Bingoc
Well-Known Member
I agree with Equalizer above. You won't go wrong with a quality single c frame and add quality components to compliment the press.
Putting five shots in one hole isn't exclusive to single-stage presses.I started with the RCBS JR press and it served me well until I started case forming 30-06 into 25-06, a rather simple resize. At that time we were living in our 1st apartment after college and the breakfast bar didn't like the press. I sold to my hunting partner and got the Rock Chiuker, vintage 1972. I got away from the firearms fun and took up fly fishing, another expensive hobby. After the knees and ankles gave up, and I returned to reloading, I purchased a M.E.C. metalic press dedicated to bullet seating only. The Chucker has been and will continue to be my prep platform mainly due to the robustness. of the product. I spend more time prepping brass and reloading than I do shooting, mainly because I;m so "anal" about my brass. As much as I'd love to have a progressive press, I am more into the elusive 5 shots into 1 hole than into hunting so, I'm willing to spend 2-3 days preparing brass. I do go through 150 - 200 rounds per range session so my next serious loading tooling will be in the annealing discipline. Like I've said before, every shooter has another "rat hole" for loose change.. How far one gets into it depends on one's degree of anal thinking.
I have no experience with a progressive press. How are they to use? I would think they would be persnickety.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.
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.
All on one bench? If so how long is your bench?I believe you will be less frustrated by starting with a single stage press. Doing so will allow you to learn the whys and whatnots of reloading in a manner that is a logical progression.
You CANNOT have too many manuals/reference books when you reload. Read several of the manuals about how to reload and then read them again, BEFORE you ever touch the press or trimmer or vibratory cleaner.
When you have become proficient with the single stage press, then tackle the progressive press.
I believe, (my basic two cents worth with some change) that single stage presses shine in building premium, accurate reloads. Not to say that you can't build accurate reloads on a progressive, I just believe they are two different presses for different purposes. One bullet at a time or a whole case in an hour. Not a true apples to apples comparison.
yes. In my opinion you shouldn't start reloading with a progressive press. There is tomuch to learn and pay attention to. Any single stage press will be better to learn on and easier to get accurate loads out of for a beginner. A kit is fine, but I would suggest buying it one piece at a time... do your research and find what you like!