[billjr]

I am ready to start reloading for my psitols and rifles and I am not sure which press will best fit my needs. Hoping someone here can steer me in the right direction. I have been reloading shotgun shells for years so I am not a complete novice but I have never reloaded pistol or rifle catriges.

Mainly I will be reloading .45acp and 9mm. I would also to be able to load up some hunting rounds for my .300 weatherby mag, 45-70 and 30-06. I will be reloading the 45 and 9mm probably 1000 rds at a time while the rifle cartridges only 20-40 at a time.

Is there one press that will work for both? Should I be looking at 2 press? Should I buy a press for the pistols rounds and continue buying rifle rounds off the shelf?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bill, Jr

 

[wwb]

A decent progressive for the pistol calibers..... Hornady Lock 'n' Load, Dillon 550, or something similar. Each brand and model has its quirks, advantages, and disadvantages. With a progressive, you definitely get what you pay for.

For the big rifle cartridges, I load 'em on a Rock Chucker.... you're typically not loading hundreds at a time like you do with the pistol cartridges.

 

[huntswithdogs]

WWB hit it on the head...If loading lots of pistol stuff,get a progressive. For the rifle cartridges, a single stage works most of the time. Some who shoot large quanities of rifle ammo also use the progressive.\

HWD

 

[J.A.F.O.]

I load everything on the RCBS Rock Chucker; .38 spl, .357 mag, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and .270 Win. Bought the kit, so it came with everything I needed to start metalic reloading. I'd recommend this to start with, unless you plan on reloading a lot of ammo.

If you need a lot of pistol ammo and fast then go with a progressive. Otherwise the single stage press will be fine, and should cover all of your needs without breaking the bank.

RJ

 

[billjr]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I am going to get a dillon progressive for my pistol ammo and single stage for my rifle ammo. Thanks again.

 

[slabsides]

Well, maybe if you really intend to load pistol by the thousands, a progressive is the best, if by far the most expensive way to go.
I load 'em as I use 'em, and for over 35 years my RCBS Rockchucker single stage press has taken care of all my reloading requirements. I prefer slow and careful. I think that this should apply in spades if one is a beginning reloader.

 

[hoashooter]

Two comments.1-Start out with a rockchucker(get the kit with scales,etc) learn the basics then upgrade tp a proggresive.2-Get carbide dies for those pistols :wink:

 

[Rev.]

Re: re: Which Press to Buy - Need Advice

Two comments.1-Start out with a rockchucker(get the kit with scales,etc) learn the basics then upgrade tp a proggresive.2-Get carbide dies for those pistols :wink:

I tend to agree with this statement. If you really get into reloading you can buy a dillon later, and you can use the rockchucker for other things. And if you dont like reloading, you havn't invested so much.

 

[El Padrino]

Forster Co-Ax and never look back.

 

[wambli_7]

you can use your dillon 550 as a single stage... you dont need to buy an extra press. The dillon works both ways...

 

[Guest]

All good advice above. All presses mentioned will suffice.

I reloaded (everything) for yrs on an old Lyman single stage up until last fall.

It all depends on you and what you want, and how much you can afford. Pus, how much time you have for reloading as well as how often you shoot.

I would claim for accurate target loads, that a single stage would be better for, rifle or pistol. For hunting and plinking a progressive will certainly fit the bill. A progressive will produce much more in a short time compared to a single stage.

With a single stage you will handle one completed round several times in contrast only a couple times with a progressive.

Just keep in mine, that if you ever decide to quit reloading you will not have any trouble getting rid of your equipment. Certain presses you may even be in the - blue.

Finally, do a bit of research on Customer Service and Warranty information before you choose.

If you do go progressive be prepared to be nickle and dimed to death.

Lets see some pictures when you get up and running.

Cheers

ETA: I do not necessarily agree with the cliche, that one needs to start out with a straight or single stage press. :wink:

 

[Guest]

Um.. I just noticed. Who rejuvenated or dug up this old post from the cellar?

The original post was made a year ago....... :roll:

 

[darkgael]

If you want to buy only one press to do all that you described, I second the recommendation for a Dillon 550. All you need to do is change the tool head - and for 9mm, the primer feed - which is simple enough. Quality press, good customer support.
If you plan to load pistol rounds 1000 at a time, you don't want to be doing it on a single stage press - way too work intensive; you end up handling each case at least three, maybe four times. With a progressive, you handle each case once.
Pete

 

[johnjohn91387]

Single stage press that can handle everything?

There's about a gajillon RCBS RockChucker presses out there, but a few years ago, I tried a Forster Co-Ax.

Bought it on the spot; I still have, and use the RCBS press too, but just about all of my single stage loading is done on the Co-Ax.

Try one. Trust me on this!

Progressive for high volume stuff? get any progressive you want as long as it is Dillon blue in color, and you will never ever buy another press.

JOhn

 

[jack62]

There are alot of good presses out there. In the right hands they all can make a decent reload. The press is only as good as the person beind it.
The other members all offer good advice, as to price,volume(speed) etc... Good carbide dies are important and load data as well as any material pertaining the fundementals of the process of reloading.
25yrs ago when i started, money was an issue. I purchased a Lee LoadMaster, and it is still doing its job. Since then i added a Lee Single stage as well as a Hornady progresive for my shotshells. Along with various other equipment, Rcbs scales, Rcbs priming station, Lyman tumblers,Lyman shell trimmers, Lee handheld primer,Rcbs handheld primmer.
I have friends with more expensive presses with all the whistles and bells, and i think they are great reloading machines. But with all due respect thier reloads leave alot to be desired. Stovepipes, stong rds followed buy weak rds etc...
What the good reloader looks for is shot to shot consistency.
every rd of a particular load should be the same as the one before it. And every gun is unique in the fact that it will perform more accuratly with a certain recipe than another.

so now i load one round at a time, weighing each powder drop, and paying attention to case length and head stamps etc... I know the bullet will still go bang with out all this fuss, but i am on a mission to find that sweet spot for every caliber i own for all my guns. (I know i need to get a life one of these days) but thats just me.

Getting back to your guestion, buy what you think you like and can afford. Take the time to master your reloading hobby when you can. Record your data for your pet loads in a log. And build your reloading arsenal to your liking. And most of all be safe and stay well.

Happy loading,Jack

 

[gundog]

Re: re: Which Press to Buy - Need Advice

Forster Co-Ax and never look back.

I agree, the Forester Co-Ax is my favorite for reloading for accuracy. Not as fast as a progressive press, but for accuracy and convenience, it cannot be beat. Reloading is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby for me, so no need to rush it. Now, if I was shooting 100 rounds each day, it would then be a chore so a progressive would be the best choice.

 

[joedapro]

Re: re: Which Press to Buy - Need Advice

Thanks for all the advice. I think I am going to get a dillon progressive for my pistol ammo and single stage for my rifle ammo. Thanks again.

i recommend the 550 you can do it all on the one press.

 

[joedapro]

Re: re: Which Press to Buy - Need Advice

All good advice above. All presses mentioned will suffice.

I reloaded (everything) for yrs on an old Lyman single stage up until last fall.

It all depends on you and what you want, and how much you can afford. Pus, how much time you have for reloading as well as how often you shoot.

I would claim for accurate target loads, that a single stage would be better for, rifle or pistol. For hunting and plinking a progressive will certainly fit the bill. A progressive will produce much more in a short time compared to a single stage.

With a single stage you will handle one completed round several times in contrast only a couple times with a progressive.

Just keep in mine, that if you ever decide to quit reloading you will not have any trouble getting rid of your equipment. Certain presses you may even be in the - blue.

Finally, do a bit of research on Customer Service and Warranty information before you choose.

If you do go progressive be prepared to be nickle and dimed to death.

Lets see some pictures when you get up and running.

Cheers

ETA: I do not necessarily agree with the cliche, that one needs to start out with a straight or single stage press. :wink:

most competition rifle and hand gun is done on the dillons. you can check with tubbs (rifle) and enos (handgun). they hold or held most of the records

 

[romer12]

I am a dillon 550b fan......................