I've had a RCBS Partner press for the last 15 years and I've been happy with it, BUT my little buddy dosent have the balls to size down the big magnum cases. I'm planning an addition to my reloading family and I am about to badger the wife for a bigger press. I've been reading good things about the Redding Big Boss II. Does anyone have any experience,+ve or -ve) to share about this press?
Redding Big Boss II
- Thread starter MOO1072
- Start date
There was a thread on another forum last year that tracked the poster's experience with a series of presses. His first press was a Hornady Classic that incurred a broken handle. The second was an RCBS Supreme on which the lower link fractured. He then got a Redding Big Boss and was perfectly satisfied. In my estimation, the Redding products exemplify better design, better materials, and tighter manufacturing tolerances. Either of the presses discussed will do an excellent job for you. I'm sure you're aware that the UltraMag offers more horsepower if needed. My press is a Redding Baby Boss.
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My 1st press was a RCBS Jr. purchased in 1968, and I've got a couple of Partners that are used for light duty work and for loading at the range. I've also had a RCBS Rockchucker since the early '80s, and have been very satisified with it. So when I decided I needed a 2nd heavy duty press, I got one of their new Supremes. There was one feature I didn't like about the new Supreme right off - they put the plastic primer catcher at the rear of the ram right where it's in the way when inserting or retrieving a case into or out of the shellholder. I mentioned this to one of the RCBS reps at their booth at the SHOT Show in Vegas last Feb., and he admitted they'd had plenty of negative feedback on the same issue.
At any rate, I decided to sell the Supreme, and replace it with a Big Boss II. I had to wait a few months to get the Redding press, as Graf's was out of them when I ordered, but I think it was worth the wait. It's not going to replace the Rockchucker, but it's sure a nice enough press. And I like the primer catcher system a lot better. With most cartridges, at least half the spent primers pop out of the ram and just bounce off the Rockchucker onto the floor. I think I've had just one primer that escaped the Redding's catcher since I started using it. The sizing effort is about the same between the two presses. With these two quality presses on the bench, I don't believe I'll need another press in this lifetime.
At any rate, I decided to sell the Supreme, and replace it with a Big Boss II. I had to wait a few months to get the Redding press, as Graf's was out of them when I ordered, but I think it was worth the wait. It's not going to replace the Rockchucker, but it's sure a nice enough press. And I like the primer catcher system a lot better. With most cartridges, at least half the spent primers pop out of the ram and just bounce off the Rockchucker onto the floor. I think I've had just one primer that escaped the Redding's catcher since I started using it. The sizing effort is about the same between the two presses. With these two quality presses on the bench, I don't believe I'll need another press in this lifetime.
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