What press to buy ?
- Thread starter traprooky
- Start date
The Lee Classic Iron Turret press is what I use. It should do all you ask except for maybe the 3 1/2" reloads. It will do 3 1/4" and you may have to remove the indexing rod. This will only do pistol & rifle cartridges. For Shotgun ammo you need a different press setup.
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No, not as I understand it. One loading set for shotgun and a different one for rifle and handgun. The requirements are just way too different. Also the size of rifle and handgun dies are not able to accept a 12Ga hull. So that's another reason why shotgun and rifle/pistol presses are so different.
There are not many progressive presses that can mix rifle and handgun ammo. And really other than bulk 5.56 ammo you really don't want to load for rifle in a progressive manner. Assuming you're after accuracy you'll want to weigh each charge. And between that and the more fussy steps of neck sizing and other operations for accuracy rifle loading it's simply better off being done on a single stage or on a progressive that can be treated like a single stage.
One option for a progressive that adapts well to acting like a single stage when desired is a Dillon 550b. Most or many other presses which have auto indexing are going to be less friendly in that mode. And removing and replacing the auto indexing to switch between pseudo single stage and regular progressive use are going to be a lot of fussing around.
The other thing is that even if used in this single stage mode you need to buy a rather pricey shell plate kit for each caliber. But if you go separate shotgun, progressive and a single stage then the rifle loading can be done on the single stage using the shell holder that comes with the dies.
At the cost of the shell plate kits if you load for three or more rifle calibers where you'll do them in what amounts to a single stage format of steps then the cost of the press will be matched by the shell plate kits you don't need. And if you load for more than 3 rifle calibers then you'll be ahead in terms of cost.
There are not many progressive presses that can mix rifle and handgun ammo. And really other than bulk 5.56 ammo you really don't want to load for rifle in a progressive manner. Assuming you're after accuracy you'll want to weigh each charge. And between that and the more fussy steps of neck sizing and other operations for accuracy rifle loading it's simply better off being done on a single stage or on a progressive that can be treated like a single stage.
One option for a progressive that adapts well to acting like a single stage when desired is a Dillon 550b. Most or many other presses which have auto indexing are going to be less friendly in that mode. And removing and replacing the auto indexing to switch between pseudo single stage and regular progressive use are going to be a lot of fussing around.
The other thing is that even if used in this single stage mode you need to buy a rather pricey shell plate kit for each caliber. But if you go separate shotgun, progressive and a single stage then the rifle loading can be done on the single stage using the shell holder that comes with the dies.
At the cost of the shell plate kits if you load for three or more rifle calibers where you'll do them in what amounts to a single stage format of steps then the cost of the press will be matched by the shell plate kits you don't need. And if you load for more than 3 rifle calibers then you'll be ahead in terms of cost.
Magellan, I may be reading it wrong but the "2 3/4, 3 and 3 1/2 shells" seems to refer to steel loaded shotgun shells. Can't do that on a rifle and handgun press.
Traprooky, just how much ammo per month do you need? And how many hours per month can you sneak away to reload? I ask these because if you're just plain shooting buckets of ammo then it justifies the progressive. Otherwise you might be surprised at how many rounds per hour you can reload on a simpler setup. Or if your family duties don't give you much time to devote to reloading then a progressive press can aid in maximizing your production in the little time you can devote to it.
But if space is a big concern more than time or volume then as a one press for both option I'd have to agree with the Lee turret suggestion. Or some other similar turret style such as a Lyman T-mag or Redding T-7 turret press.
Traprooky, just how much ammo per month do you need? And how many hours per month can you sneak away to reload? I ask these because if you're just plain shooting buckets of ammo then it justifies the progressive. Otherwise you might be surprised at how many rounds per hour you can reload on a simpler setup. Or if your family duties don't give you much time to devote to reloading then a progressive press can aid in maximizing your production in the little time you can devote to it.
But if space is a big concern more than time or volume then as a one press for both option I'd have to agree with the Lee turret suggestion. Or some other similar turret style such as a Lyman T-mag or Redding T-7 turret press.
I was very tempted to get the Lee Pro 1000 setup for 223 and buy the accessories required to do 9mm (or just buy a second Lee Pro dedicated for 9mm) simply due to the economy of the kit. But I settled on getting the Hornady Lock n Load AP progressive press for my plinking/bulk ammo and RCBS rock chucker for tuned hunting and long range ammo. And from what I've seen during my research, a shotshell press is completely different than a press for pistol and rifle.
Hope that helps!
Hope that helps!
Thats what I read into as well, it appears he wants one press that will do it all. At first I thought he wanted to do pistol and possibly some of the larger tall calibers of rifle cartridges. Most of this can be done with a Lee Turret press.
For loading steel shotgun ammo another press such as a Mec will be required, but its hardly worth reloading shotgun ammo currently. My neighbour does it and it doesn't save him any money at al, but he feels he gets a better load made that improves his game at the trap club.
For loading steel shotgun ammo another press such as a Mec will be required, but its hardly worth reloading shotgun ammo currently. My neighbour does it and it doesn't save him any money at al, but he feels he gets a better load made that improves his game at the trap club.
RCBS used to make dies for a single stage metallic reloading press to load shotshells, buts tedious and slow.
You will need a shotshell press, AND a metallic rifle/handgun press to load what you need.
Get ABC's of reloading it covers all your questions and anything you should know.
You will need a shotshell press, AND a metallic rifle/handgun press to load what you need.
Get ABC's of reloading it covers all your questions and anything you should know.
When I see the cost of steel shot shells I have to wonder if that wouldn't soon pay for a press to reload them. But then I don't know what the steel shot by itself costs.
But any way we cut it someone needs to be doing a LOT of bird hunting to justify the cost of a loading setup.
- Location
- West Quebec
Agreed I bought a couple of flats when Canada Ammo had their deal and will have enough till I die lol
Yeah, 2 different press set ups at a minimum. The good news is that the Lee press for 12 guage shotshells is (was?) less than $100 brand new and the kit to change it to 20 guage is cheap too. For medium volume the Lee turret is OK, for large volume any kind of progressive would be beneficial. If you can only have 1 press for all metallic cartridges, the Lee is hard to beat but it is not the best for highest precision or highest production. But it is a good compromise and great value for what it is. Mine has paid for itself several times over in the span of 1 year.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
Bluelaid (Blue Koolaid AKA Dillon!!!)
I asked the question,hoping the one ultimate machine was out there somewhere . I currently have a rcbs rock chucker for rifle ,and 3 PW progressives for shotshells (lead ) . I wanted to reduce to one and save bench space . Looks Like I'm out of luck , and will be buying a MEC steelmaster for my steel loads , and another bench lol
I'd have to third the idea of the "Bluelaid" suggestion (Good one Juice! 
)
The Dillon 550 can operate easily as a multi position turret/single stage press but with the replacement of the station keeper buttons turns back into a full on "One pull- One round" progressive in under 30 seconds. The Lee or other brand turret press is less expensive but it simply can't churn through production at the same rate. It's four pulls vs one pull per round. That's not only slower but has GOT to be harder on the arm over a longer session.
The Lee, or some other turret setup, isn't a bad option if a full progressive mode isn't needed. But if the production of higher numbers is needed then it's got the most flexibility to offer for both rifle and pistol all on one machine.
)The Dillon 550 can operate easily as a multi position turret/single stage press but with the replacement of the station keeper buttons turns back into a full on "One pull- One round" progressive in under 30 seconds. The Lee or other brand turret press is less expensive but it simply can't churn through production at the same rate. It's four pulls vs one pull per round. That's not only slower but has GOT to be harder on the arm over a longer session.
The Lee, or some other turret setup, isn't a bad option if a full progressive mode isn't needed. But if the production of higher numbers is needed then it's got the most flexibility to offer for both rifle and pistol all on one machine.
Got Juice?
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Peoples Republik of Kanukkistan
I have 3 Dillons. 1 550 for rifle and oddly used calibers. 1 1050 for 40 cal, and 1 1050 for 357SIG. RF100 Primer filler (yep, i love this one to keep the 1050's stoked!)
Next purchase will be the SL900 Shotgun loader.... Ponsness Warren make a great shotgun loader, but having used both....The Dillon makes less mess (no powder drop if hull is not present.)
So my whole room is BLUE!!! (ok and black... )
