There are some questions that just seem to come up all the time. I’ll highlight some of these questions in a new category of posts here on Ultimate Reloader : Q&A. Here goes our first question:
Equipment, where do I start?
Once a shooter decides they want to reload their own ammunition, one of the important questions they will need to ponder is what type of reloading press they should buy to get started reloading with. There are single stage presses, turret presses, and progressive presses to choose from. There are presses that manually index, presses that auto-index, and presses that don’t index at all. A shooter will typically ponder: “Should I start out simple, or go straight for a more elaborate setup?”.
In the “Info Center” here on Ultimate Reloader (home page, left bar), you will find a few articles that collectively answer most of the considerations for this question:
To summarize what these articles talk about, I’ll start by outlining the tree different types of presses:
The Single Stage Press
A single stage press holds one die, and has a shellholder that holds one shell casing. This press is the simplest type, but is the most time consuming to use typically.
Single Stage reloading press - Image Copyright 2012 Ultimate Reloader
The Turret Reloading Press
A turret reloading press is much like a single stage press, with the exception that on the top of the press, there exists a revolving turret that allows multiple dies to be installed on a press at the same time. Dies can be “indexed” into position (either manually or automatically). The turret press can be quicker to use than a single stage due to the die indexing feature, but is in most ways similar to a single stage.
Turret reloading press - Image copyright 2012 Ultimate Reloader
The Progressive Reloading Press
The progressive reloading press is more complex than single stage and turret presses, but offers a much higher throughput rate. These presses take longer to setup, and are more prone to misfeeds, jams, and other stoppages. Progressive reloading presses also require more expensive parts in order to add new cartridges to your reloading portfolio.
Progressive reloading press - Image copyright 2012 Ultimate Reloader
So you may be thinking: Gavin, just tell me what to buy! Well, it’s not quite that simple as most purchasing decisions are not. (Too bad.) Depending on what you plan to load for, your mechanical aptitude, and other factors, there’s a “right type of press” for you. Here, I’ll focus on “progressive versus non-progressive” as those are the two major categories for types of reloading presses.
Take the survey:
Here are reasons that you may want to start with a non-progressive (single-stage or turret):
- You are mainly focused on loading rifle ammunition
- Precision is a primary focus
- You enjoy spending time reloading, and do not feel constrained on time
Here are reasons that you may want to start with a progressive:
- You are mainly focused on loading pistol ammunition
- Speed and quantity are important
- You need to make the most of your time
- You are good at tinkering and fiddling with machines
I do want to underscore one point here: Reloading pistol ammunition on a single stage (and even a turret) takes a lot of time! That’s why I do suggest that first time reloaders start with a progressive if they can take their time, work single rounds at a time (to get started), and they have mechanical abilities. This does not fit everyone, but can certainly be a good way to get started. On the contrary, if you are slow and methodical, starting with a non-progressive could be the right thing for you even if you are loading pistol.
There’s certainly more to it than that, but this gives you some factors to think about. If you do decide to start with a progressive, it would be valuable to have an experienced friend help you get things going. Another idea for first time press owners that have decided to start with a progressive would be to use a friend’s single stage to learn how to load a box of ammo. If you do the “one-box single stage” route, you’ll learn a lot from that experience, and have an easier time getting your progressive up and going. You will also want to watch videos (like the ones on this website) regardless of what type of press you decide to buy.
The best way to get going is to do just that (go for it)! Once you gain momentum and learn the ropes, you’ll have a lot of fun reloading ammunition. Just remember to be safe!
Do you want to submit a question for Q&A? Please leave a comment!
**Follow-up: I’ve posted a “Part II” blog post follow-up that includes a video showing each type of press discussed here!
Thanks,
Gavin
Tags: HD Reloading Videos, Progressive Reloading Press, Q&A, Reloading Blog, Reloading Videos, Single Stage Reloading Press, Turret Reloading Press
Gavin,
As someone who has just made most of my precision rifle reloading purchases recently, this is great info and validation for the approach I took.
Two points I’d like to add:
1 – Buy quality equipment so you don’t have to make re-purchases over time
2 – Don’t be stuck to one vendor and try to pick the best tool for the job when reloading.
Keep the great videos coming. I’ve learned tons watching your approach and techniques!
Thanks,
Brian
I’ll say I have to agree- if you buy something cheap to start off with, you may very well have to upgrade later.
This is a great reloading tool resosurce that you have provided. I send everyone who wants to start out reloading to your site. I started, like most everybody else, with a simple single stage press. It worked fine until I began reloading for pistols. Then I wanted a little more speed but still wanted to be able to reload rifle ammunition. The turret press is a good compromise. It gives you greater reloading speed for pistols and still works fine for your rifle calibers. I settled in on the Lee classic turret press, which is auto indexed. This really speeds up the process. I use three of the auto loading disks, stacked one on top of each other, to get the larger loads for rifle calibers. Lee doesn’t recommend this but I check the loads often to make sure I’m getting the right amount of powder.
I also de-prime prior to cleaning and trimming my brass on a separate press with a universal de-priming die. This way I re-size and prime, expand and fill, bullet seat, and factory crimp using all four die holes. Pretty simple and straight-forward process.
Thanks Dave- good notes on the Classic Turret, I agree!
That is precisely the equipment I use and how I use it. It works for me and I feel I have enough quality control while having the speed to load 100 rounds of pistol ammo in a 1/2 hour, once I get everything set up. Multiple die sets pre-set on their own turret die holder speeds things along.
I saw in one of your youtube videos that you changed out the factory turrets for extended turrets. Where could I purchase some of those turret extenders.
Sorry for a red dot sight.
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Gavin!
Thanks for the awesome work that you do. Much respect! I love your videos. I’ve been handloading on a single stage press for about 3 years. I’ve found that loading pistol can take quite some time. I’m going to invest in a progressive. I’ve been looking at the Dillon RL550b. It seems quality and is in my price range. I went to the Dillon store in Scottsdale and they’re very cool! They have a nice display and they let me run some brass through the presses. After seeing them in person, I became a die-hard Dillon fan. I haven’t bought one yet because I’ve been saving up my money.
A few weeks ago a friend of mine told me that he was the same way that I was (dead set on the Dillon) but he saw the Hornady lock and load ap on sale and got one. I went to his house and we talked and then we loaded about 50 .223′s. Since then I’ve done much research on the Hornady. To be honest, I like a lot of the features that it offers and I’m now leaning towards the Hornady. I have a couple of concerns about it though and I would like to ask for some of your opinions, likes, dislikes. etc. comparing the Hornady and the RL550b since the RL650 is out of my budget. I believe that both are excellent presses and I’d be happy with either. I’m just looking for advise from someone who’s used both.
My concern with the Hornady is the feed pawls (getting out of index or breaking) and the primer feeding reliability. I like the 550 because on station 1, I can see a primer before I put a case in. I can’t see the primer on the LnL because it’s blocked by a case. Have you had any issues with either of these concerns? I have a background in power tool repair and I’m sure I’ll be fine if there’s some light tinkering involved, however I don’t want a press that I have to keep repairing just to be able to use it…
Please let me know. I trust your expertise…
Thank you!
Skeet
Skeet,
I’m a former Hornady LnL owner, and switched to a Dillon 550B. I had the case feeder w. the Hornady, and it caused me nothing but problems. I could never seem to get it to feed brass to the shellplate consistently.
Primers were also a concern, they never quite seemed to feed right. Plus, I couldn’t see the primer before I seated it.
The spring that wraps around the shell plate on the LnL gets a lot of abuse, and will eventually wear out.
Autoindexing proved to be a curse for me. If an error occurs, everything advances before you can correct it, and you end up having to remove every cartridge from the machine to correct it.
Finally, I ended up bending/breaking a lot of parts on the LnL. I’ll take some of the blame for this, but I’ve yet to see how I could break anything on the Dillon.
I got fed up w. the Hornady and sold it on EBay with FULL disclosure of the issues I had. I wished the buyer well, and walked away from the deal w. a clear conscience.
The Dillon has eliminated all these problems. Once it’s setup, it’s very easy to run. It does require a bit of disassembly and light cleaning/brushing out every 1000 rounds or so, but that’s to be expected. I am very happy with the Dillon, and only wish I had spent a little bit more the first time around, and skipped the Hornady all together. Buy Blue, and don’t look back.
Also, for what it’s worth, I bought the extras w. the Dillon (strong mount, bullet tray, empty brass tray, roller handle) and have been pleased with the convenience that each of these add on’s provides.
I bought mine from brianenos.com, he offers free shipping and I think his prices might be a bit lower than direct from Dillon (and no sales tax if you’re not in AZ). Good luck!
Thanks for the input Bill! I’ll definately keep all of this in mind… Have a great day!
Hi Gavin, when do you think you will have the Hornaday LNL handle and bullet tray back in stock?
Hi Gavin,
First let me say I enjoy your website. Just bought the Lee classic turret press and would like to get one of your handles for it. Any idea when you will have more for sale?
Have to agree with what Bill says in his Jan 24th words to Skeet. I had two Hornady L-N-L’s, one with case feeder, and suffered the same problems. I’m not saying Hornady doesn’t make a good product, it just doesn’t fit my likes as does the Dillon 550.
I started without the benefit of a class or another reloader to show me the ropes. My RCBS Rockchucker was slow and laborious but with the help of “The ABC’s of Reloading” along with several manuals, I found myself becoming more and more proficient (and comfortable) to the point that I decided I wanted more output capacity. Saying that, the Dillon 550 and SDB are both at a speed that I feel comfortable with. Having a case feeder, while convenient and speedy, just isn’t something I need to have. I still have the RCBS and have sold the two L-N-L’s.
Great topic. Lots of folks getting into reloading seem to question how deep to start with.
Hmmm…I have two Lee single stage presses…one non progressive Lee Turret press and a Lee hand press…six auto disc powder measures (With swivel feet) for various pistol rounds..all rifle and pistol dies (All but one die set being Lee!!) set up in either three hole or four hole turrets ready to go…three Lee primer pocket cleaners..two Lee deburring tools…two Lee case lenght cutters/studs/various case length gages/many….needed Lee bullet sizers for calibers of pistol bullet I cast with Lee bullet molds…Lee Production Pot IV…I have my Lee non-progressive press set up on a Lee press stand…I live in a small home and I have the stand next to a four tier metal four foot wide rack for storage. I do use a RCBS scale that I have had for many years…I check for accurracy often of course and when I set up a new Lee Auto powder measure…I check to see the amount of grains of powder is dispensed thru the Lee Auto Powder Measure dics single or combo. I spot check the auto powder measure of course. I use the Lee Hand Primer that I have used to reload many thousands of rifle/pistol rounds and that I have had for 20+ years! Oh yes..and a Lee powder funnel I bought 20+ years ago.
If you get set up correctly….a Lee hand press will reload very accurate rifle rounds and did I mention portable?
How about RCBS progressive? I am looking for a progressive that is fast in changing. Going from 9mm to 40 to 45 and to 223 in one day. Any suggestions?