New to reloading metalic Cartriges

[Guzzizzit]

I"m thinking about getting into reloding pistol cartriges in order to save a few bucks. The cartriges i'm mainly interested in reloading are .45 ACP, .45 LC, .38 Spl, .44 and maybe, at a latter time .40 s&w, 9mm luger and .223. I use 300-500 rounds per month of the various calibers.

My question is, should i go with a progressive press or stick with a turret press? The idea of reloading faster with a progressive press apeals to me, but i've heard of problems with consistency.

Cost is not an issue for this topic. Would also appreciate reasons for your choice.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Guzzizzit,

You're looking at reloading for 7 calibers and 2100 to 3500 rounds per month. That's quite a few rounds and suggests a progressive, but buying caliber conversions for all those calibers can get quite expensive, regardless of brand. You mentioned cost is not an issue, but when you get past two or three calibers, cost can be an issue, because you're getting into a couple thousand dollars with some presses at that point.

Since you're looking at reloading both pistol and rifle, I would recommend a Hornady Lock N Load as the progressive because of the superior powder measure and it's caliber conversions are simple and fairly inexpensive. And with the Lock n Load bushings, extremely fast to change calibers, which may be an issue if you're a busy individual.

You're not going to have inconsistencies in your rounds if you set the press and dies up correctly, so you shouldn't be too concerned with that. However, if you're going to be reloading rifle for long range, I would also recommend getting a single stage for those "odd jobs" such as decapping and swaging (CH4D makes an excellent swager that fits on a single stage for $20.00.) I use a Lee Classic Cast single stage for these tasks. Bottom line though, is you'll be out a good bit of money, even with the Hornady.

Right now, the best compromise going between price, quality and rounds produced for a new reloader who isn't sure if they're going to want to continue reloading is the Lee Classic turret press. Set up with a Lee Deluxe 4-die pistol set, a safety prime, a Pro Auto Disk powder measure and a auto disk riser (Raises the powder measure up to clear the safety prime.).

Based on your applications, I would consider NO other turret press, as most other designs are obselete (Big heavy cast iron bodies, but a single point of contact for the turret, allowing it to tilt and affecting accuracy.) and do not offer automatic advance, therefore quite slow.

The Lee Classic turret press has automatic advance for each die, but acts very much like a single stage in that you do one operation on one case at a time, so the new reloader can see what's going on and have good control of the operation. So you can produce 200 or better rounds of production per hour while seeing exactly what you're doing on each step, thereby learning the reloading process quite well.

This press is also quite affordable, with Kempf's gun shop offering the above setup as described for about $155.00 (make sure and click the option for Pro Auto Disk Powder measure) and includes a Lee 4-die set along with some plastic cartridge boxes. Pretty good combination for the price.

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/leeprecision/kits/KempfKit.html

Add in the "extras" you'll need or might want and you're reloading at a good clip for $250.00 or so. Not a bad price to start and if you go progressive later, you can still use the Classic Turret to save money on caliber conversions for low volume cartridges, such as milsurps.

I own a Hornady Lock N Load, a Lee Classic Turret press and a Lee Classic Cast single stage. I use each for very specific jobs and I'm extremely happy with all of them.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Zippy06]

+1 Dave.
By the way. It's real easy, to change a turret, into a single stage. Remove the index rod. Change the turret, powder, shell holder, primers, etc. 5 minutes ready for large rifle.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I will echo a lot of others on this subject. Go with a Lee Classic Cast turret and a good single stage press. You will use both at each loading session and the turret will load as fast as you need for now...I've been loading on a Lee turret for the last 18 years and if I up grade it will be to the Lee Classic Cast turret.

 

[benedict1]

Classic Turret is the best answer--you have been given good advice and Kempf's is the place to get it--the kit is right for you.

With all due respect to my friend Dave, if you ever decide progressive is the way to go, I suggest the Lee Load Master, a much less expensive way to enjoy progressive reloading. There is a ton of good video material now on setup and operation that obviates the necessity to use Lee's poor instructions.

If you are loading 6-7 calibers the Load Master will not put you in the poor house with caliber conversions. It's not only a matter of personal performance--the Load Master just costs a heckuva' lot less. I have loaded thousands of rounds since I got mine last September and once you understand the key points of setup and operation, it is trouble-free. I know the Hornady is a great press too but it is going to cost more money.

For now, though, Lee Classic Turret is the way--I started with one and would not part with it, ever.

 

[mattw]

I am going to start reloading soon and my choice is going to be the Lee Anniversary Kit, a single stage press.

 

[Guzzizzit]

Thanks for your responses guys. Sounds like very good advice. I should have been more clear in my original post, i use about 300-500 rounds per month TOTAL between the different calibers, Not for each of them.

I was also planning to start with reloading a single caliber (probly the .45 long colt because thats the most exspensive to shoot right now) and add dies for the other calibers as i get the hang of it/money allows.

Thanks again all,
Guzz

 

[benedict1]

Go for the Classic Turret Kit

Then I heartily recommend the Classic Turret Kit at Kempf's that Dave mentioned above. It comes with a die set of your choice. The only upgrade I suggest is to get the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure--it is much easier to use than the older one which the kit has included in it. I think the upgrade adds 10 bucks.

You can load single stage or auto-indexing with this press.

 

[SSN Vet]

cost of caliber conversion with Lee Classic Turret...

$26 for Deluxe four die pistol set (on sale at Midway as we speak)

$9 for a new turret

Set it up once and then swap out turrets.....switch the auto disk over and your done. How much cheaper or easier could you ask for.

 

[trickyasafox]

i started with a single stage. i know own the same lee single, pro 1000s and a lee turret. i really wish i had started with the turret. for me, it is definately the best compromise between speed and safety. i love doing runs on it. I wish i had gotten the classic, but i didn't have the money at the time. i'll get one someday though

 

[RustyFN]

Set it up once and then swap out turrets.....switch the auto disk over and your done. How much cheaper or easier could you ask for.

You can't, it just doesn't get any easier than the classic turret. I have had mine for about seven months and think it is an awesome press.

Guzzizzit Thanks for your responses guys. Sounds like very good advice. I should have been more clear in my original post, i use about 300-500 rounds per month TOTAL between the different calibers, Not for each of them

.
With the classic turret I can load 200 pistol rounds per hour. Your 300 to 500 would take two to three hours in one night. If you are organized like Benedict1 and some others you can load around 250 plus an hour. It is a very solid press and very easy for a beginner to setup and use.
Rusty