More confused about press possibilities

[TenRing]

Press decision

MeanStreaker, part of this decision making depends on whether you read and heed instructions well. If you truly read and pay attention to instructions a progressive is great for pistol rounds. I own a Lee turret press and it has some flex to it that makes very accurate large rifle rounds a bit difficult. In that category the Lee CLASSIC turret is definitely better. (It does fine for my limited shooting but I have a friend who loves the Lee Pro 1000 for pistol ammo, he says it really cranks them out.)

 

[1911user]

For everyone recommending a turret press based on current usage, have you considered the amount he shoots will likely increase due to lower cost ammo and a growing firearms collection in the future? The cheapest, bare-minimum solution is not always the best choice for everyone especially if minimum setup cost is not number 1,2, and 3 on his priority list. I've been there and can understand striving for the minimum investment; it was the only way I could start reloading and practicing more when younger.

However, there is another theory based on good reloading equipment holding its' value and the goal is maximizing enjoyment of the reloading process by choosing better equipment up front. It ties up more money, but much of that can be returned by selling the equipment later. The person has enjoyed the reloading process so much more that it was worth the lost interest income or opportunity to purchase something else during that time. I'm not saying reloading equipment is a great financial investment, but looking at the situation as a controlled loss over time opens some interesting options. Think of it as a lease cost.

As an example, I recently purchased an electric case feeder for my progressive press. I don't really need the extra loading speed it allows. It does make reloading easier and it is more relaxing for loading ammo at the same rate as before (about 500 per hour). All I have to do now is place a bullet and pull the handle each time. It's nice not having to coordinate handling cases and bullets with the same hand. It is a luxury item, but one that's worth it in my opinion and situation. If I want to load faster or higher quantity, it's ready. If I want to slow down to 400 an hour and not break a sweat, it works for that also.

The minimal investment strategy isn't always the best for everyone. I think that is forgotten at times. 250 rounds an hour from a turret press is work and doesn't allow slowing down for anything. That's 1000 handle strokes an hour (using 4 dies) for 250 rounds vs. 500 handle strokes an hour for 500 rounds; double the work for half the output. Now think about doing it for 10 years then decide what is the best approach.

 

[MeanStreaker]

As far as cost goes for my situation, money is certainly still an object, but I have no problem with the cost associated with the 500B...

You guys are really a big help and I'm enjoying the read. Keep it coming!

 

[Travis Two]

I learned on a semi progressive press ; the Ponsness Warren P200 and it was the perfect beginning press not only for me but for others as well. at a load rate of 250 rounds per hour the press is ideal and not that expensive. The head holds two complete set of pistol dies and the shell holder moves under the dies to give you a finished round after each completion of the reloading cycle. This gives you the ablity to stop at any point and inspect your work and gives you speed that a single stage or turret can't give you. Its for pistol only but they have a larger version that will do rifle as well but the p-200 is a slick machine. You can outfit it with the lee disc measures or the uniflow from RCBS (I use both) it also allows you more versatility in load development than a fully progressive press as its quicker to set up and bang out a quick 10-50 rounds to test. Even though I now have two Dillon 650s I still use this set up for load development because its faster. once the load is developed I set up the 650 to run a bunch. The added advantage is I also put a taper crimp die in place after the standard roll crimp die for my revolver cartridges so I could choose what type of crimp I needed for my particular load. If I wanted a light load with a taper crimp I went right to that die. If I needed a full roll crimp I would just choose that die instead. all in all its a pretty slick system.

 

[robctwo]

I learned on the Lee progressive and bought a Hornady LocknLoad. Get a progressive. Load one round at a time until you are comfortable. Add another round to the mix. Pretty soon you will have all the stations running at the same time. I load all my rifle rounds one at a time so far. I might get more automated if I start loading .223.

I struggled with the Dillon vs all other brands when I made my purchase. Realized I was a Mac user, so went with the Hornady.

 

[grislyatoms]

With cleaned, primed (I like to prime with a hand held primer while I'm watching tv) and sized brass at the ready I can turn out about 100 rounds an hour on my RCBS turret press. I could probably get a little bit faster but I am comfortable with the pace.

I run mine in "flights" of 50.

I drop powder in all the cases, weighing every 10th powder charge. When I am done dropping powder, I visually check each case for double charges. Then I seat bullets, checking OAL and case mouth dimensions on every 10th one.

It works well enough for me, I have never had any problems, and I find it enjoyable. I like the control over process that the turret gives me.

FWIW

 

[EddieCoyle]

I like the control over process that the turret gives me.

I've seen this written about single stage presses too. I don't get it. Why does a turret give you more or less "control over the process" than a single stage or progressive? I load on a progressive press and feel that I have total control over the entire process. If I didn't, I wouldn't be reloading.

 

[WayneConrad]

Have you considered a single-stage press in conjunction with the Hornady Lock-N-Load adapters? It takes about 5 seconds to switch from one die to another using this system, and you never lose the die's adjustment. Using these adapters, my rate for pistol calibers is an easy 200 rounds in two hours.

I cannot speak to how this compares to a turret press, having never used one. Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've seen this written about single stage presses too. I don't get it. Why does a turret give you more or less "control over the process" than a single stage or progressive? I load on a progressive press and feel that I have total control over the entire process. If I didn't, I wouldn't be reloading.

I don't understand it, either.

I hear people say you can't turn out accurate ammo on a turret or progressive -- but you can't prove that by my handloads!!

The process is the same, regardless of the press you use.

 

[1911user]

I think part of the issue is that people who load on a single stage press just don't understand the time savings and efficiency possible from a stable progressive setup. It is much more efficient loading 4-5 cases at a time and only handling a case once during the loading cycle. IMHO some see reloading as an assembly line operation and others see it as creating little works of art. Whatever makes people happy is OK with me, just don't assume there is no way I could safely reload 500+ rounds an hour. I can easily do that and not break a sweat in the process.

Another way to think about it is 500 handle strokes creates 500 rounds on a progressive. Assuming seperate seat and crimp stages, 500 handle strokes creates 125 rounds on a turret or single stage. 125 vs. 500 for the same effort. This is why I suggest people who shoot very much pistol ammo need to be reloading on a progressive setup.

 

[wixedmords]

If it were me, I would just buy the minimum until I decided what I wanted, and get reloading.

There is quite a bit to learn, and lots of information to take in. Even if you buy a simple C press, you are likely to use it for singular tasks in the future if you move on. A good set of dies will work in "nearly" all presses, and you are going to need a powder measure. Just get started.