It's like a po' boy progressive....sort of...

[Bookworm]

One of the negatives of getting my (much) better half interested in shooting, is that, well....she wants to shoot. That means I need to keep her in ammo. So far, fortunately, she shoots .38Spl, .22LR, and a few .380 to keep up with her carry gun familiarity. I don't need to reload the .380, not enough of it is fired. The 22LR, well, we all know about that.

That leaves the .38.

She really, really likes some mild wadcutter loads I cooked up (2.3g Clays, 148g Hornady HBWC, for those interested. Almost out of the Hornadys, I will start casting 140g Wc in an old Ideal 358495 4-banger I picked up on this forum.), so I need to load a bunch.

The problem - my press is an old Lee Challenger (before the snap-in dies) that I've had since the late 80's. Some while ago I picked up another Challenger in a long-forgotten trade. I've been single-staging it in batches, which worked well enough for me, but now I have created a 38-eating monster. Something's gotta give.

I decided to set up both presses on my (small) bench, using one to flare the case, the 2nd to seat. It works out well, as I prime off-press anyway.
Here, look - And before the safety-nazis holler, yes there are 2 jars of powder on the bench. Both are Clays, and one is empty.
174407

I use the press on the left to flare, then move to the Lee Perfect Powder Measure in the center to drop the charge, then to the right press to seat the wadcutter. Works fine. And, it's much faster than the old method.

Just gotta keep my head in the game, and think of what I'm doing...and save up for a turret press....

[Walter Laich]

or keep saving and get a Dillon SDB used. My original one dates back to early 70's when they were $129.95

I think what you have is great--uses what you already have and as you said is much quicker. I do something similar with my 45-70 loads but have the LNL that let's me quickly switch between dies--you method is pretty much the same.

Glad you got the significant other involved in shooting--mine enjoys it, too but wouldn't be caught dead in reloading room.:smile:

[OS OK]

Interesting story, so many of us have lived in the beginnings...I used to keep up with 3 kids and wife along with myself on my rockchucker...oh lord what an ordeal, the kids had their part to do at least until one of them got bored and coerced the others to head for their treehouse or something and I'd stay to finish for the next camping trips adventures...wish I could have a nickel for each .38 alone, I could afford more stuff today.
It ain't so much the equipment you use...it's more the fact that you 'geterdone'...'hats off to you!'

charlie

[robg]

I use my wamadet press to seat boolits then a Lee reloader press to crimp .I think I'll have to get a turret one day but I've used a single stage for 34 years without any problems so I'm wary of changing my routine.

[sghart3578]

I like it.

[WebMonkey]

Great use of what you have.
Good "philosophy" to live by.
;)

[Wayne Smith]

For .38 Special I have a TrueLine Jr. so dedicated. The only cartridge that I have a dedicated setup. The rest of the pistol I load on the Brown Bair and the rifle usually on the Hollywood Sr.

[DerekP Houston]

my LnL AP is designated for 38 specials i love em so much. I bought new plates for it yet haven't changed it out yet. Just a revolver junky at heart. Still use my lee turret for sizing and the occasional batch of other ammo. It's running so smooth I don't wanna mess with it and might just buy another press ;).

[Bookworm]

Yeah, it's working out well.
Now the problem is that Mrs Bookworm has fallen in love with the Ruger MkII Target pistol.
We were out back shooting this morning, she wouldn't put it down. She shoots pretty good, considering she's just started with it.

But, I can load the 38 cheaper than buying 22 shells. Sigh....it's a tough life...

[victorfox]

I like it.

Me too! Funny thing you call the shotshell presses like mec 600 or lee lad all a single stage. Single stage is mine, like the one the OP has, but for 12ga. Have to screw sizing die/decapper, remove, screw closing die, screw shell holder, the star crimper is a spindex like affair you put over the hull mouth by hand and press with the die, then remove and close... About 1hour to complete a full box of 12ga.

The OP setup is top notch, simple and effective. Not quite a personal factory (progressive)

[ncbearman]

I use my wamadet press to seat boolits then a Lee reloader press to crimp .I think I'll have to get a turret one day but I've used a single stage for 34 years without any problems so I'm wary of changing my routine.

I can help with that...
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?313276-RCBS-Turret

[dverna]

Loading a sizable amount of ammunition on single stage presses gets old real quick. Have your wife watch you load, then have her watch a YouTube video of a Dillon 550.

Even if she does not suggest getting a faster machine, she will appreciate what you are doing. And who knows how she will express her appreciation! ��

[WFO2]

Good job reminds me of when I just had a Lee Classic Cast and a powder throw . I to have a TRJ dedicated to 38spcl and an old Lyman orange turret set up for 44 mag .I remember getting all my brass primed and sitting at that Lee for hours cranking out 45acp .

[dannyd]

used three single stage presses for couple of years. sizing, flare and seating. it works

[Artful]

Time to teach her reloading don't you think bookworm?

[Whiterabbit]

Save up for a pro1000. Great little press I am told. If it is half the machine my loadmaster is it will crank out indoor-range worthy 38 special by the bucketload.

[Bookworm]

Time to teach her reloading don't you think bookworm?

I probably will, at some point, teach her at least the rudiments of reloading. She is interested in mechanical things and processes.

She knows how to change, and has changed, the engine oil & filter in her car, and the transmission oil & filter. She knows the basics of maintenance too, checking fluid levels and tire pressure, change a tire, etc. She has helped me on numerous occasions with much heavier tasks involving cars and other machinery.

I also know how to cook, but she does almost all of that - mostly because she enjoys planning and preparing the meals. Me, I can cook, but do it from time to time out of necessity rather than enjoyment.

My point is that I reload because I like it. Sometimes I think that I shoot so I can reload more, rather than the other way around. I have always enjoyed mechanical processes, what used to be called "working with ones' hands". I will probably teach her to reload, because it's a life-skill that I think she should now.

But that doesn't mean she'll do it with any regularity.

[rfd]

good stuff, bookworm - make the most of what you have. i've had MANY presses over the decades, both single (redding, lyman, lee, rcbs) and turret (lee, lyman and that monster redding t7), but i find no want or use of a progressive. turrets are great for banging out hand gun cartridges if you shoot a lot weekly (i don't shoot much hand gun these dayze, but lots of bpcr and trad muzzleloader). these dayze i run a pair of lee breech lock presses and only load for .45-70 (with fire formed brass that only needs the use of a press for a powder compression die) and .357 magnum (loaded in die type stages, from sizing to expanding to seating/crimping). the presses are also used for wad punching, straight wall expanding for fire formed brass simulation, and case trimming. i find great value in most lee products.

[dikman]

Save up for a pro1000. Great little press I am told. If it is half the machine my loadmaster is it will crank out indoor-range worthy 38 special by the bucketload.

Umm, the Pro1000 isn't bad, for the money, but can become an exercise in frustration due to the potential for priming issues.

[Whiterabbit]

For a po-boy looking to reload in a hurry, I have discovered that in lieu of money comes a mechanical aptitude and willingness to keep machines running.

I find that the case for gun related hobbies, and car related hobbies.

[Freightman]

I have a Lee turret, a lee classic S-S, and a Lee small C press I load the pistol on the turret, and rifle on the S-S, and size with the C press upside down . Simple is good.

[Ken in Iowa]

I like it!

[izzyjoe]

I don't load as much as I did in years past, but I would set in front of the tv at night and use a Lee hand press to size 38, and 45 acp cases. And then use my Lee hand primer, till the handle broke, and I tossed it. Then I would go to the shop, and use the Lee powder measure to drop charges and then seat bullets after the cases we're charged. I could easily load a couple hundred and hour, after the hard part was done!

[Smk SHoe]

My Wifey loves to shoot also, but the only thing she knows about ammo is which shelf to take it off in the man cave. She does realize it must take a lot of time since I'm always in the cave ( 1 RCBS turrent, 2 RCBS Partner presses, 2 Lee hand presses and 2 Dillion 650's) reloading. Now the Daughter is a different animal. She's been sizing and depriming since she was around 12. She enjoys loading her 6mm BR rifle and pistol ammo, but I wouldn't let her do it unsupervised till she turned 21. Now she's moved out of the house, only time i see her is when i get home and she's in the cave trying to wear out the 650 that's set up for 9mm. Proud daddy when his little girl talks smack to her boyfriend about his shooting ability.

[HeavyMetal]

So here's the idea: haunt E Bay until you get a shot at a Pro 1000, I've picked up Two for under $80.00

Never ever never try to prime on one of these things!! I pulled all the priming stuff off of every machine I have and de-prime with a universal de capping die, then into stainless steel pins to clean.

This allows me to inspect case's as I go, then into my RCBS bench priming tool, then into the Pro1000 to load, you may or may not want use the single stage to crimp and final inspect, as needed!

Right now a Pro 1000 for parts is on Evil bay , cheap ! Suggest you start there and with luck you may nab one sooner than later, it has some rust but most parts are there and Titan has the rest pretty cheap.

If you don't get one with the 38 special shell plate PM me I must have three of them!

[TXGunNut]

I save my single stage presses for cartridges I enjoy loading; most pistol ammo is pure drudgery for me. My progressive has loaded upwards of 200K 38 Spls and probably over 50K 45ACP's. I justified my progressive when I realized the time I spent loading was time I couldn't spend shooting.
I used to think 380 wasn't worth reloading for but recent price increases and shortages changed that. My latest 380 carry gun is actually fun to shoot and I needed more ammo than I wanted to buy. I ordered a RD mould from NOE, a shell holder and set of dies from Dillon. 550 comes out of hibernation now and then for a good cause. Can't imagine loading .380 on a single stage with my clumsy fingers for more than just a short session.

[ironhead7544]

I knew a guy who had a few kids. He bought enough equipment to set up a production line. Worked great as all the kids like to shoot. And all he had to do was supervise.

[Budzilla 19]

I like your ingenuity in solving a problem and speeding up your process!!!! I made do with what I had (Pacific single stage)till my Dad brought home a Dillon RL 450, man,did things pick up then! It's retired now, and in its place are more blue presses! If you want to load mass amounts of pistol ammo, go Blue, brother! P.S. The last comment was from my own personal experiences and not intended to throw stink on the other brands of progressive presses which are out there! Just my .02 cents.

[LeadHead72]

Umm, the Pro1000 isn't bad, for the money, but can become an exercise in frustration due to the potential for priming issues.

I have found it to be a source of frustration even when NOT using the priming function. Not impressed.

[LeadHead72]

Bookworm, you may not have the money right now but the RCBS turret press like the one that NCBearman sold can save you a lot of time and is a well-built machine. Check for a used one on eBay or Craigslist or other places and you will eventually find a decent deal. Redding makes an excellent one as well.

[Bookworm]

I'm thinking there will be a turret press in my future. I don't yet know which one, but Christmas is nigh.
No telling what Santa may bring.
If that doesn't work, as funds become available I'll upgrade.

So far, tho, the dual-single setup is working okay. I loaded up several hundred .44Mag the other day.
As long as I have the cases primed and ready, it actually goes fairly quickly.

The small bench I have gets crowded, but I set a folding table next to me to give additional room.

[gundownunder]

You can speed up production on a single stage by using a little ingenuity.
A PVC pipe chute hung off the side of the press when you deprime and size lets you flick the finished round out of the press and into a bucket with your right index finger as you raise the press arm with your right hand and at the same time grab another case with your left hand to shove into the press.
Use the Lee, ram priming tool on top of the press and use a PVC chute the same way. As your right hand comes up one finger flicks out the primed round, another taps the primer reservoir, and the left hand puts in a fresh case.
Use your powder measure fitted to the top of your flaring die so you can flare and charge in the one operation. With 2 presses, like you have, I would flare and charge on one and seat and roll crimp on the other.
I don't think the old Challenger can do it but some of the other single stagers should be able to deprime on the down stroke and reprime on the up stroke using the Lee safety primer feeder.
The other aid to speed it to do long runs. Deprime and size 500 rounds at a time so you don't have to change dies every 5 minutes.
These mods will double your production speed without breaking the bank. All you need to ask yourself is "do I need 500 rounds an hour or will 100 do?".

[Bookworm]

You can speed up production on a single stage by using a little ingenuity.
A PVC pipe chute hung off the side of the press when you deprime and size lets you flick the finished round out of the press and into a bucket with your right index finger as you raise the press arm with your right hand and at the same time grab another case with your left hand to shove into the press.

Use your powder measure fitted to the top of your flaring die so you can flare and charge in the one operation. With 2 presses, like you have, I would flare and charge on one and seat and roll crimp on the other.

The 'deprime/size-flick' trick sounds like a plan. I'll try that. I have plenty of pvc pipe, bet I can figure something out.

I prime off-press, until a better way comes up.

As for fitting the powder measure to the flare die - I would love to do that, but I'm working with a Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Lee says that the PPM will not work with a Lee powder-through expander die.

I have 3 PPMs, one I purchased back in the late 80's, one I received as part of a trade a few years ago, and the third one just seemed to appear. Not sure how I acquired it.

Perhaps the other two got "in the mood", and....

[Walkingwolf]

I have been using single stage presses all my life, I am in no hurry, and wayyy to picky for a progressive.

[robg]

Now I'm thinking I could do with a turret maybe a Lee as I'm cheap and broke

[shoot-n-lead]

What you have works...and we have all, been there and done that.

It is kind of weird, as I load a pretty fair amount of ammo, now, and I have had a Dillon 550 for years...but, I tend to use it more as a turret, now. I tend to weigh every charge, a lot more than I used to...I guess it is the fact that I mess around with more powders than I did in the past and it ain't all about production, now. One reason for that is that I don't load nearly the 45acp quantities, that I did back when I was competitively shooting, a little.

Anyway, it is working for you...have fun.