I did the same thing. Started with a progressive using one station at a time until I was comfortable. Loading 9mm in my opinion would be torture on a true single stage press.
Is it worth the time to reload 9MM?
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I went from a Lee single stage to two Dillon 450s and a Hornady lock and load. I still have a whole bunch of 9mm and .223 ammo I loaded laying around. I wound up selling all 3 presses. It is a time suck. Some people find it therapeutic and I am all for it. Some guys are precision shooters and want consistent loads (I am lucky if I can get on paper). I find there are so many other things which demand and require my attention that I just don't need the presses. I thought of it as a prepper/doomsday thing, but if I shoot up all the ammo I have stockpiled, I cannot conceive of burning thru all that and still being alive.
Before I got into reloading, I would not have even considered buying an interesting gun if it was an odd or hard-to-find caliber. Now, I almost seek out the odd stuff. As long as I can find brass, or can reform brass from a different caliber to work, I'm good to go. I can shoot guns that I would not be able to otherwise.
tdovea10
Well-Known Member
I have an extra Lee 4 hole turret press and may even have extra 9mm dies.
Snoopz
Well-Known Member
About the same here, really if I would go back further, you could say I started earlier reloading 12 GA at friends house his father, grandfather shot trap n skeet. Federal paper hulls. 38 spl was real common back then. A Gun shop used to reload for people, but when I got into the Contender pistol I basically had no choice, 218 Bee, 22 Jet, 22 K Hornet, 256 WM.
Then when something came up whether odd ball or not would not hesitate to buy it. Now the big boys I definitely wouldn't shoot as much, 338LM, 375 H&H, 458 WM, 460, 50AE and the 50 BMG. Always on the lookout for old manuals.
Kinda do things *ss backwards, like 6.5 Swede dies, brass, bullets, ammo, nothing to shoot it out of.
Got into swagjng making bullets from copper jackets, 22LR cases, even pistol cases.. Casting MiHec brass molds...just more "branches" off the "Reloading Tree"... Its basically one hobby I've stayed with of all the others.
Someone said they went from Single Stage then to progressive, well I'm going the wrong way went Single Stage to Progressive, back to a Ideal Lyman. 310, Single Stage? It still works
-Snoopz
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I started on a single stage, went to a progressive, but it was a used one that didnt work all that well, so I went back to the single stage. I have two trains of thought:
Pro: Starting on a single stage is good because it forces you to slow down, check everything, and reduces your chance of doing something wrong like missing a powder charge or something.
Con: If you buy a single stage, the process is extremely slow and laborious, so you may get burned out on reloading just due to the grind it can be with a single stage.
If I had to do it all over again, I would invest in a good quality progressive set up, and go as "all out" as I can from the start. Especially if you are reloading more than 100-200 rounds at a sitting. Otherwise, it may be like buying a really nice pistol, and then an absolute garbage holster that makes you not ever want to carry the pistol.
Then, buy a single stage and set it aside for if you want to reload a small batch of something, or need to be more precise or something.
Pro: Starting on a single stage is good because it forces you to slow down, check everything, and reduces your chance of doing something wrong like missing a powder charge or something.
Con: If you buy a single stage, the process is extremely slow and laborious, so you may get burned out on reloading just due to the grind it can be with a single stage.
If I had to do it all over again, I would invest in a good quality progressive set up, and go as "all out" as I can from the start. Especially if you are reloading more than 100-200 rounds at a sitting. Otherwise, it may be like buying a really nice pistol, and then an absolute garbage holster that makes you not ever want to carry the pistol.
Then, buy a single stage and set it aside for if you want to reload a small batch of something, or need to be more precise or something.
I started loading 38spcl on a Dillon SDB. Prices on them have increased, but if I was starting with a pistol caliber I’d be looking for a used one rather than a single stage. Seriously, there isn’t that much to keep track of once the dies are setup, just make sure if feels like the primer seated correctly and the powder charge looks right, OAL and crimp get checked later from time to time as they come off the press.
Of course it never hurts to have a single stage around; the rock chucker is solid and affordable.
Of course it never hurts to have a single stage around; the rock chucker is solid and affordable.
At $12 a box for 50...hell yes.
FYI: 9mm TMJ 115 bullets deal.
https://americanreloading.com/9mm-38-super-357sig-355-356/2937-9mm-115gr-tmj-new-1000ct.html
$89, with promo code 33projo, it is $60 per 1000 shipped.
https://americanreloading.com/9mm-38-super-357sig-355-356/2937-9mm-115gr-tmj-new-1000ct.html
$89, with promo code 33projo, it is $60 per 1000 shipped.
Snoopz
Well-Known Member
Yep, quite often, a good company and every time I order they ship quick.They are GTG, Bought all kinds of stuff
bullet wise.
bullets 22, 45, 9mm, 30 mainly.
They had tracers 30_22 cal
Some light bullets 9mm nickel real light weight
I'll use this rhyme.
"Jack by nibble, Jack be quick, they go so fast before you click"
-Snoopz
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One more on the pile..
..When I started shooting more pistol I got a new Lee Classic Turret when they had a sale on'em.
It's a contraption, but it gets the job done. Yes, a single stage would eventually get it done as well but holy crap it would get tedious.
There's more goofy mess with the Lee Turret but just like the rest, pay attention. Don't be dickin with the phone or playin with Momma. When ya reload ya need some focus. That said, for pistol cartridges I don't feel the need to get too squinched up about finer details. They go pop and hit the target while leaving my firearm and hands intact. Easy peasy.
My current philosophy is to buy cheap range ammo and shoot it. Then refill it with "premium" bullets for the save..
Interest and shooting volume vary but I can go right back in the loading room and start crankin the handle anytime I feel I want to.
That's a positive IMO.. Like most of the rest have said.. It depends..
..When I started shooting more pistol I got a new Lee Classic Turret when they had a sale on'em.
It's a contraption, but it gets the job done. Yes, a single stage would eventually get it done as well but holy crap it would get tedious.
There's more goofy mess with the Lee Turret but just like the rest, pay attention. Don't be dickin with the phone or playin with Momma. When ya reload ya need some focus. That said, for pistol cartridges I don't feel the need to get too squinched up about finer details. They go pop and hit the target while leaving my firearm and hands intact. Easy peasy.
My current philosophy is to buy cheap range ammo and shoot it. Then refill it with "premium" bullets for the save..
Interest and shooting volume vary but I can go right back in the loading room and start crankin the handle anytime I feel I want to.
That's a positive IMO.. Like most of the rest have said.. It depends..
Snoopz
Well-Known Member
my version of a progressive "sorta" setup was
adding 2 more Rock Chuckers back in the day.
One size / deprime, one to expand the mouth, the other to seat / crimp, progressives were few and far betwix, Stars, CH Champion's.
We would have "reloading parties" 3 of us would have a task to do..You'd be surprised jist how much you can turn out.
-Snoopz
adding 2 more Rock Chuckers back in the day.
One size / deprime, one to expand the mouth, the other to seat / crimp, progressives were few and far betwix, Stars, CH Champion's.
We would have "reloading parties" 3 of us would have a task to do..You'd be surprised jist how much you can turn out.
-Snoopz
Yes, I’ve dealt with them before. I like that the shipping and hazmat fees are included in the prices. I get emails from them with specials and promo codes for discounts. For bullets, they have a lot of deals on blems and pulled bullets, but they occasionally have new bullets (such as those I linked to).
Thanks for posting this deal
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Probably been said before (by me?). My rule is:
At ~$12/box (or under), buy factory, stock components when they are low.
Over $20, roll my own.
The big deciding point is the initial cost. If you shoot a lot (3-4 boxes/month) then that is minimized. Shoot 1 box/month then it might be best to buy.
Right now I'm under 1/month. Two years ago it was 5/month. Next year???
Everyone's different.
This probably didn't help. 🤷
At ~$12/box (or under), buy factory, stock components when they are low.
Over $20, roll my own.
The big deciding point is the initial cost. If you shoot a lot (3-4 boxes/month) then that is minimized. Shoot 1 box/month then it might be best to buy.
Right now I'm under 1/month. Two years ago it was 5/month. Next year???
Everyone's different.
This probably didn't help. 🤷
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Age may also be a minor factor with determining if one wants to reload.
A younger guy would have way more time to recoup the initial outlay.
I've thought several times about goin with a Dillon.
But at this stage of the game I'm prolly just as well off ta keep pullin on this rattletrap Lee. 🥴
A younger guy would have way more time to recoup the initial outlay.
I've thought several times about goin with a Dillon.
But at this stage of the game I'm prolly just as well off ta keep pullin on this rattletrap Lee. 🥴
I agree, a high volume round like 9mm is painful on a single stage. I started on a Lee Turret and quickly got tired of that at only 100-150rd/hr, but it was a good learning experience and I still use my turret for low volume rounds.
Timfoilhat
Time is my accomplice
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I'm using a Redding T7 turret. It's like having a single stage that's set up with all the dies so you can get everything set exactly where you want it and don't need to fool with seating depth/OAL kind of stuff anymore. Mine's set for .308 and 9mm and has one open hole. I use the open hole as my single stage hole for the oddballs I don't load much.
Loading .308 this way is fine. I like to take care and make these perfect since they're for competition and I generally don't need more then 50 or so in a go.
Loading 9mm like this is downright dirty ugly labor. It's tedious and awful. The day is coming that I'm going to load every last case and projectile I have in a week long slog and then I'll pull those dies from the press and throw them in a river or something. Now that I have .223 to load for (again, after the great caliber consolidation had previously wiped it out) I kind of want the 9mm space freed up anyway.
Loading .308 this way is fine. I like to take care and make these perfect since they're for competition and I generally don't need more then 50 or so in a go.
Loading 9mm like this is downright dirty ugly labor. It's tedious and awful. The day is coming that I'm going to load every last case and projectile I have in a week long slog and then I'll pull those dies from the press and throw them in a river or something. Now that I have .223 to load for (again, after the great caliber consolidation had previously wiped it out) I kind of want the 9mm space freed up anyway.
Timfoilhat
Time is my accomplice
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I'm only good for about 60 rounds an hour this way, probably limited by my powder measure and weigh verification process being slow.
I have a turret and 2 single stage presses. I even use the turret in single stage mode. Every bullet can blow off a finger or blow up a gun or kill a living target so I give every bullet my undivided attention on every tiny step… with that being said loading 1000 rounds is a long painful undertaking for me HAHAHA!
But an old guy that is retired has more spare time to spend.
The T7 is a fine press, but I just couldn't get over the expense of buying extra turrets. The turrets for the Lee press are about $12 each, and yes, the convenience of having all the dies for a given caliber in a single turret, and being able to pop them in and out quickly, are one of the reasons I love that press. I've got well over 25 turrets populated with various dies sets.
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Snoopz
Well-Known Member
Bingo...But an old guy that is retired has more spare time to spend.
Give that man some primers...
Yes sir being retired and old sometimes has its advantages. Sleep when you want, go where you want, basically do what you want.
And its nice being a member of a club / range go there when you want. Everyday is a holiday or weekend.
-Snoopz
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We should REALLY have some kind of sticky post for this question. It comes up at least once a year.
So here's my experience.
I started with a Hornady LNL single stage kit. I started loading around 15 years ago. I will never let that press and parts go. I still use it all the time. I'm guessing I reload around 10 calibers.
Just a few years ago, I bought a used Hornady LNL progressive off a member here. I have so many LNL parts, I just chose to stick with it. I only use it for 9mm, 300blk and training 556. My wife and I shoot around 150 rounds every Sunday, 9mm that is. Maybe 50 556. If I had to load those on my single stage, we wouldn't be shooting that much!
My time is worth $. Loading anything that I shoot a LOT of, is costly. It costs me time. That being said, I STILL reduce some steps to single stage. I will dry tumble a thousand+ cases of 9mm, then deprime/resize all of them on my single stage. I will have one big box of resized brass ready to go. THEN, I hand prime all brass. I want to feel what every primer is doing. Is that a mil primer pocket that I need to ream out? Is the primer pocket worn out? You just don't feel that in a progressive press. So, I still do those two steps manually, slowly.
For all else, I still use that single stage. ANYTHING precision, gets the single treatment. Every case measured. Every powder charge weighed. I've probably pulled the lever on that single stage close to 100k times. I would easily let my progressive go before I let my single stage go. I learned so much and there are so many things that require "feel" to making quality reloads that get lost on a progressive.
So I say all that to get to the point of: start with a good single stage. If your reloading desire and enjoyment grows, you'll expand. However, you'll never stop using that single stage. You'll always come back to it for something. Invest in a decent one. Something you'll use forever and pass on to someone else.
So here's my experience.
I started with a Hornady LNL single stage kit. I started loading around 15 years ago. I will never let that press and parts go. I still use it all the time. I'm guessing I reload around 10 calibers.
Just a few years ago, I bought a used Hornady LNL progressive off a member here. I have so many LNL parts, I just chose to stick with it. I only use it for 9mm, 300blk and training 556. My wife and I shoot around 150 rounds every Sunday, 9mm that is. Maybe 50 556. If I had to load those on my single stage, we wouldn't be shooting that much!
My time is worth $. Loading anything that I shoot a LOT of, is costly. It costs me time. That being said, I STILL reduce some steps to single stage. I will dry tumble a thousand+ cases of 9mm, then deprime/resize all of them on my single stage. I will have one big box of resized brass ready to go. THEN, I hand prime all brass. I want to feel what every primer is doing. Is that a mil primer pocket that I need to ream out? Is the primer pocket worn out? You just don't feel that in a progressive press. So, I still do those two steps manually, slowly.
For all else, I still use that single stage. ANYTHING precision, gets the single treatment. Every case measured. Every powder charge weighed. I've probably pulled the lever on that single stage close to 100k times. I would easily let my progressive go before I let my single stage go. I learned so much and there are so many things that require "feel" to making quality reloads that get lost on a progressive.
So I say all that to get to the point of: start with a good single stage. If your reloading desire and enjoyment grows, you'll expand. However, you'll never stop using that single stage. You'll always come back to it for something. Invest in a decent one. Something you'll use forever and pass on to someone else.
Snoopz
Well-Known Member
There's still things I do off press.
Of course trim..
Hand prime ole Lee Autoprimes (ole yellow round trays) can "feel" to seat the primer.
Still to this day do things in "batch mode"
Wet tumble mostly, but still dry once in a while.
Sort 5.56, 9mm for crimped primers. Deprime on the APP, ...so on..always have batches ready to.go.
-Snoopz