Arbor press vs. mallet....does one load more concentric?

[bozo699]

I have the 21st century, it goes with me in my portable loading box, light,compact and tough, very good press, John makes very nice tools.
Wayne.

 

[Shynloco]

You guys had me laughing my *** off. Obviously, with the Wilson dies I have zero experience. I will refrain from hammering my bullets home! I will save my pennies and buy some boat anchor of a press so that I can press bullets and axel bearings as needed....or maybe I'll get one of those cute little Benchrest looking arbor presses and seal my fate...

I'd rather cry once...which nice press is worth what it costs?

MQ1

P.S. I'll still deprive live primers to get a thrill now and then

MQ1,
Strictly as a precautionary note about Arbor Presses, should you decide to go that route. In case you are unaware, you CANNOT resize casings using an Arbor Press as they are strictly for seating bullets. Secondly, there are some "mini" sized Arbor Presses around that WON'T serve you well if you load .30 cal (or larger) bullets/casings because of the insufficient room in terms of height to accomodate handloading dies that is needed for the longer casings. So you might want to make sure any Arbor Press that you decide to buy will accomodate your needs so you don't have to rebuy something that won't work for you. Info only and good luck. Might want to also check the Classified ads on this blog to see if anyone is selling a nice/used Arbor Press that'll help keep the price down.

 

[MQ1]

Shy,

I appreciate the comment...and it is especially relevant after looking at the pictures in German's 21st Centrury write-up.

I load for alot of calibers, but I do have one particularly heavy 300WM that may be at the limits for the 21st Century press. I'll keep that in mind when I finally go shopping.

lmmike also gave a great suggestion for using an old engine valve chucked into a drill press...I'm sure I have a couple burnt ones taking up space somewhere...

MQ1

 

[mikecr]

In case you are unaware, you CANNOT resize casings using an Arbor Press as they are strictly for seating bullets.

I guessing you've never used (or heard of) Wilson neck dies..

 

[TC260]

bearing press from harbor freight that is not a press that would be very useful at all in bullet seating or sizing, there very heavy cast iron hulk of a thing! Anyway to each there own, I have been broke before and remember what it was like.

Nice, "you can't afford as nice equipment as me" shot. That's piss poor etiquette right there.

If you've found that a reloading type arbor press loads more concentric ammo than a bearing press then discuss your experience and leave it at. That said, a force indicator is a useful feature no doubt. But If comparing a basic reloading type arbor press (w/o the force indicator) to a bearing press, why would one produce more concentric ammo than the other?

 

[bozo699]

bearing press from harbor freight that is not a press that would be very useful at all in bullet seating or sizing, there very heavy cast iron hulk of a thing! Anyway to each there own, I have been broke before and remember what it was like.

Nice, "you can't afford as nice equipment as me" shot. That's piss poor etiquette right there.

If you've found that a reloading type arbor press loads more concentric ammo than a bearing press then discuss your experience and leave it at. That said, a force indicator is a useful feature no doubt. But If comparing a basic reloading type arbor press (w/o the force indicator) to a bearing press, why would one produce more concentric ammo than the other?

I never said anything of the sort!!! I know what I said and what I meant and that is exactly what I meant, I am not better then anybody and there are things I still want and can't afford so one has to so what he has to to get by, but there are tools for the job if you want to use a 5000000000000000 ton arbor press to make ammo do it!!! I will use the right press for the job, $60 for the correct press $45 for a cheap Chinese cast arbor press, that is a no brainer to me but you do as you wish!!!!! TC260!
Wayne.

 

[Shynloco]

In case you are unaware, you CANNOT resize casings using an Arbor Press as they are strictly for seating bullets.

I guessing you've never used (or heard of) Wilson neck dies..

Cute Mikecr!

I should have been more specific as I meant FULL LENGTH SIZING, but apparently I "assumed" that would be understood, especially by those who you'd think know what they are doing. My bad! But i don't even use my Wilson's for neck resizing. I guess after several years of doing this stuff, theres always something new to learn and someone will point out the errors. My apologizes for putting out "bad" info.

Alex

 

[TC260]

If that's not what you meant, fair enough. I understand that what we mean and how it comes across aren't always the same on a forum. When I was reading through the thread there was the comment, if you can't afford $100 you shouldn't get into reloading, then, I was broke too once.... Reading them all at once you can see how I could misconstrue the intended meaning and think it was starting to sound more like a swinging richard contest than a reloading forum . I've always enjoyed your posts and learned much from them.

FWIW, I wasn't making the argument that a reloading-type arbor isn't the best tool for the job (especially one with force indicator). They are, they're designed for it. My point was that I'm not readily seeing why other tools for pushing the seating stem down would necessarily produce lower quality ammo. A mallet yes. With a sharp blow to seat the bullet I can easily see how that could cause problems. If the force is being applied slowly through some other arbor press/drill press/hand, etc, I don't see how the ammo/die can distinguish between X# of force applied from a small press and the same amount being applied from a different source.

 

[MQ1]

For the record, Shynloco...I understood what you meant in regards to full length resizing. A sincere thanks for your help.

For the record, bozo699...I understood what you meant in regards to choosing the right press for the job...I actually had to chuckle a bit, because I know the big arbor press will work, because a friend uses one...the damn thing must weigh at least 25 lbs, and the thought of lugging it to the range...well...that is funny. A sincere thanks for your help too.

MQ1

 

[bozo699]

If that's not what you meant, fair enough. I understand that what we mean and how it comes across aren't always the same on a forum. When I was reading through the thread there was the comment, if you can't afford $100 you shouldn't get into reloading, then, I was broke too once.... Reading them all at once you can see how I could misconstrue the intended meaning and think it was starting to sound more like a swinging richard contest than a reloading forum . I've always enjoyed your posts and learned much from them.

FWIW, I wasn't making the argument that a reloading-type arbor isn't the best tool for the job (especially one with force indicator). They are, they're designed for it. My point was that I'm not readily seeing why other tools for pushing the seating stem down would necessarily produce lower quality ammo. A mallet yes. With a sharp blow to seat the bullet I can easily see how that could cause problems. If the force is being applied slowly through some other arbor press/drill press/hand, etc, I don't see how the ammo/die can distinguish between X# of force applied from a small press and the same amount being applied from a different source.

TC260,
I am tired I just pulled a 16 hour shift at the bullet factory and I am to tired to make another novel like I just did on another thread but I intend on a reply to this, but just to set the record straight for right now I put my pants on the same as all of you and I work for a living on a hourly wage and I NEVER look down on someone less fortunate then I because I started with absolutely nothing and raised a family of three doing it and supporting this broke down ranch as well with my night job, I have worked myself up to a comfortable position in life now but I have been at it all my life and I am comfortable not rich by a long shot! I respect anybody that works and tries to better themselves, and I encourage anyone that would like to get into a shooting sport of any kind to keep the sport alive and our second ammendment alive! I have and will again help others getting into the sport when I feel they need it and I have extra to give. However this is a very expensive hobby and if your going to get into it you might as well figure on spending some bank but if one can cut a few corner until they can get what they want or need there is nothing wrong with that either, I guess this s well has turned into a novel, I don't mean to sound like I am bragging or better then anyone because I am for sure not and there has been a lot of great shooter on this forum that has helped me a lot!! Thanks for rereading the post TC260 and I will try to word my posts a little better in the future, take care and shoot straight
Wayne.

 

[holstil]

I bought a cheap new 1/2 ton for $30 before I had a little arbor press. It requires a softer touch. It is heavy and stays on my bench. My Rock chucker can produce a lot of leverage as well and I can feel an adequate amount of difference to resistance for seating bullets with .0005 NT with any of them to my liking.
While the lighter press is a better tool for the job for light neck tension I prefer my RC when seating bullets with a lot of NT. I can't see a difference at the target with any of them.

Not trying to be contrary to any one, just my experience.

Jim