Press upgrade

[Gman]

I would like to upgrade from my 50+ year old "Rock Chucker" to a better or more precise press. (if this is possible) Currently hand load for 6BR, 6.5x47L, .243 Win, and 7x57mm Mauser. I seat all of my bullets with Wilson seater dies (via Sinclair arbor press) except the 7x57. The .243 Win & 7x57 are medium size game hunting rifles, so I obviously don't load as many rounds of these 2 cartridges as I do for the BR & 47L. (which are my Competition rifles) I am considering the Harrels "Combo" press but would like to know all of my options. I don't load at the range so portability is not an issue. What ever I purchase will be mounted solid to a bench. Please feel free to voice all opinions ! Thanks

 

[JimPag]

I have 2 of the Harrell's combo press, and they are pretty decent. I have 3 of the Hoods presses and they are even better but hard to find. Also have 2 Sinclair presses and they are a decent press. I've had a half dozen of the Harrell's presses that go for 200 bucks new and I really don't like them at all. I only have 1 left and just have a K&M 6 to 30 expander mounted on it. I also have 1 Redding Ultra Mag left that I mount a FL die to. Honestly I don't think any of these are going to make a more precise cartridge than your Rockchucker will. I have 8 different calibers that I use in SR score and that's why I have 8 presses set up for each FL die that Goodling usually makes for me. That way I don't have to screw around with setting up dies. Make life a lot easier.

 

[Falfan2017]

I don’t think a different press used just for fl sizing will improve your loads that much. A good fl sizing die is important, using a good sizing lube is important. I went from a lee classic turret with tons of slop in it to a Forster coax. With the same dies the results were the same. Same concentricity, shoulder bump uniformity etc

 

[JFrank]

I think y'all would chuckle at my two old RCBS presses, BUT they both size extremely well!

Ha Ha $20 each off Craigslist "

Not sure what I would chose moving forward.

 

[spclark]

I have 2 ‘chuckers, one I bought as a Newbie when I was just starting out reloading ~ 15 years ago. The other I bought used from another club member one Sunday.

Bought a Harrell’s turret a couple years later, several 4-hole discs soon after. Great for loading pistol rounds where multiple dies are routine.

I use the RC’s for sizing only (decap w/ Wilson punch, base & ball pein hammer), the Harrell’s for seating.

Then there’s the red Lock’n’Load contraption I bought used, that still doesn’t get much action though does load superb rounds really fast!

 

[TC260]

I'm in the same boat, my dad started me on his Chucker 30 yrs ago and it's still in use on my bench. I have a combo press and really like it but to me it's more of a lighter duty press. Good for the range but at home for general sizing purposes I prefer a solid mounted press.

I've been wanting to give something new a try too and I'll probably go with a Forster Co-Ax when that time comes.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I hear the Lee Classic Cast is very consistent. A lot of good info and pleased members using the Forster Co-Ax.....I like the old stuff and use a pair of Hollywood Seniors & an R.F.D. for the 6ppc and 30 Major. Your Rockchucker will most likely keep doing everything you need it for as long as the dies are properly set up.....But I REALLY understand wanting something new & different even if not so much better.......

Regards
Rick

 

[topclass2017]

I started with a 'Chucker, moved to a Dillon 550b (which I have subsequently gotten rid of) and now have a RCBS turret. I use the 'chucker as a dedicated decapper (before tumbling), and use the turret for everything else. I have a turret plate for each caliber I load - the benefit (to me) is that I set my dies once and am done. It essentially functions like a single stage without having to re-set dies. So far (last 4 years) I've been more than satisfied with the results.

 

[Trophied]

I have an old Texan that I got with a bunch of reloading components really cheap and the thing is built like a tank! I'm not using it at the moment, but I intend to set it up for one or possibly 2 functions to see how nice it works, and if I like it I may put a different caliber die set in it to avoid changing and resetting dies. I'm using an older RCBS Ammomaster I got a long time ago that works OK for what I do.

 

[mrjdasr]

unless some rocket scientist can come up with a replacement for the shell holders in current use, the precision of the press means very little
as far as seating bullets, the precision is all in the die

 

[Zeke 225]

With 2 rcbs junior, 2 rock chuckers, a rcbs big max, and Redding ultra mag press, I have been wanting to try a foster-coax, some day I may get one.

 

[Gman]

unless some rocket scientist can come up with a replacement for the shell holders in current use, the precision of the press means very little
as far as seating bullets, the precision is all in the die

I am buying a new press for full length SIZING only. As written above, I seat all of my bullets with a Wilson in-line seater.

 

[JFrank]

Harrell's makes good stuff, also nice to know exactly who made it right here in the USA

 

[quest450]

Take look at Prazi press, it's not cheap but it is an amazing piece of German over engineering

 

[Baer45]

I would like to upgrade from my 50+ year old "Rock Chucker" to a better or more precise press. (if this is possible) Currently hand load for 6BR, 6.5x47L, .243 Win, and 7x57mm Mauser. I seat all of my bullets with Wilson seater dies (via Sinclair arbor press) except the 7x57. The .243 Win & 7x57 are medium size game hunting rifles, so I obviously don't load as many rounds of these 2 cartridges as I do for the BR & 47L. (which are my Competition rifles) I am considering the Harrels "Combo" press but would like to know all of my options. I don't load at the range so portability is not an issue. What ever I purchase will be mounted solid to a bench. Please feel free to voice all opinions ! Thanks

Keel like I’ve had every press between the Rockchucker and Dillon 1050, literally....I finally sold them all and use a Harrell’s 4 hole turret press (thi is the first time I have ever heard a complaint about a Harrels) It was recommended by Glen Zediker for 308 Wand below and is on the cover of his book: “Handloading For Competition”.; a DILLON 550b and a Forester coaxial for big stuff. Either of the last two mention will do what I need well but 90% of my loads are on theHarrels...the points made about good dies have merit...the book is worth reading and he has good idea on presses...

 

[Gman]

Keel like I’ve had every press between the Rockchucker and Dillon 1050, literally....I finally sold them all and use a Harrell’s 4 hole turret press (thi is the first time I have ever heard a complaint about a Harrels) It was recommended by Glen Zediker for 308 Wand below and is on the cover of his book: “Handloading For Competition”.; a DILLON 550b and a Forester coaxial for big stuff. Either of the last two mention will do what I need well but 90% of my loads are on theHarrels...the points made about good dies have merit...the book is worth reading and he has good idea on presses...

I have no idea what you are talking about, I never said anything bad about Harrells.

 

[Baer45]

I have no idea what you are talking about, I never said anything bad about Harrells.

Sorry, it was late. I was referring to another post but it was only meant as an observation. I like the Harrell’s a lot for 308 Winchester and smaller rounds. Glens book could be helpful to your decision. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Dan Minick]

Take look at Prazi press, it's not cheap but it is an amazing piece of German over engineering

What model is this? I have had a 140 on order for around 4 months, they say demand is high.

 

[Baer45]

It is a beauty! My only comments which are totally personal; the support post blocks easy front access to shell holder and its a one hole press.

 

[cem]

I don't think it's possible to upgrade from a Rockchucker especially a first generation. I started with a Lyman nutcracker set when that was a low cost alternative along with the original Lee Loader and a Rockchucker was my first press of fond memory. Sold when my circumstances did not allow keeping components on hand. I do think there are presses that can be a more useful style for a given user.

My most used press right now is a Harrell's 4 place turret for convenience including short stroke and handy size for cartridges I load a lot. I make an extra effort to keep the Harrell's clean including normally decapping in something else because I don't like the way used primers with associated grit and grime are flung around loose. I also expect more wear from the aluminum turret so I don't swap dies all that much and make sure everything is clean when I do. A little extra lube on the linkage too. To that add a Coax which I smile a lot using, and it handles used primers superbly. Sometimes use the universal shell holders and sometimes adapter to conventional shell holders. Changing that is indeed a nuisance. The latest generation has ample clearance for long micrometer dies. There are multiple generations and earlier models have less clearance. Short and long handles because the full stroke long handle is a big swing but also offers lots of leverage. To that add a Redding T7 because I use a lot of Redding Instant Indicators and I want the gage and dies all setup at the same time. To that add a Meacham Load Anywhere press as the natural successor to a nutcracker. To that add a Hollywood Universal Turret with primer punch turret including punches for domed primers and 1-1/2 inch dies - least used but Elmer Keith wrote that it was the best so I had to have one.

And finally a progressive with case feeder that would indeed be a real change from a Rockchucker but hard to say it's an upgrade more a different tool for a different purpose. Case feeders are a great convenience. I don't like a bullet feeder because I like to handle cup and core bullets gently.

I suppose the German press would be a real upgrade. I do believe the price is justified. Still a T7 was just retired to display after loading a million rounds and still going strong so I'm not sure what the extra money buys.