Should I buy a new press ?

[WGTX]

Years ago I bought a Hornady AP setup, I've never used it, I've never reloaded at all. When I bought it the thought was mass producing 5.56/.223 due to supplies and prices. Fast forward to now after pretty big life change/relocating I want to start loading but since bulk prices and quality are pretty darn good mass production is not a factor at all,I'd like to focus on accuracy and being able to match ammo to use "better" than factory offerings.
I've been trying to study the basics to get started, bought a couple loading manuals and obviously reading stuff on the interwebs. Right now all I have is what came with the Hornady AP kit so I need to buy equipment. My question is, do I use the progressive press setup I have or buy a quility single stage press ? I don't have a problem at all settling aside what I have now, maybe selling or trading it and buy another press setup.
Not saying money is no object but I want equipment that I hopefully won't want to upgrade quickly. So to recap, as a complete rookie at loading would you recommend buy a single stage press or use the progressive I have ? I need all the case prep stuff, dies, scales, measuring equipment anyway.
Any advice and guidance is appreciated.

 

[sedancowboy]

I personally would buy a single stage press such as a Rock Chucker. Or for more money a Forrester Co-Ax.
I am not saying that you can't start with a progressive but I can say that it will have its challenges. Plus if precision is the goal, that will be easier to achieve with a single stage.

 

[WGTX]

Thanks, that's kind of what I expected from experienced guys, it's a lot to get my mind around even without the progressive part.

 

[Savage 12BVSS]

Here's another vote for the forster co ax, mec marksman, or the rcbs summit. All are very good for concentricity and best of all worlds currently, rock chucker is a dependable mainstay but in my opinion the heart of the reloading set-up is the press. Good press comparison floating around called the 14 single stage reloading press comparison. Do a search and check it out. Dave

 

[rsnell]

I would start with the RCBS Rock Chucker. It is a single stage press and is conventional in design. It will cost less than the Forster CO-AX. The CO-AX can also be difficult to find. Do not try to use the Hornady press until you are proficient with the RCBS press.

 

[Mustang72]

I have both single stage (rcbs) and pogressive(dillion). Single stage is much easier to start with and much easier to develop loads with. Progressive is great for some things, but if I could only have one it would not be a progressive.

 

[Equalizer]

Do not try to use the Hornady press until you are proficient with the RCBS press.

I agree with rsnell and would recommend Redding or RCBS for a single stage press. I think you are going about this correctly by getting (and reading/studying) the manuals and seeking advice from seasoned reloaders. I got my Redding in 07 with the plan to go Dillon after getting my feet wet... still haven't made the upgrade as I've tailored the process to suit my equipment and actual needs. Sometimes I even get a helper or two...

 

[WGTX]

I agree with rsnell and would recommend Redding or RCBS for a single stage press. I think you are going about this correctly by getting (and reading/studying) the manuals and seeking advice from seasoned reloaders. I got my Redding in 07 with the plan to go Dillon after getting my feet wet... still haven't made the upgrade as I've tailored the process to suit my equipment and actual needs. Sometimes I even get a helper or two...View attachment 173070

Haha, she's definitely a seasoned pro compared to me. So looks like I'll be buying a single stage. I guess next question would be buying a "kit" or piecing together? Don't really have a budget but every piece doesn't have to be latest greatest top of the line. I hate rebuying stuff, I do that too much already. I've got a direction now so more studying, thanks.

 

[eklarsen]

It really boils down to your stated goal of building "better" loads. The Hornady AP will crank out the rounds and frankly for an AR or 223\556 variant I think that press is the way to go because you will be shooting many more rounds then if you had say a precision 338 LM rifle. My precision rifles all get loaded on a Redding t7, my high ammo consumption variants all get loaded on the progressive. 300AAC, .223\.556 and all pistol rounds. If you do go single stage dont get rid of the progressive, it will come into play.

 

[Equalizer]

Haha, she's definitely a seasoned pro compared to me. So looks like I'll be buying a single stage. I guess next question would be buying a "kit" or piecing together? Don't really have a budget but every piece doesn't have to be latest greatest top of the line. I hate rebuying stuff, I do that too much already. I've got a direction now so more studying, thanks.

I'm my case I bought a Redding kit. It was ok but the trimmer sucked and the case prep stuff was extremely basic but the press, scale & powder measure were great. I replaced the trimmer and got a case prep center (Both Rcbs) The kit is nice because if you get the right one it will have most of what you need to get started. (Sans load blocks, calipers, etc)

If you do piece meal it you can get the exact measure or trimmer or whatever you want. Slowly accumulate over time getting the most necessary first. There is no right or wrong just your choice.

Single stage press
Good scale
Powder measure
Trimmer
Tumbler
Case prep stuff
Calipers
Loading blocks
Powder trickler
Dies

Also there will be accessories/necessities like trimmer pilots and shell holders and the like. Some people like hand primer type tools others use their press. It's easy to get in over your head and spend a ton but if you boil it down to the essentials and ask around on reloading forums you can probably keep to a decent budget and not end up with stuff you won't use.

I got started loading because of ammo availability (41 Mag wasn't something you could find easily) and I learned from reading loading manuals myself. Glad to help any way I can. Best of luck to ya

 

[WGTX]

I'm my case I bought a Redding kit. It was ok but the trimmer sucked and the case prep stuff was extremely basic but the press, scale & powder measure were great. I replaced the trimmer and got a case prep center (Both Rcbs) The kit is nice because if you get the right one it will have most of what you need to get started. (Sans load blocks, calipers, etc)

If you do piece meal it you can get the exact measure or trimmer or whatever you want. Slowly accumulate over time getting the most necessary first. There is no right or wrong just your choice.

Single stage press
Good scale
Powder measure
Trimmer
Tumbler
Case prep stuff
Calipers
Loading blocks
Powder trickler
Dies

Also there will be accessories/necessities like trimmer pilots and shell holders and the like. Some people like hand primer type tools others use their press. It's easy to get in over your head and spend a ton but if you boil it down to the essentials and ask around on reloading forums you can probably keep to a decent budget and not end up with stuff you won't use.

I got started loading because of ammo availability (41 Mag wasn't something you could find easily) and I learned from reading loading manuals myself. Glad to help any way I can. Best of luck to ya

Thank you sir.

 

[Equalizer]

For sure! I'm still learning Myself and this place is great for that.

 

[Uncle yib]

Years ago I bought a Hornady AP setup, I've never used it, I've never reloaded at all. When I bought it the thought was mass producing 5.56/.223 due to supplies and prices. Fast forward to now after pretty big life change/relocating I want to start loading but since bulk prices and quality are pretty darn good mass production is not a factor at all,I'd like to focus on accuracy and being able to match ammo to use "better" than factory offerings.
I've been trying to study the basics to get started, bought a couple loading manuals and obviously reading stuff on the interwebs. Right now all I have is what came with the Hornady AP kit so I need to buy equipment. My question is, do I use the progressive press setup I have or buy a quility single stage press ? I don't have a problem at all settling aside what I have now, maybe selling or trading it and buy another press setup.
Not saying money is no object but I want equipment that I hopefully won't want to upgrade quickly. So to recap, as a complete rookie at loading would you recommend buy a single stage press or use the progressive I have ? I need all the case prep stuff, dies, scales, measuring equipment anyway.
Any advice and guidance is appreciated.

I've been RELOADING for quite a few years if you're just going to be doing small calibers anything up to 300 WinMag you could use a single stage press from Lee but if you're loading anything larger let's say 338 Lappula magnum or 50 BMG you're going to have to have a larger press one piece of equipment that I would definitely purchase would be an automatic powder scale that is the best piece of equipment you can purchase for RELOADING in my opinion but start simple and startAt the bottom of your load table and you can pretty much work your way on up and load whatever you want you're going to find that certain powders in certain Bullets don't like each other very much in certain powders in certain Bullets work perfectly together it's just gonna be a trial and air practice thing but I think it's great that you decided to reload your own ammo I haven't bought factory ammo in years the only factory ammo I do purchase is for my A.R. 15's because it cost less money to purchase them then to reload them

 

[zzchipster]

Dillon 550. Run in single mode.