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CDNbear

CDNbear

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I want to get into reloading my own rounds... just dont know where to begin single stage, progressive .... ??? I want to start out with reloading rifle loads for target and hunting to begin .... what I am looking for is some direction...any help would great help as to pros and cons fo diffrent styles of presses... R:d:
 
It depends how many rounds you will be shooting and how patient you are. I don't shoot that many rounds (other than .22 LR) and enjoy the process of reloading, so I bought the lee classic loader. It's the cheapest one available. I like it and with practice you can get quite efficient. However, If you are loading hundreds of cartridges at a time I would go with a progressive. I may switch over one of these days, when i have less time to reload.
 
I run a single stage press. I found that dropping charges was the most time consuming, so I now use an electronic scale/trickler. I'm satisfied with my production speed, and impressed with my production quality. Single stage will work for me for the forseeable future (.270 win and various rifle cals).

I might consider multistage for 9 mm though...
 
Srsly, start with a single stage. It can be a cheap one to learn on; but you'll eventually upgrade it.
Even after you graduate to a progressive (or 2) you'll probably still want that single stage bolted to your bench for small runs of ammo or for other experiments.
 
giant yetti said:
I run a single stage press. I found that dropping charges was the most time consuming, so I now use an electronic scale/trickler. I'm satisfied with my production speed, and impressed with my production quality. Single stage will work for me for the forseeable future (.270 win and various rifle cals).

I might consider multistage for 9 mm though...
Click to expand...

I load thousands of rounds a year for rifle and revolver with a Forester Co-Ax press and a Lyman 1200DPS3 powder dispenser.
 
I'd suggest getting a reloading manual (at least one, two or three is better), and read it from cover to cover.

After you do this, you'll understand the principles of reloading.

I started with a single stage press - as I wanted more accurate target and hunting ammo for rifles. I also wanted to save some $$$ too.

With a single stage press, you can learn the fundamentals of reloading - hands on - one operation at a time.

Should you decide you want a higher output, then you can transition to a progressive. If you get to this point, I'll bet you keep all your single stage stuff - it'll never let you down.

I've loaded mostly for rifle but for pistols too and have done it all with a single stage press.

I use the RCBS Rockchucker press - I got the kit about 10 years ago. I still use many of the tools that came with the kit and have also upgraded some things like the powder thrower (to Redding 3BR), deburring and chamfering tools etc...

Good luck - have fun!

SD
 
I use the Lee classic turret press, which I consider a compromise. I can use it as a single stage press for rife, or use the indexing feature with all 4 dies installed along with the safety primer feed and pro auto-disk powder measure for 9mm and 45acp.

You do have to do 4 cranks for pistol production instead of 1 for a true progressive, but you can be a bit more careful and visually inspect things as your cartridge goes around to the different stations. With practice you can still crank them out pretty good.

With rifle you want to obviously be more careful, and measure then case trim, etc. But you don't need as many.
 
I just recently took the plunge and started reloading, for the simple reason that I wanted to maximize the capabilities of my new precision rig.

I'm having quite a bit of fun with it now. It was a bit of a steep learning curve for me at first, as a lot of the information can be overwhelming. But once I had the gear and a book sitting in front of me, it all became clear.

I went with the Hornady LnL Classic Single Stage. Awesome, awesome press (though to be fair, I don't have much to compare it to - other than a buddie's Lee). I'd recommend the single stage press.

Andrew at reloaders.ca set me up with everything I needed, and answered all of my questions lightning fast.
 
i will tell you right now..


opplanet-rcbs-deburring-tool-17-60-caliber-9348.jpg

THIS ^^^ is the biggest waist of time on hand loading and will give you massive hand cramps if you load alot.. treat your self and buy the rcbs case prep station

it will take your more time to debur and chamfer your cases with this tool then it will do to all the other steps combined... when i had said tool, in about 2 hrs i could load 100 rounds (precision rifle so very OCD on prep) and i would say atleas 1 - 1 1/4hrs of that was just deburing and taking breaks due to hand cramps
 
I started out with the Lee 50th Aniversary kit 3 months ago.
It works very well for the price. If I was reloading 50-100 per week I wouldn't have made the move to a progressive.

Since I use it to load nearly 300 rounds a week for pistol I have ordered the Hornady LnL AP Progressive press.
 
I have recently taken the plunge into reloading as well. So after about 3-4 straight months of researched and reading i decided on the progressive that i want because all i plan on reloading right away is pistol ammo. that being said i suggest buying ABC's of reloading it has tons of info and is a excellent book to learn the fundamentals from IMO. Then buy yourself 1 or 2 Good reloading manuals(ie: Hornady, speer, lyman ETC...) And READ them. then you have to decide what kind of ammo your going to reload and how much of it like i did.
Then i sudgest doing as much research as possible and make your decision wisely as i have been told your first press will often be the press you use forever. this is a list of the things i am ordering/have to get started this is a fairly good setup from what i have researched and am excited to get started. I hope some or any of this helps you out

Hornady Lock-N-Load AP progressive Press w/ EZject
Hornady Pistol Micrometer for powder measure
Hornady case retainer spring 3 pack
10 pack of Lock N Load Bushings
#45 Hornady Shell Plate
#8 Hornady Shell Plate
Hornady Case Care Kit
Primer flip tray
Extra large and small primer pickup tubes
Hornady Kinetic Bullet Puller
Hornady Digital Calipers
2x cans of one shot spray case lube
ABC’s of reloading 8th edition
Speer # 14
Hornady 8th edition reloading manual
RCBS 45acp carbide 3 die set
RCBS 9mm carbide 3 die set
RCBS Lockout Die
RCBS Range master 750 Electric scale
Stainless tumbling media
Thumlers tumbler
Frankfurt arsenal media seperator
 
Most loading for a bolt rifle and looking for accuracy will use a single stage press. The Lee Classic Cast is one of the very best. Those loading for volume and particularly for pistol where reloading speed is more important than accuracy will go with a progressive.

Most loading for accuracy will weigh every single powder charge. They may use a powder measure to load the scale tray, but shoot for a charge about 0.2 grains light and top up with a trickler.
 
ultimate_monkey said:
i will tell you right now..

it will take your more time to debur and chamfer your cases with this tool then it will do to all the other steps combined... when i had said tool, in about 2 hrs i could load 100 rounds (precision rifle so very OCD on prep) and i would say atleas 1 - 1 1/4hrs of that was just deburing and taking breaks due to hand cramps
Click to expand...

Yup, but I do all my chamfer/debur'ing while I'm watching the tube. Put the kids to bed, put in a video, arrange your 3 buckets (one on the right with unprepped cases, one on your lap to catch all the debris and one on the left for the cases that are finished that step).
It has the added benefit of keeping your hands busy without stuffing your face with popcorn/chips/etc.

I'm waiting for my twins to get old enough to set-up a production line, one of us will chamfer/debur, pass it to the next for the primer-pocket clean and finally to ol' dad to press-in the primer.
I figure we'll be able to do a 100 cases during an episode of SpongeBob!
 
I had the predecessor to the T-Mag, basically the same press; but, with a simpler (and less powerfull) leverage link for the handle.
It's not a bad press; but it's neither fish nor fowl.
It's not as strong or rigid as most single station presses and it's not as fast as a semi-progressive.
Everything else in the kit is pretty good. Lyman makes good kit.
 
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