Good reloading setup for a beginner?

[Jonnin]

I estimate that for say 9mm or 45, a turret is twice as fast as a single stage, roughly. A progressive might be 4x faster than a single stage. For rifle, I would say the turret is less than twice as fast, but still faster. A little of that is my slow die setups .... I do not have quick change devices because its a turret press, so if using it single stage, I just deal with the slowness. Most of the time, however, is handling the brass all those extra times, moving it to and from storage just adds up.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Jonnin

[gjohnsoniv]

So we all agree a turret would be the better way to go as long as I'm not trying to do very precise loads?

[mikegideon]

So we all agree a turret would be the better way to go as long as I'm not trying to do very precise loads?

I think that's a good way to put it. Not sure it's a better solution than a progressive if you're going for speed.

[Jonnin]

So we all agree a turret would be the better way to go as long as I'm not trying to do very precise loads?

The preciseness of the load is largely the powder device that I use. The seat depth and crimp and all are as good as the single stage, but that auto powder device is a bit sloppy, and if you want match ammo, you should powder it off the press and on a scale.

Of course progressive is better. It costs more though, and is more complicated. turret is the middle of the road choice and IMHO easier for beginners.

Edited April 16, 2012 by Jonnin

[mikegideon]

Most match ammo is loaded on a single stage. There's so much persnickey crap with it that the speed of the press doesn't matter.

[gjohnsoniv]

Ok great. I'm going for more range/practice ammo at this point. Later on I do want to get into making some match grade ammo though.

[mikegideon]

Ok great. I'm going for more range/practice ammo at this point. Later on I do want to get into making some match grade ammo though.

That's when the fun starts. Can get pretty geeky. Pricey too.

[gjohnsoniv]

Haha. Fortunately/unfortunately? I don't have anything that really needs match grade ammo but I suppose that it would be nice to have some for the AR, and some nice self-defense loads for the handguns. On a side note I did manage to get a decent amount of brass from the range today for .223/5.56, some 9mm, and a decent amount of .45 for when everything gets up and rolling.

Edited April 16, 2012 by gjohnsoniv

[Guest canebreaker]

If some of these fellows would invite you over to see the different style of presses, how they work. You're invited here, but it's a long days drive.

[gjohnsoniv]

I have several people that are willing to do that already.