Reloading Equipment I (Presses)

Single Stage Press

The reloading press is one of the simplest yet most essential tools in the reloading process. Basically, all the press does is hold a die or dies which the casing to be loaded is forced into by the ram of the press. The press provides the leverage and force required to push a case into a die for resizing as well as the force necessary to push a bullet into the case neck. Presses range from very simple and basic single stage presses to large, complex progressive presses. A single stage press can only accommodate one die and one case at a time, so it can only perform one step of the reloading process at a time. Single stage presses are known for being extremely strong and rugged. Due to the fact that they are only performing one operation at a time, single stage presses are also very simple and easy to set up and use. Single stage presses are ideal for someone learning to reload as there is only one operation happening at once and fewer variables to pay attention to. A single stage press can handle all the operations necessary to load a complete cartridge, and the only thing to be gained by using larger progressive presses is speed. The strength, simplicity, precision, and level of control make the single stage press the press type of choice for those shooters seeking to produce very consistent, highly accurate ammunition.

Turret Press

Turret presses are the next step up in size and production speed. A turret press is similar to a single stage press in that the ram still only holds one case, but the turret press will hold multiple dies in a rotating turret at the top of the press. The purpose of a turret press is to allow the handloader to perform multiple reloading operations in sequence without removing the case from the press. Since the turret holds multiple dies, the various steps of the process can be completed in sequence simply by rotating the turret and running the case back up into the next die. Turret presses also provide a time savings by eliminating the need to remove and replace individual dies between loading operations. It is possible to buy several turrets so that dies can be left set up in the turret, and caliber changes on the press can be achieved by simply changing the turret and the shellholder if necessary.

Progressive Press

The largest and most complex presses are progressive presses. Progressive presses are designed to hold multiple dies as well as multiple cases so that all steps of the reloading process can be performed simultaneously. With a progressive press, once the shellplate is full, every stroke of the ram produces a finished round of ammunition. Progressive presses greatly increase production speed by automating steps such as powder measuring that would otherwise have to be performed by hand. Also, once a case is in the shell plate, there is no need to remove and replace it between steps. Progressive presses are ideal for someone who needs to load a large number of the same cartridge quickly. Due to the complexity of progressive presses and the number of adjustments involved, they are not well suited to loading multiple calibers on the same press. Progressive presses are typically used by shooters who load for high-volume competition such as Cowboy Action or IPSC.

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