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Posted: 6/27/2010 11:09:17 AM EDT
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I've read the FAQ, and am looking to get a press. My father-in-law recommended a single stage Lee. The only rifle caliber I have is .223. I have various typical revolver and auomatic handgun calibers (38/357, 40, 45ACP, 45LC, 9mm). We are finally getting a house and I will turn a closet into my 'gun/reloading cave.'
Go with FIL's recommendation or get something else? He has a Lee progressive pistol press that he is going to sell to get a Dillon. I wanted to buy it, but he told me it won't do .223, which is kinda a deal-breaker in the days where you cannot go to walmart and get 40 rounds of WWB .223 for 8 bucks. Help me out gentlemen (and ladies). Thanks. -J |
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I'd personally go for the Lee 4 hole turret. One of the best deals on the market.
Its good, reliable, indexes automatically or manually, and isn't huge. Nothing wrong with a single stage press, but I personally HATE loading pistol ammo on a single stage. Its quick and smooth on a turret, and you don't have the cleanup, maintenance, or cost of a progressive. Also has dirt cheap toolheads so you can keep your dies in them. Saves a good deal of time... nothing against the Dillons, they make a great product, but their stuff is SPENDY, and they seem to want you to buy a toolhead and powder dispenser for every caliber and cartridge you own. For a beginning loader, especially one who seems mainly interested in rifles where you probably don't care if you can do 600 rounds an hour, the lee turret is a sure fire winner... it looks just like your father in law's pistol one. There is a lot to be said for having a progressive, but for a new reloader I think a turret press is the best mix of practicality and safety. |
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Quoted:
I'd personally go for the Lee 4 hole turret. One of the best deals on the market. Its good, reliable, indexes automatically or manually, and isn't huge. Nothing wrong with a single stage press, but I personally HATE loading pistol ammo on a single stage. Its quick and smooth on a turret, and you don't have the cleanup, maintenance, or cost of a progressive. Also has dirt cheap toolheads so you can keep your dies in them. Saves a good deal of time... nothing against the Dillons, they make a great product, but their stuff is SPENDY, and they seem to want you to buy a toolhead and powder dispenser for every caliber and cartridge you own. For a beginning loader, especially one who seems mainly interested in rifles where you probably don't care if you can do 600 rounds an hour, the lee turret is a sure fire winner... it looks just like your father in law's pistol one. There is a lot to be said for having a progressive, but for a new reloader I think a turret press is the best mix of practicality and safety. +1 for a turret single stage. I only have an RCBS single stage (Non turret) and really don't want a progressive just yet but I would love it if I didn't have to change out the dies. I reload for .223 and .300WSM and I am constantly changing out the dies. |
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Quoted:
I'd personally go for the Lee 4 hole turret. One of the best deals on the market. Its good, reliable, indexes automatically or manually, and isn't huge. Nothing wrong with a single stage press, but I personally HATE loading pistol ammo on a single stage. Its quick and smooth on a turret, and you don't have the cleanup, maintenance, or cost of a progressive. Also has dirt cheap toolheads so you can keep your dies in them. Saves a good deal of time... nothing against the Dillons, they make a great product, but their stuff is SPENDY, and they seem to want you to buy a toolhead and powder dispenser for every caliber and cartridge you own. For a beginning loader, especially one who seems mainly interested in rifles where you probably don't care if you can do 600 rounds an hour, the lee turret is a sure fire winner... it looks just like your father in law's pistol one. There is a lot to be said for having a progressive, but for a new reloader I think a turret press is the best mix of practicality and safety. I've owned firearms 10+ years and am quite educated, but forgive me as this is going to be a stupid question... Pleas elaborate on the safety aspect. Obviously, powder and primers can go bang, but what is specifically dangerous? Is the case apt to explode if you seat the bullet too deep? Does it go off in the press? Static? I can imagine what happens if the case is double-charged. That's why I avoid Sellier & Bellot (spelling?) 
ETA Thank you for your friendly responses. |
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The LEE Classic Turret is a hybrid press, sort of a cross between single stage and other progressives, and the advance feature can be disabled so the press acts as a single stage with a turret. When you start, you'll be able to load one case through all the stages, similar to using a single stage press. Generally manual advance progressive presses are not too bad for beginners, all depending on the individual's patience and previous experience with machinery - there are several steps to set up at one time, a single stage press allows only one process at a time. If you go this way, be sure to get the "Classic" version as this is a cast steel press. LEE also sells an aluminum press with similar operation.
If you use some common sense and some caution, plus ask questions if you run into a road block, you'll be fine. I do not recommend an automatic advance progressive press such as the Dillon 650 or Hornady. I'll guess your FIL has a Dillon Square Deal B which uses proprietary dies and is used for handgun cartridges. Most people set this press up for one cartridge and buy another press if they want to load a different cartridge. |
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I'll add this. Reloading handgun ammo on a single stage is almost painful when compared to the faster options. I fired very little handgun ammo as a result of it. Now that I have 2 Dillons my ammo consumption had quadrupled.
Lee's Classic Cast is the best value single stage press available. You will never wear it out and even if you go progressive someday, you'll always need a single stage for certain jobs. $85.00+/- delivered to your door from www.factorysales.com |
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What press should I buy is commonly debated in the context of " what press should I buy as the first and last press I'll ever buy " OR " I only have money for one press, what should it be." ?? ?? Put in context of some one new to reloading and expanding on what AeroE posted. You tune your dies to your load. If you've never developed a load then you've no idea of what I refer to. Tuning a progressive press starts with indexing, then priming, powder drop, bullet seating and, or crimp. All this while case feeding in progression to steps out lined. Remembering back to when I was new to this. (before cell phones) With all that going on with my first press. A progressive. My ammo was shit. Starting with a basic single stage and learning how each die works to round development is essential to successful reloading. The four hole Lee Turret is a good start but an even better start is a true single stage. You'll never out grow it and if your reloading progresses like most reloaders your single stage press is the first of many presses you will own.
If you've ever been to range and seen an unfired round laying on ground with case that's obviously buckled. You'll say to yourself (after some experience reloading) ... now there's someone with a progressive press who had absolutely no idea of what they were doing. |
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