Looking To Buy First Reloading Equipment

[scalce]

Now I hear two sides:

1. Buy a one stage and learn

2. Buy a progressive since you will eventually anyway

I shoot about 300-500 rounds a week if I get out a few times.

I also do IDPA

I am due to order some ammo as my stash is running low.

Does it make sense to just buy what I want to mass produce or continue to buy factory ammo and learn on a single stage?

Money is not a major factor.

[Sharpsshooter]

Buy the progressive, I did. I learned just fine on the progressive.

[CountryShooter]

I am also intrested. I hope more people will give input.

[Talon]

Hello Sclace,

FWIW...

Before you buy, research the Lee Classic Turret press (cast iron body.) Control of a single stage and a great output, a couple of boxes of pistol ammo per hour. Check this package from Kempf for a great classic turret deal

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products.../KempfKit.html

Peace
Talon

[CharlieHo]

I cannot say what you should get, but I will say even those that have progressive presses, usually still need their single stage pretty often.

[scalce]

Originally Posted by CharlieHo

I cannot say what you should get, but I will say even those that have progressive presses, usually still need their single stage pretty often.

That's kind of what I heard.

So something like a universal deprimer or other use of the single stage?

I guess the scale, calipers, and dies can be used anyway so all you are really losing is the press and that can be used for specialy stuff.

I know there is not perfect answer but I appreciate all the opinions.

Keep them coming.

[bowhuntr09]

I started last year with a single stage Lee Anniversary kit. It works fine for loading bottle neck rifle calibers in hunting/sighting in quantities. As soon as I started to load 45ACP in range quantities reloading went from a fun and interesting activity to a chore. I went with a Dillon 550B and am more than happy with it. You can use it as a single stage press and just do one operation at a time until you get used to it. I can still find a need for my single stage though. It will be used for loading my .270 hunting loads and brass prep for my 223 stuff.

To sum it up, while they both have usefulness if the goal is to load handgun calibers in range quantities I would go with a progressive otherwise you are not going to find reloading very enjoyable. Just my opinion.

[Krackels]

Originally Posted by scalce

Now I hear two sides:

1. Buy a one stage and learn

2. Buy a progressive since you will eventually anyway

I shoot about 300-500 rounds a week if I get out a few times.

I also do IDPA

I am due to order some ammo as my stash is running low.

Does it make sense to just buy what I want to mass produce or continue to buy factory ammo and learn on a single stage?

Money is not a major factor.

Because money isn't a major factor and you shoot several hundred rounds a week, I'd say go for a higher end progressive.

[scalce]

Would I need a scale/dispenser combo or can you get by without one?

$300 is alot

[Sharpsshooter]

Originally Posted by CharlieHo

I cannot say what you should get, but I will say even those that have progressive presses, usually still need their single stage pretty often.

I never do. I bought one with the same thought, and sent it back to Midway for credit a few months later having never been used. Years into the hobby and many thousands of rounds later, I have no need for a single stage press.