Note:
We will be
looking at pistol/revolver reloading in these blogs…you can apply the same
basics to rifle reloading but you will need to do a bit more research…for
example case trimming and which press to get.
So what type of press do you need?
Let’s look at pros and cons of the different types…
Single Stage Press
Pros
Affordable
Easy to use
Accurate
Versatile
Fantastic to learn on
Cons
Slow
Slow
Slow
And again slow.
You get my point?
As the name suggest, a single stage press allows you
to do one “stage” at a time. With a single stage press you can only use 1
reloading die at a time and you do each reloading step separate. Which is great
for precision reloading but not so great for pumping out volumes of pistol
rounds.
They are very easy to use and setup.
If you plan on
reloading more precision (bolt action, hunting, target) rifle rounds than
pistol/revolver rounds, this is the press to get.
Examples: Lee Precision Breech Lock Challenger Press. Lee single stage presses also available in kits.
Turret Press
Pros
Easy to use
Versatile
Fantastic to learn on
Quicker than a Single Stage
Cons
Slower than a Progressive
A Turret press allows you to complete 1 round at a
time. The turret can accommodate 4 or more dies…depending on the model. Like a
Single Stage the case fits into the ram with a shell holders but now you have a
rotating turret with all your dies set. Lee’s turrets feature auto indexing so
that the turret moves to the next die with each stroke of the ram. This allows
for a bit more speed than a single stage.
Whenever there is an indexing function there needs to
be a bit of play in the press to allow this. This “play” will affect the
accuracy of your ammo. For pistol/revolver and semi auto ammo this is of no major
concern but it could affect your bolt action ammo. Presses like the Lee Classic
Turret and Value Turret suffers a bit of play in the turret but Lee’s recent
Ultimate Turret has solved this issue…that press is rock solid and there is no
play in the turret.
If you plan on
reloading a fair amount of pistol/revolver ammo and some hunting ammo, a Turret
is a great option
Examples: Lee Precision Classic Turret and Value Turret
both available in kits also.
The Lee Precision Ultimate Turret…as the name suggests…Ultimate.
Lyman Brass Smith AllAmerican 8 Turret.
Note: The Lee Value Turret is limited in the range of
rifle ammo it can load.
Note: The Lyman 8 Turret does not feature auto
indexing.
Progressive Press
Pros
Speed
Speed
Speed
Did I mention speed?
Cons
Setup is more complicated
Requires more attention to detail
More maintenance
Price
If you want to reload heaps of pistol/revolver and
semi auto ammo, you need a progressive press.
3, 4 or 6 die stations with an auto indexing shell plate. With each
stroke of the ram a round is completed…a case is sized and decapped, a new
primer is added, powder is added and a bullet is seated and crimped with 1
stroke of the ram. All of that happens at the same time so you can see why
setup is crucial on a progressive press.
A progressive press will load upwards of 500 rounds an
hour. They work great for pistol/revolver and semi auto ammo but not so great
for precision ammo…see above about play in a press.
Progressive presses are sold setup for a caliber; they
include all the dies, primer powder and case feeders for a caliber. You can
convert most to other calibers.
So the normal question I get asked is…Pro1000 or Six
Pack Pro?
I’ll keep my answer simple; if you can afford it buy
the Six Pack Pro.
It has 6 die stations instead of the Pro1000’s 3 stations
so it will be more versatile and offer you more options. The Pro1000 works but
it is limited with only 3 die stations.
And here is another tip…if you plan to reload 223 buy
the press setup in 223 and then convert to 9mmp. It works out cheaper.
So if loading
heaps of pistol/revolver or semi auto ammo is your plan, a progressive is your
answer.
Examples: Lee Precision Pro 1000,
Lee Precision Pro4000 and the super Lee Precision Six Pack Pro.
In the next post we will look at all the other tools
you need.
Leave a Comment