What Press!!!

littleshooter

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Hi There

I am new to reloading, I am thinking, I understanding the process. My questions are I would like to reload the calibres that I normally shoot with to start. I shoot 3006, 30-30 and 45/70. The quantities I put through my rifles at the range and hunting are very low. I would say on avg. 100 rounds each if I put a number on it. I have been looking at Lee Single stage Beginner set. I have also looked at lee hand presses made for each calibre.
Is there a quality/reliability deference between a hand loader and a single stage all being equal or is it the quantity that dictates the Press type?

Thanks for the help......
 
The Lee Classic Cast sounds like a great choice for you.

The only common hand press to choose from is the Lee Hand Press and a bench mounted press is just much handier. This comes from someone that owns and uses one. There are a couple other odd ball ones and also the Lee Loader which uses a hammer, but I think a traditional bench mounted press that takes all commons dies will serve you best.
 
as long as you are making a consistent stroke there will be very little difference between presses. Some presses let you cam-over to ensure you are making a full stroke, The rockchucker i use does that and its a decent press.
 
i'd go with the classic cast . best bang for the buck & last a life time.
I use a Lyman Orange Crusher, but this Lee Classic would be tops on my list if I was starting over and needed a single stage press.

I have also looked at lee hand presses made for each calibre.
Is there a quality/reliability deference between a hand loader and a single stage all being equal or is it the quantity that dictates the Press type?
I'd pass on the hand press (Lee Loader) as it doesn't offer as much flexability down the road if, and when you want to load more chamberings, some of which may not be offered in a hand press.


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I have also looked at lee hand presses made for each calibre.
Lee makes a portable hand press that takes individual dies, same as a single stage bench. They also make the original lee hand loader for individual calibers, I presume that this is what your referring to. The lee hand loader only neck sizes as apposed to full length resizing like most dies. You can still neck size in a press but you don't have the choice with the hand loader. Neck sizing is often (not always) more accuate on average but may limit your ammo to use in just that firearm that the case was fired in. (not always a prob) Also, neck sized ammo will sometimes cause problems in some action types like semi's, again, not always. The hand loader is less expensive but much slower.
 
When it comes to a Lee handheld press, I would not call it a joy to use. It is definitely the "armstrong" method. For what you say you want to do, the Lee O-frame kit wiil do all you need it to do, and is far more enjoyable. The only issue with that kit is the scale, plan on buying a different scale to use with your kit, an RCBS 505 is a vastly better unit, and can be had at reasonable prices.
 
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