Arbor press for inline seater

[DShortt]

Soon to have my first inline seater. As I am uncertain how much use I'll have for an arbor press and the cost of a K&M, I was curious if anyone had tried a universal half-ton small press?

Thanks for any experience you care to pass along.

 

[chop house]

I have one that stays out in the shop, except when I use it with a custom rod to deprime crimped .223.

No reason it wouldn't work otherwise EXCEPT it is cumbersome and will wear you out: the handle ergonomics are poor and the ram is not spring loaded causing twice the work.

Clarification: twice the work due to raising the ram before putting the die in place, and lowering the ram after the seating stroke

 

[DShortt]

I have one that stays out in the shop, except when I use it with a custom rod to deprime crimped .223.

No reason it wouldn't work otherwise EXCEPT it is cumbersome and will wear you out: the handle ergonomics are poor and the ram is not spring loaded causing twice the work.

Is it a smaller press, or like a 2-ton version? I've never looked at the small ones, so that's why I ask. I'd definitely hate to use a 2-ton. Way too much overkill.

 

[kiwijohn]

Why not go to a dual press like the Harrels?

 

[JLT]

Soon to have my first inline seater. As I am uncertain how much use I'll have for an arbor press and the cost of a K&M, I was curious if anyone had tried a universal half-ton small press?

Thanks for any experience you care to pass along.

I use a 1-ton, and I use it a lot. Sure, the handle isn't spring loaded, but that doesn't bother me much. Works just fine.

 

[JFrank]

Harrell’s arbor press will serve you well, you can get them used from the classified section quite often.

Even the best arbor presses serve a basic function, seating depth accuracy and consistency are the root goals of the press and in line system.
I added the A-1 comparator after noticing a friend @Tom E using one at the nationals, I check every round as seated. Depth consistency is near perfect.

 

[chop house]

Is it a smaller press,

Yes, 1/2 T

 

[DShortt]

Yes, 1/2 T

OK, thank you. Good to know.

 

[Rwfish]

I used a small bench 1/2 ton for a few loading sessions before I got my K&M. It worked fine but as others noted with no spring return it’s kind of a pain. You also loose the feel required to know how the bullet is seating. Tough to describe but once you use a good arbor style seating press you’ll understand…

 

[hpshooter]

Drill press in a pinch.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Bench top drill press works just Chuck up a bolt head down

 

[wkdickinson]

Buy the K&M, you will never be disappointed with the best.

 

[steve210]

Harrells makes a fine arbor press for not a lot of money

 

[PatMiles]

The best just got better!

 

[JMayo]

If you went for an inline die why not go for the arbor press?
Buy a good one
You'll have it for as long as you need it an it'll sell quick if you decide your out of shooting

 

[rjtfroggy]

I bought a cheap ($50) table top from Harbor Freight worked just fine for a few years. Then I traded some stuff for a Hood.

 

[DShortt]

If you went for an inline die why not go for the arbor press?
Buy a good one
You'll have it for as long as you need it an it'll sell quick if you decide your out of shooting

Might go that route eventually. Bought my first custom used, so a bit shy on 'play money' right now. Just trying to get in on the range and see how it shoots. Never know what you've got until you put.some holes in paper.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

part of the reason you use an inline dies is because it gives you much better feel on how the bullet is seating. You will miss out on all that feed back with a real arbor press. The KM has the best feel of any I have used. I would just wait and save, so you dont have to buy twice.

 

[AlNyhus]

Agree on the K&M having the best feedback. I keep one in my range loading box and one in the reloading room at home.

When first starting out with inline Wilson seaters, I just used the palm of my hand or a light rubber hammer. Then I converted an old bottle capper. When I finally had some extra jingle in my jeans, a K&M.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Rat Rifle]

Bald Eagle from Grizzly. Works Great. $75.95