We offer reloading presses from Lyman, RCBS and Hornady. Each manufacturer makes fantastic machines and we don't particularly recommend one over another for this reason. The most important things to consider when purchasing a reloading press are your goals with reloading and your budget. If your goal is to mass product bulk rifle ammo or bulk pistol ammo then a progressive or auto progressive reloading press may be better suited for you than a single stage press. If your goal is to produce very accurate precision ammunition for your long range hunting rifle or long range target rifle then a single stage press may be a better choice. 

Reloading Presses Explained

Besides your reloading components, your reloading press, dies and tools are an equally important part of the equation in loading accurate ammunition. Reloading presses all function in pretty much the same way. Your shell is secured in a shell holder or shell plate and forced with a lever into dies that are specific to the caliber you are loading. Each die in the die set performs a different function in the press. There are several steps to reloading each cartridge so typically there are several steps in reloading. Because of there being several steps, a progressive press makes a lot of sense because several of the steps can be combined into one action without retooling your press.

How to Evaluate Reloading Presses Before Your Purchase

Your reloading press is an important purchase and an expensive purchase so careful consideration is important. You should consider each presses capabilities and compare those with your goals. If speed is important to you, you may want to make sure that your press can prime or that a priming solution can be easily added to it if it doesn't come with it. Your volume and accuracy goals should also be considered. If you are looking to fill up ammo cans with bulk ammo to feed your 223 and you are only plinking on gongs then a multi stage progressive press may be a good buy for you because of the hours it will save. If your a benchrest shooter and only loading 20-40 a time then attention to detail not speed may be important to you and a single stage press may be a good choice.