reasonably quickly.

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As others have said, you need to figure out what's best for you and what you care about the most. Do you have lots of time but little money? Lots of money but little time? No matter what you buy, there will be upgrades and duplication necessary or wanting.

I feel I reload a lot.

Rifle: 223, 243 Win, 30 Carbine, 7mm WM, 303 British, 7.62x39, 7.62x54R, 300 Savage, 308 Win, 8mm, 45-70. For my bolt-action rifles I use my Lee turret press and neck size only. For all rifles, I have a separate turret with a rifle charging die kit, bullet seating die, and (usually) the Lee factory crimp die. My single stage Lee press is used for full length resizing brass. I have a separate turret for each caliber, and I prime on my press.

Pistol: 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 7.62x25 Tokarev, 9mm, 45 acp, 45 Colt, 10mm. All reloaded on my Lee turret press, with a separate turret for each caliber and I prime on my press. All except the Tokarev have carbide dies so no lubing the cases.

So, with 18 different turrets it is not a big deal to switch from reloading one caliber to another.

Speed-wise, I can load about 175 rounds of 9mm or 45 acp in an hour, after I have filled my powder hopper and primer tray. Other calibers take longer due to the way I reload (some powders I use Lee scoops, some rifle loads I weigh every charge).

I've been reloading for 13+ years and I don't see myself getting a progressive any time soon. With so many calibers to reload for, I feel the turret, with a single stage as a supplement, is best for me.

YMMV.
 
JohnnyCanuck10 said:
Sounds good. I am leaning toward a Dillon 750 progressive.
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keep on leaning this way...lean harder if you have to....I've loaded with most all the presses offered up in the thread and i am one of the most ardent supporters of being able to load progressively and singly with
Dillon 650, the change-over takes seconds and as for being a newby at reloading & the warnings from others about starting on a single stage, the technical support and warranty of the Dillon is far superior to any of the others.
 
JohnnyCanuck10: Ordinarily, I would recommend that beginning reloaders start with a simple, single stage press to learn the basics on. Or, if limited to reloading a few rounds of ammo per year for hunting, etc. There is always a place for a single stage press, on every reloading bench.
From there... in time, move on to some sort of progressive press. Particularly when dealing with volume loading, such as handgun ammo, etc. Which appears to be very much in your future.

But, that doesn`t mean you have to start that way.

So, I am with the others in recommending a Dillon press, for your needs. As klondiker mentions, the 550 is a good one to look at. I`ve owned one of these since the early 1980`s. Simple, versatile and well built. Mine has been utterly reliable, over all these years.

Still, if you want the ultimate in speed, volume and versatility, you cannot go wrong with either the Dillon 650 or 750. Since you`re already leaning toward the 750....that press will certainly take care of all your needs. And then some. Well worth the initial cost. Plus, outstanding customer service from Dillon. An excellent choice, in my opinion.

My 2 cents: Al

ps: Like Fingers284, I`ve owned and used a variety of presses, over the years. Dillon has always stood out at the top.
 
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Great advice everyone. Appreciate the knowledge and experience on this forum as always. Going to keep my eyes peeled for a Progressive 750. I think that makes the most sense based on this thread. If - for some reason I just can't get the knack of it - I will buy a single stage or Turret and work my way back up. It seems like many here have more than 1 form of press anyways. Thanks!
 
JohnnyCanuck10: It's very likely that most reloaders will have more than one press on their bench. Dillon presses are very user-friendly. So, it's unlikely you'll have any problems mastering one. Still, your 'Plan-B', is a sound one. You'll likely find having more than one press available allows for greater latitude when it comes to load development, too.

The ability to run small test batches first, on a separate press comes in handy. Avoids having to re-set your main press, each time. A simple, single stage press is good for this task.
Though the Dillon tool heads and shell plates do allow for very quick caliber changes. Some changes will still be needed, whenever adjusting powder charges, bullet seating depths, etc., within each caliber. New loads can be thoroughly tested 'off press' first, before making any adjustments. Which is a real advantage, where precious reloading time is limited. Something you'll thoroughly appreciate!

By the way, Dillon presses (With the sole exception of the Square Deal B)..... will use any brand of standard, 7/8" X 14 thread pitch dies. So, it is never a problem to mix and match, where needed. I do so all the time. I expect others do, as well.

Al
 
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All of this is great information and I am sure it will serve me well down the road. Will keep you posted and I am sure I will have plenty of questions in the days ahead. Meanwhile - I have been lucky enough to find some 450 Marlin and 44-40 Winchester ammo so I have some brass in the bank. That is more than half the battle right now.
 
I shoot 6 pistol calibers and very little rifle. I use 2 Dillon Square Deals. The conversions are a little cheaper then the 550 or 650/750. Some test loads or rifle loads on a single stage. I find the Dillon powder works better then other powder measures when using the bigger flake powders.

Clint
 
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