I want to draw from all of the experience here and get your input on which press I should buy for my first reloading press. I am a new reloader. I am not a high volume shooter and probably never will be, so speed is not important. However, I am very anal about my stuff and accuracy is my number one issue if I am going to reload. What are your thoughts?
Which press to buy?
- Thread starter encoreguy
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You'll want a good, stiff "O" type press for Full-length sizing. Many people like the Rockchucker, but I prefer something that is shorter, with a better primer-catch system and an angled entry.
I was also just talking to Jerry Tierney,2005 NBRSA 1K Champion). A while back he switched from a Rockchucker-type press to a Forster Co-Ax. In the Co-Ax the die floats in jaws so it is free to align itself with the cartridge axis. Jerry has measured his run-out with both the 0-type press and the Co-Ax and he believes he gets less run-out with the Forster.
For Bullet seating I recommend hand dies with a Micrometer top. Wilson makes a fantastic Stainless micrometer-top die. You'll need some kind of Arbor press to run these dies. I'm happy with a K&M that has a Seating force gauge, but the Sinclair-type arbor is easier to adjust height--something that's important if you load a lot of cartridges.
If you're producing lots of ammo for a Varmint holiday,500 or more cases), consider getting a progressive press. I have the RCBS 2000 and really like it. Dillon is also excellent, but I prefer the powder hopper and the primer feed system on the RCBS.
I was also just talking to Jerry Tierney,2005 NBRSA 1K Champion). A while back he switched from a Rockchucker-type press to a Forster Co-Ax. In the Co-Ax the die floats in jaws so it is free to align itself with the cartridge axis. Jerry has measured his run-out with both the 0-type press and the Co-Ax and he believes he gets less run-out with the Forster.
For Bullet seating I recommend hand dies with a Micrometer top. Wilson makes a fantastic Stainless micrometer-top die. You'll need some kind of Arbor press to run these dies. I'm happy with a K&M that has a Seating force gauge, but the Sinclair-type arbor is easier to adjust height--something that's important if you load a lot of cartridges.
If you're producing lots of ammo for a Varmint holiday,500 or more cases), consider getting a progressive press. I have the RCBS 2000 and really like it. Dillon is also excellent, but I prefer the powder hopper and the primer feed system on the RCBS.
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The Lee Classic cast-iron press is a good product. It is similar to a Rockchucker but has an angled entry, which is more convenient. My only gripe is that the mounting base is pretty narrow for a press of this size/weight, but that was deliberate so it could share the same mounting footprint as other Lee presses. The primer-exit system is better than on a Rockchucker. It seems with my Rockchucker, even with the catch bin in place 1/3 of the primers end up on the floor.
You should read the owner reviews at MidwayUSA.com:
Reviews: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductreview.exe/GetReviews?productid=317831
Here's a sample:
I purchased this to do full length resizing of 22-250 and 308 shells. I was doing this in my Dillon progressive but the torque was a bit much for it. First off this thing is dirt simple to set up. A nice change from a progressive. This thing is as solid as they claim it is. Absolutely no flex that I could detect. It has a very smooth stroke to it and made the resizing a breeze. This is exceptionally low profile as compared to the progressive. As a result of that and the link mechanism, forces on my reloading bench was substantially reduced. I recommend this product 100%.
I've had mine for about a year. I moved up from a Lee 'C' frame due to the press flex issue mentioned by others above. This press is solidly built. I've full length sized everything from .38 Special up to 7mm Remington Magnum on this press with no breakage issues and no movement. I've also used it to swage cast bullets with no problems. There's plenty of clearance, even using the long 7mmRM, and access is very good for an O frame press. The primer disposal tube is very handy for spent primer disposal directly into the trash. I haven't used the priming arm system, since priming off of the press is far faster.
You should read the owner reviews at MidwayUSA.com:
Reviews: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductreview.exe/GetReviews?productid=317831
Here's a sample:
I purchased this to do full length resizing of 22-250 and 308 shells. I was doing this in my Dillon progressive but the torque was a bit much for it. First off this thing is dirt simple to set up. A nice change from a progressive. This thing is as solid as they claim it is. Absolutely no flex that I could detect. It has a very smooth stroke to it and made the resizing a breeze. This is exceptionally low profile as compared to the progressive. As a result of that and the link mechanism, forces on my reloading bench was substantially reduced. I recommend this product 100%.
I've had mine for about a year. I moved up from a Lee 'C' frame due to the press flex issue mentioned by others above. This press is solidly built. I've full length sized everything from .38 Special up to 7mm Remington Magnum on this press with no breakage issues and no movement. I've also used it to swage cast bullets with no problems. There's plenty of clearance, even using the long 7mmRM, and access is very good for an O frame press. The primer disposal tube is very handy for spent primer disposal directly into the trash. I haven't used the priming arm system, since priming off of the press is far faster.
Reloading presses fall into the category of personal choice for the most part. Any of the top brands will do what needs to be done, some very well, some not so well. And brand loyalty is often very prevalent. Since I started loading in 1963 with a Pacific Super-C press, I've had nearly a dozen presses,a variety of Lyman, RCBS, Redding, Lee). All of this loading was what I call hunting/varmint loading and over the years I learned a lot.
I believe the new Lee Classic Turret press is the best all-around press there is. I have one of the older models plus I have a custom-built press by Fred Moreo that uses Lee turrets. If you load several calibers frequently, you can change calibers without unscrewing and screwing dies and thereby possibly changing settings, etc. I can load .223, change the turret and the shell holder and load 6mm BR, change the turret and load .308, without changing any previous settings or unscrewing a die.
If your interests are more toward competitive varmint/target shooting then buy a Hood or Harrell's combination press and you will have one of the finest and most flexible reloading tools ever devised. These presses utilize a 7/8" die plus they accommodate Wilson-style seating or sizing dies on the same press.,Wilson-type dies are used with an arbor press.) These presses are especially useful for loading at the range, but also work very well at home. These combo presses are quite common at BR matches. Though a bit pricey, they are the epitome of loading presses.
I usually recommend new reloaders buy a cheap set-up until they find out just what level of "anality" they have. Few guys ever end up with what they start out with because it's like you have to taste it to see if you like it. Anyways, good luck. You will enjoy reloading immensely.
I believe the new Lee Classic Turret press is the best all-around press there is. I have one of the older models plus I have a custom-built press by Fred Moreo that uses Lee turrets. If you load several calibers frequently, you can change calibers without unscrewing and screwing dies and thereby possibly changing settings, etc. I can load .223, change the turret and the shell holder and load 6mm BR, change the turret and load .308, without changing any previous settings or unscrewing a die.
If your interests are more toward competitive varmint/target shooting then buy a Hood or Harrell's combination press and you will have one of the finest and most flexible reloading tools ever devised. These presses utilize a 7/8" die plus they accommodate Wilson-style seating or sizing dies on the same press.,Wilson-type dies are used with an arbor press.) These presses are especially useful for loading at the range, but also work very well at home. These combo presses are quite common at BR matches. Though a bit pricey, they are the epitome of loading presses.
I usually recommend new reloaders buy a cheap set-up until they find out just what level of "anality" they have. Few guys ever end up with what they start out with because it's like you have to taste it to see if you like it. Anyways, good luck. You will enjoy reloading immensely.
The forster press is a real good one but I think the corbin s press is much better
I purchased one of the Lee Classic Cast Turret presses mentioned earlier in this thread. I love it. I use it to load my 2,300 short line loads as well as my long line load. I have not had any problems at all. I still cant believe the low cost either for such a great press. Good luck in your venture.
If you're talking about a smallish quantity of high-quality rounds, seriously consider a Hart arbor press and Wilson in-line dies.
Very different from the standard RCBS, Lee or whatever setup, and very, very good.
It will only neck-size your ammo rather than full-length resizing - but the Wilson dies will do a superb job of building high quality ammo. Something well worth considering.
Also see about a Wilson case trimmer. Again, a really nice piece of gear...
Regards, Guy
Very different from the standard RCBS, Lee or whatever setup, and very, very good.
It will only neck-size your ammo rather than full-length resizing - but the Wilson dies will do a superb job of building high quality ammo. Something well worth considering.
Also see about a Wilson case trimmer. Again, a really nice piece of gear...
Regards, Guy
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