Having now covered the various types of reloading presses available, in this article I’d like to address the issue of deciding on what press/tools to buy. To approach this issue, firstly I’ll try and summarise what I see as the strengths and weaknesses of each type of press. This article is really meant as a thought provoker, i.e., What issues should I be thinking about as I make my reloading decision?
Single Stage Presses
Strengths:
- affordable.
- easy to set up.
- simple operation, few moving parts to go wrong.
- good for low volume reloading.
- relatively easy to change calibers and between rifle/pistol cartridges.
- flexible for making small load changes.
- small footprint requiring minimal space.
Weaknesses:
- very slow (1 case and 1 task at a time).
- requires a number of external tools e.g. primer punch, powder measure, etc.
- ideally, use special dies designed for locking die height.
Features to look for:
- designed for industry standard 7/8”-14 TPI dies.
- package deals which include powder balances, primer tools etc.
Turret Presses
Strengths:
- relatively affordable.
- easy to set up.
- good for low/medium volume reloading.
- easy to change calibers and rifle/pistol cartridges if capable of using interchangeable tool heads.
- flexible for making small load changes.
- small footprint requiring minimal space.
Weaknesses:
- slow (1 case at a time).
- may require an external primer punch.
- depending on type may not be able to accept automatic case and primer feeders.
Features to look for:
- availability of interchangeable tool head.
- ability to add primer feeder/punch, case feeders, powder thrower etc.
- suitability for both pistol and rifle calibers (if relevant).
- designed for industry standard 7/8”-14 TPI dies.
- package deals which include powder balances, primer tools etc.
Progressive Presses
Strengths:
- fast cyclic reloading rates.
- good for high volume reloading.
- relatively easy to change calibers and rifle/pistol cartridges.
- once adjusted requires minimal further adjustment of dies.
- all-in-one solution requiring minimal external tools.
- capable of accepting automatic tools such as case feeders, primer feeders and powder checkers.
- capable of accepting primer swage and case trimming tools.
Weaknesses:
- relatively expensive.
- can be fiddly to set up initially.
- may be complex mechanically–lots of potential for equipment failure.
- can be bulky requiring a lot of bench space.
Features to look for:
- availability of interchangeable tool heads.
- additional stages for later expansion (powder check, pocket swager, etc.).
- ability to add primer feeder/punch, case feeders, powder thrower etc.
- suitability for both pistol and rifle calibers (if relevant).
- designed for industry standard 7/8”-14 TPI dies.
- package deals which include case feeders, powder balances, etc.
- availability of after sales support (spare parts, repairs, etc.).
As with making the right firearms purchase, the best reloading gear will be what most suits your needs. Consider from where your interest in reloading stems, your preferred economy of reloading, the funds you have available for your reloading press and associated equipment, as well as the space constraints of your reloading location.
Next Articles
In my next article, I’m going to continue the question of selecting a press by identifying a number of potential reloading scenarios, and suggesting how I personally would equip for each one.
Featured images courtesy of www.redding-reloading.com, www.leeprecision.com and www.dillonprecision.com.
