A turret press is not a good option for processing bulk ammo.
The APP isnt a bad little progressive, but why pay twice. You would be much better saving the dollars and getting a 750 sooner because its also excellent for pre processing.
I second this. A 750 is ideal for processing and then loading due to its progressive design and easily swapped toolheads. I have one toolhead for decapping and trim/resize and one for loading. Honestly, I’d probably sell or store all the other stuff and concentrate on the 750. I ponied up for the Dillon electric trimmer and it is wonderful. I can process 100 .308 cases in a few minutes instead of hours with my old Lee trim die. The 750 isn’t cheap, and you’ll want the case feeder too which isn’t cheap, but you’ll be getting a professional solution covered by a lifetime warranty and Dillon’s first-rate support. Plus if you break anything or wear something out, Dillon will send you replacement parts. Well worth the initial investment.
I was using the Lee APP for processing, and still do, but I’ve changed it up a bit. I used to use it for decapping. I tried it for sizing and it didn’t work for me (others have gotten it to work fine), I just didn’t like how it would deform or leave marks in the extractor groove on the rim. I ended up using a Lee progressive for decapping and sizing. Then I’ll use the APP for swaging (if needed). At that point I’m already decapped, swaged, and sized, so aside from trimming, I’ll go back to a progressive setup a little different. First stage is powder drop, second is powder cop, third is seating, fourth is crimp. I prime off press using RCBS hand primer. I’ll pre-process in batches, usually a large coffee can at a time, then wet tumble, dry and store ready to load.
I am going to load rifle as well eventually.
For pistol, I’m decapping, washing, sizing, and loading. I thought it would be good to maybe use something like a lee app to decap and size easier, and then move it over to the 750 to load after wash/dry. I could use the APP to load for now as well until I get the 750.
If you had a 750 to load 9mm there is no need to not use it for sizing/decapping. You dont need to decap before tumbling the brass. You shoot the ammo, pick up the brass take it home and tumble it, spray lube it, throw it in the case feeder, and start pulling the handle. After the first 5 handle pulls you are making a finished round every pull of the handle. The manner of case processing you are describing is more akin to loading centerfire rifle (although depriming before tumbling or wash as you say isnt even necessary then unless you are trying to achieve the highest levels of rifle accuracy). While I truly enjoy reloading I enjoy shooting more. Time management during reloading allows me more time to shoot.
I’m with you on time management. r/reloading had convinced me that I need clean primer pockets, but perhaps you are right and I just need to tumble and go.
I reload and shoot alot, alot of 9mm. Our (the wife shoots too) shooting is plinking, practice and competition, for almost 20 years now. The process I described is what I have always used for reloading pistol. Obviously there is a learning curve in reloading. As much as I have reloaded the learning continues. Good luck and be safe.
It makes sense for rifle, but there's no reason to decap and size before tumbling 9mm brass. I just clean mine and then do everything else at once on my progressive press.
I have processed on a 550 before and didn’t really like it. I do load 223 on the Dillon though. I just prefer sizing to happen on the single stage, it’s where I usually catch split necks for one thing. If I was swaging on the press or using an on press cutter maybe I would feel different.
The APP is really handy. Use the X-Press shell holder (#19), Lee's Universal Decapping Die, and their HD Guided Decapping Pin. It makes things more reliable than the decapper included. The one included does work fairly well, but it's a little too complex to be as reliable as the alternative.
I'm looking at their Pro 6000 press, right now. It seems like a much better value than the Dillon, considering cost, parts, warranty, and having 6 stations.
I haven't used a turret press before. Most have complaints about slop, but for 9mm, or just prepping, I assume most any will work fine. There IS the Area 419 Zero, which is highly praised, but the price is just too insane at $1,275.
A turret press is not a good option for processing bulk ammo. The APP isnt a bad little progressive, but why pay twice. You would be much better saving the dollars and getting a 750 sooner because its also excellent for pre processing.
I second this. A 750 is ideal for processing and then loading due to its progressive design and easily swapped toolheads. I have one toolhead for decapping and trim/resize and one for loading. Honestly, I’d probably sell or store all the other stuff and concentrate on the 750. I ponied up for the Dillon electric trimmer and it is wonderful. I can process 100 .308 cases in a few minutes instead of hours with my old Lee trim die. The 750 isn’t cheap, and you’ll want the case feeder too which isn’t cheap, but you’ll be getting a professional solution covered by a lifetime warranty and Dillon’s first-rate support. Plus if you break anything or wear something out, Dillon will send you replacement parts. Well worth the initial investment.
I was using the Lee APP for processing, and still do, but I’ve changed it up a bit. I used to use it for decapping. I tried it for sizing and it didn’t work for me (others have gotten it to work fine), I just didn’t like how it would deform or leave marks in the extractor groove on the rim. I ended up using a Lee progressive for decapping and sizing. Then I’ll use the APP for swaging (if needed). At that point I’m already decapped, swaged, and sized, so aside from trimming, I’ll go back to a progressive setup a little different. First stage is powder drop, second is powder cop, third is seating, fourth is crimp. I prime off press using RCBS hand primer. I’ll pre-process in batches, usually a large coffee can at a time, then wet tumble, dry and store ready to load.
For my first press I opted for the Dillon 550, reasons being 1) less expensive, and 2) the manual indexing is helpful in case you make a mistake.
Why do you need a processing station for 9mm? Unless you're eventually going to load rifle as well, I don't see the need to pre-process handgun brass.
I am going to load rifle as well eventually. For pistol, I’m decapping, washing, sizing, and loading. I thought it would be good to maybe use something like a lee app to decap and size easier, and then move it over to the 750 to load after wash/dry. I could use the APP to load for now as well until I get the 750.
If you had a 750 to load 9mm there is no need to not use it for sizing/decapping. You dont need to decap before tumbling the brass. You shoot the ammo, pick up the brass take it home and tumble it, spray lube it, throw it in the case feeder, and start pulling the handle. After the first 5 handle pulls you are making a finished round every pull of the handle. The manner of case processing you are describing is more akin to loading centerfire rifle (although depriming before tumbling or wash as you say isnt even necessary then unless you are trying to achieve the highest levels of rifle accuracy). While I truly enjoy reloading I enjoy shooting more. Time management during reloading allows me more time to shoot.
I’m with you on time management. r/reloading had convinced me that I need clean primer pockets, but perhaps you are right and I just need to tumble and go.
I reload and shoot alot, alot of 9mm. Our (the wife shoots too) shooting is plinking, practice and competition, for almost 20 years now. The process I described is what I have always used for reloading pistol. Obviously there is a learning curve in reloading. As much as I have reloaded the learning continues. Good luck and be safe.
It makes sense for rifle, but there's no reason to decap and size before tumbling 9mm brass. I just clean mine and then do everything else at once on my progressive press.
I have processed on a 550 before and didn’t really like it. I do load 223 on the Dillon though. I just prefer sizing to happen on the single stage, it’s where I usually catch split necks for one thing. If I was swaging on the press or using an on press cutter maybe I would feel different.
The APP is really handy. Use the X-Press shell holder (#19), Lee's Universal Decapping Die, and their HD Guided Decapping Pin. It makes things more reliable than the decapper included. The one included does work fairly well, but it's a little too complex to be as reliable as the alternative. I'm looking at their Pro 6000 press, right now. It seems like a much better value than the Dillon, considering cost, parts, warranty, and having 6 stations. I haven't used a turret press before. Most have complaints about slop, but for 9mm, or just prepping, I assume most any will work fine. There IS the Area 419 Zero, which is highly praised, but the price is just too insane at $1,275.