Hand loader or single stage

[Nasty Canasta]

I still use my Lee hand press like this one quite a bit
https://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press.html
Yesterday I wanted to make up some more 38 Special wadcutters but the progressive is all set up for 9mm. Sat out on the patio and deprimed/sized/flared/primed all of the 38 cases relaxing in chair with a refreshing beverage before finishing them up the next day inside-can't do that with a press bolted on a bench. The old hand press is a great tool to have & can complement any bench set up & can be taken out into the field if you wanted to. If you're only looking to do small batches of 50-100 at a time it does great for most rounds & packs up small, a single stage on a bench is a step up for sure. Only thing I haven't been able to do with the hand press is resize/deprime 50AE, even lubed up I just don't have enough to muscle them through.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I've dealt with Lee customer service twice and their customer service SUCKS 100% in my opinion.
I'd go with anything RCBS. if it ever breaks for any reason 100% replacement.

 

[25-20 WCF]

The new guy in town walks into the LGS and asks where to get the best steak dinner in the city. The old coot sitting by the potbellied stoves says he should order chicken instead. The clerk tells them both that he likes fish better.

The new guy walks across the street to the local Walmart and asks the same question. He’s soon enjoying the best steak dinner of his life…




.

 

[gonoles_1980]

Go with a single stage, I'm happy with mine, retired and only shoot once, sometimes twice a month.

 

[gwpercle]

I guess I should’ve put more explanation in. I got out of loading in 2013 after about 10 years. Sold or gave away most of my “things”. So long story short, I want to go at it again. A little mor slowly than in past years. Older and wiser. Space is a factor as I have a room dedicated in the house but it doubles as a sewing room. So, I never used a hand loader but I had a turret in the past. Thanks for reading !

I solved the space problem with a Lee Hand Press Kit . It's a hand held/ operated single stage press that doesn't need to be bolted to a Bench .
Beats the Classic Lee Loader (mallet operated) Seven Ways to Sunday . I reload all my handgun ammo and several rifle with one ... actually two , they are so handy I bought two . They use standard dies , shell holders , have Ram-Prime primer seating units with them and are the best thing ... load at your desk , kitchen table , coffee table , prep brass and prime sitting in easy chair . You can size bullets with it .
It is one of Lee's better inventions ...no hammering ! You need to check them out .
Now since it is hand held it doesn't have the leverage that a bench unit has but for all handgun and small rifle 30-30 , 223 etc. ... it will do fine .
Gary

 

[film495]

it is possible to mount a press on a board or two, and then just clamp the board to a work bench when you want to use it, and undo the clamps and put the press on a shelf or in a drawer etc.

 

[Varminterror]

I have used the Lee Loaders in the past, and remain to have a set in storage for a couple of cartridges. I also have the Lee hand press (scissor press), which I also keep in storage. I have multiple bench mounted presses, including currently 3 single stage presses.

I don’t know that I will ever load another round in my entire life, nor would I WANT to do so, with the Lee Loaders.

Exact same sentiment for the scissor press.

I load ammo frequently on a single stage press.

So I’d never, ever, recommend the Lee Loader or Scissor Press as the singular reloading option for anyone.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I would take up knitting before I loaded ammo on a whack mole.

 

[AJC1]

I would take up knitting before I loaded ammo on a whack mole.

Never done it, is it really that bad. Looks like a bored in camp activity

 

[Varminterror]

I would take up knitting before I loaded ammo on a whack mole.

Never done it, is it really that bad. Looks like a bored in camp activity

When I’m bored at camp, there are a LOT of other things I’d rather do than use crude equipment - more gear to haul and store at camp - to make relatively generic, low grade ammo, through a tedious and noisy process. I’d even make up hobbies I don’t even like before I made whack-a-mole ammo ever again.

 

[AJC1]

When I’m bored at camp, there are a LOT of other things I’d rather do than use crude equipment - more gear to haul and store at camp - to make relatively generic, low grade ammo, through a tedious and noisy process. I’d even make up hobbies I don’t even like before I made whack-a-mole ammo ever again.

The old man on YouTube made it seem like the thing to do.

 

[Blue68f100]

it is possible to mount a press on a board or two, and then just clamp the board to a work bench when you want to use it, and undo the clamps and put the press on a shelf or in a drawer etc.

Yes, I did that when I was house sitting at my dad's during the summer. Just make sure you position the press over one of the legs for strength.

 

[reddog81]

If you’re shooting more than 100 rounds per year I’d go with the single stage. If you’re shooting under 100 rounds per year stick with factory ammo.

 

[BJung]

I'm like you. I sold all my equipment once and expected to store some of my firearms and do something else. But, I like handloading and shooting too much. So, I purchased and RCBS Rock Chucker kit and some additional tools along the way. Again, I set reloading aside because I got married and after ten years, I picked up handloading again. Like you, my space is limited. I mount my press in a very small place and the torque is controlled by the press's force directed into the wall studs. Attached is an example. The balance, powder, and the components rest on a separate foldable table. While a faster press would be nice, I don't shoot IPSC to justify the cost. I think a handpress is too slow and not as versatile as single stage press. Notice in the photo that I'm able to conveniently resize cast bullets. I shoot mostly testloads.. And if I were done testing, I would shoot 100 rounds at the range for one particular cartridge for practice.

 

[IamClutch]

Thanks for the replies! I understand the press is little expense compared to other item. The issue is space. I’ll do the single stage on a small sturdy “desk”. It will give me a couple drawers to lock for safety. I’m excited to get back in to the scene! I went with rockchucker. Can’t wait. Thanks so much for all the input!

 

[Lennyjoe]

Welcome back

 

[IamClutch]

I got some great ideas on the “show me your bench” post. Ready to do it all over again.

 

[Dudedog]

For pistol rounds I would really lean towards a Lee turret press, not that much more than a single stage and lots faster.
I don't know about you but my 9s are hungry and like to eat ammo
Not as fast as a progressive but not the $ of a progressive either.
About $150 for the press.

If $150 is to much I would say go with a single stage.

 

[gwpercle]

I'll Keep On Keeping On with the two Lee Hand Presses I use ...
I love them ...
Gary