I've reached a bit of a milestone.

[mmb617]

I just got started into reloading the beginning of this year. Yesterday as I was entering some .223's I'd loaded into my database I noticed that I've now done 3,080 rounds in that caliber. I knew I'd done a lot more in 9 mm so I looked them up and saw I was at 6,913 there. I've also done 566 rounds of 45 ACP as it's a new caliber since I just bought that gun earlier this month.

So I've exceeded the 10k mark in rounds loaded. That happened quicker than I thought it would. Some of you high volume loaders probably laugh at me thinking that's a lot, but having done it all on a single stage press I can tell you it represents a lot of hours in the reloading room. I'm not complaining though as they've been enjoyable hours.

I'm trying to build my inventory of ready to shoot rounds but it's tough as I've already shot 6k of those rounds. I usually go to the range once a week and it's surprising how fast a couple hundred rounds evaporate.

 

[kmw1954]

Sounds like you are ready for a press upgrade to some sort of progressive. Could go with something as simple and inexpensive as a Lee Pro4000 for just a couple hundred bucks or a full size auto Dillon

 

[Crazy Horse]

Yep. Once you go AP you'll find how quick and easy it is to establish and maintain a reserve on hand. You'll also be happy that you are shooting more. Since moving to a progressive press, I can go to the range 3 times per week and still keep my stock at levels I like.

You may look back and wonder why you took so long to move up, but you will definitely be glad you got your foundational knowledge on a single stage press. It makes it much easier to setup and maintain a progressive.

I would recommend you go with a progressive that will allow you to use a good portion of parts you already have for your single stage press. I went with the Hornady LnL, so all the dies I had were functional on the progressive press.

Whichever route you go, you definitely won't have buyers remorse.

CH

 

[12Bravo20]

I have to agree. Step up to a turret or progressive press. Years ago when I upgraded from a single stage I looked at both current and progressive presses. I went with a Lee turret press for a few reasons such as cost and the amount of reloading I did at that time, money was tight for me. If/when my Lee turret wears out, I'll probably get a progressive press. Definitely do not get rid of the single stage press, it will still come in handy.

 

[kmw1954]

Crazy Horse you are exactly correct in my view.
I am not loading any where's near those amounts and I still have and use 2 different progressive presses. Not so much for the speed but for the reduced workload. In just a few hours a couple nights I can load myself 3 months worth of ammunition so it is fun and I don't get burnt out.

 

[Hondo 60]

mmb617 Welcome to the addict ... oh, I mean hobby
Ya that''s it hobby.

Please Stay Safe

Just my 2¢ worth

 

[Crazy Horse]

A turret press is really good for rifle loads where you want precision. I started with a turret press (Lyman). Love the precision, but for handgun ammunition, I recommend the progressive press. I still have and use my turret press. Like 12Bravo20 mentioned, you old press will come in handy.

Crazy Horse you are exactly correct in my view.
I am not loading any where's near those amounts and I still have and use 2 different progressive presses. Not so much for the speed but for the reduced workload. In just a few hours a couple nights I can load myself 3 months worth of ammunition so it is fun and I don't get burnt out.

KMW,

Two progressive presses.... Wow you must be a farmer with a huge barn that grows money trees.....LoL. Good on ya.

I've seen fellas with multiple Dillon presses in their garage. I envy them, but in reality, if I went that route, it would definitely be for convenience. I don't think I would ever shoot that much.

What type presses are you running?

 

[mokin]

Congratulations! That is a lot of reloading. I second what Crazy Horse said.

 

[kmw1954]

Two progressive presses.... Wow you must be a farmer with a huge barn that grows money trees.....LoL. Good on ya.

What type presses are you running?

Nope, I'm a semi-retired cheapskate!
For presses I have a Lee Pro1000 which was my first press in this second go around. Bought that used on ebay for under $100.00 shipped. It was set up for 38/357 and was mostly complete. It was missing the clear plastic tubes for the case feeder and the plastic round cover for the primer tray. Now I'm loading 380, 9mm, 38Spl and 45acp on it. The next press I purchased was a very nice NOS Lee 3 hole turret press. Purchased that also from ebay and paid a premium for it because I wanted the 3 hole Auto Advance to compliment the Pro1000 and this press had been taken out of the box but never mounted on a bench.

The last press I purchased was a Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro 4000 because I needed and wanted a fourth station for a FCD to load some 45acp I am having problems with in just one gun. As I already had everything to run the other two presses this press only set me back $130.00 and that was with a new 45acp shellplate.

I use the turret press for very small runs and to work up new loads. It's just much easier to do than on the progressives. So all total I have just over $300.00 invested in all three presses. Sadly I know people that spend that on lottery tickets!

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I think you have done the correct thing by starting on a single stage press. It provides a good basis for learning the intricacies of reloading ammunition.
I started on a single stage press many years ago and have slowly accumulated additional presses.

Right now I run two different Hornady LnL progressive presses, one set up for small primer and one set up for large primer. They are primarily used for various autoloading cartridges and .357Magnum rounds. It is a rare month that my son and I don't run a minimum of 500 rounds each of .357Mag, 9mm, 10mm, .40S&W and .45ACP on those two presses and usually 1000 or more.
I also use a RockChucker for load development and smaller runs of ammunition. Right now I load all of my big bore revolver ammunition on my RockChucker. I enjoy using a single stage press and since I am retired I have the time to load large batches of ammuntion without concern for time constraints. I load our general purpose/target/plinking rounds for .41Mag, .44Mag, .45Colt, .44Spl and .45AutoRim in batches of 250-500 at a time each month plus several hundred of each caliber of heavier loads for hunting or test loads.

Also use a RockChucker Supreme for rifle loading.
Have a Dillon 550 set up on one bench that I bought at auction that I haven't started using yet that is intended as a dedicated press for larger batches of big bore revolver ammunition.

This hobby is an ever expanding universe of new calibers and equipment.

 

[12Bravo20]

I normally just keep a universal decapping die in the single stage since I decap everything before tumbling. I also use the single stage for small batches of rifle rounds. I consider myself a low volume reloader so an hour or two a couple of times week with the turret press takes care of my needs. A progressive press will speed things up for you.

I won't even bother starting a war on which brand to get. Just go with what you like that is in your price range.

 

[whughett]

An addition to your single stage press and a small investment would be Lees APP. Automatic Prep Press. I recently bought one and it’s a pleasure to use.

 

[FROGO207]

OP it does not take much time at all it seems to crank out a good sized pile of reloads.
I am on the other end of the spectrum. I like to keep most of my inventory in components rather than loaded ammo. Easier to sell if needed and it allows me to make up just enough to replenish what I used last range trip or to make it just before going. I do however have a pile of brass that I spend the winter months processing so loading them up is rather fast. I also like to reload using a single stage press and the batch method. Just my OCD kicking in I suppose but time flies when I am in that "reloading zone"..

 

[mmb617]

I enjoy using a single stage press and since I am retired I have the time to load large batches of ammuntion without concern for time constraints.

That's me exactly. I have the time and enjoy the process.

I worked quite a few years in an assembly line environment and find taking components through a series of steps leading to a finished product satisfying. I've also always been a numbers guy and like the weighing, measuring and data logging that's part of reloading.

I also like to reload using a single stage press and the batch method. Just my OCD kicking in I suppose but time flies when I am in that "reloading zone"..

At this point, I load 3 calibers (.223, 9 mm and 45 ACP) with no plans to expand to any others. Once I build what I consider to be an adequate supply of finished ammo I'll probably not have enough reloading work to keep me busy, so speeding up the process isn't a concern.

 

[FROGO207]

I kinda remember saying that I would stop at 5 calibers back in 1970 or so now it's 35 at last count. Oops

The thing is I now don't think twice when I see that odd gun in an expensive shooting caliber. I can reload it for mere pennies per round. First time this happened an acquaintance sold me a Savage in 300 WSM due to the $65 a box cost for ammo. I loaded a duplicate load, same bullet for $18 a box. More accurate as well. The dies were paid off after reloading 3 boxes of ammo. YMMV.

 

[sparkyv]

10K rounds have taken me 5 1/2 years to load on a turret press. You did it in 5 1/2 months on a single stage, no less. WOW! A milestone indeed.

I just got started into reloading the beginning of this year. Yesterday as I was entering some .223's I'd loaded into my database I noticed that I've now done 3,080 rounds in that caliber. I knew I'd done a lot more in 9 mm so I looked them up and saw I was at 6,913 there. I've also done 566 rounds of 45 ACP as it's a new caliber since I just bought that gun earlier this month.

So I've exceeded the 10k mark in rounds loaded. That happened quicker than I thought it would. Some of you high volume loaders probably laugh at me thinking that's a lot, but having done it all on a single stage press I can tell you it represents a lot of hours in the reloading room. I'm not complaining though as they've been enjoyable hours.

I'm trying to build my inventory of ready to shoot rounds but it's tough as I've already shot 6k of those rounds. I usually go to the range once a week and it's surprising how fast a couple hundred rounds evaporate.

 

[eyeshot]

Congrats on those numbers. Pistol wise, I'm still at zero so I am in awe.

 

[Howland]

See how much money you've saved?



Reality check. You probably didn't spend that kind of money on factory ammo. I never did.