Arbor press--I need recommendations

[gene pool]

Gentlemen,

I have a young friend who needs an arbor press. Mine, which has been a good one, is several years old and I don't recall the guy's name who made it. He and his wife had a reloading store in the northwest the best I recall--I bought most of my Wilson dies from them. I heard they closed down and retired.

My question is, whose arbor press can I suggest to my friend? I hope he can get one as good as mine.

Thank you in advance,

Gene Pool

 

[TimP]

Sounds like you purchased your press from Russ Haydon. He closed up shop awhile back. Russ and his wife were great people to do business with.
I have one of 21st Century's arbor presses and would recommend any of his products.

 

[JimPag]

I would suggest a K&M. You can use it just as it is, but you also have the option of getting the force measurement kit with dial indicator to see how many pounds of force it takes to seat bullets in each case. That way you can sort them out. Just my opinion.

 

[zipollini]

Do this and don't look back

http://www.xxicsi.com/hydro-bullet-seater.html

 

[Dusty Stevens]

K&m or if you want cheap go with the bullets.com bald eagle

 

[22DASHER]

Yeah 21st is the way to go. I checked out a few other options at a local reloading store and wasn't too impressed. Ordered the 21st because of the recommendations from forum members.... Glad I did. It's a very nice press!!

 

[Lapua40X]

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-ton-arbor-press-3551.html

 

[RockyMtnMan]

+1 for 21st Century presses. Best I've used so far. Worth every penny

 

[walker2713]

Love my 21st Century "New Generation" press....VERY easy to adjust height.

 

[dtucker]

If you are not on a budget get a Hart arbor press. I have used them all and it is the nicest well built press on the market.

 

[zanemoseley]

I'm looking at the 21st Century arbor presses also. I guess the big question is it worth going with the hydro bullet seater for $280 over their standard arbor press for $100.

 

[BoydAllen]

I think that it all depends on a couple of things, budget, and whether it will be hauled to the range, or only used at home. From the various specialty manufacturers you have Sinclair, 21st Century Reloading (good stuff), RW Hart, Bald Eagle, and K&M to choose from. All of them work. I suggest that the young man look them all over and pick the one that best suits his needs. I prefer a smooth topped base plate/working surface. I have a Neil Jones arbor press that is very stout, but I don't think that he makes them any more. One other consideration would be the availability of some kind of force gauge. I believe that the 21st Century unit is at the top of that heap. K&M also offers one that works on a different principle.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Only thing I can add to what has been said is that the K&M is harder to change height, so if you are dealing with several different cartridges (like most of us), then my vote would be 21st Century. I have Sinclair, K&M and 21st Century & like the 21st Century the best.

 

[LHSmith]

Sinclair makes a decent press, although some may claim they are too fragile. I have mine for 15 seasons of BR and have never had a problem. If you break one under normal use, you got serious neck tension issues. FWIW I run 5 thou NT when using 133 in the PPC.

 

[RockyMtnMan]

I'm looking at the 21st Century arbor presses also. I guess the big question is it worth going with the hydro bullet seater for $280 over their standard arbor press for $100.

I don't think so. I had the same debate myself and after talking to very seasoned 1K BR world record holding shooters, I bought the new gen press without the hydraulics. Many of them had the force indicators on presses in the past and they all said those adapters are sitting on a shelf collecting dust now. They all believed proper annealing and quality bushing dies were more important.

 

[Judd]

I have the 21st Cent, K&M (both with force indicators) and a Bald Eagle. The two with force indicators stay at home in the reloading room...the Bald Eagle stays in the truck to use at the range. I find value in the force indicators and like the 21st Cent slightly better. My shooting bud tried it and said he didn't see much value in the force indicators. Point is...hard to say you'll like it or use it until you get to use one. I can't imagine loading without it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You can use a rubber mallet, the palm of your hand or go up in price from there. I recommended the k&m but i didnt even think about how much trouble it is to adjust the height- ive never moved mine but that would be a big problem. Go 21st century- good stuff with a good guy behind it. Youll be able to pass it down to the next generation

 

[normmatzen]

I bought a used K&M press before the hydro-press was available. I then got the force indicator from K&M and haven't looked back. As important as I think bullet weight and base to ogive is, I think seating force is right up there. Now, I am not trying to say any of these metrics are first order effects, just the old adage,"Aim small shoot small." That goes for loading regimen, the only real first order effect in long range bench rest that I shoot is reading the wind, but if I insure the gun and barrel are top notch and my ammunition is loaded as consistently as I can, my only remaining excuse is my ability to read the wind.

 

[rmist]

I have an older Sinclair arbor press that has loaded everything from PPC to 6MM Rem. I currently use it now for 223, 308 and 6mmBr and Dashers. I've not had one issue with it in the last 17 years. I don't know how it could be called fragile. I use it at the range and at home. No gauge on it. You can find them used on occasion...go to a couple matches see what's out there the best shooters use. It also depends if used for traveling as stated above. I like mine !

 

[ND shooter]

Older Sinclair here too.