Register
Log In
Home
March 11, 2018
Offline
So I reloaded my own ammo many many years ago and had sold my equipment many years ago too - Now I am thinking about reloading again and if I remember correctly I had RCBS stuff - anyway so if just loading for myself is the single stage loader sufficient or is the progressive / turret worth the extra $$
I will be loading .45 acp and .357 magnum
Thoughts would be appreciated
Dans Club
January 17, 2015
Offline
I have 2 different turret prsses I use:
* LEE turret press I use for pistol and revolver ammo - .357 and .45ACP
* Redding T7 turret press for my rifle rounds.
I find the LEE press is quicker for pistol calibres if you have their dies with the powder flow-through but it has too much play for accurate rifle reloading; the turret ring that spins will move a few mm and sometimes that will cause you to either crush a shoulder or not bump ity back enough on Magnum riufle rounds. The LEE Auto disk isn't always relaible with lighter .38SPL loads and certain powders (I use Titegroup), the powder will bridge and not drop and then you get squibs. Let me know if you have more questions if you are considering this system.
The Redding T7, although it is a turret and holds 7 dies, I use more like a single stage and I hand measure each rifle round.
March 19, 2016
Offline
A couple of factors to consider. If you like to try different loads often for different calibers then a single stage works well. Adjusting the dies for different OAL of the same caliber or adjusting different dies of other calibers is much easier on the single stage press also. I have owned both types of presses. Dillion progressive and RCBS and Lee single stage. The Dillion was fast, 300 rounds an hour was pretty easy. But getting everything adjusted when trying different things was at times a pain. Great presses though I had 2 Dillion's, one set up for 44 mag and the other for 357 mag. I use a single stage for rifle and a 445 Supermag. I also load 45ACP, 9mm, and 40SW on a single stage now. I can easily load a box an hour on the single stage press. I decided to sell the Dillion's years ago and then got back into loading and decided to go the simple route. One nice thing about a single stage press is once you knock the primers out you have the option to clean the case where as with a progressive the case does not leave the press until it is loaded. I suppose you could remove the case after knocking out the primer but most people do not. I like a clean primer pocket so I always add a step before pushing in a new primer. I reload 7 different calibers and multiple loads for each depending on whether it is a target round or a hunting load.
Supporter
Moderators
Dans Club
February 22, 2009
Offline
I've reloaded for 30 years or so now. The simplest route is single stage. I can't say enough about the co-axial Forster I run today. My progressive is an (old) RCBS Ammomaster- can't say enough about their no questions asked for parts replacements- other than they are a bit slow, but hey-it's free!
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
March 11, 2018
Offline
Thanks for the great info/thoughts on the subject as it's very much appreciated
April 30, 2011
Offline
I cast my vote w Zedbra for (any good) turret press for general use. Bought a Dillon a couple of years ago which is great for high volume calibers (.308, .45 & .38 spl) but still question if it paid for itself. Have used a Lee turret for 30+ years and continue to do so for all other calibers. It gets the job done at a reasonable pace.
March 11, 2018
Offline
Okay so a local gun shop and with a very knowledgeable owner who took a good bit of time with me to discuss my needs etc... led me to purchase the Dillon Square B progressive press
Again thanks to you guys on here !!
Supporter
Range Officer
Moderators
DWF Supporters
Dans Club
December 4, 2011
Offline
Dillon has a great no B.S. warranty. If you break it, they replace it, no charge. Ive used that service several times, great customer service.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
DWF Supporters
April 9, 2015
Offline
I have an OLD Herters single stage press and I find it is sufficient for my needs. I have never had a turret or progressive reloader so I have nothing to compare it with. I load many handgun calibers and several rifle calibers with the single stage press. I do not find switching dies to be an issue. All my dies are LEE dies and they work fine for me. Good luck and enjoy being back involved with the reloading.
“We cannot but pity the boy who has never fired a gun; he is no more
humane, while his education has been sadly neglected.”
-Henry David Thoreau
“When some of my friends have asked me anxiously about their boys, whether
they should let them hunt, I have answered, yes – remembering that it was
one of the best parts of my education – *make* them hunters.”
-Henry David Thoreau
1 Guest(s)
