Best all around Single Stage press?

[skeeljc]

The MEC Marksman is my go to press for sizing. Very smooth, excellent access, and good repeatability. Their stand is a must have.

I use my RCBS Summit for decapping. The inertia of the moving head helps. I employ heavy duty rubber bands to balance the weight of the moving part. I use the short handle.

I use a 21st Century arbor press with Wilson in line dies for seating.

 

[PhilC]

Not saying Rockchucker is the best out there, but I'm with joshb. Had mine going on 30 years with no issues. As a matter of fact, the only thing new on mine is the dies and shell holders! All original!

I've had my RCII since 86 or 87 and still going strong, bet it will outlast me, and I still do 90% of my loading with it.

 

[Gary O'Neal]

What size Prazipress are you guys using?

 

[EOD Rob]

I've had my RCII since 86 or 87 and still going strong, bet it will outlast me, and I still do 90% of my loading with it.

I'm with ya, I have a Dillon 550C that isnt even setup, but my rockchucker is.

 

[INTJ]

What size Prazipress are you guys using?

I have a heavy 120. Here it is as well as a couple other presses for comparison. It is by far the smoothest and most precise single stage press that I have used, and I have used a lot of presses over the last 49 years.

 

[drop_point]

Coax and area 419 is what I have. Love my setup no regrets

What advantages do you get with the 419? I keep looking at them as my desire for a turret press grows. I've had one in my cart half a dozen times without pulling the trigger. Is it more of an enjoyment of use or does it have advantages that result in better ammo, faster? Thanks!

 

[Antoviola]

What advantages do you get with the 419? I keep looking at them as my desire for a turret press grows. I've had one in my cart half a dozen times without pulling the trigger. Is it more of an enjoyment of use or does it have advantages that result in better ammo, faster? Thanks!

Only advantage is that you can several calibers on the head and just rotate it. It’s a smooth action. The precision on the press is immaculate

 

[INTJ]

What advantages do you get with the 419? I keep looking at them as my desire for a turret press grows. I've had one in my cart half a dozen times without pulling the trigger. Is it more of an enjoyment of use or does it have advantages that result in better ammo, faster? Thanks!

We use a half dozen in the shop to load custom ammo. There is no slop or deflection so them so they are very precise. The turret is stout and solid. When you dial down the micrometer on a seater die, the bullet moves to exactly where you adjusted the die. You don't have to sneak up on it as long as you do your math properly.

If you are consistent in how you lube and/or anneal, sizing is as precise as well. That is the advantage to a Prazi or a Zero; there is much less rework and uncertainty as to how much it will seat/size which makes the loading process faster.

For a while we had them side by side with Redding T-7s. We wore out several T-7s. The Zero is much larger and beefier than the Redding.

We have loaded thousands of rounds through our oldest Zero Press and it is still tight. The Zero is not as smooth as the Prazi, but it has the advantage of having an 8 position turret.

I will eventually get one to complement my Prazi, then get rid of my CoAx and RC Supreme.

 

[drop_point]

We use a half dozen in the shop to load custom ammo. There is no slop or deflection so them so they are very precise. The turret is stout and solid. When you dial down the micrometer on a seater die, the bullet moves to exactly where you adjusted the die. You don't have to sneak up on it as long as you do your math properly.

If you are consistent in how you lube and/or anneal, sizing is as precise as well. That is the advantage to a Prazi or a Zero; there is much less rework and uncertainty as to how much it will seat/size which makes the loading process faster.

For a while we had them side by side with Redding T-7s. We wore out several T-7s. The Zero is much larger and beefier than the Redding.

We have loaded thousands of rounds through our oldest Zero Press and it is still tight. The Zero is not as smooth as the Prazi, but it has the advantage of having an 8 position turret.

I will eventually get one to complement my Prazi, then get rid of my CoAx and RC Supreme.

Thanks for the post. I don't mind paying for good gear, but I want something for the money. My RC needs to be retired for sizing and seating. Perhaps a Zero will be what I move toward.

 

[Reloading Guy]

RCBS Rebel or Rock Chucker is probably the best value press for money. Very tight, very low slop, very heavy duty last a lifetime.

 

[Loudenboomer]

Got a used Bonaza CoAx in 1986. It's my primary. I've got a early 60's Lyman for a secondary. They both PRESS ON!

 

[dttheliman]

What size Prazipress are you guys using?

The 140 as INTJ states best ever !

 

[CjC73]

I have a Mec Marksmen that just came off the bench because I never use it, always use my RC. Will be trying out a new to me Hood next reloading session.
I will be listing the Mec soon afterwards.

I'd be interested in your MEC when you're ready to move it along.

 

[Lucky6547]

It's great to have a expensive showpiece press. I might splurge and get one of them one of these days but I wonder how much of a significant difference it makes over a less expensive press? I used this pretty inexpensive Lyman press which I think was under $100 before shipping and tax to size cases and seat bullets for my .223 bolt gun several months ago. I used a Redding S full body die and a Redding micrometer seater.

Went to the range and shot these 5 shot groups at 100 yards. The aggregate was well into the teens.

What’s that mount?
Take care,
Ken

 

[jghoghunter]

It's great to have a expensive showpiece press. I might splurge and get one of them one of these days but I wonder how much of a significant difference it makes over a less expensive press? I used this pretty inexpensive Lyman press which I think was under $100 before shipping and tax to size cases and seat bullets for my .223 bolt gun several months ago. I used a Redding S full body die and a Redding micrometer seater.

Went to the range and shot these 5 shot groups at 100 yards. The aggregate was well into the teens.

I have one of these presses and they work awesome. To be honest the only reason I haven't switched over to this press for everything is that all my dies are set up for my orange crusher press and I would have to change the settings.

 

[Lucky6547]

It's from inline fabrication.com

Thanks

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I got a notification from Brownell’s that they have gotten Big Boss II‘s in.

 

[Sandstorm]

Big Boss II‘s

Cant go wrong with one of those either.

 

[JimPag]

Even though I am not too fond of RCBS presses, this particular RS press has probably resized more rifle rounds than any other single stage press in existence. This exact press can be found on page 111 in The Book of Rifle Accuracy. Tony just decided that it was time to hang it up after shooting in the benchrest game since 1979 and decided to sell me everything that he owned including his motorhome. I was honored that I was the one he sold everything too and he was so relieved that I bought every single thing from him so his two daughters didn't have to be burdened with the stuff when he passes on. I got to spend time with him 3 weeks ago and this past Monday. He told me that he shoots between 15-20K rounds every year. That didn't include what his wife use to shoot. Unfortunately Faye passed away in July of 2019. He said that she hated to practice but he would be at the range almost everyday. It's really sad when someone this great in the benchrest community has to hang it up. He told me a dozen times, "I've had a good run but now it's time to stop". Best of luck to you Tony in your future endeavors. PS: Please do not ask me to sell any of his things. I have no intention at the moment to sell anything. I haven't even picked up all the stuff at his house and I've brought back two loads with one to go in 2 weeks. If and when I do I will list it on this site. Thanks.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Even though I am not too fond of RCBS presses, this particular RS press has probably resized more rifle rounds than any other single stage press in existence. This exact press can be found on page 111 in The Book of Rifle Accuracy. Tony just decided that it was time to hang it up after shooting in the benchrest game since 1979 and decided to sell me everything that he owned including his motorhome. I was honored that I was the one he sold everything too and he was so relieved that I bought every single thing from him so his two daughters didn't have to be burdened with the stuff when he passes on. I got to spend time with him 3 weeks ago and this past Monday. He told me that he shoots between 15-20K rounds every year. That didn't include what his wife use to shoot. Unfortunately Faye passed away in July of 2019. He said that she hated to practice but he would be at the range almost everyday. It's really sad when someone this great in the benchrest community has to hang it up. He told me a dozen times, "I've had a good run but now it's time to stop". Best of luck to you Tony in your future endeavors.

Jim, I would say that is priceless!
Thanks for sharing this.