Redding Big Boss and Big Boss 2 opinions?

[TrxR]

What is everyone's opinions on the Big Boss and Big boss 2 presses? They look heavy duty and look like they would last a long time. What are the and cons? Also anyone know what the threads are in the press body are where the bushing goes in on the top?


Thanks

 

[liljoe]

I talked with a very well known bullet maker not long ago and he recommended a BIG BOSS 2 for making bullets. He said the new RCBS is cast in china. I cannot say this is 100% true. But I believe him.

I own an older Redding press and would buy another without hesitation. In fact I have been looking at getting a larger press and it will be a Big Boss 2.


Joe Hynes

 

[DaveWhite]

I switched over to the BBII a few years ago, primarily because I needed that bushing capacity to handle the 1.25 inch custom Warner die. It seems to work with that and my other dies without any issue.

This press has performed well, and I would buy another one if I ever had to...

 

[Justin1098]

I have the big boss. The big boss 2 has a different ram that drops the primers out a tube on the bottom. Its solid and has no play. The round handle is nice to use. Only con I can think of is sometimes spent primers fall out the side where the priming arm goes but thats the same with most presses.

Standard 7/8"-14 threaded die with bushing, without bushing 1-1/4"-12 threaded die

 

[SamGabara]

I have been loading on a big boss 2 for about 5 years and really like it. I can only compare to a Dillon 550 because that is the only other press I have personnaly owned or used (other than a lee loader for depriming). It is very heavy duty in my opinion and I don't notice any flex. I load cases as small as 223 Rem and as big as 375 Snipetac. I especially like the off set opening which allows a completely unobstructed view during reloading. I prime/deprime separately so I cannot comment on that capability. If for some reason I ever needed another press, I would by another Big boss 2 without question.

Sam

 

[timeout]

Go with the Big Boss II. And yes, the occasional spent primer spits out instead of falling through to the drop tube. That is a bit annoying, but maybe someday I'll look for a solution to that.

 

[Justin1098]

I usually jam a rolled up peice of paper towel in the slot to keep primers where they are supposed to be. One of these days I will spot weld a strip of sheetmetal into the slot. Either that or devcon. A new ram is 36 bucks plus shipping if i screw it up.

 

[itchyTF]

Another +1 for the BBII.

Justin, you must be using another priming method if you're considering using Devcon in the slot.

 

[Steve Blair]

I use a Co-Ax press but loaded ammo for a friend on his Big Boss II. My impression: hell for stout.

 

[Justin1098]

Justin, you must be using another priming method if you're considering using Devcon in the slot.

I use an RCBS hand primer. Its easier for me and I get a good feel for primer pocket tightness.

 

[timeout]

Justin, you must be using another priming method if you're considering using Devcon in the slot.

I use an RCBS hand primer. Its easier for me and I get a good feel for primer pocket tightness.

I use a hand primer also - for installing. I was talking about primers not dropping into the tube during the removal process. I normally remove primers with a Wilson neck die minus the bushing, but I have one caliber that I have not purchased a Wilson for yet.

 

[coford]

I bought a Big Boss II about a month ago. I started loading on it and noticed that when seating bullets the case seemed to move to one side. Either the ram is machined wrong or the bore of the ram is mis-aligned with the die holding bushing on the top. I was really disappointed and have to send it back. Also the linkage has a lot of side play when the handle is in the down position. Needless to say I am not impressed at all. Hope the next one is better - I should have bought a co-ax.

 

[LHSmith]

I bought a Big Boss II about a month ago. I started loading on it and noticed that when seating bullets the case seemed to move to one side. Either the ram is machined wrong or the bore of the ram is mis-aligned with the die holding bushing on the top. I was really disappointed and have to send it back. Also the linkage has a lot of side play when the handle is in the down position. Needless to say I am not impressed at all. Hope the next one is better - I should have bought a co-ax.

Kind of hard to believe since the presses are line-bored on CNC machines. You have a misconception on what it takes to produce consistent reloads. It is the proper and precisely adjusted die that makes well fitting cartridges. As a matter of fact some Benchresters have actually machined the ram diameter of the entry level RCBS Pardner press smaller to produce more slop in the system so the press does not bias the die -to -shell holder interface...essentially allowing the case to center itself with the die.
Granted, a Partner press is not suitable for the larger cartridges, where a good quality " O" press is needed to minimize flex when the cartridge is at the upper most travel in the die to in order to maintain consistency. The fact that there is play at the bottom of the stroke has no bearing on the presses ability to produce accurate ammo.

 

[FryeGuy]

I started out with a rcbs rockchucker. sold it when I made a long move, with most of my reloading equipment. bought the new rockchucker supreme 2, or whatever the heck they call it, and was disappointed with it. I since picked up a boss 2, and love it. I haven't seen a better "o" press yet. love the primer catch system, and have had no issues with it dropping primers. I have had it over a year now. Not sure I would even need anything more! it is rock solid. highly recommended from me.

 

[capreppy]

Wife is getting me one for my birthday. After a lot of research it came down to the original and the II. I went with the two for the primer catcher as I neck size and deprime to save time.

I have a Hornady LnL AP so am switching the BBII to a Hornady bushing system

 

[LHSmith]

In full disclosure, I do not own a Big Boss, or BB 2. I do have 2 Boss presses ( smaller ram) and no spent primer drop tube. These are dedicated presses I use to load at IBS matches. I also have 2 Rockchucker presses that I load hunting and target rounds on. I would not hesitate to replace these RC presses with either Big Boss or BB2 presses......I like Reddings quality that much.

 

[ajax]

i bought a rcbs rockchucker supreme and sold it because the ram had so much slop in it at top stroke! i replaced it with a big boss 2 and it is so much better and tighter.

 

[TrxR]

I know this might be an odd question but. Does anyone know the shipping weight and box size for one of these presses?

Thanks

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi TrxR hi all
Why don't you simply send an email to Redding?They'll surely tell you what you want to know about the weight and volume of that press,be aware also that this press is right handed,I wouldn't be too easy with it being lefthanded myself,otherwise it looks good and sturdy just like any of Redding products,even though I feel it would be very easy for them to make it ambidextrous at no cost,or nearly...

 

[LHSmith]

Hi TrxR hi all
Why don't you simply send an email to Redding?They'll surely tell you what you want to know about the weight and volume of that press,be aware also that this press is right handed,I wouldn't be too easy with it being lefthanded myself,otherwise it looks good and sturdy just like any of Redding products,even though I feel it would be very easy for them to make it ambidextrous at no cost,or nearly...

Well lets look at this RCBS "precisionneering"........ looks like they simply made the bottom linkage block with 2 mounting holes for the handle. However the basic press casting is the same in that the loading "window" is still on the left side which is obstructed when you mount the handle on the left. It may be a slight benefit to a southpaw, but without recasting the press in a mirror image, I can't see how accessing the cartridge is made any easier.