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 50th Anniversary Kit or Breech Lock Challenger Kit...only difference between the 2 is the priming system.
Turret Press
Pros
Easy to use
Versatile
Fantastic to learn on
Quicker than a Single Stage
Cons
Slower than a Progressive
Not as accurate as a Single Stage
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 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 but it also takes away a bit of the accuracy of the press.
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.
Let me be clear on this; on a turret you could have a problem with inconsistent neck tension and COL. General hunting and range use should not be problem but if you want to shoot groups at PRS distances, you will be better suited with a single stage press.
Lee has solved this issue with the new Ultimate Turret Press. The turret in that press has no upward movement and can produce very accurate ammo.
If you plan on reloading a fair amount of pistol/revolver ammo and some hunting ammo, this is the press to get.
Examples: Lee Precision Classic Turret Kit and the new Ultimate Turret Press
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.
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, Pro4000 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 or the Pro4000's 4 stations, so it will be more versatile and offer you more options. The Pro1000 and Pro4000 works but it is limited with the die stations....and the Pro4000 has a lot of plastic.
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 plus you get the Auto Drum with the 223 setup.
So if loading heaps of pistol/revolver or semi auto ammo is your plan, a progressive is your answer.
Examples: Lee Precision Pro1000 and Six Pack Pro.
In the next post we will look at all the other tools you need.
