Glen Artis: Tips and Tricks for Reloaders.
We all love going to the range to practice our
aim or to simply keep our trigger fingers busy. Problem is ammo is expensive,
and you need lots of it if you frequent the range. So how do you ensure you
have a constant supply of ammunition at the lowest cost possible?
Purchasing a progressive
reloading press is the best way to do
it. With a progressive reloading press, you will need to stock on primers,
powder, and bullets. More importantly, though, is the reloading press you
decide to splash money on.
While there are several different types of
reloading presses, the progressive reloading press is the best. These types of
presses are capable of producing 400 rounds per hour. Also, they offer
precision and efficiency that is hard to come by with other types of reloading
presses.
That being said, here are five useful tips on
how to pick out the best progressive reloading press in a saturated
market.
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Ease of use
There are three main types of reloading presses,
single-stage, turret, and progressive reloading presses. Of the three
progressive reloading presses are the most complex. As such, they tend to be a
handful for beginners.
Nevertheless, some of the progressive reloading
presses available today are easier to use and assemble than others. Depending
on your level of experience, it may help to invest in a press that is a bit
easier to use than most.
Question is, how do you know a reloading press
will be easy to use or assemble? The general rule of thumb is that presses with
fewer moving parts are easier to use.
The production rate
The production rate or reloading rate is the
number of rounds a press can produce within a given time, typically in an hour.
This factor is dependent on several things key among them, the automatic
indexing feature.
So should you go for a reloading press with an
automatic indexing feature or one without? Typically, those with automatic
indexing have a higher production rate. However, this is not necessarily a good
thing.
To understand why we need to delve a little bit
into machines with automatic indexing. Presses with this feature will
automatically size, prime, operate powder measure, and seat a bullet. Those
that lack this feature have to be manually operated.
A manual press gives you more freedom to
scrutinize the entire process, as nothing happens without your contribution.
This is beneficial for beginners, but if you have experience with progressive
reloading press, the automatic indexing feature will be a big plus.
Caliber changing system
When you have different caliber bullets to
reload, you will need to make changes to your reloading press. This is where
the caliber changing system comes in. This is another aspect that affects a
reloader’s production rate.
If you frequent the range and want to produce a
large amount of rounds, consider a reloading press with a caliber changing
system.
Number of stations
Progressive reloading presses feature different
numbers of stations, with each station having a unique function. On average
progressive reloading presses can have anywhere between 3 and 8 stations.
The more the number of stations, the more
simultaneous tasks can be performed. This translates to a higher production
rate. However, most people can be sufficiently served by a press with 4 to 5
stations.
With 4 to 5 stations, you will be able to
produce a substantial amount of either pistol or rifle ammunition. It is worth
noting that presses with more stations cost more. Thus you may have to cough up
to $1000 for a press with eight stations.
Price
Progressive reloading presses cost between $300
and $1000. For most people, a $300 reloading press is sufficient. A pricier
model will have extra features that allow you to do more. However, some of the
features found on pricier models may not be practical to you.
This is especially if you are generally
inexperienced when it comes to using progressive reloading presses.
Conclusion
There are many different kinds of progressive
reloading presses on the market, each with its pros and cons. When it comes
down to it, the best progressive reloading press is the one that best suits
you. If you are new to these types of presses, some of the more complex and
pricier models may not be ideal for you.
