Best press for a newbie?

[Trent]

I've loaded tens of thousands of rounds on my Lyman turret press, it's a great press.

If you want to get started on the cheap, pick up a Lee single stage for $25-30, a hand primer, a lyman powder dump, and some loading block trays. Those Lee single stages are great too, and indestructible (I use a set of 4 of them on 50 BMG, of all things).

Your entire reloading set up can be had for under $100.

If you're loading pistol you can size / deprime 100 rounds, hand prime (RCBS's tool is great for this), run them through a flare die, put them in the loading blocks, dump powder and spot check on the powder dumper, then put in your seating die to finish them off. Can load a couple hundred a night this way.

Lee makes a "carbide speed die" that's designed for quick changes on a single station press, by the way. I used to use it in 9mm when I first got started 15 years ago or so. Works great.

 

[918v]

The best press period is a Reding Big Boss II. It has great leverage, tight linkage, good alignment, excellent ergonomics, and a great warranty. The frame opening sits at a 45 degree angle to the user, granting excellent visibility and access to the work in progress. You don't have to contort your wrist to get the round in and out. This is especially important if you practice "seat half way/rotate 180 degrees/finish seating". It is the most well rounded press, and I've had them all.

 

[dickttx]

"The best press period"

Glad that is finally settled!!!!

Now if someone would just tell us how to clean brass, we could shut down all the fourms.

 

[cfullgraf]

All of the currently manufactured presses will reload excellent ammunition if the operator does his part. Opinions abound on which is best and it comes down to a "Ford vs Chevy" debate". Each company has its advantages and disadvantages when compared to the others.

As far as what process to choose, single stage, turret or progressive, to quote Dirty Harry, "A man's got to know his limitations."

The amount of funds on hand and the willingness to spend more in the short term only make the decision more difficult.

Finally, a single stage press is a handy tool to have around for infrequently needed, specialized tasks not suitable for a progressive or a turret press.

 

[918v]

Now if someone would just tell us how to clean brass, we could shut down all the fourms.

Due to my experience in these matters, every utterance of mine is fact, or at least a highly factual opinion

The best way to clean brass is in a Thumlers Tumbler with stainless media.

Thank You. Thank You very much.

 

[RandyP]

To the OP's question, yes, the casing stays in a shell holder atop the main ram and with the Lee turret, the dies in the moving turret auto-advance with each handle pull above the case. 4 pulls = 1 completed round. Works great, costs little. Accessories are VERY affordable. I have each die set in its own turret to make changing calibers super easy and economical.

Kempf's sells a rather complete Classic turret kit for about $200? plus http://www.factorysales.com always has great prices on Lee gear.

LOTS of vids on youtube plus here are the Lee factrory self-help videos:

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Turret-Press-Help.html

 

[Hangingrock]

Reloading is a learning process from day one till the last round is loaded, and never stops in between.

Hand loading maybe that way for the hobbyist that likes to lavish hours spent at their Handloader hobby.

On the other hand a Reloader and there is a difference is looking for volume and quality. Looking at a substantial number of 9mm-Luger and 45ACP annual usage for competition I simply don’t have the time to dawdle with a single stage press. Doing this over four decades closing in on five decades the progressive meets my requirements and expectations.

 

[jcwit]

Reloading is a learning process from day one till the last round is loaded, and never stops in between.

Hand loading maybe that way for the hobbyist that likes to lavish hours spent at their Handloader hobby.

On the other hand a Reloader and there is a difference is looking for volume and quality. Looking at a substantial number of 9mm-Luger and 45ACP annual usage for competition I simply don’t have the time to dawdle with a single stage press. Doing this over four decades closing in on five decades the progressive meets my requirements and expectations.

Is that an implication that being able to load ammo fast makes one a know-it-all?

Are you implying after four decades and closing in on 5 you've now learned it all?

I know for a fact I sure don't.

I think I'd find something that I could spend my remaining time at in a more enjoyable manner, I KNOW I did after surviving cancer.

It became time to stop and smell the roses.

 

[LiveLife]

I"m thinking the Lee Classic turret press would be my best rout. It would be faster than a single stage but slower than a progressive loader. With the lee, every 4 pulls of the handle I'd have a ready to shoot round right? Round stays in one spot as I rotate dies? I've been told to learn on a single stage press, but this seems to be a safe alternative.

I use my Classic Turret in single stage mode to load rifle cartridges (.308). That's one benefit of the LCT that you can use it as a turret and a single stage press.

I helped out quite a few new reloaders start out on Pro 1000 progressive press but always covered the single stage press reloading principles/steps first. Now I suggest they mount both single stage and Pro 1000 on the same bench as it improves load development work and allows reloading of longer rifle cartridges Pro 1000 cannot do.

If I had to suggest only one press to a new reloader, without a question it would be the Classic Turret.

Follow your heart and have fun reloading/shooting. If I only had a single stage to load, I would still have fun reloading and shooting.

 

[Uniquedot]

If I had to suggest only one press to a new reloader, without a question it would be the Classic Turret.

I agree with you as it's a very sturdy and well built easy to operate press that's considerably faster than a single stage. I hardly ever use mine as progressives made me lazy, but if i could only have one it would likely be the turret since the only thing that can go wrong with it is the little square ratchet and it doesn't even need that piece to load ammo.

 

[Hangingrock]

jcwit:"Is that an implication that being able to load ammo fast makes one a know-it-all? Are you implying after four decades and closing in on 5 you've now learned it all? I know for a fact I sure don't. I think I'd find something that I could spend my remaining time at in a more enjoyable manner, I KNOW I did after surviving cancer. It became time to stop and smell the roses."


I stipulated the difference between a Handloader and a Reloader. On a need to know basis quality ammunition in quantity is my goal. I simply don’t have the time to play what if-if-if when reloading. If you are a Handloader and you enjoy the nuances and that’s your hobby fine.

My hobby is shooting not hunched over a bench agonizing over a particular combination of components. My objective is to be able to hold the X&10 rings per the discipline I’m competing in.

As for smelling Roses I’m glad that you’ve survived cancer. I’ve been there done that.

 

[jcwit]

My hobby is shooting not hunched over a bench agonizing over a particular combination of components.

Believe me, I have never done either.
But then the whole aspect of the shooting sports is my hobby, collecting, shooting, reloading, actively helping the NRA in the shooting sports, ect., ect. Hunting used to also be a part of it but no longer able to trek the woods & fields.

 

[918v]

My hobby is shooting not hunched over a bench agonizing over a particular combination of components.

You say it as if it is a bad thing.

We really don't agonize over components. We simply choose the best components for the job and assemble them for maximum performance. It's like blueprinting an engine, or actually mixing the best fuel for your engine.

It can be said your reloads are like soulless test tube babies... made without love.

 

[BeerSleeper]

Not everyone wants to blueprint their engine. Some of us just want to change our own spark plugs and engine oil, in the interests of cost savings and self-reliance, and get back to happily motoring on down the road.

I think hangingrock was categorizing loaders in two groups. What he's calling "handloader" I think is referring to guys looking at all the meticulous details, anything that gets that next .1MOA improvement, from doing ladder tests, to hand weighing every charge, and so forth.

"Reloaders" on the other hand, (hopefully, at least) take the time to work up a safe, proper load, and once we've done our due diligence in safety checks, and found a load that shoots good, are done with the scrutinizing, and move on to volume production, satisfied to load that same recipe, over and over until we have reached that magical ammo quantity known as "enough".

Each approach has its merits.

 

[thefamcnaj]

Jeez I was at the range today shooting my 1911, it has a stainless slide and the muzzle was covered with powder residue. An older gentleman pulled up and inroduced himself, and said what cha shooting? I said my Sig 1911 and held it up. Then I said good n dirty like pistol should be.
Just making small talk. He goes of on a rant of how a dirty muzzle means I was shooting cheap ammo, or horrible reloads. Then he pulled a mag out saying, now this is the good stuff. I made it.
Something about, his loads are perfection because they burn the powder up completely upon the bullet leaving the muzzle. I don't know he went over my head.
I tried to share with him my inability to decide on a press, just talking basics. He said well what do to know. So I told him about my limited knowledge on the subject.
He then replied, "your going no where kid, hang it up". I thought to my self jeez Mr. Way to shoot a young man down. Glad thr isn't like that. I'm still going to get a press and load the heck out of some stuff and next time I see that grumpy old timer, I'm going to show him my good stuff.
Sorry guys I had to vent.
Any way I'm going tomorrow after work to look at the classic turret and lnl press to make my decision. Leaning towards the lnl only because I feel ill save money in the long run, by not having to buy a progressive after I decide I want to become more productive. I'll already have it, and treat like a single stage for the time being. Thanks for all the imput.

 

[Vette]

I have two progressive presses both lee. One is set up for 38/357 the other is for 40sw. Then i have a lyman turret w/manuall advance set up for 45 acp. I have had very good luck with both progressives but i find i enjoy reloading more than i do shoting well at least as much. I like the details of the process. So what i did was remove the advance mecanisim from my progressives and use them as single stage. I even do my depriming on a small single stage then use a lee hand primer. I then do all my resizing at one time, turn the die head 1 notch and proceed in that manner. I know it takes alot more time but i'm retired so i have the time. I really enjoy the time spent and if i was starting out again i would just have manual turrets. What ever press you deside on just enjoy the fun of reloading. You my want to move up to progressives later on but then agin maybe not. Read, learn, and enjoy

 

[jcwit]

Jeez I was at the range today shooting my 1911, it has a stainless slide and the muzzle was covered with powder residue. An older gentleman pulled up and introduced himself, and said what cha shooting? I said my Sig 1911 and held it up. Then I said good n dirty like pistol should be.
Just making small talk. He goes of on a rant of how a dirty muzzle means I was shooting cheap ammo, or horrible reloads. Then he pulled a mag out saying, now this is the good stuff. I made it.
Something about, his loads are perfection because they burn the powder up completely upon the bullet leaving the muzzle. I don't know he went over my head.
I tried to share with him my inability to decide on a press, just talking basics. He said well what do to know. So I told him about my limited knowledge on the subject.
He then replied, "your going no where kid, hang it up". I thought to my self jeez Mr. Way to shoot a young man down. Glad thr isn't like that. I'm still going to get a press and load the heck out of some stuff and next time I see that grumpy old timer, I'm going to show him my good stuff.
Sorry guys I had to vent.
Any way I'm going tomorrow after work to look at the classic turret and lnl press to make my decision. Leaning towards the lnl only because I feel ill save money in the long run, by not having to buy a progressive after I decide I want to become more productive. I'll already have it, and treat like a single stage for the time being. Thanks for all the imput.

That old Geezer was WAY out of line, needs an attitude adjustment for sure. I'm old but man not giving a new guy good advice is just uncalled for, course at the range I shoot at we have a member that the only requirement for good equipment is the price. It can be a hunk of homemade junk but if it costs bunches of bucks it better than anything else out their.

I believe almost every manufacturer out there makes good presses, in a few of the accessory items I have my likes and dislikes. I really don't like the Lee Scale, it weighs accurately but it is so light weight for my liking.

 

[Rail Driver]

I'm looking to get into reloading soon myself, and there's a lot of good info here... I do have one question however...

First step tho is get a couple of manuals and read them cover to cover. One of the best, The Lyman Manual, IMO.

Why read the manual cover to cover? Why not just read the safety parts, and the parts for what you plan to reload with, skipping over the irrelevant caliber and component load data? I don't need to learn to load .38sp or .500S&W if I'm only loading .45ACP IMO

 

[jcwit]

Well yes of course you can skip over the meaningless calibers to you. Whats ment is the instructions, not the recipes.

No reason to memorizing it like it was the koran.

 

[mike.h]

another vote for the lee classic turret.

 

[BullfrogKen]

The Dillon Square Deal is the only one you've got to worry about that uses proprietary dies. But what it does have going for it is it's a very nice, budget-based progressive with an auto-index.

 

[cfullgraf]

Not everyone wants to blueprint their engine. Some of us just want to change our own spark plugs and engine oil, in the interests of cost savings and self-reliance, and get back to happily motoring on down the road.

Right. One of the nice aspects of reloading is the individual can choose the level precision that he wants.

Some folks enjoy agonizing over charge weights to the final kernel, bullets weights within 0.001 percent and so forth and so forth.

Some folks want good, safe, economical ammunition to shoot.

And everything in between and in combination.

Personally, I get enjoyment from wearing both the handloading and reloading hats, sometimes at the same time!

 

[jfrey]

What Bullfrog says is right. The dies are dedicated to the press but I have loaded thousands of rounds on both of mine and had no problems with any of the dies. Take them out and clean them with alcohol once in a while and all is good.

As far as not being able to learn on a progressive, I call BS on that one. I did, with no problems. The first thing I did was read the instructions. Very basic but necessary. Dillon provides wonderful instructions - with pictures. I also agree that the resale value on Dillon equipment is higher than some other brands. We all know from experience that once you get into reloading, you will shoot more and then reload more. Don't shortstop yourself - check out a progressive before you plop down your hard earned cash on something you might be sorry later you bought.

 

[cfullgraf]

Just making small talk. He goes of on a rant of how a dirty muzzle means I was shooting cheap ammo, or horrible reloads. Then he pulled a mag out saying, now this is the good stuff. I made it.
Something about, his loads are perfection because they burn the powder up completely upon the bullet leaving the muzzle. I don't know he went over my head.

I use 700-X in my 45 ACP, been doing so for decades, smokes up the muzzle, I like the way it shoots.

Oh well, I guess my reloads are horrible. I will just keep shooting horrible reloads.

 

[918v]

As far as not being able to learn on a progressive, I call BS on that one. I did, with no problems. The first thing I did was read the instructions.

OK. So you got the basics from reading the instructions. But your ammo is still not up to par with that made one a single stage. It may be adequate for plinking but that's where it ends.