New to reloading
- Thread starter Robert Tant
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erle
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2015
- Messages
- 19
I've been hand loading for 67 years as hobby & for hunting. Load 10 rifle calipers & 9 pistol calibers & have never used anything but a single stage press. Never saw a need for a progressive press since I never shot in competitions or matches to have a need for a lot of shells in a short time. I have always just taken my time, learned every detail as much as I can, & enjoyed it.
Most all of my equipment is RCBS because of their quality & warranty, & I use full length resizing dies. Always use resizing wax before resizing to avoid a stuck case. I began in 1959 using a hand held "nutcracker" tool & got good results. The main thing, as has been emphasized, is to read & learn as much as you can & then follow the manufacturer's instructions in detail, regardless which brand you buy. Today's equipment is all good. Purchase the best Scale you can because getting accurate reading on the powder load is most important for your safety.
Most all of my equipment is RCBS because of their quality & warranty, & I use full length resizing dies. Always use resizing wax before resizing to avoid a stuck case. I began in 1959 using a hand held "nutcracker" tool & got good results. The main thing, as has been emphasized, is to read & learn as much as you can & then follow the manufacturer's instructions in detail, regardless which brand you buy. Today's equipment is all good. Purchase the best Scale you can because getting accurate reading on the powder load is most important for your safety.
J Doss
Active Member
I have both single and progressive. I've spend more time loading on my Rock Chucker single stage because I am always buying something new which I have to work up loads for - one at a time with precision. I use my Dillon progressive for 223 general rounds, 38, 9mm and 45ACP. I still reload my varmits 223 rounds I use in a Rem 700 on the single for controlled precision. I load all of my bolt action and on the single stage.
Maybe I'm "old school" but I want to know that each round I load for hunting or LR is as close to perfect as possible.
Like others have said, read all the manuals you can before you buy.
Good luck!!!
J Doss
Active Member
I also strongly agree with the post by "Erie" - buy the best scale you can afford.
Again, do your research before you buy.
Keep up the craft and don't take short cuts.
Luck!!!
ronstone09
Well-Known Member
redding bushing dies are excellent choices as it the hornady press ! I prefer an anvil type press with wilson dies mysellf ! If you're only going to reload for the one caliber then you can get away with neck sizing too !
I would never advise starting out with a progressive press. Try the single stage first. Learn with it and it will make you a better reloader. Besides you can fine tune your reloads much easier. Learning on the progressive Press is much more difficult. I've been reloading for over 40 years and I've had two progressive presses and I went back to reloading each cartridge one at a time and I am much happier with the results.
Tidus56
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2018
- Messages
- 2,053
Feenix would be so proud lol.
WYO300RUM
Well-Known Member
Single stage Rock Chucker here. I totally agree with erie and most here. Single stage and the tools to go with it. I've been reloading since I was 17. 44 yrs. 10 rifle and 11 pistol cartriges..It's still fun and relaxing to me. A sense of pride and accomplishment reloading your own and finding the accuracy.
He said it was OK
misterc01
Well-Known Member
I get the same result as a turret press using Hornady lock-n-load bushings. And I agree 100% regarding your observation regarding brass prep.
tony d willIiams
Well-Known Member
tony d willIiams
Well-Known Member
My wife purchased the Hornady AP press for me a couple years ago. It works great and as you use it you learn how to set up different ammunition with a minimum of downtime and/or adjustments.
I check the first 10, then 1 of 10, 1 of 20.
I check each powder measure individually. Shooting at great distances requires no mistakes.
Hornady did not have the shell plate for 338LM. I called them, was transferred to engineering, then he transferred me back to purchasing after he discussed what I wanted. In a couple of weeks my 338LM shell plate was at my doorstep.
part number "specially made for tony ***"
I check the first 10, then 1 of 10, 1 of 20.
I check each powder measure individually. Shooting at great distances requires no mistakes.
Hornady did not have the shell plate for 338LM. I called them, was transferred to engineering, then he transferred me back to purchasing after he discussed what I wanted. In a couple of weeks my 338LM shell plate was at my doorstep.
part number "specially made for tony ***"
HOCOMO Hunter
Well-Known Member
I have to agree with most of the other post. Starting on a single stage usually lets you get a better grasp on what it take for precision loads. I do use a progressive for pistol loads. I've learned the progressive doesn't work well with my brass prep or load work up with rifle rounds. It is a horn lnl.
Bruce Hall
Well-Known Member
I think a RCBS Rock Chucker will do you right, then use the dies you want save money and buy more brass and powder for your first ladder tests.
