About to take the plunge..

[eptreyg]

At some point this month I decided that I'm tired of paying a large chunk of change to go shoot at the range (mainly .223). I picked up a copy of the ABCs of Reloading, and have perused the threads. I'm going to find a copy of the Lee manual or Lyman manual as well.

Here is my question: is it an incredibly bad thing for a complete and utter novice to purchase the Hornady L'n'L auto p? The way I see it is this: I could spend 100-200 now on a single stage (plus other gear) and get a beowulf upper, or I could just go ahead and get the l'n'l plus the other gear and be done with it.
Can the Hornady be used as a single stage like the Lee CT?

Thanks!

 

[tydephan]

I'm not familiar with the LnL plus, but I can tell you I started on a progressive, and wouldn't necessarily try to dissuade others from doing so. Just make sure you take your time, do your reading, ask any questions, don't make assumptions, and do your reading.

I went blue on my first press (Dillon 550b) and consider it the best money I've spent out of the thousands I've spent on guns and accessories.

Good luck, and welcome to the addiction.

 

[Shoney]

I have the LNL AP and it is great! However, does your monthly shooting rounds count exceed a thousand per month? If not, then you may be better off with another press.

The only absolute about starting to reload is: You will shoot more. Lots more!

Yes, it is possible to start with the LNL AP if your mechanical aptitude and level of patience is high enough. By starting on the LNL with only one die at a time (i.e., sizing, then belling-pistol, charging, seating, crimping), and removing each die/powder measure before going to the next operation, you get a sense of single stage loading. You can learn the individual steps of loading easuily. Once learned, it is a small step to combining them as a progressive reload.

If your round count is not going to exceed a thousand per month, you will do better with the Lee Classic Turret.

Good Shooting!

 

[JimKirk]

Sooner or later you're going to need a Single Stage press, why not start on one of those then move on to a progressive. Don't think that you want need one, because there will be a day that you will want 20 rds. of something you don't have your progressive set up for and it can be a pain in the butt to change some of the progressives for just a few rds. Learn the basics on the single stage then progress up.

Jimmy K

 

[Shoney]

JimKirk
The beauty of the LNL bushing system is that you can exchange 3 dies in about 30 seconds. Shell pate change in about a minute, and if needed primer size change in 1 minute.

If you have the micrometer dial inserts which are pre-set for the powder measure, changing the powder and insert takes around 2 min. If you have recorded the micrometer setting and wish to dial it in, add about another minute.

I regularly change over from pistol to rifle, and find it quick, very easy, and not complicated at all.

 

[Walkalong]

You can jump straight to a progressive, and if you are mechanically inclined and follow directions well, you would be OK, despite the increased learning curve.

But as JimKirk pointed out, you will always have use for a single stage press, and it will be much easier to learn on.

I started with a single stage, soon moved to a Lee 3 hole turret press, and then quickly to a Hornady Projector.

I traded off the turret press, but still have and use my single stage. I should have kept the turret press as well.

 

[Walkalong]

The beauty of the LNL bushing system is that you can exchange 3 dies in about 39 seconds

39 seconds! Yer gettin' slow Shoney.

Yep, the LNL dies and shell plates are fast and easy to change out.

 

[JimKirk]

But Shoney!

You have been doing this for YEARS, not just starting out. I did say "some progessives", not all too.

With the reasonable cost of single stage presses, there is no reason not to have at least one.

I'm an old codger, set in my ways and always felt you should learn to walk before you fly.

I could be wrong too! My Wife thinks so quite regularly!

Jimmy K

 

[UltimateReloader]

Check out the "Info Center" on http://ultimatereloader.com/ there's several articles about selecting the proper press.

I also have videos for progressive reloading presses, turrets (Lee Classic Turret coming soon) and single stage.

If you want to start single stage, then move up to a progressive, getting the Hornady single stage kit (lock-n-load) and moving up to the LNL AP progressive would be a good route.

 

[Walkalong]

Do check out the videos at Ultimate Reloader. They are excellent.

 

[cagwp]

I started with the LNL AP

I started out loading on the LNL AP and am glad that I bought it for my first press. Just like a couple of others stated, You can get used to it first by starting out with doing one process at a time and once you feel good about all of the processes go progressive. I still load all of my hunting rifle rounds on the LNL AP in a single operation method for 264WM, 300RUM, 270WIN, 7MM and use the progressive method for pistol rounds in 38, 357, 40. I hand measure the powder for my rifle loads, want it to be precise load GRNS. I bought the pistol rotar set and use the LNL AP powder dispenser for the pistol's. It is a very easy press to learn how to load with and am glad I have it.

 

[LiveLife]

I started out on a progressive, but would highly recommend starting out on a single stage.

I use both currently as I hand prime after depriming/resizing on the single stage.

If you ask/look around, you may find some deals on used single stage - I usually find them for $25 - $35+ at local gun shows for new shooters/reloaders I help setup.

 

[eptreyg]

Well after doing some more reading and surfing ultimatereloader, I think I am going to bypass a progressive for now and go with the lee turret - and a new upper.

Thanks for all of the input. I think I might be mechanically inclined enough to do the progressive but I see the value in starting low key and I'm not shooting 1000 a month- more like 500 rds a month. Again, thanks for the input!

 

[RustyFN]

Thanks for all of the input. I think I might be mechanically inclined enough to do the progressive but I see the value in starting low key and I'm not shooting 1000 a month- more like 500 rds a month. Again, thanks for the input!

I think you will be happy with the classic turret. I have been loading on mine four years. I started with it and thought I would upgrade but found it meets my needs and don't need to upgrade and I shoot more than 500 per month. I load 9mm, 38 spcl, 45 auto and 223 on mine. I load at a very comfortable pace and load 500 rounds in three hours. Check out this video for loading 223 on the classic turret.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpN9iYOyE8