The single stage press

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  • Last Post 11 August 2018
Levergun1966 posted this 21 December 2017

I have been busy the last couple of months. I started reloading a year ago with a lee classic turret and Hornady Single Stage, I sold both. One the last year found myself reading more and joining more sites and getting "antsy" and wanting to load bullet faster so I bought a Dillon 550. Wow!, what a difference the rounds flowed freely! Then,.......... I realized I am not having fun anymore and relaxing. I sold the Dillon, bought a Forster Co-Ax and went back to batch loading. I feel the quality of re-loading has increased and I am enjoying re-loading as a hobby. If I need some extra rounds I buy a few boxes to supplement my needs. I am not preaching, just felt like sharing my thoughts and my personal preferences after buying and selling presses all year, I found my style.

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GP Idaho posted this 21 December 2017

LG66: I did the same. Dillon 550's are great presses but progressive presses make me nervous. The Lee classic turret is about as fast as I need to load. I like the Lee for handgun rounds and I have a Redding T-7 and a couple of Rockchuckers for rifle rounds.. In retirement I have plenty of time to load for myself and family. I'm one of those who enjoys the time spent reloading as much or more than shooting.Gp

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David Reiss posted this 21 December 2017

There is definitely a place for both with most handloaders. I use my Dillon 550 for mostly handgun rounds and .223. Everything else is done on single stage or turret presses. You can't beat the speed of the Dillon and it will pump out very consistent load after load. The single stage presses give me more control when loading rifle rounds for precise accuracy. 

There are many of us who enjoy handloading as much as shooting, it is a hobby of its own. The same with casting. I can't imagine being much of a shooter, say every week or several times a month, without being a handloader. But I guess there are so very rich people that can afford large quantities of factory ammo, however not me. 

Just today I spoke to a member over the phone and he was telling me that at his age, he just can't cast as much anymore, so he buys some good quality CBs to load. That I can understand, but I am not there yet, maybe never will be, but who knows. 

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
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loophole posted this 21 December 2017

Years ago I started buying Lyman 410 dies for every calibre I bought.  They still are made for a number of popular rounds, and many others are available on the internet.  I used them with nutcracker handles and often reloaded at the range.  A year or so ago I found a Lyman Jr. press, almost new and still in the box.  It was made to use the 410 dies.  I set it up and found it is much more convenient than my Lyman turret press or my SparT single stage for pistol or short rifle such as 218 Bee, 44 mag and 32-20.  It doesn't have the leverage for serious case resizing and longer cases are a pain to work through the small size press(although 30-30 or 38-55 are ok, but a bit slow.)  An added bonus of 410 dies is that the neck expander works like a lyman m die and with an adapter it will fit in a standard size press.  I use the little dies and press about as much as my standard stuff.

Steve K   

 

 

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Ross Smith posted this 22 December 2017

I just purchased an Ideal 310 complete set for my '06 that I have a schuetzen style tapered breachseat bullet mold for. (That was a mouth full). For that purpose I can de-prime and prime without sizing anything, just dedicated cases for the pupose of breach seat shooting. My main press is a rockchucker, I like it simple and under control also.

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jimkim posted this 22 December 2017

I own a progressive press, a turret press, three single stage presses, and three MEC shotshell presses. Guess what I use the most.......yep either a 30-30 Lee Loader, or a 410 kit, I made. I still love my other presses, BUT these are way more fun to play with. I also enjoy ending sentences with prepositions. 😎

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Ross Smith posted this 22 December 2017

I don't mean to be a fuddy duddy, but, do you all really mean a Lyman 310?

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GP Idaho posted this 22 December 2017

Jim; I also enjoy using the Lee loaders. Most often I don't go through all the steps with the loaders. I like to use the neck sizing step with my arbor press like a poor man's Wilson die. Mine (I have several calibers) make for very concentric cases.  Gp

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bushranch posted this 23 December 2017

Started out with a Lee Loader in .38 Spl about 50 years ago. When funds were available I got a RCBS Jr. Fine press except for that handle always down and in the way!!!  Converted mine to a Mark I by attaching a strong magnet to my bench to hold the toggle joint in the upright position. Works great and has been doing duty for over 40 years. Never had the need for a progressive as volume ammunitions needs were met by employment.  Retired and loading cast have added a small Lee press to hold "M" dies and use collet dies in the RCBS . Also use and enjoy 310's , mostly in 30-30 .

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RicinYakima posted this 23 December 2017

Sometimes I go shooting just to empty the cases; then I reload them with something else!laughing

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BigMan54 posted this 23 December 2017

I started building my own setup my last year in the U.S. NAVY(1975). I had no place to reload but I wanted to be ready when the time came.

LYMAN 310 in .38spl & .30-06 and an old REDDING reservoir scale did for what I could get away with in barracks. But I bought stuff whenever I could afford it and mailed it home to my MOM to store for me. Visited LYMAN in CT when stationed back east. Spent every dime I had in their on site store. I built a tiny loading bench that I weighed down with 4 bags of shot. Kept it on my apt quazi-balcony. Mounted a LYMAN Spartan press using T-nuts. That way I could remove the press and use the whole top for bullet casting. 

A VERY SWEET YOUNG LADY gave me a ROCKCHUCKER as a birthday present the next year. It's been my Number#1 go to press ever since. Bought a dillon when they came out, didn't like it. Dumped it. Still don't like 'em. Saw too many COWBOY Guns blown up by ammo loaded on a dillon.

I use a HORNADY Progressive for most Handgun/Cowboy needs. Although I still size/deprime and prime off the press. I simply use it for powder, seat & crimp. For .223 and GARAND ammo too.

I just find it more relaxing to sit at the bench with a tray of 20 or 50 rounds and load one at a time. More satisfying too.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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jimkim posted this 26 December 2017

GP I'm high tech with mine. I use a rawhide mallet, and a piece of 2x12, I hold between my knees.

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R. Dupraz posted this 26 December 2017

A Hornady single stage, RCBS bench priming tool and Wilson ST. line seaters with drill press for match ammo. The Hornady AP for all others.

I like the versatility of the lock and load stations of the AP. Can use all five stations together or any one of the stations individually depending, And, nothing else to buy except for extra L&L bushings  

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2coldhere posted this 26 December 2017

While I certainly like loading on a single stage, I have two Dillon 550B's that see considerable use.  One for small primer and one for large.  When you're shooting USPSA, 3-Gun, CASS, and prairie dogs you need all the production you can get.  The only problem I ever had was when a Cowboy match wanted minimum 600 fps.  Had the chono set up on a 90 degree day and would take a couple on shots, then tweek the Dillon powder measure.  Proceeded to load a thousand or so.  Went to a match in October and it was 20 degrees.  Other shooters said they could see the bullet coming out of the barrel they were so slow.  Got home and put them over the chrono again and they were going 350 fps.  Apparently WW231 is temperature sensitive.  So you can load a bunch that won't work in certain conditions.

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BigMan54 posted this 26 December 2017

 R. D,

I admire your setup. I too have a HORNADY L-N-L press. Mine was an early one, before they added the case feeder feature. I finally bought the upgrade for the improved case eject feature. then I found out that I had to send back 14 of my shellplates to be modified to work with the new subplate assembly. $10 buck a pop.  The "finger" for the case feeder was in my way, as I have 2 MAACO bins holding brass & bullets right/tight to the left side of the press. So I cut it off and filed it down. I could never use a case feeder as the noise drives me bat-guano crazy. Saw one in action at a gun show several years back. I did however buy an extra subplate and put it it the presses box, just in case whoever inherits this stuff wants to load that fast.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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R. Dupraz posted this 26 December 2017

Roger

Serves my agenda well but it only took me 50 yrs to get there. After getting the AP, I wasn't all that happy with the press due to that mickey mouse wire ejector system. But at the time Hornady had a promotion where they offered 1000 jacketed bullets along with the press. So the price was ultimately pretty good. After I got it, I saw that they were offering an upgrade kit with an improved the ejector system as  you describe. So I ordered that and like you, had them modify my shell plates. Much better machine after that.

I like the idea of the five stations so that extra dies such as a powder checker die can be added after the measure. Makes it pretty convenient to use the measure by itself to charge cases when loading match ammo.

 

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Ross Smith posted this 28 December 2017

All: I finally got my head pointed in the right direction and figgered out what a LYMAN 310 and a LEE 410 are, please excuse my senior episode. Ross

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BigMan54 posted this 28 December 2017

Ross,

I thought it was just a typo. Not being up on LEE "stuff", what is a Lee 410 ?

R. D, 

I bought the old HORNADY PRO-jector 25 yrs ago because I wanted the 5 position "turret". I found seating & crimping in two separate steps to be better for loading on a progressive.   I had a Dillon 450 previously and ABSOLUTELY HATED the powder actuated expander die set-up. And the crappy dillon powder measure. The HORNADY allows the use of top quality drum powder measures from RCBS, HORNADY and REDDING. I sold the Pro-jector set up for .45Colt to A Cowboy Shooter that I taught to reload. He was moving up to Washington state and HAD TO HAVE THE EXACT SETUP HE WAS USED TO.  The L-N-L AP HORNADY was an improvement. Better priming system too.  The pop out die system makes caliber changeover and die adjustment VERY EASY.

I use the HORNADY L-N-L Conversion bushing for all my sizing/recapping dies on my old RCBS ROCKCHUCKER.  Fast

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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jimkim posted this 29 December 2017

My 410 kit, is homemade. I would like a Lee Loader in 410, but they demand a premium now. They have become collectible.

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BigMan54 posted this 30 December 2017

Great, now I really feel stupid. You were talking  .410 bore.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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BigMan54 posted this 04 January 2018

Jimkim,

I've been thinking about this. I don't think I'd be brave enough to swing any kind of mallet at anything between my knees. 

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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jimkim posted this 09 January 2018

I ain't touching that. It's too easy.

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tlkeizer posted this 23 January 2018

Greetings,

For cartridges I, too, have a Co-Ax, single stage, and probably enjoy the loading at least as much as the shooting (and my shoulder really agrees with me on that after a stint with a 45-70).  I also measure each cartridge powder charge, I visually inspect each cast bullet, I weigh each bullet, sort them into groups, measure and trim if necessary each case, and in short do a lot of things that I am told I do not have to do. Eh.  I enjoy the process, shoot moderate loads, and enjoy the camaraderie of good discussion and exchanging information.  Single stage also takes longer so when loading I stay out of trouble longer.  I also, as mentioned above, have shot up ammunition just so I could try some new or verify old loads.  This time of year getting use of the range is a bit challenging up here in Alaska for me, and I am running out of cases to reload so may have to bundle up come Wednesday when I am near the range.

For shotshells, however, progressives are great.  I like to shoot skeet, and a weekend is 500+ rounds by the time all gauges and double are shot.  I have MEC progressives that I dearly like.  In fact, when I was asked what I used for charge in my .410 loads I have to qualify the answer as I had not changed to load in 20 years and had to weigh a charge to see if my "I think it is" 14.3 grains of 296 was accurate. 

Time and place for both, but for me single-stage cartridge press is the way to go.

TK

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M3 Mitch posted this 26 April 2018

It just happens that I have only turret presses and a Dillon 450 on my bench, along with some 310 tools and a couple of the "Tru-Line Jr." Lyman presses that use 310 tool dies.  One of the turrets is an old Hollywood, big huge thing, if I ever get into 50 BMG, that thing will load it. 

I think the trouble some people get into, particularly with Dillons and other progressives, is trying to load too damn fast.  Particularly with rifle rounds, I go pretty slow on that Dillon.  I don't have back to back data and don't have any CBA records to my name, but, I think I can load as good a round on the Dillon as I can on a single-stage press.  The Dillon does take a while to change over from one caliber to another, particularly if you are going from small to large, or large to small, primer.  And of course you have to pay attention not to get pistol and rifle primers of the same size mixed up.

One press I use the most is an old Lee Turret.  Very easy to change over calibers if you will spring for a few spare tool heads. 

I just like being able to take an empty case and turn that one case into a loaded round, then move on to the next one, rather than doing it as a batch process.  If I get interrupted, it's easy to find my place.

But of course with the 310 tong tools, it is a batch process to get from fired case to primed, sized case ready for powder and bullet.  That's OK too.  Usually I prime with an old Lee priming tool when using anything other than the Dillon.  With the Dillon, you almost need an assistant to keep primer tubes full, otherwise I am not so certain how much time it saves you when you have to stop and refill primer tubes.

Shotshells, most loaders I have used, again it's a PITA to go from one gauge to another.  If I had the room, I would put a MEC in all the gauges I load on one bench, and leave each one set up for whatever gauge. 

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Bud Hyett posted this 26 April 2018

Three presses:

  • Dillon 550: Pistol
  • Bonanza Co-Ax: Rifle 
  • RCBS JR (five decades old): .45-70

I have a RCBS 4X4 that is not used after buying the Dillon 550. . 

 

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Pigslayer posted this 27 April 2018

Three Presses:

Lyman Crusher. Strong press especially for the belted mags.. Has been a good one. I've had this one for 20 years.

Lee Turret. Great for my pistols. Inexpensive too.

Lee Challenger. I use this with a universal decapping die. Made a nice chute for it to collect primers. Don't have any spent primers hitting the floor anymore. 

My first press was a RCBS Jr. Wish I still had it. A nice intermediate press. It disappeared in my first divorce. Drat!

 

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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Brodie posted this 27 April 2018

I guess that I own 5 presses.  A RCBS Jr. that I have had since I was 19.  Three MEC progressive presses in 12, 20,  and 410 ga., and a Dillon 550 that I use for loading high volume pistol ammo. 

B.E.Brickey

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M3 Mitch posted this 11 August 2018

I have an old Dillon 450, it's not worth setting it up for a "short run" of say 50 or 100 rounds, these I usually do on either one of my old school 310 tools, or Tru-Line Jr. press (uses the small dies) or a Lee Turret.

I can enjoy loading on the Dillon just as much as any other press, but I don't try to run the thing as fast as a lot of guys do.  I probably load more like 100 to 150 rounds per hour, taking my time, not trying to set any sort of record.

Right now, all I have are the Dillon and a collection of turret presses, I don't have a single-stage press on my bench. I don't have anything against them, just that turrets work better for me.  If I get into case forming or small bullet swaging, I will probably scare up a single-station press, either from a seller on here or at a gun show.

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Ross Smith posted this 11 August 2018

 The Lee 410 is a discontinued loading kit not a .410 set of lee dies. Lee did make a .410 in their model 410. It was a hand "push" style requiring no press. Sorry for the late reply.

The lyman 310 is a "tong" style loading system.

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Bohica793 posted this 11 August 2018

I currently run 5 presses: 2 Hornady LNLs (one setup for 9mm, one setup for 40S&W), a newly acquired Dillon Square Deal setup for 45ACP, a Lee classic Cast turret I use for 38/357/45LC and a Lee Classic Cast single stage for all of my rifle rounds.  I currently go through 1000+ pistol rounds per week prepping for GSSF matches and an additional 50-100 rifle rounds for postal matches and other items.  I could not live without my progressives to keep up with my pistol appetite but I appreciate the detail of precision loading with a single stage for my rifle rounds.  I currently load for 18 different pistol and rifle calibers.

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rfd123 posted this 11 August 2018

handguns - i have no wants or needs for a progressive press.  hand loading for .45acp, .357mag, .38spl and .380auto are accomplished on a single lee classic turret.  it more than gets the job done fast enuf.  i prime on the press, but powder charge off the press with a harrell's pistol measure.  i no longer bother casting bullets for handguns and just buy hi-tec coated bullets - no leading, less smoke, great accuracy.  a turret press can work quickly and efficiently when you have the cartridge building process well choreographed.  i load 50 rounds each for .45acp and .357mag in a bit more than an hour on weekends and fire them all at my club's indoor range on monday nights.

rifles - i only load black powder for .45-70 cartridges for falling and rolling block actions, and i cast the PPB slicks.  a single stage lee classic cast press is used for powder/wad compression and light PPB taper crimp, all with fire formed brass.  for prepping new brass, the press is used with a custom straight BACO .460" expander in a lyman "m" die body.  a separate s/s lee classic press is used for reforming .45-70 brass for a specific custom paper patch sharps rifle chamber, and for punching cartridge wads, and for trimming/sizing .45-70 brass.

life's still good.

 

 

http://www.BuffaloRifles.org

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