First press for a begginer

[Barlow]

T7 to start with, and to end with. Barlow

 

[Uncle Ed]

RCBS ROCKCHUCKER is what I have been using since 1971. It will handle all my cases with ease from 17 Ackley Bee to 30-06 and all in between. My only suggestion is to use a hand priming tool for better feel in seating the primer rather than the seater that comes with the press. GOOD LUCK

The man above gave very good advice, I have had my Rockchucker since 1973 and its still going stroung.

In closing jcm24m is almost as smart, good looking and modest as I am.

 

[MrBottleneck]

One obvious choice as everybody else stated. RCBS ROCKCHUCKER

 

[danny]

I own three presses:
1) Lee Classic Cast
2) Lee Reloader Press
3) Forster Co-Ax

You can save some, maybe even a lot by going with a Lee Classic Cast (and probably give up nothing over other more costly presses). I am sure I would rather have the Classic Cast over the newer RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Presses now produced in China (quality, not political reasons). With that said, I use the Forster Co-Ax and love the system. I would not feel handicapped at all if I had to go back to the Classic Cast. I would not want to have to use the Lee Reloader Press for anything but decapping, which is what I have it set up for.

Danny

 

[Brians356]

I'd guess more guys started off with a Rock Chucker than anything else and for good reason. My self included.

A conservative guess would be 7 out of 10 accuracy handloaders started with a Rock Chucker. Of those who didn't, probably half soon owned a Rock Chucker.
-

 

[tomb]

Coax.

 

[Jarhead6870]

Like many on this forum, I’ve used most of the presses mentioned at one time or another. If I could only have one press and was a “buy once, cry once” kinda guy, it would be the Redding T-7. I also have a Forster Co-Ax and while it’s a good press, the ergonomics don’t work well for me so it’s relegated to decamping only. I do all my heavy lifting with the T-7 and it has served me well; it will always have a place on my bench.

 

[dolek]

Another vote for the RCBS Rockchucker...great starter press...I started on won,still using it.

 

[GSPV]

RCBS Rockchucker
Redding Boss
Lyman Crush

Stay away from progressives unless you are talking about high volume loading.

 

[muleman69]

I started with a rock chucker ,indeed a great press but I really like my T-7 . I would go with T-7 and not look back

 

[rwj]

I recognize the simplicity of single stage presses and agree that progressives are intended for high volume use. However, a progressive is more flexible in that it can easily be converted to operate like a single stage or turret, the reverse is not possible. Choose wisely...

 

[klmshooterk]

I have been reloading for about 8 months now. I started with and still use a Lee Pro 1000. At first I was only doing one round at a time I would hand feed and allow the round to go thru each phase of the reloading cycle. After I became more comfortable with it I was able to add the shell feeder tubes and go progressive. I can do about 200 rounds an hour with no problem. I would suggest if you go with a Lee product that you pick up a copy of Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition beside the load info Richard Lee gives a lot of good info on using the various Lee Loaders.

 

[hogpatrol]

I go along with the recommendations for RCBS, good equipment and excellent customer service. I have a Redding T7 but don't recommend it. Too much slop in the turret. I modified mine so I could lock the turret down and remove the play. YMMV.

 

[JimSC]

I don't think I am the only one in the world with a Rockchucker that will not catch spent primers, otherwise people with 3D printers would not selling many of the the aftermarket ones on EBay. I gave my son in law my Lee O style press when I bought my Rockchucker, big mistake. I found out the hard way that Rockchuckers spew spent primers on the floor like a sorority pledge spews beer at a initiation. I still keep the Rockchucker on the bench but bought another Lee O press that is portable and used for range loading and depriming. If I had it to do over again, I would have never bought a Rockchucker, I know that will ruffle a lot of feathers but I am just being honest about it.

if you do buy one do a search on EBay for Rockchucker primer catchers, you will need one unless you like vacuuming spent primers. RCBS makes great equipment and has the best CS in the business but after 50 years they still can't design a spent primer system that works on a Rockchucker

 

[Forum Boss]

NOTICE to all Members. Beware member klmshooterk.

Now BANNED!

His account shows link to a confirmed scammer and his IP activity shows evidence of location/identity masking.

His email has also been reported for fraud activities on other boards.

 

[Shrek]

Co-Ax or Lee Classic Cast. The Co-Ax is a great press and the Lee is as good as O presses get. Most of the Rockchucker fans are talking about old pre Chinese presses and have never tried anything else. I’ve owned a Rockchucker and I don’t have it anymore. I’ve also owned the Lee and it was a good press but the Co-Ax is much better imo. The primer catch system alone makes it worth it. The snap in and out dies means you only need to set dies once or until you decide to change something. I do have a political issue with Chinese castings and the fact that RCBS isn’t forthcoming about their partnering with communist and not employing Americans to do the work. I personally will never buy anything RCBS again.

 

[3GRacing]

Redding UltraMag.

 

[Homerange]

Not a thing wrong with a late model Rockchucker. The plastic primer catcher will drop primers if its not slid forward against the ram.
Started with an O ring Lee, the alloy one and it's fine for the smaller calibers.
Thought I'd use it as a second press but the RC does all the work and the Lee just sits there doing jack all.

 

[dcali]

I've had both a 1970s Rockchucker and a 2010s Rockchucker. While both were very good and serviceable, the quality, fit and finish on the new one is much better. Nothing at all wrong with new model Rockchuckers. Or partners, for that matter. Great little presses.

I shouldn't say nothing - the primer catching on the rockchucker is a garbage afterthought. I don't know why they don't fix that. It's really annoying to use and you will drop spent primers all over the place.

 

[JRS]

I remember watching my Dad and uncle Doug loading their ammo on a C press made by NORMA. I believe NORMA sold the rights to the design to RCBS.