I think I'm going to start reloading. Which Press?

[AmickAndAmick]

Originally Posted by pitandxd

I was in the same boat looking for a press a little while back...I looked at all the named above...I ended up going for the Hornady LNL because of their ammo promotion...But you can't go wrong with all that were named...

Explain "their ammo promotion"

[SmokedBMW]

Originally Posted by AmickAndAmick

Explain "their ammo promotion"

They usually give out 500 free bullets from hornady with the purchase of the LNL AP

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by tinashubby

I use a Lee Turret without auto indexing. I've had it for almost twenty years, and I am not thinking of using anything different. I can produce about 150 rounds per hour and that is fine by me. Anything faster and I would just blast away and not work on my shooting skills.

p.s- I also use a hand held Lee auto-prime and love it as well.

What? The amount of ammo, & time to produce ammo, has nothign to do with your training or practice or skill level, only the time spent reloading. I can reload 700rds/hr+ on my 650, I shoot IDPA Expert?? Less time reloading is more time shooting. Not everyone needs 700rds/hr, but it's nice to have.

[tinashubby]

Originally Posted by fredj338

What? The amount of ammo, & time to produce ammo, has nothign to do with your training or practice or skill level, only the time spent reloading. I can reload 700rds/hr+ on my 650, I shoot IDPA Expert?? Less time reloading is more time shooting. Not everyone needs 700rds/hr, but it's nice to have.

Okey Dokey- I agree reloading SHOULDN'T influence your skill level - we gotta tell my brother in law that! He reloads and shoots several hundred a week, and his target looks like it was used to pattern a shotgun. ie. lots of holes all over it...
I think the fact that he can crank 'em out cheap and fast is the reason he shoots them so sloppy.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by tinashubby

Okey Dokey- I agree reloading SHOULDN'T influence your skill level - we gotta tell my brother in law that! He reloads and shoots several hundred a week, and his target looks like it was used to pattern a shotgun. ie. lots of holes all over it...
I think the fact that he can crank 'em out cheap and fast is the reason he shoots them so sloppy.

Well, that is like saying coffee causes am car accidents! There is no relavence in one to the other. In fact, I maintain w/o lots of ammo, you are never going to be a great shooter, never. So reloading a lot of ammo means more practice. The point though is bad practice is just that. Your BIL needs shooting lessons is all. Most shooters want to shoot fast w/o learning to shoot accurate. Most shooters are happy w/ pie plate groups @ 21ft. How many times do you see some noob post his 4" group shot @ 21ft & be proud of it? Don't get me wrong, everyone was new once, & 4" gropus @ 21ft for a first day shooter is pretty good, but good shooters can do waaaaaaaaaaaay better.

[Roklok]

Dillon 550.

[tinashubby]

Originally Posted by fredj338

Well, that is like saying coffee causes am car accidents! There is no relavence in one to the other. In fact, I maintain w/o lots of ammo, you are never going to be a great shooter, never. So reloading a lot of ammo means more practice. The point though is bad practice is just that. Your BIL needs shooting lessons is all. Most shooters want to shoot fast w/o learning to shoot accurate. Most shooters are happy w/ pie plate groups @ 21ft. How many times do you see some noob post his 4" group shot @ 21ft & be proud of it? Don't get me wrong, everyone was new once, & 4" gropus @ 21ft for a first day shooter is pretty good, but good shooters can do waaaaaaaaaaaay better.

K

threadjack over- sorry folks

[Triton225]

I can't beleive this aint been called out. RCBS rock chucker, it's been the standard for decades. A single stage press, but will be rock solid from the time you buy till you die.(then your grand kids can have it)

[actionshooter38]

Most have said it already, time VS money. A single stage press like RCBS is very reliable but very slow. You decide how many rounds you wish to make and perform one step on all rounds then move to the next. Many people prefer this method for rifle cartridges because they are looking for optimum accuracy and relatively low round count.
A progressive press allows you to perform all steps in a rapid sequence. Once you have the shell plate full you are usually cranking out one complete round per pull of the handle. This method best suits those of us doing a lot of shooting with pistols and tactical rifles. High round count and not looking for sub MOA grouping. This doesn't mean you won't get good accuracy from a progressive press, it's just the accuracy buffs weigh out each powder charge and sort brass and projectiles by weight, etc.
I have been using Dillon for close to 15 years or so. I love their no BS warranty and very helpful operators. If you only plan to reload pistol calibers the Square Deal press is very easy to use. The 550 is capable of doing pistol and rifle and is manually indexed. The 650 is what I use. You can crank out a serious amount of ammo in a very short time. The 1050 is for those who are really serious about shooting. The are borderline commercial type units. Of course the cost rises with each different unit.
You will also need the following:
1. dies for the calibers you wish to reload( try to get carbide size dies then you won't have to lube the cases)
2. scale, either digital or beam for measuring your powder charge in grains.
3. case tumbler/vibrator with media(granulated corncob) and case polish
4. calipers for measuring case dimensions
5. components: brass, powder, projectiles, and primers
6. a good reloading book, (this will help with getting started as well as reference for many cartridges) there is a lot online as well.
I hope this has helped a little.

[dmb]

Might I recommend the Lee Load Master? The Load Master shell plate actuation is metal push bar. The Lee Pro 1000 has a plastic on twisted metal shaft that rotates the shell plate. I’ve had both and like the Load Matter more. Having 5 die positions is nice as well. I use the Lee Auto Prime to prime my shells. I cycle the brass through once to size and deprime. Then inspect measure prime. Next I recycle the brass through the Load master for bell powder bullet seat and crimp. All my brass coming back from the range gets cleaned then pushed through a “bulge buster”. The bulge buster is a disassembled crimp die I use a bullet sizing punch to push the case through the “bulge buster” My pistol is an XD .45 tact/compact. Once I implemented the above reloading steps my miss feeds /FTF went to Zero. I have upgraded magazine springs and have not has a feed or eject problem for over 2000 rds. Prior to this for about 3000 rds. I had a nearly 20% FTF ratio. All my brass 4000+ is once fired. I cast my bullets 230g RN tumble lube. Good Luck