The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Need to start on reloading so looking at presses and kits

ive been offered a new rcbs turret press or do i go for a single press

calibres to load for are 6.5 creedmore 308 and 223 all for target use


Help please ......

I would say single press for those rifle calibres....

I've had a Progressive turret press (Lee Pro 1000) for 30 years for pistol calibres, but when i moved into reloading rifle calibres 10 years ago, I went with a single press. you're not going to be reloading the same volume of ammo, but it needs to be higher quality.

Single stage presses are easier for swapping calibres too...

Daryll wrote:I would say single press for those rifle calibres....

I've had a Progressive turret press (Lee Pro 1000) for 30 years for pistol calibres, but when i moved into reloading rifle calibres 10 years ago, I went with a single press. you're not going to be reloading the same volume of ammo, but it needs to be higher quality.

Single stage presses are easier for swapping calibres too...

+1

Yep single stage is the way to go.

Both.

I have several Dillon presses and a couple of singles. I always use the simple single stage Redding for decapping and then the Forster for all the other operations on RIFLE ammo.
I use a Dillon 1050 for my 38 special ammo but still decap and polish the brass before they go into the Dillon.

Forster Co-Ax, Redding Ultramag and RCBS A2 single station presses.

2 x Redding T7 turret presses.

RCBS Ammomaster and RCBS Piggy Back progressive presses.

All these are currently mounted on the hand loading bench and in use, I have 4 x Wamadets and a Buchanan hand press in regular use on my desk as they don't need mounting.

I have a Holywood single station and a couple of Lyman turrets that I would also use if I had the bench space for them.

You cannot go wrong with good single station press it will do all you need to reload excellent ammunition but as the number of calibres and the amount of ammunition you use increases then more good presses can be a great help. If you think you will be loading for more than one calibre and more than 50 rounds a week then a good Turret really is an option and it can just be used a single stage press when that is required.

The perceived wisdom is to start with a single station press and that is sound advice as you will not be tempted to engage with multiple stations as you learn to hand load, a single station keeps you focussed on learning the trade rather than having the added complications of managing a press as well. So in your case a single station would be the best route to go initially.

Avoid kits like the plague, they are not the value they appear, no manufacturer makes all equipment well, also you will end up buying kit that you don't need.

Reloading manual.

Press with primer seating.

Dies. and shell holder for the calibre(s)

Quality beam scale.

Powder funnel.

Something to dispense the powder into the scale, a teaspoon is good.

Components.

That is all you need to get started and learn the trade, not fast but that is good when you are starting off, once you have loaded a couple of thousand successful rounds that way you will have the experience to decide on what other equipment you may need and will be better able to make informed choices about what purchases would be best for you and your situation.

The turret press you have been offered could work if you can be disciplined enough to just use it as a single station press and not be tempted to use it as a turret 'till you have had a few thousand successful (and a dozen or so unsuccessful) through it as a single station first.

As has been said both are good in the fullness of time, but for learning then single station loading is the way to go.

There's always a starting point of essentials. I ended up with stuff I barely used and realised it was just overspend.

A good loading tray is just nice to use. I had a homemade on at first but it had a odd number of holes. The OCD in me made me get a 50 round one in time.

My first press was a Lyman 6 station turret; still in use today permanently set up with two rifle calibres but used purely in single operations. I also have a number of others collected over the years (as you do); nowt wrong with a GOOD turret press as a first press.

ps: I still use my homemade loading tray! (Scotsman with short arms & deep pockets!)

I have RCBS partner press, still my main press and 30 years old and faultless. Also my Lee turret and Lee progressive for pistol calibre that do their work and of similar age.
I've had others like the Rockchucker that was fine too. I can't think of any time anyone has said a press is no good, some just feel nicer to use maybe? Once you get your rhythm going and can safely make enough ammunition to meet your needs, your good.
Only gripe I have is Lee making stuff obsolete like the 3 hole turret spindle. You have to by a conversion lit to make it a 4 hole(I lost my spindle when I moved!)