More than one single-stage press?

[wdwrkr51]

Is there any good reason to own and use more than one single stage press, rather than a "turret press" or something more automated, when reloading for handguns? :smile:

 

[Wahnsinn]

Good reason? Probably not. But if you pick up a couple single stages super cheap and then run an assembly line with your wife/kids it may work out ok

Or if you have a couple singles setup in different calibers, to avoid having to change out dies.

 

[golocx4]

It all depends on how anal you are about your loads.
If you are loading for plinking or don't really care about a MOA of 1 or are trying to put 5 rounds through the same hole.
I personally have 2 single stages set up so I can do 2 processes at the same time.
I know guys that are really anal about their loads and take precision to the degree of rocket science.
Example: I will de-prime and re-size on one then prime on the other
Later I will charge and load on one then crimp on the other.
But then again If I can place all my shots with in any ring with points I am happy.
By the way, I have been considering going to a Turret lately.
With the new laws in NY Ammunition will be a hot black market, oops did I really type that. Oh Crap to late. the NSA is already calling Albany with my IP address.

 

[Benji40]

If I waited for a "good" reason for buying anything reloading related my bench wouldn't be nearly as crowded. Haven't regretted any of it. Have one set up as a universal decapper and use the other one to load on.

I have to add, buy a progressive, Dillon if you can or save up. It really is the way to go for volume. Single stages will always have a place on my bench, especially for small runs, anything less than 50 rounds.

 

[BigSlick]

It all depends on how anal you are about your loads.
If you are loading for plinking or don't really care about a MOA of 1 or are trying to put 5 rounds through the same hole.
I personally have 2 single stages set up so I can do 2 processes at the same time.
I know guys that are really anal about their loads and take precision to the degree of rocket science.
Example: I will de-prime and re-size on one then prime on the other
Later I will charge and load on one then crimp on the other.
But then again If I can place all my shots with in any ring with points I am happy.
By the way, I have been considering going to a Turret lately.
With the new laws in NY Ammunition will be a hot black market, oops did I really type that. Oh Crap to late. the NSA is already calling Albany with my IP address.

I am like you with my SSP. I do a rough cleaning through a tumbler with a course material then de-prime and re-size. I may do 3 or 4 hundred at a time. Then I re-prime the entire batch, again it is usually in the hundreds. Then comes charging, bullet insertion then crimping. I follow that up with a thorough tumbling with a fine polishing media. I have been told that I produce some of the prettiest reloads around. My finished product is clean, shiny bright and goes bang very time. Some may ask if all that extra work is necessary but I enjoy doing it.

I have considered upgrading to a turret but haven't taken the plunge. I think I will when the prices come down a bit. Would be nice not having to change dies all the time.

 

[Dnevill]

Progressive

I am like you with my SSP. I do a rough cleaning through a tumbler with a course material then de-prime and re-size. I may do 3 or 4 hundred at a time. Then I re-prime the entire batch, again it is usually in the hundreds. Then comes charging, bullet insertion then crimping. I follow that up with a thorough tumbling with a fine polishing media. I have been told that I produce some of the prettiest reloads around. My finished product is clean, shiny bright and goes bang very time. Some may ask if all that extra work is necessary but I enjoy doing it.

I have considered upgrading to a turret but haven't taken the plunge. I think I will when the prices come down a bit. Would be nice not having to change dies all the time.

I have a Hornady Progressive press an Love it
When its set I can crank 500 9mm or 45's out and I check the powder weights when I fill bullet tubes or primer tube and Its always dead on. to the tenth. I use tite group and it flows consistent.
.308, .223 .270 or 7mag my lengths and powder are extremely accurate. I would put it against my single any day. The powder measure is dead on but you need a baffle in it and keep it over a third full. Tite group, CFE, 2230, IMR 4831, Power pistol, Power Pro varmint. all flow consistent. It take me 3 hours to do a fresh set up of a caliber I haven't done before. but with the Quick change bushings I can switch from 9mm to 45,s in 10 minutes most of it changing primer tubes and adjusting powder measure

 

[jcreek]

I am like you with my SSP. I do a rough cleaning through a tumbler with a course material then de-prime and re-size. I may do 3 or 4 hundred at a time. Then I re-prime the entire batch, again it is usually in the hundreds. Then comes charging, bullet insertion then crimping. I follow that up with a thorough tumbling with a fine polishing media. I have been told that I produce some of the prettiest reloads around. My finished product is clean, shiny bright and goes bang very time. Some may ask if all that extra work is necessary but I enjoy doing it.

I have considered upgrading to a turret but haven't taken the plunge. I think I will when the prices come down a bit. Would be nice not having to change dies all the time.

I have a Hornady Progressive press an Love it
When its set I can crank 500 9mm or 45's out and I check the powder weights when I fill bullet tubes or primer tube and Its always dead on. to the tenth. I use tite group and it flows consistent.
.308, .223 .270 or 7mag my lengths and powder are extremely accurate. I would put it against my single any day. The powder measure is dead on but you need a baffle in it and keep it over a third full. Tite group, CFE, 2230, IMR 4831, Power pistol, Power Pro varmint. all flow consistent. It take me 3 hours to do a fresh set up of a caliber I haven't done before. but with the Quick change bushings I can switch from 9mm to 45,s in 10 minutes most of it changing primer tubes and adjusting powder measure

If you actually can get 4831 to flow consistently I need to know your trick. When I was loading .243 with it it was constantly varying by up to half a grain. The powder is just too long and thick to flow well it seems. I gave up using it in the measure and started hand weighing every load.