I want to start reloading 40 S&W. A friend has all of the gear (press, dies, measure, scale, etc), so all I need is consumables and brass. To that end, I bought a tumbler and some walnut media and now I have about 350 clean cases
I'm ready to start buying powder, primers, and bullets. I like 180gr factory ammo, so that's what I want to load. I will probably buy plated bullets, but I haven't ruled lead out yet. Based on what I have read, my first choice of powder is N320, followed by WST, Silhouette, and a few others (depends on what I can find at the local shop). For primers, I have seen CCI small pistol primers on the shelf so that's probably what I will buy. Comments or suggestions?
And now the real question: I also want to buy a press, etc, of my own. I have decided on Lee equipment, but I don't know which press to get. Most "beginner" guides recommend a single stage or turret press. Of those two, the turret is the most appealing, but the turret kit is also the most expensive option at about $200 street price without dies. The Challenger single stage kit is somewhat less expensive but it's a single stage. I also looked at the Pro 1000, which lead to my question.
I can get the Pro1000 progressive press *with* dies for about the same price as the Challenger single stage kit and dies, and less than the price of the Classic Turret kit. Why would I not go for that? It lacks a scale, but even after buying a scale I'm still in the price range of the Challenger kit with dies. Mechanical complexity doesn't scare me - it's actually kind of appealing.
Is there a compelling reason NOT to start with a progressive press? I'm not going to buy any equipment until I have loaded a couple of batches on my friend's press - that experience may answer my question. But I'm also interested in what the wise sages of reloading have to say.
If it matters, my gun is an SR40c and my empty brass all came from my gun with the exception of one Speer case that snuck in - I've never bought or fired Speer ammo.
I'm ready to start buying powder, primers, and bullets. I like 180gr factory ammo, so that's what I want to load. I will probably buy plated bullets, but I haven't ruled lead out yet. Based on what I have read, my first choice of powder is N320, followed by WST, Silhouette, and a few others (depends on what I can find at the local shop). For primers, I have seen CCI small pistol primers on the shelf so that's probably what I will buy. Comments or suggestions?
And now the real question: I also want to buy a press, etc, of my own. I have decided on Lee equipment, but I don't know which press to get. Most "beginner" guides recommend a single stage or turret press. Of those two, the turret is the most appealing, but the turret kit is also the most expensive option at about $200 street price without dies. The Challenger single stage kit is somewhat less expensive but it's a single stage. I also looked at the Pro 1000, which lead to my question.
I can get the Pro1000 progressive press *with* dies for about the same price as the Challenger single stage kit and dies, and less than the price of the Classic Turret kit. Why would I not go for that? It lacks a scale, but even after buying a scale I'm still in the price range of the Challenger kit with dies. Mechanical complexity doesn't scare me - it's actually kind of appealing.
Is there a compelling reason NOT to start with a progressive press? I'm not going to buy any equipment until I have loaded a couple of batches on my friend's press - that experience may answer my question. But I'm also interested in what the wise sages of reloading have to say.
If it matters, my gun is an SR40c and my empty brass all came from my gun with the exception of one Speer case that snuck in - I've never bought or fired Speer ammo.