I am interested in switching to a faster method of reloading handgun calibers. I will continue to hand seat primers with a Lee auto prime. Ammo will be used for just goofing around, and I will hardly ever reload more than 100 ata session, and probably only do that 1 x per month. Will mostly be for 41 mag, 38, 45acp, and 357. I already have dies for all. Am strongly leaning toward Lee turret with auto index. I usually use powder scoops for handgun loading, but also would consider a measure of some sort. I am not sure if I feel justified with the cost of a progrssive, with less than 100 rounds / month being loaded.
Suggestions?

I own two of the Lee turret presses, and while I find them great for my use, if you want a dedicated press for pistol ammo, go with the Dillon and don't look back. - Dan

I have a Lee Turret press w/ Powder measurer. It does great for the handgun shooting I've been doing. (about the same as you mentioned) I looked in to the Lee Pro1000, but went with the turret press as it was easier and less $ to change calibers. For what the press and accessories cost, It was well worth it to me to buy a separate setup for pistol ammo.

I've used a Lee Turret and it works pretty good. However, I'd forgo priming separately and just use the included primer arm and prime on the downstroke after sizing. It works fine.

Martindog

I have a lee loadmaster and do not like it. The biggest problem is the primer feed. It gets dirty from residue from the decapped cases, then does not feed well. It will work great for 30-50 round then start to fail. Is made of plastic which is not good.
The powder measure sometimes drops a very light charge often 25% sometimes only about 10%.
You get into the habit of watching each step. To make sure you're okay.
Also takes about 15 minutes to set up.
But then again I've can load 300 hundred rounds in an hour if all is going well.

penrod72 Take a look at Dillon products. Some of my friends use them and they have no complaints. They are a good company to due business with.

The only thing I reload for, so far, is .41mag with a Lee 4 hole turret press and am quite happy with it. I don't like using the supplied primer arm, instead I use the Lee ram prime, to me it has a more positive feel. The bad thing about this is you have to do it as a seperate operation. I use the decaping die before cleaning my brass, then prime. Now I am ready to load, I removed the decaping pin from the resizing die so I size, expand and throw powder, seat bullet, and factory crimp. I release this takes a little more time but I have been happy with the results. Jim.

I use a lee turret press for all my hand gun reloading you can buy spare quick change turrets set them up with the dies and changing calibers is a snap i also use a lee deluxe auto-disk powder measure that doesnt give me any trouble and i have loaded several thousand rounds in several differant calibers with this set up and it didnt cost an arm and a leg to get started

Penrod72,

I have never used any of the Lee loaders. I have loaded all my handgun cartridges on a Dillon 550B. My wife and my son both shoot so we use a lot of ammo in a years time. I have the quick change conversion heads so changing from one caliber it another is a snap. My boss only loads for his handguns so he bought the Dillon Square Deal loader it's the least expensive of the Dillon line. Don't confuse inexpensive with cheap. I've never heard anyone complain about Dillon products or service. You will appreciate the hassel free performance of the Dillon product long after the price is forgotten. Like I said I don't have any experience with Lee or any other progressive loader for that matter, but I've read a lot of the posts in this forum and I've not read about anyone who is unhappy with their Dillon loader. I cannot say the same thing about the Lee loaders. My suggestion is base on the number of rounds you say you will load each month go with the Dillon Square Deal this loader is for handgun cartridges only. Good Luck which ever way you choose to go.

Vaya con Dios, Danbro

I second what Martindog and snowmaker advised. Lee Turret (either 3 or 4 hole style) with the auto powder measure will work like a charm for you. And while I use the handheld Lee primer tool for rifle cartridges, the primer built into the press works fine for pistol and using it is really the only way to get the speed from the turret press.

Dillon is tough to beat for the progressive game, but your situation sounds similar to mine--moderate amounts of lots of calibers.

I already had die sets for the calibers on hand, and shell holders as well for the single stage I've used for 20 years--an RCBS Rockchucker. Rather than have to re-tool entirely--or get more than a dozen shell plates--I got a Ponsness-Warren Model P-200 "semi-progressive" setup.

The beauty of this rig is that you don't need to buy one thing other than the press if you already have dies and shellholders--it uses your single stage tooling. 200 bones, and you're running out 150-200 rounds per hour of pistol caliber ammunition. The tool can handle small rifle calibers like 22 Hornet, 25-20, 32-20, and 44-40. There is a rifle caliber setup for about 360 bucks that will take 375 H&H and 45-70 if you're needing that sort of thing.

Company website is www.reloaders.com

Not much gets said about the P-W metallic machines, but their shotgun reloaders are legion in the clay sports circles.

Deputy Al

I have a Lee pro 1000 & a load master the Load master is much nicer. I would go with load master or the the turet press with 4 hole it's nice to crimp on seperate station. Changeing calabers is as easy as buying extra turrets. For load pistol rounds especially the number you are talking about you can't go wrong for the money. Their may be better stuff out their but you have to decided how much your willing to spend. If you going to load rifle I woulg go with single stage press of higher end. Hope this helps.

I had a Dillan 650 but couldn't afford to feed it so now I have two rockchuckers side by side. I'm satisfied.