Getting a .45 pistol

[RobertN]

You will get all kinds of suggestions to get a progressive reloader, such as a Dillon.

They are nice; I have one.

But I suggest you reload for a while on a single stage. There is nothing quite so reassuring as looking down on a loading block full of cases prior to bullet seating, and seeing that each case has one and ONLY one charge of powder in it.

Also, get a carbide sizing die right up front. Lubing cases is for the other guy.

I have used both, single stage and progressive. I have a single stage, a buddy has a progressive. I like both for different reasons.

I reload multiple calibres, rifle and pistol. I like the single stage for price, simplicity, and for working up loads. You can get in to a single stage for inexpensive; if you like it, you can move up to a progressive, but still have and use the single stage for dedicated tasks.

The progressive my buddy had worked nice once you had a load picked and set your dies and powder measure. Then, you could crank out the rounds. Although you could single stage it, the overall setup, well, just was not like using a single stage.

I use RCBS rock crusher and associated scale, dies, etc. I can easily bust out a couple boxes of 45acp in an evening.

I also tend to batch stuff. I'll clean a couple hundred rounds of cases. another day or evening, I'll deprime/size them, and so on. My setup is on a "Workmate" type table; I can set it in the living room, and resize a bunch of cases while watching the TV.

One thing I would add, is I started reloading on a friends setup. So, I got an idea for equipment, technique, etc before I went and bought stuff. Test drove it I guess you could say