single stage presses

[Joe Salt]

Dusty if RCBS went back to making the A-4 Big Max press they couldn't make them fast enough!

Joe Salt

 

[NorCalMikie]

RCBS Rockchucker. Nuf said.
And, Lee is crap. Wore one out in nothing flat doing Mil Spec 5.56 and 7.62 brass.
Rockchucker single stage gets the job done.
Add one of these and you're good to go. www.primercatcher.com (the green one)
Works like a champ.

 

[MVRK28]

I own a Frankford Arsenal M-Press, it's great for bullet seating. I also run a Redding T7, that's easily my favorite press in the lineup. It's quick, crazy smooth and very accurate.

I do find it funny how many people are dogging on the M-Press because of the die blocks, a pack of three is like $16? A turret head for my beloved T7 is $80 on midway. I could buy 15 die blocks for that price, that's over 2 turret heads worth of die capability. Lock & load bushings are $17 for a three pack. The only cheaper quick change setup is the Lee bushing setup.

Anyway that is beside the point, to the OP - if I were buying one press to do everything I would buy a Redding T7. You get 7 stations to switch from quickly. The primer catching is flawless, it offers on press priming if you want it and when setup properly will offer crazy repeatable results.

 

[MGYSGT]

Have the Rock Chucker and a Lee. I use the Lee (C press) for pulling bullets and depriming when the priming goes wrong. Have used Lyman, Lee O press, RCBS and others. They all make good ammo. Just don't forget to clean and lube the ram and other moving parts every so often and they will last longer than you will.

 

[Whit holman]

Rockchuker and RCBS junior for me

 

[jamesdmock]

I have used the RCBS Rockchucker since the early 1970's with no problems. When I first started shooting Benchrest, I carried the Rockchucker to Tomball (only press I had at the time). Arnold Jewell came up and asked, "Reckon you got enough press to neck size that PPC brass?" To this I answered that I was FULL Length sizing the brass. To this he responded. " Oh, excuse
me !" I guess Arnold shamed me into getting a smaller "travelling" press. Good shooting....James

 

[Pwc]

Make sure it is an "O" press, not a "C" press. I have a 1942 Pacific C press, all I ever use, but the old presses are more stout than the newer "C" or open front presses.

 

[Cecil S.]

Forester Coaxial and RCBS Junior II here. Bought the RCBS used arm was missing sent it back they fixed it at no charge. Hard to beat that! Both presses are better then I am at this point.

 

[Aldon]

what makes you think either one of those are top quality presses? the only mec we've got a report on was so crooked it was unusable out of the box. frankford arsenal is a modern day lee. if we're throwing opinions out there about the best press for the money i'd say its an RCBS partner. the millions of those out there in service for many years and still going is a testament. im not an rcbs guy at all but that's the best press for the money.

I did not indicate either press was top of the pyramid quality. I indicated value.

I agree that the Partner press would indeed be one to consider for value and quality combined. Not to mention should OP wish to flip it and upgrade at some point future, they tend to sell close to new value on the infamous auction site.

If Buying a single stage, and I was buying again, I’d buy the Co-ax again.

If a turret press, while I don’t have direct experience i’d Buy green.

If I was doing .50 cal sizing all the time, I’d go for an older A4 or Ultramag.

 

[Muley Buck]

Another Co-Ax fan here. Worth every penny, I love mine. I've also used an Rcbs Rockchucker years ago. I don't think they're bad by any means, they certainly get the job done. It's just, after owning a Co-Ax I feel a little spoiled.

 

[Flouncer]

Lee press. NorCal, I don't see how you could "wear one out" ?? You can break the handle by over extending but ?? Wear it out ? Which single stage Lee press ? What wore out on it ? I have had mine since 1996. Presses are like Ahsholes, everyone has an opinion on them. Me included If you want to pay 2x or 3x buy a press with 4 times more material than it can possibly ever need. That would be all of them except Lee.

 

[Iowa Fox]

If I was looking for a press and just getting started I would look for a good used older Rock Chucker & a Redding Boss. From what I have been seeing around here you can buy two good used presses for the price of one new one. Never hurts to have a bunch of presses.

 

[STS]

I get a kick out of all the talk of "old Rockchuckers." I don't have that many anymore, but at one point in time I had 7 RCBS A, 2A or A2 presses. IMO they are the finest reloading presses ever made.

 

[Burnt Powder]

I’ve got several different brands and types. First ones first. An old Pacific Super-C, I really like that it can be run with a pull up or pull down to raise the ram. Mine’s set up for up pull for ram up. It’s at an angle and being an open front is great for bullet seating. Next is a Lyman Orange Crusher. Just an orange cast iron Rock Chucker. Then a Co-AX, rarely used, but OK. Then a Bonanza “O” press I rarely use. Used to have it set up out in my shop by my lathe for trying out forming dies as I was making them. I do some wildcat stuff and radical case forming. Lastly, I got a Lee 4 hole turret press, works well for my handgun loading. I don’t use a powder drop, primer feed, or auto advance on it. I did have a sissy Lee “C” for a short time, used it only to deprime. It was cheap and I don’t remember for sure, but I think I gave it away, couldn’t possibly take real money for something that wasn’t a real press.

BP

 

[Kurz]

hi getting ready to get a press ......any advantage to the rcbs summit over the old classic rock?

Limited to this selection, the RCBS is the average shooters choice for a reliable single stage press. My guess would be that there are literally a million of these out in the world currently and a hands down choice for price and dependability. You will not go wrong.

However...

When you decide that reloading is an integral part of your life and you want the best, look at Präzipress.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2019/02/mercedes-of-reloading-presses-960-turban-prazipress/

Yes these are expensive and take time to get here from Germany after you complete the paperwork but they are the best. I've owned nearly every single stage press made and multiples of a couple but this is the press I use most now. In fact I have the biggest press on order now to handle a couple of the ELR cartridges I'm working with. No you don't need this as a beginner, recreational shooter or even a top competitor but they are superb quality.

 

[Fotheringill]

My only gripe with the Rock Chucker is the spent primer tray plastic thingy.

 

[M-61]

I have a Hood, an RCBS A4 (Big max) and two RCBS Summits. The A4 has the newer ram supplied by RCBS at no cost probably 15 years after I purchased it.It does everything big that I reload. One Summit is used strictly for bullet seating with the short handle. Best 'feel' I have found for this task. The other Summit sizes my 3 different BR's. The Hood looks good but I seldom use it and there is certainly nothing wrong with it.
My choice of presses being RCBS is based on the simple fact they reload ammunition for me that is as accurate as I can shoot. And of course RCBS's untouchable customer service.
The above is strictly my own personal opinion on equipment I use and own. I am a 100 yard benchrest shooter.

 

[T-shooter]

Here is s comparison of 14 single stage presses.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I load on a MEC and love it. The primer catch system is lacking but I decap on a Lee classic that uses a hollow ram.

 

[BenPerfected]

How about this simple press for seating bullets. It is all I use and you get a good feel.
Ben

https://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-equipment/reloading-presses/single-stage-presses/sinclair-arbor-press-prod37764.aspx