Press recommdations

[Brians356]

What's the difference between Rockchucker and R. Supreme?
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[rardoin]

What's the difference between Rockchucker and R. Supreme?
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Tomatoes and a sesame bun.

Sorry Brian....couldn’t help myself

 

[Brians356]

Tomatoes and a sesame bun.

Sorry Brian....couldn’t help myself

That's ok, you can make it right. Just tell me the difference. ;-)
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[BoydAllen]

@BoydAllen I love the Rock Chucker Supreme and have 2 of them, in the 14 press shootout that was talked about previously it did outstanding. I do disagree a little on the LNL conversion kit as I did that and you can actually see the bushing move upward when sizing the brass and for that reason I uninstalled it, I did like the idea of being able to have my dies set up and just change them out but alas I just purchased a 2nd RC. Thanks for all you add to this site sir!

As you know, the die part of the system is secured from turning by the friction of an O ring that is compressed slightly, but the upward movement of the die and its adapter is stopped by metal to metal contact of a sort of bayonet system. The important question is whether the die assembly stops in the same place every time. I have not seen any bump consistency issues with this setup, did you see any that improved when you stopped using it?

 

[Shooter13]

As you know, the die part of the system is secured from turning by the friction of an O ring that is compressed slightly, but the upward movement of the die and its adapter is stopped by metal to metal contact of a sort of bayonet system. The important question is whether the die assembly stops in the same place every time. I have not seen any bump consistency issues with this setup, did you see any that improved when you stopped using it?

Actually when I saw the movement it kind of freaked me out, I didn't really give it a chance to prove itself one way or the other, I may at a latter time go back and revisit this just to see.

 

[Daddymac]

I just started reloading. I'm looking for a new press and am caught between progressive and single stage. Right now I have a basic lee press. There's so much info out there and it can get so confusing. What do you think about the Hornady lock and load? For single stage I'm looking at the Forster co ax. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks
Mike

Welcome to the show.
What are your long range goals for reloading? Are you trying to produce a few quality rifle rounds for hunting or wanting to stock up for the zombie apocalypse?
I have several custom rifles and want to squeeze all the accuracy out of then that I can, but they are hunting rigs, not long range target guns, so what works for me may not be what the top tier guys are using.
It's hard to go wrong with a good single stage press, I like the O design presses, I have a RCBS RS and a Redding Big Boss and both do an outstanding job for me.
I have three progressives, all RCBS, two Pro 2000's and a Prochucker 7 they are dedicated to pistol and AR rounds for the zombies, in my opinion, if you are mechanically challenged and or new to loading, you may want to wait on this one.
If I had to give up all of my presses except one, I would keep my Redding T7, I like having all my dies in the head when developing a load, I can go shoot a few test rounds and come back to the press and not worry I changed something screwing dies in and out, then load as is or change one thing and try again.

 

[rardoin]

That's ok, you can make it right. Just tell me the difference. ;-)
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Was the Supreme just a RC II sold with a complete basic reloading kit?

 

[Rope2horns]

Best press going right now IMO. This press is made by forum member @arkcomatt. Great guy and shooter.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/new-hood-reloading-presses.3992828/#post-37692445

 

[BoydAllen]

Was the Supreme just a RC II sold with a complete basic reloading kit?

No, although both are excellent presses there are differences. My old RC only has provision for the handle on the right side.The RC Supreme has provision for mounting the handle on either side, and the frame is taller. These are not big enough differences to make me want to sell my old press, given that I like where the handle is and do not load big cases. The reason that I recommended the Supreme is that it is the current model of my old press which has served so well, and because of the test of I think 14 presses that I saw on FB, especially the written article that there was a link to.

 

[rardoin]

Best press going right now IMO. This press is made by forum member @arkcomatt. Great guy and shooter.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/new-hood-reloading-presses.3992828/#post-37692445

Would it accept a .284 length case?

 

[Rope2horns]

Would it accept a .284 length case?

Yes sir!

 

[rardoin]

Yes sir!

Thanks, Norm.

 

[quest450]

My first press was a Co-Ax an awesome press than I bought the Prazipress for my match ammo but if I was reloading lots of plinking or handgun ammo I’d go with a progressive press for sure.

 

[Murray Brook]

How does the Prazipress compare to the co-ax overall TKS

 

[BoydAllen]

How does the Prazipress compare to the co-ax overall TKS

https://ultimatereloader.com/2019/04/08/fourteen-reloading-presses-compared-single-stage-shootout/
Take a look at the summary tables.

 

[quest450]

How does the Prazipress compare to the co-ax overall TKS

Prazipress is in different league, an amazing piece of German over engineering.......gutentight !!

 

[Hohn]

I wanted a CoAx but settled for a MEC marksman because at the time the CoAx was out of stock on planet earth.

The spent primer handing could be better, but overall it’s been superb. The shell holder floats a bit. It is very solid and made in WI. The casting is ductile iron, not pot metal or “alloy” or even gray iron.

I’d recommend the MEC. With the LnL conversion.

But I’d recommend the RCBS SUMMIT even more. It did very well on the ultimate reloader test, it’s super compact and stays entirely above the mounting surface. It will be my next press.

In fact, I’m thinking about mounting 3-4 of them on a large turntable as a “progressive” of sorts.

 

[John Gilbert]

For what's it's worth. When I got my reloading equipment from a widow lady whose husband had passed away, included was a brand new RCBS Piggyback for a Rock Chucker. I figured I was in hog heaven. I got it all set up and made 100 rounds of .357's in just a matter of minutes, then took it apart and sold it and have no intention of using any type of progressive again. For me, I'm too anal about making sure everything is exactly right and with a progressive there is too much going on at the same time to suit me. I admire those that can do it, but I can't. Granted I don't make a lot of ammo, I always do mine in batches anyways so it's no big deal.
So my first suggestion is to figure out what you will be happy with before you jump into a progressive. If you don't have the issues I do you will probably love it.
Good luck with whatever you get.

 

[Clark]

I have so many presses I cannot count them. Everyone would pick a different combination of which ones to use, based on needs.

I like two Co-ax presses side by side in the reloading room.
I like two RCBS partner presses side by side in my remote station for the vehicle or next to my desk.

I have helped build a number of reloading rooms. Not only are needs different, but so are preferences.

 

[R.Morehouse]

There is a wealth of great advice here for choosing your presses. I really can't add to that. I will suggest for your reloading pleasure, no matter which you choose, your press will give you the best results with a set of custom dies partnered with the PMA Tool Micro Die Adjuster. Best of luck with your choice......Buy Once Cry Once..........Personally, I like the old stuff. I use a pair of Hollywood Seniors, an R.F.D. & a Rockchucker with a Hart arbor all with custom dies from Goodling ( R.I.P. ) & Whidden & Jones.....Ammo is straight & easy to size.

Regards
Rick