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Beginner press

Wolfdog91

Silver $$ Contributor
What's everyone like as far as single stage press for beginners ? Especially when buying used . I started with Lee challenger and looking back it was and still is ok but egh... Idk though I'm sill in my early stages one been at it 7 or so years and just now getting a nice press but wanted to start my little brother on a little nicer track :D any how just curious what eveyone thinks. Have strange feeling it's gonna be a majority vout for the rockchucker tho :D
 
I started on Hornady LNL (Lock And Load)and been happy with mine. I upgraded to Redding T7 with the Creedmoor Sports turret head.
 
To me it's more about how you set your dies up than the brand/type of press you buy. I've have old Herters and Forster presses from the 60's a couple RCBS presses including an Ammo-Master a Redding turret and a Lee Classic. They'll all make quality ammo if setup right.
 
Have been using a redding boss (not the big boss) for 20yrs to load everything form 25-303 for goats through to 7SAUM for the FCWC for all processes. You don't need a big press for FLS you just need decent case lubrication.

Starting now I'd probably get a RCBS rebel press. Bigger opening and the primer eject out the bottom should keep abrasive crud off the ram and primers contained in a jar/ tube underneath.
 
In pistol shooting days I had a Lee turret, and soon changed up to a Dillon 550. I bought an old Rock Chucker from a friend, which I also still use for jobs for which the Dillon is unsuitable - case forming, small loading runs for odd calibres, bullet pulling with the Hornady collet etc. It's a great workhorse. I also have a small Sinclair press for range use - bullet seating testing etc., which replaced an aluminium Lyman "hand press" (no longer available). Probably all I will ever need.
 
You are correct, the Rockchucker is hard to beat for a beginner since many long time reloaders still swear by them. They are readily available on the used market and usually can be found for a reasonable price. With that said, a lot of people are recommending a Forster Coax and though not a beginners press, they are available used if you have patience and would not need to be upgraded in the future. If your little brother ends up not liking reloading, there is a pretty good used market for them. If a beginner starts with a Lee, Lyman, Hornady or similar, when it comes time to upgrade, although good presses, the secondary market for these presses is small and they must be deeply discounted and are not worth selling.
 
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Instead of buying used. Check out and purchase a starter set, like RCBS or Hornady sell. Has everything you need for a good start set up and they are on sale often for less than you would end up paying for getting used parts, etc. for to start reloading.
These sets will last you a lifetime, but you can update and add items as you learn and proceed.
 
I used to use an old Hornaday Pacific when I first started. I now use a Lee Classic Cast and have for over 20 years. It's still as solid and loads as good as the first day.
Any other Lee these days besides the Classic cast is made cheap and not near as solid. I use a cheap $50.00 Lee strictly for decapping.
 
Imo, the best way to start is with a kit like the Lee challenger kit or similar. If you decide reloading isn't for you, you aren't out a lot of money. And if you end up sticking with it, the beginner press can still be used as part of your toolset. I still have my first press from years ago and use it as a decapping/priming station.
 
I second the lee starter kit
Is it perfect? No
But it will get him started and still have enough left over for the rest of the components.
 
I highly recommend a single stage press since it allows you to meticulously master each step of the reloading process by necessitating total focus on the process at hand. In my opinion, it also minimizes mistakes.

If you get a quality one, like RCBS, they will last a lifetime. Mine (RCBS Jr.) is over 50 years old - still going strong producing precision rifle ammo. I like the ones that have an "O" ring frame design since it minimizes spring especially for sizing large bottle neck cartridges.

In my opinion, the simpler you can keep this process the more enjoyable and efficient it will be. You can make reloading complicated, but it doesn't have to be to produce high quality precision ammo. The key is to separate the essential elements from the processes that do not add value for most disciplines but have managed to creep into the process. I've been there, it's taken me a long time to get back to basics because like everyone else, I want to most accurate ammo possible so I would read some assertion and have to try it - guess what it made no difference except my wallet was a little lighter.
 
Instead of buying used. Check out and purchase a starter set, like RCBS or Hornady sell. Has everything you need for a good start set up and they are on sale often for less than you would end up paying for getting used parts, etc. for to start reloading.
These sets will last you a lifetime, but you can update and add items as you learn and proceed.
i disagree
 

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