Need to purchase a arbor press

[bozo699]

Hey Fella's
Need your advice again. I want to buy a new arbor press, I want it to be top of the line, I want to use it in my reloading room as well as be able to take it to compititions with me. I don't want a economy model or one to just get by with I want what ever the top shooters are using. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Wayne.

 

[itchyTF]

I can't speak for the "top shooters", but I have a Harrells. It looks the same as this -

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=205&rn=382&action=show_detail

but it's their beefed up model. The handle is longer and some of the innards are different. They don't show it on their website but I was told about it when I called them. No complaints.

 

[bozo699]

itchyTF,
Thanks itchy I do not have a arbor press, I have been using a mallot. I don't know anthing about arbor presses but this one looks good. The k&M looks like it might be a good one, and another one i forgot the name already it was gold in color,and sinclair makes one? I will do some more cheking on the Harrels Thank you.
Wayne.

 

[tiny68]

Got a Sinclair from Bruno's. Pleased as I could be with it. Got the Bruno's one first and ended up returning it. The ram would spin on the gear for anything with moderate neck tension. Couldn't seat my 30BR bullets. Lester made it right with the exchange. Tim

 

[bozo699]

tiny68,
Thanks Tim I like to here things like that,It is nice to know that Bruno's will take care of you when things go wrong. I have been happy with all my sinclair products so far I don't know much about arbor presses. I have been very happy with my redding presses and my rcbs and lee presses have been ok.

 

[in2deep]

Just a curious question but does the mallet method make concentric rounds?

 

[rwh38238]

Ive got the K&M and it is great. I have the one with the dial gauge for neck tension monitoring and I love it. The guys at K&M are great too.

 

[hawghunter]

I use a Sinclair and like it a lot I have a gold one to I think it might be a Hart

 

[bozo699]

Just a curious question but does the mallet method make concentric rounds?

in2deep,
That is one reason I want to get a arbor press,Using redding bushing dies my rounds are usually within .001-.002 @ the most and usually less,after I seat the bullets some of them are several thous. out, with the wilson seaters I have shaved a little off that but am wondering if I just smoothly seated them with a press if they wouldnlt be even better.
Wayne.

 

[jo191145]

I'll probably catch some grief but.....

The dies make accurate rounds. The quality of the press has nothing to do with it.
Obviously it must work tho.

 

[bozo699]

jo191145,
I agree with you, I just know from past experience to buy the best the first time and you don't have to buy twice or three times. I am really liking the looks of the K&M press.
Wayne.

 

[GermanS1]

Wayne, I've been using a Sinclair for years with no trouble and can definitely recommend it. However, I've been handling the K&M at Bruno's recently and there's a lot to like there, very nicely made. If I were buying today it would probably be the K&M. http://www.kmshooting.com/index.php

Another one to consider might be the 21st Century model, I have only seen pictures, but it appears well made. Would certainly like to get my hands on one for a test.
http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/Home.php

I definitely agree with Joe that the dies make the ammo (for better or worse) the press is just a fancy hammer, but we need it to be reliable and we all like well crafted tools.

 

[bozo699]

German Salazar,
I think this is the first time we have corisponded since I joined the forum but I have followed many of your post and highly value your opinion,thanks for responding.
I believe you when you say you have been very happy with the sinclair arbor press, I own quite a bit of sinclairs products and am happy with all that I have. I will check into the 21century press,the Harrells press that titchyTF suguested looked pretty good as well. I am like you I would like to get my hands on the suguested ones, it would make the dicission much easier. Thanks again for your input.
Wayne.

 

[21shooter]

Hi, I think my 21st Century shooting arbor press can compete with all the handloading arbor presses. I built the sinclair job for over 22years. Thanks, John
21st Century Shooting Inc.

 

[brian427cobra]

I have a K&M Arbor press with seating force attachment, I really like it for seating, being able to see the force required to seat a bullet is IMHO a worthwhile investment, BUT the hieght adjustment on the K&M is a PIA compared to the others with a simple lever, using it for neck sizing then having to raise it for seating is time consuming, four screws with 5/32 allen wrench loosened and then retightened.

 

[bozo699]

I am sorry guy's for being such a backwoods hillbilly (PIA...?) I can only assume it means it is some kind of peice of crap or somthing? Help a dummy out!
Wayne.

 

[Waskawood]

Pain In the Ars.

 

[bozo699]

Pain In the Ars.

Thanks Waska :-[

 

[johara1]

I use a K&M with the seating force gage, i put a 3" dial on it.It really helps with the numbers instead of feel.You can tell on each firing on the case that the force to seat goes up 2-3 lb. I try to hold the record rounds to 2-3 lb.........jim

 

[Waskawood]

I saw your frown and wanted to clear the air that I was giving you the meaning of PIA. I was not refeering to you. I am in the market for an arbor press so I am very interested in your thread.