Best all around Single Stage press?

[IN50]

Redding big boss II. Good priming on the press. Decapping also good. Solid press.

 

[Kaianuanu]

I used a Rockchucker for 50 years but was getting some flop in a few places so it was retired.
Now I have a pair of Redding Big Boss 2's which I love. They are 100% made in the USA, heavily built and have a primer catching system that's not in the way and actually works.

I knew the rockchuckers were a favorite in the community but after watching the 14 press shootout several times over and reviewing his data. I decided I liked the Big Boss II best, mainly for its simplicity and priming/depriming systems. I was pretty much sold until I read this article. Can you BBII owners weigh in and tell me if you all have experienced any of these issues?

https://steemit.com/rollyourownammo/@arrowj/too-much-hype-redding-big-boss-ii-reloading-press

 

[justpassinthru]

I knew the rockchuckers were a favorite in the community but after watching the 14 press shootout several times over and reviewing his data. I decided I liked the Big Boss II best, mainly for its simplicity and priming/depriming systems. I was pretty much sold until I read this article. Can you BBII owners weigh in and tell me if you all have experienced any of these issues?

https://steemit.com/rollyourownammo/@arrowj/too-much-hype-redding-big-boss-ii-reloading-press

If I had 7K 9mm cases to go through, I'd be using a Dillon instead of ANY single stage.
I completely dissembled both of mine, lubed everything, put blue loctight where needed and I've had no problems. It's just a single stage press, how complicated can it be?
Any press you buy will likely work but I much prefer the Redding primer catch system.

 

[wkdickinson]

I am amazed no one has mentioned the Forster COAX. About 45 years ago I started loading 44 mag on a Lee "Auto-Indexing" progressive, then moved to a Lee single stage for rifle cartridges. I've had 3-4 different Lee models, then bought a used Rockchucker which used exclusively for probably 15 years, until I bought a Forster COAX about 25 years ago. I know people have varying views about the COAX, but I think most of the people who view them negatively have never actually owned and used one. The convenience of simply slipping one die out and another one in, without any adjustment, is by itself a huge plus!

 

[efoleyjr]

RCBS A2. Been using one from 1967 till today.
Ed

 

[Outside]

Two Rockchuckers since the 70's and a new Summit on the bench, work for extreme precision long range (1000+ yds at very small tgts)

 

[AckleymanII]

I have a rock chucker, two RCBS jr's, and a Big boss. I defer to the big boss because there is NEVER a primer in the floor....NEVER

 

[AWS]

Sold my RC in the 80's and have gone through a number of presses, a C&H Magnum, C&H four station, Pacific C, Lyman American, two more Lyman turrets, a big Herters and my set up now is two Lee cast 4 hole turrets with the auto index removed a A Lyman Crusher that I keep set up for serious case forming and bullet swaging, I need to swage .264 bullets down to .260 for an old German drilling that I use for coyote hunting.

Serious case forming center 6.5x58R from the 9.3x72R on right.

They work well

 

[Hondo64d]

Hey guys, so I know this topic has been beat to death on here and I did read through all the old threads I could find, but I still felt that it was worth resurrecting. I had a lee breech lock challenger press about ten years ago when I was in high school that I loaded 270 on that did great for me. I liked the breech lock die collar system, the auto prime dispenser worked well enough, and the primer catching system worked just fine without having to put on a big tray or spraying spent primers all over the place. Unfortunately my mom sold the house I grew up in and got rid of a lot of my stuff when I was off at college. Now I’m getting into building “precision” AR’s for coyote hunting, and I’m eager to get back to reloading both for accuracy and also to possibly dabble in some mild wildcatting (223 AI, 22 Nosgar, 22 hellcat). So I’m looking for good single stage press with similar functionality to my old Lee Challenger, but maybe something with a greater capacity for precision. Thanks guys!

I like my Forster COAX enough that I haven’t been interested in “upgrading”.

John

 

[Old Tanker]

My friend, who got me started, uses a Rock Chucker. I bought the Lee Classic Cast because it was the right price and still very sturdy. My gut says the Chucker is better but the Lee has served me well for 5 years. I use different brand dies and Hornady locking rings. I can get single or near single digit SDs with the Lee, if I’m paying close attention.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

I knew the rockchuckers were a favorite in the community but after watching the 14 press shootout several times over and reviewing his data. I decided I liked the Big Boss II best, mainly for its simplicity and priming/depriming systems. I was pretty much sold until I read this article. Can you BBII owners weigh in and tell me if you all have experienced any of these issues?

https://steemit.com/rollyourownammo/@arrowj/too-much-hype-redding-big-boss-ii-reloading-press

Haven't had any problems.

 

[358WCF]

I graduated from a nasty old RCBS Junior to a brand new Hornady 007 sometime in the mid 80s. It started sizing cases cock-eyed after a few years, so returned it to Hornady. A friend sold me a Bonanza (Forster) Co-ax to use in the meantime. The 007 came back rebuilt at no charge with a MONGO ram & is still in regular use, but most of the time the Co-ax is on the bench. I also have a Rockchucker, bought used, stashed away just in case. A good friend may be interested in getting into reloading when the component panic is over, so the RC could become his. Unless you plan on major case forming forces, my vote would be a Forster Co-ax (no Frankfort Chinese crap) 1st & any large stout O frame (RCBS, Redding, Hornady w/o the bushings) 2nd. Reverse these if case forming is on the menu. These new high $$ Prazi presses et al might be nice, but can they really be 3 or 4x better? YMMV but color me skeptical. If it aint broke dont fix it, keep it clean & lubed.

 

[garandman]

I am amazed no one has mentioned the Forster COAX.

The coax design looks inherently stable and precise. I had high hopes for the Frankfprd Arsenal ( incl many positive 'net reviews incl. Ultimate Reloader) but thanks to reports here learned it has design flaws.

The Forster price kind of scared me off… everywhere I looked it was close to 600 bucks just for the press.

 

[Intheshop]

 

[358WCF]

The coax design looks inherently stable and precise. I had high hopes for the Frankfprd Arsenal ( incl many positive 'net reviews incl. Ultimate Reloader) but thanks to Forum Boss and the reports here learned it has design flaws.

The Forster price kind of scared me off… everywhere I looked it was close to 600 bucks just for the press.

There was one in the classifieds last night for $350. $600 is gouging.

 

[ole-has-been]

Rock crusher most likely gonna be the most widely used, I've had and used several types/brands. honestly, I have come to really like the Hornady Classic LNL system over the past 7 years or so. Just my opinion. Hope you end up with one YOU like.

 

[jthor]

Number one: Area 419 Zero Press
Number two: Forster Co-Ax
Number three: RCBS Rebel or Rock Chucker

 

[Tommie]

The Rockchucker is solid as a, well, rock. But yes spent primers will decorate the floor.

 

[INTJ]

Without question, the best single stage press is the Prazipress. It is extremely smooth and has zero deflection or slop. All I use my CoAx for anymore is depriming--when I need to do it separately. All I use my Rockchucker Supreme for is neck expanding and bullet pulling. I have much less variance in case sizing when using the Prazi vs all the others.

The Area 419 Zero Press is the top choice for a turret press. It's isn't as smooth as the Prazi but it also has zero deflection or slop. Eventually I will get one and can the CoAx and RC all together.

Of course, the best way to seat bullets is with an arbor press and an in-line seater die. I use my Century 21 Hydro press and Wilson inline dies for my BR rifles.

 

[jghoghunter]

If one doesn't own a certain press, how does one know I doesn't have any deflection?