• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise

Reloading 101: Selecting A Reloading Press (Part 1)

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

Reloading 101: Selecting A Reloading Press (Part 1) - TheArmsGuide.com
Hornady Lock N Load single stage reloading press. Image courtesy of Hornady via amazon.com

 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

Reloading 101: Selecting A Reloading Press (Part 1) - TheArmsGuide.com
Lyman T-Mag Turret Reloading Press. Image courtesy of Lyman via amazon.com

 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

Reloading 101: Selecting A Reloading Press (Part 1) - TheArmsGuide.com
RCBS Pro 2000 Auto Index Progressive Press. Image courtesy of RCBS via amazon.com

 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.

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
    The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
  • SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
    SIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can't Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
    Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
  • Smith and Wesson Governor Range Review
    Smith and Wesson Governor Range Review

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Ajita Sherer on Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
  • Leland on Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader

Latest From SOFREP

News

Evening Brief: Israel, US Consider ‘Alternative Options’ as Ceasefire Talks with Hamas Stall; Ukraine Holds Line Against Russian Summer Offensive

Featured

Anti-Woke Crusader Matthew Lohmeier Confirmed as Under Secretary of the Air Force

The Pic of the Day

SOF Pic of the Day: Brazilian Special Forces with M110 Rifle

Op-Ed

Tulsi Gabbard and the Subversion of American Intelligence

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...