Single, or progressive press?

spclPatrolGroup · February 11, 2011, 10:08 AM

Looking at getting a press to start reloading, I have a question, do I get a single stage press or a turret press. My volume won’t be super high, but I like the idea of a progressive press, and not having to do one step at a time on a single stage. I see a lot of handgun loads being made on a progressive press, but not many rifle rounds larger than .223. Could you load .30-06 or .270 on a progressive press, is there a reason I wouldn’t want to use a progressive press? Cost isn’t the deciding factor for me, I want to get a setup that I won’t ever feel the need to upgrade.

dlb435 · February 11, 2011, 10:27 AM

I've got two progressive presses and think that is really the way to go. I have a Dillon 550B and think it's a little light weight with a 30-06 but it can handle that round if you go slow.
I've also got an RCBS Pro 2000 and it can handle the rifle rounds with ease.
For cranking out pistol ammo, you just can't beat a progressive press.
I did have a Lee Pro 1000 at one time and would not recommend it.
The thing is that you will end up getting a single stage press sooner or latter just to handle the odd size round (conversion kits for progressive press get expensive) I've got one that I use to re-size and de-cap rifle rounds before they go to the progressive press. The problem is the case lube. If you lube the cases and run them through the progressive press things can get a little messy. Nice clean brass with no lube keeps everything a lot cleaner.
Just to get started, get a good single stage press. If that works out for you then you may never need the more expensive progressive press. If your needs require the progressive press then you will already have the single stage press.

Waldog · February 11, 2011, 10:36 AM

You can load rifle cases on all Hornady, RCBS and Dillon progressive loaders, except the Dillon SDB. More pistol ammo is loaded on progressive press by far for the simple reason that more ammo is expended. It would be rare for a 30.06 or 270 shooter to fire 200 rounds or more in one sitting. However, AR shooters expend A LOT OF 223 AMMO. I still load all my rifle ammo on a single stage press.

If you are starting out a progressive press is a poor choice. There is a lot going on on each stroke of the press and when a problem arises a beginner has difficulty sorting it out. Do yourself a favor and start with a single stage press. You will still use the single stage after you are a "master" at loading and understand all the basics. A turret press is a good choice as well.

Even though I prefer the Hornady LNL over Dillon presses by a wide margin; Dillon is selling a "550 Basic" loader that would be a nice alternative to a turret press. After you have learned the basics of reloading you can upgrade the 550 Basic to a full featured 550 progressive press.

Buy ABC's of reloading and Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual and read both. They are full of useful infomation.

Spammy_H · February 11, 2011, 10:54 AM

I agree with the previous 2 posts. Get a single stage and learn on it, then move up to a progressive if you feel like you need it.

I've been reloading for a couple of years, and just now feel that I would be ready to use a progressive. However, I don't shoot enough volume to justify it.

I wouldn't recommend a turret style press for rifle, since the deflection of the turret head can cause the bullet to not seat as squarely as you would like.

I have a Lyman T-Mag turret press, but I reload for pistol, not rifle.

If you don't want to spend too much money on a single stage, look for a used one to get started with. I know you said that money isn't really an issue, but you might feel better buying a used single stage Lyman or RCBS if you feel it is just for "practice" until you get your progressive.

jmortimer · February 11, 2011, 11:13 AM

I like a turret press which I use in single stage mode. The Lee Precision Classic Cast Breech Lock and Classic Turret are the highest rated single stage and turret presses on Midway USA regardless of price. So you are getting the highest rated presses for the best price. if you go with a progressive I wouold get the Hornady or Dillion. My opinion is that you could start with any press but in the end I think many like to have a non-progressive around for dedicated tasks and small batches for load development.

maillemaker · February 11, 2011, 11:40 AM

I've only been reloading since Christmas, so you can take what I write with a grain of salt.

The general consensus seems to be that it is easier and safer to learn using single-stage or turret presses, so that you can focus and learn about each step of the reloading process individually. You resize/deprime all at once, you bell the cases all at once, you load your powder all at once, and you seat your bullet all at once.

I started off straight away with a progressive - the Lee Pro 1000. It is trickier, because with every stroke of the arm three things are happening at once. I don't think this is insurmountably difficult, as you simply "tune" each die to function properly, and then just pay attention as you go from there. If you notice a strange sound, or change of resistance in the arm, then stop and figure out what is causing it. You can't just "push harder" and see what gives to find out what is causing the problem - you will break something or possibly detonate a cocked primer. And my Lee Pro 1000 is finicky - if the primers get hung up in the primer tray and the feed slide gets less than half-full, it starts miss-feeding primers, usually cocking them sideways. Likewise if your case feeder tube gets down to the last 2-3 cases, the case usually "jumps" forward an eighth of an inch or so when it drops down onto the feed ramp, and this is just enough for it to catch on the die plate on the up-stroke, jamming the press.

If you go progressive, it's hard to resist the low cost of the Lee Pro 1000. You can get a unit set up and ready to go with dies and everything for less than $200.

But if I had it to do over again, I'd try hard to hold out for a 5-die station (The Lee Pro 1000 only has 3). They make these dies called "Powder Cop Dies" that can sense under or over-charged cases and they, of course, take up a die station. Plus I think it would be handy to be able to seat bullets and crimp cases in separate stations if needs be.

Lastly, I'll say that you can set up a progressive press to function similar to a single-stage press - just remove the other dies.

Steve

zippy13 · February 11, 2011, 11:54 AM

I'm not quite sure what the OP wants to hear from us. Initially he said he wants to choose between a single stage and a turret press. Then, he went on to comment about a progressive -- a third type of press. I load pistol cases with my Dillon 550, but for .30-'06 I've used a single stage (I haven't loaded '06 since getting my Dillon). dlb435's comment about the -'06 is pushing the limits of the 550's capability should be considered.

As far as learning on a single stage press, the same can be done using a turret with just one die at a time. Between a single stage and a turret, I recommend a turret. However, if the OP is going to be loading a lot of pistol and a little -'06 length bottlenecks, then think outside the initial box and consider a progressive.

Multiple presses is another solution. Many folks use a progressive for pistol and AR/AK reloading and a single stage for their large capacity bottlenecks.

chiefr · February 11, 2011, 11:57 AM

I started on a single stage press; the RCBS Rock Chucker and later found a Lyman turret press at a flea market and had great success with it.
I still have the Rockchucker which I use for developing loads and target rifle shooting. Later, I sold the Lyman.
IMHO, I think the single stage press is all you need unless you desire to persue high volume shooting.
Later, I purchased a Dillon 550 when they were first introduced and I use it for high volume pistol shooting.

mikejonestkd · February 11, 2011, 12:06 PM

I started with a RCBS rock chucker and now use a Lee classic turret for all of my reloading. I suggest following a similar route.

BigJimP · February 11, 2011, 12:32 PM

Reloading is about attention to detail / understanding your press - and how it works ....whether you use a single stage or a prgressive really makes no difference. I've seen sloppy reloaders on single stages and on progressives ...

For a press that will handle everything you need ...and not upgrade...I'd recommend you look at the Dillon 650 press. It has a feature the 550 does not have ....a powder check die / which to me, is a pretty important safety device against squid rounds and double charges.

For the most part, I've quit shooting rifles ..../ and just concentrate on handgun ammo now ... but loading .30-06 on the 650 press was no big deal. RCBS, Hornady, etc all make good equipment these days ...but I would recommend a press that has a "powder check die" option, or lock out die, or powder cop or whatever ...

Twinsig · February 11, 2011, 01:11 PM

have been loading 3 pistol rounds for 2 yrs on a single stage Lee. If I had a do-over would have started with a Turret, not progressive though.
Single stage eats up more time of course, but there are things that are discovered/learned during the rookie-stage of reloading. Oh, and, get a bullet puller...

rsrocket1 · February 11, 2011, 01:18 PM

If money is not an object, definitely start with a single stage press such as the Lee Breechlock Challenger (or Classic Cast), the RCBS Rockchucker or the Hornady Lock and Load Single Stage press.

Once you are proficient at that, and you have had enough exposure to youtube or other videos showing how they work, you can later decide whether you want to speed up the process with a turret or progressive.

Everyone should learn how to perfect one step at a time.

If money was an important factor and you were sure you'd want a progressive, you could conceivably use an AP as either a turret press (running one case at a time through each station) or even a single stage press (inserting one case on one station, then pulling it out). This is much less convenient than a simple single stage press, but it can be done. There are just a lot of things that can be messed up by a beginner that simply won't be a concern with a single stage press.

If you bought a single stage press then moved up to a turret or progressive, your money would not be wasted because just about anyone with a progressive press has at least one single stage press on hand to do other functions.

JerryM · February 11, 2011, 01:43 PM

I have a 550 and a 650. However, I load all my rifle rounds on a single stage press; RCBS Rockchucker.

I do not load a lot of rifle rounds and have better control with the single stage press.

Regards,
Jerry

maggys drawers · February 11, 2011, 02:31 PM

For the price of a progressive with none of the accessories you will need (scale, calipers, etc...) you could get a single stage with all the other stuff you will need and probably some power, bullets and primers.

Since your volume won't be super high, a single stage will serve you well and cost less.

bbqncigars · February 11, 2011, 10:52 PM

IMHO, start with a good single stage press. Buy the best one you can afford (buy once, cry once). A good single stage press will always come in handy at various times. I still use my first press (Co-Ax) for my lower volume rifle and pistol loading. The Hornady AP handles the quantity loading for 7.62x51, 9mm, .45acp, and 25-20wcf. The Forster has served me well for over forty years. It wasn't (and still isn't) cheap, but it was well worth the money to me. Take your time in researching and shopping for reloading equipment. Ideally, you will only buy a particular device (press, case trimmer, scale, etc) once. Realistically, you will find yourself 'upgrading' the occasional piece of gear. Something better may come out, or you will find that a tool just doesn't do what you want it to. Caveat emptor, and good luck!

Wayne

Shootest · February 12, 2011, 09:13 AM

OK from your post it is not clear that you understand that a turret press and a progressive press are NOT the same thing. The turret press uses a shell holder with 1 case in it at a time and the turret (loaded with all the dies and powder measure) are rotated into place above the case as needed. With the rotating usually done manually, thus it can be used as a single stage press at any time, but still only performs a single operation with each stroke of the handle.
A progressive press uses a shell plate with several casings in it at a time and the plate (sometimes automatically) rotates the cases to each station, performing all steps with each handle stroke. This can become confusing to a new reloader if they do not understand what is happening at each station.
A turret press is faster than a single stage, but not as fast as a progressive.
If I am mistaken and you do understand the above then NEVER MIND.
Since a turret press can be used as a single stage press, if used that way it would make little difference which of the two presses you started with. If you only load in small volume a progressive will cause to much screwing around and not enough reloading.

I have been reloading for 30 years and trust me if you buy a progressive to start with you will want a turret or single stage press later, because working up a load or decaping a few cases would be a royal pain in the rear end on a progressive.

Crashbox · February 12, 2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

I have been reloading for 30 years and trust me if you buy a progressive to start with you will want a turret or single stage press later, because working up a load or decaping a few cases would be a royal pain in the rear end on a progressive.

+100.

I began with a progressive and found I needed to have a single-stage press for these very reasons. I also found that loading full-tilt pistol rounds on a progressive results in powder shaking out of the cases, so I now use both presses in a hybrid fashion for the sizzlers.

pmeisel · February 12, 2011, 11:37 AM

I started 25 years ago with a Lyman turret, with the idea that I would upgrade to a progressive once I had the basics down, keeping the turret for odd jobs.

I have never found the need for the progressive. For awhile I shot bullseye league, burning up a couple boxes every other week, and I was able to keep up with that easily with the progressive. Now I probably shoot less than half that much. My problem is shooting up all the ammo I like to load.

However, if you really shoot a lot, you may want a progressive. But even then you will still want an odd job press for load development and such, so a single stage or turret will still be useful.

I like my Lyman, but if I was doing it over and money wasn't an object I'd get a Redding turret, Forster Co-Ax, or CH 444.

DaleA · February 12, 2011, 11:51 AM

spclPatrolGroup: Check out your own personality traits.

If you’re mature and will go slowly at first and work to understand what is happening at each stage of the press by all means go with a turret or a progressive press. You're from North Dakota so I assume you have time to take it slow at first. It sounds like in your case a single stage press will very quickly frustrate you.

I started loading when I was a young teen on a single stage press which I used for many, many years and that was probably a good thing FOR ME. If I had started reloading anytime after my mid twenties I think I could have started with a progressive or a turret and saved myself hours of time.

Check out some of these how-to videos. I think they are great examples to show you what you’re going to be getting into:

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html

P.S. no matter what press you get, make sure you have a shop vac handy, trust me you’ll need it.

P.P.S. Do NOT use the shop vac to clean up if you’ve dropped any primers. Don’t ask me how I know a primer can detonate when being sucked into a vacuum cleaner.

billnourse · February 12, 2011, 12:16 PM

I have a single stage for rifle because I want my loads to be very precise. I weigh every charge. I load pistol with a Dillon 550 because I shoot more pistol at a setting and find the volume possible with a progressive to be a plus.

Bill

howlnmad · February 12, 2011, 12:47 PM

I'd go with the Lee Classic Turret. It can be used as a single stage or auto indexing turret. It also has 4 stations so you could set up a powder cop die if so desired.

k4swb · February 12, 2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

I also found that loading full-tilt pistol rounds on a progressive results in powder shaking out of the cases

This is not so much of a problem on the Hornady LNL AP. It only indexes a half step on the up stroke and the other half on the down. I'm not saying it is perfect but the powder shaking out of the cases is almost eliminated IMO.
Just one of the many reasons after much research I chose it.

BigJimP · February 12, 2011, 07:33 PM

Powder spillage on a progressive press can be eliminated with proper adjustments / or installation of a thrust bearing ... I don't find it an issue on my Dillon 650.

Edward429451 · February 12, 2011, 09:36 PM

I started out on a single stage Rockchucker press over 25 yrs ago, and as I sit and look today, the RC'er is mounted beside two RL550B's, so I did go progressive. But I only load 223's on one 550 and only 45's on the other 550. Everything else gets loaded on the RC, 38/357, 44S/44M, 45C/454C, 45/70, 308 & 30/06.

So my single stage press certainly gets used as much as the 550's. I never have decapped brass on the progressives. Only ready to load brass goes in the 550s.

I tend to batch process brass anyway. It's nice to not have to process brass right then when a loading inspiration comes, just pull some from the shelf and load.

Sometimes friends will ask to teach them to reload. I do not turn them loose on the 550! I set em up in front of the RC and let them process brass, de-capping or swaging pockets. Nothing like learning one step at a time in large volume to learn well. Nothing like having a single stage press to learn/teach on. Single stage presses are indespinsible for me.

drail · February 12, 2011, 10:00 PM

It's VERY easy to mess up with a progressive press. With a single stage you need to be really stupid.

I started with a Rock Chucker in 89 and I'm still using it. Why? Because it makes very high quality ammo and I'm not willing to get in a hurry when trying to load ammunition. I've seen far too many squibs followed by a live round blow guns because someone was in a hurry trying to crank out hundreds of rounds on their new progressive press. Whatever you go with don't have a phone in the reloading room. No TV. No distractions. Pay attention. Double check everything. The way I look at it nobody really NEEDS to load that fast unless they're in the ammo business and have a lot of insurance and a bunch of good lawyers.

February 11, 2011, 10:08 AM	#1
spclPatrolGroup Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2010 Location: North Dakota Posts: 349	Single, or progressive press? Looking at getting a press to start reloading, I have a question, do I get a single stage press or a turret press. My volume won’t be super high, but I like the idea of a progressive press, and not having to do one step at a time on a single stage. I see a lot of handgun loads being made on a progressive press, but not many rifle rounds larger than .223. Could you load .30-06 or .270 on a progressive press, is there a reason I wouldn’t want to use a progressive press? Cost isn’t the deciding factor for me, I want to get a setup that I won’t ever feel the need to upgrade.

February 11, 2011, 10:36 AM	#3
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	You can load rifle cases on all Hornady, RCBS and Dillon progressive loaders, except the Dillon SDB. More pistol ammo is loaded on progressive press by far for the simple reason that more ammo is expended. It would be rare for a 30.06 or 270 shooter to fire 200 rounds or more in one sitting. However, AR shooters expend A LOT OF 223 AMMO. I still load all my rifle ammo on a single stage press. If you are starting out a progressive press is a poor choice. There is a lot going on on each stroke of the press and when a problem arises a beginner has difficulty sorting it out. Do yourself a favor and start with a single stage press. You will still use the single stage after you are a "master" at loading and understand all the basics. A turret press is a good choice as well. Even though I prefer the Hornady LNL over Dillon presses by a wide margin; Dillon is selling a "550 Basic" loader that would be a nice alternative to a turret press. After you have learned the basics of reloading you can upgrade the 550 Basic to a full featured 550 progressive press. Buy ABC's of reloading and Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual and read both. They are full of useful infomation. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

February 11, 2011, 12:06 PM	#9
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	I started with a RCBS rock chucker and now use a Lee classic turret for all of my reloading. I suggest following a similar route. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

February 11, 2011, 01:11 PM	#11
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	my 2cents have been loading 3 pistol rounds for 2 yrs on a single stage Lee. If I had a do-over would have started with a Turret, not progressive though. Single stage eats up more time of course, but there are things that are discovered/learned during the rookie-stage of reloading. Oh, and, get a bullet puller... __________________ I also have Fire Extinguishers, hope I never need those either.

February 11, 2011, 01:43 PM	#13
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	I have a 550 and a 650. However, I load all my rifle rounds on a single stage press; RCBS Rockchucker. I do not load a lot of rifle rounds and have better control with the single stage press. Regards, Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

February 11, 2011, 10:27 AM	#2
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	I've got two progressive presses and think that is really the way to go. I have a Dillon 550B and think it's a little light weight with a 30-06 but it can handle that round if you go slow. I've also got an RCBS Pro 2000 and it can handle the rifle rounds with ease. For cranking out pistol ammo, you just can't beat a progressive press. I did have a Lee Pro 1000 at one time and would not recommend it. The thing is that you will end up getting a single stage press sooner or latter just to handle the odd size round (conversion kits for progressive press get expensive) I've got one that I use to re-size and de-cap rifle rounds before they go to the progressive press. The problem is the case lube. If you lube the cases and run them through the progressive press things can get a little messy. Nice clean brass with no lube keeps everything a lot cleaner. Just to get started, get a good single stage press. If that works out for you then you may never need the more expensive progressive press. If your needs require the progressive press then you will already have the single stage press.

February 11, 2011, 10:54 AM	#4
Spammy_H Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2009 Posts: 220	I agree with the previous 2 posts. Get a single stage and learn on it, then move up to a progressive if you feel like you need it. I've been reloading for a couple of years, and just now feel that I would be ready to use a progressive. However, I don't shoot enough volume to justify it. I wouldn't recommend a turret style press for rifle, since the deflection of the turret head can cause the bullet to not seat as squarely as you would like. I have a Lyman T-Mag turret press, but I reload for pistol, not rifle. If you don't want to spend too much money on a single stage, look for a used one to get started with. I know you said that money isn't really an issue, but you might feel better buying a used single stage Lyman or RCBS if you feel it is just for "practice" until you get your progressive.

February 11, 2011, 11:13 AM	#5
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	I like a turret press which I use in single stage mode. The Lee Precision Classic Cast Breech Lock and Classic Turret are the highest rated single stage and turret presses on Midway USA regardless of price. So you are getting the highest rated presses for the best price. if you go with a progressive I wouold get the Hornady or Dillion. My opinion is that you could start with any press but in the end I think many like to have a non-progressive around for dedicated tasks and small batches for load development.

February 11, 2011, 11:40 AM	#6
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	I've only been reloading since Christmas, so you can take what I write with a grain of salt. The general consensus seems to be that it is easier and safer to learn using single-stage or turret presses, so that you can focus and learn about each step of the reloading process individually. You resize/deprime all at once, you bell the cases all at once, you load your powder all at once, and you seat your bullet all at once. I started off straight away with a progressive - the Lee Pro 1000. It is trickier, because with every stroke of the arm three things are happening at once. I don't think this is insurmountably difficult, as you simply "tune" each die to function properly, and then just pay attention as you go from there. If you notice a strange sound, or change of resistance in the arm, then stop and figure out what is causing it. You can't just "push harder" and see what gives to find out what is causing the problem - you will break something or possibly detonate a cocked primer. And my Lee Pro 1000 is finicky - if the primers get hung up in the primer tray and the feed slide gets less than half-full, it starts miss-feeding primers, usually cocking them sideways. Likewise if your case feeder tube gets down to the last 2-3 cases, the case usually "jumps" forward an eighth of an inch or so when it drops down onto the feed ramp, and this is just enough for it to catch on the die plate on the up-stroke, jamming the press. If you go progressive, it's hard to resist the low cost of the Lee Pro 1000. You can get a unit set up and ready to go with dies and everything for less than $200. But if I had it to do over again, I'd try hard to hold out for a 5-die station (The Lee Pro 1000 only has 3). They make these dies called "Powder Cop Dies" that can sense under or over-charged cases and they, of course, take up a die station. Plus I think it would be handy to be able to seat bullets and crimp cases in separate stations if needs be. Lastly, I'll say that you can set up a progressive press to function similar to a single-stage press - just remove the other dies. Steve

February 11, 2011, 11:54 AM	#7
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I'm not quite sure what the OP wants to hear from us. Initially he said he wants to choose between a single stage and a turret press. Then, he went on to comment about a progressive -- a third type of press. I load pistol cases with my Dillon 550, but for .30-'06 I've used a single stage (I haven't loaded '06 since getting my Dillon). dlb435's comment about the -'06 is pushing the limits of the 550's capability should be considered. As far as learning on a single stage press, the same can be done using a turret with just one die at a time. Between a single stage and a turret, I recommend a turret. However, if the OP is going to be loading a lot of pistol and a little -'06 length bottlenecks, then think outside the initial box and consider a progressive. Multiple presses is another solution. Many folks use a progressive for pistol and AR/AK reloading and a single stage for their large capacity bottlenecks.

February 11, 2011, 11:57 AM	#8
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I started on a single stage press; the RCBS Rock Chucker and later found a Lyman turret press at a flea market and had great success with it. I still have the Rockchucker which I use for developing loads and target rifle shooting. Later, I sold the Lyman. IMHO, I think the single stage press is all you need unless you desire to persue high volume shooting. Later, I purchased a Dillon 550 when they were first introduced and I use it for high volume pistol shooting.

February 11, 2011, 12:32 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Reloading is about attention to detail / understanding your press - and how it works ....whether you use a single stage or a prgressive really makes no difference. I've seen sloppy reloaders on single stages and on progressives ... For a press that will handle everything you need ...and not upgrade...I'd recommend you look at the Dillon 650 press. It has a feature the 550 does not have ....a powder check die / which to me, is a pretty important safety device against squid rounds and double charges. For the most part, I've quit shooting rifles ..../ and just concentrate on handgun ammo now ... but loading .30-06 on the 650 press was no big deal. RCBS, Hornady, etc all make good equipment these days ...but I would recommend a press that has a "powder check die" option, or lock out die, or powder cop or whatever ...

February 11, 2011, 01:18 PM	#12
rsrocket1 Junior Member Join Date: November 21, 2010 Posts: 13	If money is not an object, definitely start with a single stage press such as the Lee Breechlock Challenger (or Classic Cast), the RCBS Rockchucker or the Hornady Lock and Load Single Stage press. Once you are proficient at that, and you have had enough exposure to youtube or other videos showing how they work, you can later decide whether you want to speed up the process with a turret or progressive. Everyone should learn how to perfect one step at a time. If money was an important factor and you were sure you'd want a progressive, you could conceivably use an AP as either a turret press (running one case at a time through each station) or even a single stage press (inserting one case on one station, then pulling it out). This is much less convenient than a simple single stage press, but it can be done. There are just a lot of things that can be messed up by a beginner that simply won't be a concern with a single stage press. If you bought a single stage press then moved up to a turret or progressive, your money would not be wasted because just about anyone with a progressive press has at least one single stage press on hand to do other functions.

February 11, 2011, 02:31 PM	#14
maggys drawers Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2006 Posts: 178	For the price of a progressive with none of the accessories you will need (scale, calipers, etc...) you could get a single stage with all the other stuff you will need and probably some power, bullets and primers. Since your volume won't be super high, a single stage will serve you well and cost less.

February 11, 2011, 10:52 PM	#15
bbqncigars Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 525	IMHO, start with a good single stage press. Buy the best one you can afford (buy once, cry once). A good single stage press will always come in handy at various times. I still use my first press (Co-Ax) for my lower volume rifle and pistol loading. The Hornady AP handles the quantity loading for 7.62x51, 9mm, .45acp, and 25-20wcf. The Forster has served me well for over forty years. It wasn't (and still isn't) cheap, but it was well worth the money to me. Take your time in researching and shopping for reloading equipment. Ideally, you will only buy a particular device (press, case trimmer, scale, etc) once. Realistically, you will find yourself 'upgrading' the occasional piece of gear. Something better may come out, or you will find that a tool just doesn't do what you want it to. Caveat emptor, and good luck! Wayne __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most." A. Brilliant

February 12, 2011, 09:13 AM	#16
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	OK from your post it is not clear that you understand that a turret press and a progressive press are NOT the same thing. The turret press uses a shell holder with 1 case in it at a time and the turret (loaded with all the dies and powder measure) are rotated into place above the case as needed. With the rotating usually done manually, thus it can be used as a single stage press at any time, but still only performs a single operation with each stroke of the handle. A progressive press uses a shell plate with several casings in it at a time and the plate (sometimes automatically) rotates the cases to each station, performing all steps with each handle stroke. This can become confusing to a new reloader if they do not understand what is happening at each station. A turret press is faster than a single stage, but not as fast as a progressive. If I am mistaken and you do understand the above then NEVER MIND. Since a turret press can be used as a single stage press, if used that way it would make little difference which of the two presses you started with. If you only load in small volume a progressive will cause to much screwing around and not enough reloading. I have been reloading for 30 years and trust me if you buy a progressive to start with you will want a turret or single stage press later, because working up a load or decaping a few cases would be a royal pain in the rear end on a progressive. __________________ The private ownership of firearms is an American Heritage. Anyone who disputes that is Anti-American and unpatriotic. NRA Life Member Last edited by Shootest; February 12, 2011 at 09:41 AM.

February 12, 2011, 11:37 AM	#18
pmeisel Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2008 Location: WV Posts: 271	I started 25 years ago with a Lyman turret, with the idea that I would upgrade to a progressive once I had the basics down, keeping the turret for odd jobs. I have never found the need for the progressive. For awhile I shot bullseye league, burning up a couple boxes every other week, and I was able to keep up with that easily with the progressive. Now I probably shoot less than half that much. My problem is shooting up all the ammo I like to load. However, if you really shoot a lot, you may want a progressive. But even then you will still want an odd job press for load development and such, so a single stage or turret will still be useful. I like my Lyman, but if I was doing it over and money wasn't an object I'd get a Redding turret, Forster Co-Ax, or CH 444. __________________ Paul

February 12, 2011, 11:51 AM	#19
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	Some of it is personality spclPatrolGroup: Check out your own personality traits. If you’re mature and will go slowly at first and work to understand what is happening at each stage of the press by all means go with a turret or a progressive press. You're from North Dakota so I assume you have time to take it slow at first. It sounds like in your case a single stage press will very quickly frustrate you. I started loading when I was a young teen on a single stage press which I used for many, many years and that was probably a good thing FOR ME. If I had started reloading anytime after my mid twenties I think I could have started with a progressive or a turret and saved myself hours of time. Check out some of these how-to videos. I think they are great examples to show you what you’re going to be getting into: http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html P.S. no matter what press you get, make sure you have a shop vac handy, trust me you’ll need it. P.P.S. Do NOT use the shop vac to clean up if you’ve dropped any primers. Don’t ask me how I know a primer can detonate when being sucked into a vacuum cleaner.

February 12, 2011, 12:16 PM	#20
billnourse Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2010 Location: Bloomfield, NM Posts: 366	I have a single stage for rifle because I want my loads to be very precise. I weigh every charge. I load pistol with a Dillon 550 because I shoot more pistol at a setting and find the volume possible with a progressive to be a plus. Bill __________________ Cooper 52 25/06, Cooper 52 30/06, Cooper 52 338/06Cooper 57 .17HMR, Remington VS .22/250 all left handed. Rock River Predator Persuit AR-15, 1952 Marlin 336 in 30/30. 2 Kimber 1911, Colt 1911, S&W .357 Mag, Kahr .40 and .380

February 12, 2011, 12:47 PM	#21
howlnmad Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2009 Location: Harriman Tn Posts: 424	I'd go with the Lee Classic Turret. It can be used as a single stage or auto indexing turret. It also has 4 stations so you could set up a powder cop die if so desired.

February 12, 2011, 07:33 PM	#23
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Powder spillage on a progressive press can be eliminated with proper adjustments / or installation of a thrust bearing ... I don't find it an issue on my Dillon 650.

February 12, 2011, 09:36 PM	#24
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I started out on a single stage Rockchucker press over 25 yrs ago, and as I sit and look today, the RC'er is mounted beside two RL550B's, so I did go progressive. But I only load 223's on one 550 and only 45's on the other 550. Everything else gets loaded on the RC, 38/357, 44S/44M, 45C/454C, 45/70, 308 & 30/06. So my single stage press certainly gets used as much as the 550's. I never have decapped brass on the progressives. Only ready to load brass goes in the 550s. I tend to batch process brass anyway. It's nice to not have to process brass right then when a loading inspiration comes, just pull some from the shelf and load. Sometimes friends will ask to teach them to reload. I do not turn them loose on the 550! I set em up in front of the RC and let them process brass, de-capping or swaging pockets. Nothing like learning one step at a time in large volume to learn well. Nothing like having a single stage press to learn/teach on. Single stage presses are indespinsible for me.

February 12, 2011, 10:00 PM	#25
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	It's VERY easy to mess up with a progressive press. With a single stage you need to be really stupid. I started with a Rock Chucker in 89 and I'm still using it. Why? Because it makes very high quality ammo and I'm not willing to get in a hurry when trying to load ammunition. I've seen far too many squibs followed by a live round blow guns because someone was in a hurry trying to crank out hundreds of rounds on their new progressive press. Whatever you go with don't have a phone in the reloading room. No TV. No distractions. Pay attention. Double check everything. The way I look at it nobody really NEEDS to load that fast unless they're in the ammo business and have a lot of insurance and a bunch of good lawyers.