Press for sizing?

[Dubbo]

Looking for recommendations on a good rigid smaller size press for full length sizing short mag cases?

 

[butchlambert]

RCBS Partner press.

 

[Dubbo]

RCBS Partner press.

I was looking at that one (nice size and price) but wasn't sure how the aluminum would hold up.

 

[rkittine]

I bought the Foster Coaxial for full length sizing. Like their priming arrangement too though I use a K&M Dial Priming Tool.

Bob

 

[JRS]

+1 for the Partner press.

 

[jdh47]

I would get a press with compound linkage. The Rockchucker or Lee classic cast, Redding Boss, Hornady or the new MEC. There are a lot of choices. The old RCBS Jr. was cast but it does not have compound linkage. Depending on how much the cases have to be sized it can take some pressure to do it.

Joe

 

[butchlambert]

I will say this,"Jackie Schmidt uses partner presses in matches and at home". He is not limited by his pocket book.

 

[dragman]

I have had all kinds of presses. the Forester is absolutely my favorite! The only thing I don't do on it is my instant indicators and I use a redding big boss for that

 

[Terry Altom]

If portability is a strong concern, then the Partner press is great. I got one a couple weeks ago. Didn't like the "fit and finish" or liteweight feel of it compared to my Rock Chucker. Sent it back.

 

[RonAKA]

Looking for recommendations on a good rigid smaller size press for full length sizing short mag cases?

I use a Lee Classic Cast for my .264 WM and less sized cases. It works well, but is heavy at over 13 lbs. The Lee Challenger press is about half that weight and probably will work fine for a short mag case. It got a bad name for failure a few years ago when they were using aluminum components in the linkage, but now it is an all steel design. Unfortunately aluminum has a finite fatigue life, whereas steel does not if it is designed properly. Something not to think about when you are getting on a plane!

 

['Freak]

I de-cap in a universal de-cap die setup on a cheap little bitty Lee Reloader press. Whatever case prep is done then it’s on to a Redding Big Boss for full length sizing along with, when it’s needed, only enough shoulder setback to maintain .001” to ~ .002” clearance betwixt the bolt face and case head inside that one chamber (bolt gun). An expander die with the appropriate size neck expander mandrel is often setup on one RCBS Partner press, and a second Partner press is setup with the seater die. All priming happens on a hand held.

Full length sizing a 270 Winchester case on the Big Boss isn’t an effortless chore, but it’s a long ways from ‘tiring’. Dunno how it’d go full length sizing anything on the Partner, haven’t tried it, but I don’t > think < the regular ol’ full length sizing of a > short action < anything would cause the Partner’s too soon demise.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Lee Classic Cast is a good one and easy on the $ to...

 

[/VH]

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php/products/compact-reloading-press

 

[JRS]

I was looking at that one (nice size and price) but wasn't sure how the aluminum would hold up.

It holds up just fine. If it ever fails, RCBS will replace it.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I have two partner presses, and have never seen any aluminum anywhere on them.
I also have a rockchucker and a cheap Lee c press. None have any aluminum except for the Lee

 

[ShootDots]

Looking for recommendations on a good rigid smaller size press for full length sizing short mag cases?

There are some good "smaller" presses that can and will Full-Length size cases. However, I have a different take on Full-Length sizing cases. A really good press can not only size cases for any given cartridge>>BUT also has the strength for case formation. Necking down, necking up, reforming cases etc.. takes FORCE, with literally tons of pressure needed for these "jobs". So if you ever have any FUTURE intentions of "expanding out" your realm of cartridges to include some cases that need forming, you will be glad you bought a BIG press. The Big Boss II and Rockchucker are two of the best for these jobs. So why not get something that can do it all? Just my 2 cents..

 

[Ggmac]

If you load you will end up with many presses .

 

[Liven The Dream]

There are Tons of deals on RCBS Rock Chucker Very hard to beat .
I have one 30 +years old still make good straight Ammo..
I shoot NRA cross the course and Palma ,point lots of Ammo over the years.
Best of Luck

 

[JRS]

I have two partner presses, and have never seen any aluminum anywhere on them.
I also have a rockchucker and a cheap Lee c press. None have any aluminum except for the Lee

The Partner press is made from cast aluminum.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Using headspace measurement consistency as my judge, the Hood press was the best I ever used. I have owned, rcbs, roch chucker, partner, forster coax, redding ultamag, t7. The design of the Hood is the best. Its basically an o-frame with a back on it. It has less flex than the others, even made from aluminum. I set them all up with hard cam over using Redding shellholders. I base this off a 40 degree shoulder dasher case. With a ppc maybe I wouldnt have noticed? I could watch the die and whole top of my partner press flex and move. I thought it was a pos. But obviously people are having success with it. My opinions are formed by the numbers I was getting. +/- .0005" in headspace. I wasnt doing that well on the coax even.