Hey Guys

I have never used or even seen a reloading press other than on youtube.

That said I have talked to several guys at the LGS that have decades of experience.

They suggested a turret press setup because I'm only looking at two calibers 444 Marlin and 357 Maximum most of what I shoot is not worth the time it would take me to reload. However these two calibers are the ones I'm interested in. I have 2 444 Marlins and am looking at getting a TC 10in pistol in 357 Max.

I don't care if its a kit or if I have to buy in pieces.

What do y'all think would be best for my needs. What book(s) should I get and read prior to this adventure?

Also I have a room already designated to my gun stuff that I will be building a fixed workbench that I can mount items to. and also have garage space.

There is a lot of this type of stuff in the archives if ya do a search. That's where I learned a lot. I still asked questions as well. I went with a Dillon progressive because you set the dyes one time, and ya never touch them again. Can get little cartridges that hold the dyes, and all ya do is switch cartridges when you switch calibers. Dillon 550 is the model. They do cost a little more, but I absolutely love it. Get at LEAST two different manuals as cross reference. I use one by a bullet maker, then one by a powder maker. Stay in those lines, and you'll be fine.

I think a turret press would be a good solution for those loads. If you were shooting bottle neck cartridges 1000 yards, I would recommend a single stage. The turret will be slower then a progressive, but that's a lot of outlay to get things started and it will give you the set it and forget it feature.
A couple reloading manuals are good ideas. If you can find them, the small pamphlets compiled from lots of sources are nice once you have one or two of the larger books. I would do a little investigation to see what books have the 357 Max data and/or Contender/Encore specific loads. One book I have at home has the second, but I've never looked for the first.

A very simple, inexpensive single stage set up will work just fine for what you are doing. I have loaded many thousand rounds on such a set up. You will be loading in batches so you only change dies 3 times. It takes me about 12 seconds to spin one die out and another die in, not that much of a burden. If you buy a kit and it has a electronic scale I would buy a balance beam scale to go with it. Check out Hodgdons loading site if you haven't already. I think you will find this is a lot of fun.

Dido on the Single Stage. I actually have 2 of them I got at garage sales. I wish I could find an old Lyman turret. I had one and gave it up like a dummy. I also comb the local shops for used stuff. Just today I hit a batch of old lyman AA dies in brand new condition I bought all of them for $10 each. Really great deal. Don't get me wrong Progressive presses are nice I use my Buddies Dillon for mass loading when needed, but my old single stages turn out match quality ammo with aplomb.

I load all my pistol rounds on a 3 hole Lee turret press, although I use it as a single stage. The advantage is the ease of changeovers as all three dies of a set fit in each turret. I just pop out one turret and pop in another and I am ready to roll.

I do 26 different cartidges, and do them all on RCBS single stage presses, the progressive presses are not my cup of tea.

Ok so single stage press is something I will look into. I will only be doing 444 to begin with as I do not wish to load for my other firearms. This will be for my single shot pistol and my Marlin lever gun. I think I have found the bullets I want to try.

Cast Performance 430/320Gr
Cast Performance 430/300Gr

What Brand Single stage press should I look at?

Thanks for the help guys! I have been in the search box here all week and have been reading up as much as I can.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013036852/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

How about this one?

I load everything on a single stage press that is over 40 years old.

I've been using an older version of that for 43 years. Ya, it should work.

Great choice

The Rock chucker press has a strong following. suppose to be exceptionaly strong and reliable. You cant go wrong with one.

Check eBay. Used ones there now and then. Dyes too.

For years I used a Lee nut cracker hand press. It wasn't fast, but worked Well. The Lee site lists factory second full-sized loading presses for $33.

I've been using a Lee single-stage press for years. just another option.

Exactly what I use now. Great little tool.

Thanks for the heads up on the Factory Second Lee presses. They have a couple different ones on there. I will definitely look into one of these to get me started!

Started with RCBS Junior in 1972. Still have it and use it if I am working up loads at the bench on shooting range. Then came the Rock Chucker. Excellent gear. Then came the Dillon 450 and finally the Redding Turret. A beast of a press. I use the Redding the most now and the Rock Chucker the least for the ability to set up dies and forget. Mostly rifle stuff. I like the Dillon No B.S. guarantee. I wore the 450 out loading for pistol competition and after 25 years of use they rebuilt it for . . you guessed FREE! The 550 is the new and improved version of the 450 with interchangable head for dies. The Rock Chucker is excellent press as well. I am no fan of electronice scales. I stick with the beam scales practicing K.I.S.S. Electronic scales can get messed up without warning. A beam scale rarely does. I use a specific bullet to check calibration every now and then.

Basic reloading setup .Reloading Manual,Lee, Hornady, Speer,RCBS, Nosler WHICH YOU READ!Better yet two different manuals WHICH YOU READ! Press, RCBS LEE Hornady Lyman all are good presses. I have had an RCBS for 40 plus years. So Press, Scale, beam type RCBS, dies RCBS or Lee, funnel,case lube pad,bullets, powder,primers,and a book to write down all the particulars for every load you try. What powder what primer,what case,bullet how it shot, ETC. Keep records and DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING TO MEMORY. And if you have questions ask away.

You're gonna love reloading. Behind Falconry and fly fishing, reloading is one of the most relaxing things I do.

Lots of great advice here.

I'd recommend a single stage press kit from either Hornady or RCBS. The kits will have much of what you need, then you can add to them.

Ask away I shall do... I am looking at the Lee Breech Lock Challenger kit. I can't afford the RCBS due to recent gunsmith work. Would this be a waste of money?

Oh, heck no. I sill use Lee presses. They work great. I prefer the Lee turret press so I can leave my dies set up and just swap out the entire turret when I need to change over. I don't utilize the auto indexing feature, as I use the press as if it were a single stage.