Need advice choosing an arbor press

[Thorgrim]

Sorry, I've been gone from here over a year, I've been plagued with health problems ending, I hope, with a crushed L-1 vertebra in a in early September 2023 household fall. I'm still not off the walker, you don't heal as fast in your 70s. Still haven't gotten the scope mounted on the 6BR, but maybe soon - the shop is downstairs and unheated, so it may be spring.

Once I've paid off the hospital for three hospitalizations this fall, I'm going to an arbor press both for accuracy and so I can reload at my computer desk instead of trucking down to the cold basement. I guess the press is a good way to start, as I can't use anything else without it. Any recommendations?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Sorry, I've been gone from here over a year, I've been plagued with health problems ending, I hope, with a crushed L-1 vertebra in a in early September 2023 household fall. I'm still not off the walker, you don't heal as fast in your 70s. Still haven't gotten the scope mounted on the 6BR, but maybe soon - the shop is downstairs and unheated, so it may be spring.

Once I've paid off the hospital for three hospitalizations this fall, I'm going to an arbor press both for accuracy and so I can reload at my computer desk instead of trucking down to the cold basement. I guess the press is a good way to start, as I can't use anything else without it. Any recommendations?

This one works very well on my desk for me:

Harrell Tooling Arbor Press by Henry Harrell

Our new arbor press has very smooth ram action. This is accomplished with the use of brass pinion gears and brass pinion shaft bushing. The base is made from nickel plated steel. Remaining parts are from aircraft quality aluminum and stainless steel.

www.harrellsprecision.com

SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR ARBOR PRESS

Check out SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL SINCLAIR ARBOR PRESS available Online at Brownells Today and many more Reloading Presses products are available in our Reloading Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[bubbalo7]

I like my K&M Arbor Press with Pressure Dial Indicator. I have the Extended Post since I load 375 Cheytac & 33XC on it.I have been using my AMP Press alot too though.I like using L.E. Wilsom Mico Adjust Inline Dies on both best of all. Good Luck in your choice

 

[coldboreshot]

K&M with a *force pack* (depending on what seating pressures you will be using).

 

[Tesoro]

I have an old Harrels/Sinclair like in the pic above. It is compact, ergonomic and easy to fit in your shooting bag for seating depth tests. I also tried a K&M forcepack but didnt like it: too tall due to the forcepack and honestly, I can feel seating pressure variances better than I could estimate with the gauge. KISS!

 

[K9TXS]

21st Century - This is what I have been using for several years and it has worked out really well. It goes to the range with me every time.

One thing I have noticed that appears to be common in a lot of small arbor presses is that when turning the clamping lever/wheel, it does not always hold it in place and it could slightly raise upwards.

I added a shaft collar and this really keeps the adjustable head in place.

 

[boltman13]

I began using a Bald Eagle and it was a little bit less smooth than the K&M I now use. Really, however, both presses gave me very accurate loads with small ES and SD. I have not added the seating pressure system to the K&M, but perhaps will in the future.

 

[Thorgrim]

Thank you all very much. I intend to use it for 6BR for now, and I can't see going over a 6.5 PRC in the future. I've broken both shoulder in the last ten or so years, so heavy recoiling rifle cartridges (that often take more effort on the press handle to reload) are out of the question for me.

I have a question about sizing - how do you get the sized case out of the die? I remember using quite a bit or force on the handle of my Rockchucker to do that with some cartridges.

 

[tmwinds]

I could be wrong but I don’t believe you can full length size with the arbor press. I only use it for neck sizing and bullet seating. I’ve never seen a FL sizer for a arbor press.

 

[Tesoro]

Thank you all very much. I intend to use it for 6BR for now, and I can't see going over a 6.5 PRC in the future. I've broken both shoulder in the last ten or so years, so heavy recoiling rifle cartridges (that often take more effort on the press handle to reload) are out of the question for me.

I have a question about sizing - how do you get the sized case out of the die? I remember using quite a bit or force on the handle of my Rockchucker to do that with some cartridges.

The Arbor is only for seating bullets. For sizing you can get a nifty little c-press like the Harrels and clamp it to your office desk. Thats what I do ( alum backing place underneath). I use it for 6br and 6xc. You could actually ditch the arbor idea and just use the c press for everything with equal precision.

https://www.pmatool.com/harrells-precision-compact-reloading-press-308-br-ppc/

 

[muleystalker]

You could also go with this Harrell's combo press that will clamp onto you desk, it allows you to size and seat with a conventional die but also has a side spot to press inline dies. The best of both worlds possibly. I have the Harrell's C press and it works great at the range, I also have the magnum version and it also works great. You can order directly from Harrell's also, great people and great products!

Harrells Precision Combo Press

The highest quality, most innovative reloading tools and shooting supplies for precision riflemen. Unparalleled customer service. Shop Now - PMA Tool

www.pmatool.com

 

[Dave M.]

Sorry, I've been gone from here over a year, I've been plagued with health problems ending, I hope, with a crushed L-1 vertebra in a in early September 2023 household fall. I'm still not off the walker, you don't heal as fast in your 70s. Still haven't gotten the scope mounted on the 6BR, but maybe soon - the shop is downstairs and unheated, so it may be spring.

Once I've paid off the hospital for three hospitalizations this fall, I'm going to an arbor press both for accuracy and so I can reload at my computer desk instead of trucking down to the cold basement. I guess the press is a good way to start, as I can't use anything else without it. Any recommendations?

Fairly simple piece of equipment. Don’t overthink it. Most quality arbor presses will do exactly what you want them to do. Three that I’ve used all work the same and do and equal job. I like the older Sinclair one a lot, but my go to now is the K&M because it’s smooth and never gives me any reason to complain.
Dave

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

You could also go with this Harrell's combo press that will clamp onto you desk, it allows you to size and seat with a conventional die but also has a side spot to press inline dies. The best of both worlds possibly. I have the Harrell's C press and it works great at the range, I also have the magnum version and it also works great. You can order directly from Harrell's also, great people and great products!

Harrells Precision Combo Press

The highest quality, most innovative reloading tools and shooting supplies for precision riflemen. Unparalleled customer service. Shop Now - PMA Tool

www.pmatool.com

PMA just came out with a press of their own, aimed at bench rest shooters.

PMA Benchrest O-Press

The highest quality, most innovative reloading tools and shooting supplies for precision riflemen. Unparalleled customer service. Shop Now - PMA Tool

www.pmatool.com

 

[divingin]

The Arbor is only for seating bullets. For sizing you can get a nifty little c-press like the Harrels and clamp it to your office desk. Thats what I do ( alum backing place underneath). I use it for 6br and 6xc. You could actually ditch the arbor idea and just use the c press for everything with equal precision.

https://www.pmatool.com/harrells-precision-compact-reloading-press-308-br-ppc/

Add neck sizing to that. I use an LE Wilson arbor press die to neck size 6BR. I also used one for 308 when I was still shooting it.

If you want both Arbor and normal dies in a single press, Harrell's used to have an arbor press portion on their compact standard press. However, I don't see that available on their site now.

I suppose a small plate welded to a shell holder and a solid plug in place of a screw in die would be used with any standard type press.

 

[Tesoro]

Add neck sizing to that. I use an LE Wilson arbor press die to neck size 6BR. I also used one for 308 when I was still shooting it.

If you want both Arbor and normal dies in a single press, Harrell's used to have an arbor press portion on their compact standard press. However, I don't see that available on their site now.

I suppose a small plate welded to a shell holder and a solid plug in place of a screw in die would be used with any standard type press.

True but tedious. I was under impression the OP was looking to get an arbor as the only press. Eventually need to do some f/l sizing or shoulder bump and maybe opt to use a mandrel. The little Harrels will do it all in one.

 

[Thorgrim]

True but tedious. I was under impression the OP was looking to get an arbor as the only press. Eventually need to do some f/l sizing or shoulder bump and maybe opt to use a mandrel. The little Harrels will do it all in one.

No, I have a Dillon progressive press and a Rockchucker at home. I was looking for an arbor press to take to the range to play with builet seat, and at home to use with a tapered neck expander,

 

[Tesoro]

No, I have a Dillon progressive press and a Rockchucker at home. I was looking for an arbor press to take to the range to play with builet seat, and at home to use with a tapered neck expander,

ahaha! if so recommend the sinclair style as it is nice and compact. What I use at my ranges out in the woods.

 

[Thorgrim]

I intended to neck size, insert a primer and partially seat a bullet at home. I have two questions, though:

1. Does anyone handle loose powder at a private/club range (i.e., work up loads)? There's nothing in our rules that prohibit it, but is it unsafe with people shooting near you (not too close, my range has more than adequate space between individual benches? I ask because my generation didn't have as many safety rules as society in general and ranges especially have now.

2. I read somewhere (and now can't find the article) that neck sizing (only) the 6BR would cause a "donut" of brass to form near the neck/case juncture. Has anyone else found that true?

On guns built for accuracy and not defense, back when I shot a lot I neck sized only and never had that any kind of trouble with either the .22-.250 or my .257 Weatherby. The only downside I noticed was that with the .257, it was a bit harder to close the bolt that last 15 or so degrees, which I don't see as a problem on a varmint/target gun.

 

[Thorgrim]

I could be wrong but I don’t believe you can full length size with the arbor press. I only use it for neck sizing and bullet seating. I’ve never seen a FL sizer for a arbor press.

Well, I guess I had 3 questions - when neck sizing with an arbor press, how do you get the casing back out?

Make that four questions - can you use a tapered neck sizing expander with an arbor press?

 

[Andy Work]

I intended to neck size, insert a primer and partially seat a bullet at home. I have two questions, though:

1. Does anyone handle loose powder at a private/club range (i.e., work up loads)? There's nothing in our rules that prohibit it, but is it unsafe with people shooting near you (not too close, my range has more than adequate space between individual benches? I ask because my generation didn't have as many safety rules as society in general and ranges especially have now.

2. I read somewhere (and now can't find the article) that neck sizing (only) the 6BR would cause a "donut" of brass to form near the neck/case juncture. Has anyone else found that true?

On guns built for accuracy and not defense, back when I shot a lot I neck sized only and never had that any kind of trouble with either the .22-.250 or my .257 Weatherby. The only downside I noticed was that with the .257, it was a bit harder to close the bolt that last 15 or so degrees, which I don't see as a problem on a varmint/target gun.

Loading at the range is fine for working up loads, people have been doing it for years. It gives you more options for testing and saves you from pulling bullets on preloaded rounds that don't test well.

You're better off full length sizing to keep things consistent. You don't want a hard to close bolt. An inexpensive/lightweight press mounted to a board can be C clamped to a table for your 7/8 X 14 sizing dies or expander. Another option, if you have plenty of brass, is to prep and prime the brass at home and do the rest at the range. This allows loading and testing a few at a time, or one at a time when looking for max powder charge.