Beginner press

[Rocketvapor]

I use a 4 hole Lee with auto index disabled.
Over the years Lee has improved this item with stronger steel links.
It is a hard stop press.
4 hole inserts are about $10 and eliminate a lot of die changes over a single stage press.

 

[skeeljc]

I really like the MEC Marksman. Solid well made silgle stage press. Get the stand so it mounts above the top of the bench.

 

[old codger]

The Lee turret press is hard to beat. If you have more than one caliber the ability to interchange calibers with the die plates is easy.

 

[Dave Zander]

Have a 35 year old Rockchucker .
Soon after I bought a Dillon 550 for loading pistol round . Still use both today. I have 223, 6 bra, and 6.5 cm dies set in the own interchangeable die block so I don’t have to reset the dies. They each have their place.
For rifle I just have a full length size and decap die and a mandel die.
I seat Bullets with a Wilson inline seating die and a drill press. You can use a 550 like a single station press or set up to do complete process size,charge seat. I used that for high volume pistol rounds. All depends on your application/ volume/ .

 

[DShortt]

Apart from the cam-over function which some reloaders are partial to, what's the advantage of a Rockchucker over a Lee Classic cast without a breechlock bushing?

I despise the lack of a viable primer catch system so given the cost I don't like the RCBS.

Personally I don't consider a cam-over to be advantageous either. Steel on steel and it's not going to move any more than that.

 

[3Phantoms]

For what it is worth, gift him your lee challenger and upgrade yourself to Forster CO-AX!

 

[quest450]

I think you should buy Prazi Press.....buy once cry once

 

[SKWERLZ]

I use a 4 hole Lee with auto index disabled.
Over the years Lee has improved this item with stronger steel links.
It is a hard stop press.
4 hole inserts are about $10 and eliminate a lot of die changes over a single stage press.

I still use and love mine
Have turrets for all cartridges and even a case activated powder throw with expander for pistols.

I feel no need as of yet to look for an upgrade.

 

[6Creed73]

Apart from the cam-over function which some reloades are partial to, what's the advantage of a Rockchucker over a Lee Classic cast without a breechlock bushing?

I despise the lack of a viable primer catch system so given the cost I don't like the RCBS.

Personally I don't consider a cam-over to be advantageous either. Steel on steel and it's not going to move any more than that.

I'm not a fan of cam over either, which is why I use an RCBS Rebel which has a hard stop. But it's primer catch system isn't great. I have an old Lee press that I keep around strictly for depriming/priming functions, which also helps keep my main press clean. I love the primer catch tube/primer arm system of the Lee, it's genius.

I'm not a huge Lee fan, but a handful of their stuff I can't live without...the factory crimp die is one of them, it's the last stop for all my gas gun ammo.

 

[Dave M.]

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 any how just curious what eveyone thinks. Have strange feeling it's gonna be a majority vout for the rockchucker tho

I still load 99% of my ammo on a Hornady L-n-L classic single stage press, and it is more than capable of producing state championship winning ammo for both my rifle, as well as my girlfriends. Spend your money on great dies, expensive presses will gain you very little, if any.
Dave

 

[Liven The Dream]

Old Rock Crusher Reading Big Boss
New MEC on sale good !

 

[X Count]

I'm not a fan of cam over either, which is why I use an RCBS Rebel which has a hard stop. But it's primer catch system isn't great. I have an old Lee press that I keep around strictly for depriming/priming functions, which also helps keep my main press clean. I love the primer catch tube/primer arm system of the Lee, it's genius.

I'm not a huge Lee fan, but a handful of their stuff I can't live without...the factory crimp die is one of them, it's the last stop for all my gas gun ammo.

What don't you like about the primer catch system on the rebel? I would like to get one for that reason to be able to have one press to do de prime and everything else

 

[big5ifty]

Lee Classic Cast with the Breech Lock.

Better than the Rockchucker.

 

[6Creed73]

What don't you like about the primer catch system on the rebel? I would like to get one for that reason to be able to have one press to do de prime and everything else

It doesn't really have a primer catch system, it just drops it out the bottom of the press onto the floor. So you have to have something like a trash can on the floor to catch them, which is just in the way. Not a whole lot of thought went into it imo.

 

[dcali]

Lee Classic Cast is my favorite. Don't let the Lee brand fool you. It's a very good, well designed press.

 

[dcali]

Apart from the cam-over function which some reloaders are partial to, what's the advantage of a Rockchucker over a Lee Classic cast without a breechlock bushing?

I despise the lack of a viable primer catch system so given the cost I don't like the RCBS.

Personally I don't consider a cam-over to be advantageous either. Steel on steel and it's not going to move any more than that.

There is none. The Lee is better (in my humble opinion). If you want it to cam over, a trivial amount of grinding the stops on the links will take care of that.

 

[Rocketvapor]

When using the hard stop on my Lee 4 hole and a Body Only die I can feel when the shoulder hits the die and setback as I go to the stop. I can also feel some springiness at the end. I hold for a few seconds until it's not springy. I bump until the case just chambers, then 0.002" more for an AR.

 

[Wolfdog91]

There is none. The Lee is better (in my humble opinion). If you want it to cam over, a trivial amount of grinding the stops on the links will take care of that.

Intresting

 

[KMW 1954]

My very first press back in 1980 was a Bonanza "68" single stage and I loaded a lot of pistol ammo on it. Then left the hobby for many years but when I did get back into it I know I would be loading all pistol ammo and didn't want to struggle with a single stage again So I started looking for a turret. While doing that I came across a complete used Lee Pro1000 with the Auto powder disk measure set up for 38 spl.. Cost ended up being $104.00 shipped to my door. I still have and use this press today. Shortly after that I found a NOS Lee 3 hole turret that had never been opened. Paid a Premium for that press because they were disco and I wanted it to complement my Pro1000. Then shortly after that I came upon a RCBS JR3 on ebay and won it also dirt cheap...

Right now I have been reloading most 223 ammo for precision rifle shooting and the twp presses I have been using the most are the Lee 3 hole turret and the RCBS JR3. The RCBS is a short 0 press with a short ram throw and works very will with the short 223 cases. No idea how old this press is but I doubt I will wear it out in my lifetime.

 

[X Count]

It doesn't really have a primer catch system, it just drops it out the bottom of the press onto the floor. So you have to have something like a trash can on the floor to catch them, which is just in the way. Not a whole lot of thought went into it imo.

Could it be tapped or similar to suit a can or hose?