[shoeshooter]

I'm getting closer to starting reloading. I've been reading the Lyman book, and stuff here and elsewhere on the internet. I'd like to get my shopping list done so I can begin accumulating when the price is right. I will be doing mostly handgun ammo: 9mm, .38 Spl, .45 ACP. This fall I plan on getting a M1 Carbine and then a Garand sometime after that. That's all I anticipate, but then a year ago I didn't think I'd be buying a gun a month either! So you never know.

So, for starters, what do you think would be the best press for my situation? I don't mind upgrading later as my skills and interests grow, but I want something of decent quality that will always be useful in some way.

 

[jbpmidas]

A "good" single stage press. I bought my Lyman for under $100.

 

[captain-03]

A "good" single stage press. I bought my Lyman for under $100.

I would agree -- Lyman, RCBS, and even a Lee would be a good starter. You can catch a complete basic reloading kit on sale if you keep your eyes open ... I know many will chime in with "go progressive" - "go Dillion", etc, etc, etc. I still do not own a progressive or a Dillion after 30+ yrs of reloading .... but I do not load 5K a month either. A good single stage is a great place to learn ... Additionally, even if he decide to upgrade later, you will still want a single stage on the bench for that special something ... just my :2c:

 

[Beladran]

i will jap slap the first person that says a begginer should buy a Dillon!

 

[jbpmidas]

ME first! Buy a Dillon!!!! :wallbash:

 

[jbpmidas]

RCBS has an RCBS Reloader ket for 193.

 

[Xd357]

Ok I'm one of the Dillon fans. It's what I started on, took my time and went slow. I guess it all comes down to how much you will be reloading. If you are reloading 100rds a month than a single stage would suit you just fine. Any more than that a progressive will save you a lot of time. Dillon has the best warranty in the business.

Try both see what you like.

 

[Xd357]

i will jap slap the first person that says a begginer should buy a Dillon!

guess I'm glad it took me a min to type all that. Lol

 

[jbpmidas]

I have had a huge advantage. I have someone, SGMJody, teaching me to reload. He has all the equipment I would ever need and he has been generous enough to let me try most of it. He has a progressive but I have not gotten to it, yet. I loaded up 400 .45's this past week. I could have loaded that many in a day on the single stage. I don't foresee needing to reload faster than that. And, if 10 rounds is 34.95 at Wal Mart, I saved over 150!!!!!

 

[quigleysharps4570]

A good single stage is a great place to learn ... Additionally, even if he decide to upgrade later, you will still want a single stage on the bench for that special something ... just my :2c:

I agree.

 

[Xd357]

I have had a huge advantage. I have someone, SGMJody, teaching me to reload. He has all the equipment I would ever need and he has been generous enough to let me try most of it. He has a progressive but I have not gotten to it, yet.
a big +1 on a teacher

I loaded up 400 .45's this past week. I could have loaded that many in a day on the single stage. I don't foresee needing to reload faster than that. And, if 10 rounds is 34.95 at Wal Mart, I saved over 150!!!!!

how long did it take you? A week? J/K on my Dillon it would have taken me a couple of hours and I'm slow. And no it didn't save you $150 it just let you shoot more for less lol.

 

[Beladran]

ME first! Buy a Dillon!!!! :wallbash:

JB what did the five fingers say to the face???? SLAP!

 

[Beladran]

but seriously you need to learn how to crawl befor you drive a car

 

[savageshooter]

Buy a whole single stage press kit, its cheaper. you dont need a progressive yet, get you feet wet first. and later if you load a lot up-grade. get a book and read and re-read. reloading is fun, and will improbe accuracy, but can be dangerous also.
above all ASK QUESTIONS!!

 

[Xd357]

Yeah you mess up you just built yourself hand grenade.

 

[nonnieselman]

This is a great starter press,, cheap and it works. My buddy got one and uses it for .40 and .308.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=807734

and later on you can use it for all kinda stuff like decapping before you tumble the brass.



or if you want a full kit..

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=423081

 

[DBChaffin]

Ok I'm one of the Dillon fans. It's what I started on, took my time and went slow. I guess it all comes down to how much you will be reloading. If you are reloading 100rds a month than a single stage would suit you just fine. Any more than that a progressive will save you a lot of time. Dillon has the best warranty in the business.

Try both see what you like.

I agree with Xd357. It does come down to how much ammunition you want to reload. I started on a Dillon and know many other folks that did as well, and I have yet to have a need for a single stage. Not everyone wants or needs high volume and that is fine, but if you do want or need high volume, why start off with something to learn on just to get rid of it or put it to the side in a short time for something you could have started with in the first place? If you want to load up a couple hundred rounds of each caliber each year, a single stage will do it and cost less money but more time. If you want a couple hundred rounds per month of each caliber, cry once, spend the money, and you will be happier each and every time you load.

If you can find someone close, I like the idea of trying both first. If a progressive overwhelms you, then by all means don't start out with one. It's not like they are rocket science though. I think the most important things, whichever press you start with, are to get help if you can, ask questions, and make sure that you take your time and pay attention to what you are doing. If you can't sit down without distractions or without giving it your full attention, wait until you can. My $.02.

PS: There is a USPSA match in Byram this coming Sunday morning, 6/6. Directions and some info is available at http://www.teammagnolia.com. Whether or not you are interested in ever competing, if you'd like to come out there will be a lot of high volume handgun reloaders present. I imagine several in your area would be willing to help or let you come by some time and check out their progressive presses. Just something to consider. I plan on being there. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions or think you might make it.

 

[Hammer]

I agree with Captain and beladran. Start with single stage, then go from there. A single stage will always be useful, no matter how many you load a month.

 

[ftsibley]

i can agree with both sides of the recommendations. I started on a dillion 550b and then later got a single stage press. I use them both. I learned to reload on the dillon first, i read everything i could get my hands on about reloading and took it very slowly at first. I would only load one round at a time and work it through each station until i got a feel for the procedure... then i got to cranking out a bunch of ammo. IF you think you will be loading larger volumes of ammo in the future then go with the Dillion. If you not you would be well served by a single stage, Either way take your time and be careful and enjoy.

Hey beladran i am ready for that slap now. :cheers:

 

[nonnieselman]

I work up in madison so lemme know if you need any help i dont mind stopping by and gettin ya started.