Arbor presses

[Holemaker]

I am in the process of buying an arbor press to use with seating dies. Who has had good luck with what brand of press. What are the pros and cons based on your experience? Would you buy that same press again? You guys get the picture, I’m just trying to see what the popular choice is and why.
TIA
Holemaker

 

[R.Morehouse]

I have a Hart. They are a little pricey but I really like the build quality & would buy it again.

Regards
Rick

 

[Chuckhunter]

I have a Hart. They are a little pricey but I really like the build quality & would buy it again.

Regards
Rick

Like Rick I have a Hart and like it very much, got it used on Ebay but if I had to buy a new one I would go with the Harrell as I have used my friends and it does the same thing my Hart does for a lot less money. Hope this helps.

 

[Mikemci]

I have the 21st Century and I like it for the light return spring. It gives me a good feel for seating pressure. Stainless construction is strong and keeps it low maintenance too.

 

[Dub]

Mine is a Sinclair. It has been great

 

[STS]

Harts are very nice presses.

 

[sqrlgtr]

I just started using a k&m with the force pack attachment and it works well with wilson seating dies.It will tell you if certain pieces of brass are harder to seat bullet in. I know most can tell by feel but now I have a number also to go by...

 

[Rset]

I use a K&M and am completely happy with it. All arbor presses do it seat bullets into a case. Not a particularly difficult task. Force packs will help you see consistency, but if your not a world class shooter, you won't likely see the difference from one press to another. Look to other areas for the best investment in my opinion.

 

[Dub]

An arbor press is not rocket science.

 

[Holemaker]

An arbor press is not rocket science.

You are correct. I’m not building anything of that quality, just asking the opinion of others that have a working knowledge of what’s offered.

 

[CT10ring]

Mine is a Sinclair. It has been great

ditto. simple, effective & well built. you'll never wear it out.

 

[Twicepop]

I have a B-Square, it's almost infinately height adjustable and is stout enough to full length size with.

 

[Shooter13]

ditto. simple, effective & well built. you'll never wear it out.

I’ve had one for 33 years, still going strong!

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

If you are looking for a press to simply seat bullets, then almost any of them will do the job and do it well. Now if you want to get fancy and measure seating pressure, then you will need to spend 3 to 4 hundred bucks.

More importantly than an expensive press, is a really good seating die. You should not skimp on these as they are the heart of the system. Buy the inexpensive Sinclair press and then put out $140.00 Sinclair\Wilson micrometer die. It is only available from Sinclair. It is deadly accurate to .0005 and repeatable.

 

[CT10ring]

I’ve had one for 33 years, still going strong!

there you go. I'm just at 20+ years w mine. plus Wilson Seater dies. hard to beat- this simple method. my .02 anyhoo.
plus you can feel the neck tension, clear as a bell. preaching to the choir; I am.

 

[Ccrider]

If you are looking for a press to simply seat bullets, then almost any of them will do the job and do it well. Now if you want to get fancy and measure seating pressure, then you will need to spend 3 to 4 hundred bucks.

More importantly than an expensive press, is a really good seating die. You should not skimp on these as they are the heart of the system. Buy the inexpensive Sinclair press and then put out $140.00 Sinclair\Wilson micrometer die. It is only available from Sinclair. It is deadly accurate to .0005 and repeatable.

This is what I was thinking. Get a Sinclair or something similar and spend your money on quality seating dies.

 

[cem]

You can do it with an industrial machine from Harbor Freight or a pawnshop cheaply enough. Using an arbor press as a driver for a pin punch works for some people.

One reason most people don't use a Harbor Freight industrial is the ability to load at the range. Differences in portability include handle length for leverage as well as base size. You might get better feel with less leverage. The ratio of handle travel to ram handle shows the leverage on a gear driven press.

See the discussion about full length sizing above and consider whether your intended use is strictly for seating dies or as a handy arbor press to have on the bench for many things maybe including assembly of modern sporting rifles or what have you.

 

[michaeljp65]

I have the 21st century one, the one with the long handle. I think it gives better feel than the ones with a short stubby handle. Makes it easier to feel the neck tension and see which ones seat harder or easier. http://www.xxicsi.com/new-generation-arbor-press.html

 

[1bamashooter]

21st Century hydro press

 

[MislMan]

Make sure the press will raise high enough for use with your largest/longest caliber cartridge to be loaded.