Which press?

[Ghansen]

I have my crash helmet on cause I might get a whack or 2 for going low but....

With Redding competition dies for 6PPC and hopefully soon a 6XC, I want a nimble but adequate press I can FL Size and decap. I am looking at RCBS Partner press, a Lee Challenger Breech Lock, RCBS Reloader 5 , Lee Precision Cast press.

OK. this is for low hassle short distance portable setup for BR accuracy loading using the Redding Comp. dies. What is the risk to accuracy if I use any of those options?

Yes, Hand dies and arbor press are in the other basket

 

[BigDMT]

Just get a Redding T7. Then you could put all of your PPC and XC dies in one turret and leave the die boxes at home.

 

[NateHaler]

I have my crash helmet on cause I might get a whack or 2 for going low but....

The only whack you deserve is for asking this kind of question. Google search "which reloading press", and start reading. IMO, all of this sort of gear works great, even the inexpensive stuff. If time is money, then spend to get convenience, i.e. speed.

 

[Ghansen]

Yes, absolutely correct. I have looked extensively throughout for opinions and facts, and many talk about general utility strength and convenience for certain purposes and reasonably compare some models and reasons for inherent accuracy. I haven't seen anyone comparing how those press I listed perform in spec to alignment run out for high end screw in die, and any general runout measurements relating to FL or neck sizing.

Does a lightweight cast alloy press for the calibers I mentioned hold up, and if so how well for benchmark accuracy specs? I have seen some good review done with certain equipment, but it is mostly high end or stay at home stuff being used.

In saying that, how well do the quick change sockets stack up against straight screw in (time being second to accuracy)

For a good end result, I have enough time. Anyone love a Lee or their Partner?

 

[effendude]

Forster Co-Ax.
Buy once, cry once. Then you will buy a second one just because it feels good to have two!
Scott

 

[jonbearman]

The way I read the OP he is asking about a portable press to take to the range.

 

[JRS]

Your "benchmark accuracy" won't come from the press.
Some of the best point blank shooters on earth use the RCBS Partner and RCBS Jr presses at the range

 

[LHSmith]

It's all in the dies that are closely matched to the chamber. This is why Harrells Precision dies excel ....they usually can match dies to your specific chamber.
The Partner press is a common sight at Benchrest matches (capital "B") and it is a great choice, but I would replace the shell holder retaining clip with an o-ring to permit the S/H to float. Buy a set of die shims as you will need to bump some shoulders a bit more than others due to the springback varying from case to case.
Loading with a die that is not a close match takes all the fun out of shooting the PPC....it will never shoot to it's potential and you will never get consistent results to the point where you can trust your gun and then be able to learn tuning to various conditions. Also hard extraction will upset your rest set-up, it will shorten case life, and make a press work harder than it has to.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

DO NOT buy one of the thin lightweight presses like the rcbs partner or lee challenger if you like consistent shoulder bump. You can literally watch those kind of presses flex. I would look at a harrells or sinclair press for your needs.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I think if a guy mounted the Summit to a nice solid steel base plate it would make a stout but portable press.

 

[BigDMT]

Any press is portable. Its not like they are engine blocks.

A good sturdy handmade bench is all you need. Some guys set stuff up off their tailgate. Others modify their pull campers.

The Harrels presses are ok, but they lack good leverage for full sizing.

The ultimate in portability is an arbor press. Cant get much more lightweight than that. Youd have to buy new arbor style dies though.

 

[Eddie Harren]

BigDMT, you ever full length re-size with an arbor press?

 

[ReedG]

Just about any press you can afford and feel comfortable with will produce match quality handloads. The only way an RCBS Partner or Lee Challenger press can "flex" is if they break because they are both "O" style frames and whatever microscopic movement might be possible will have no negative effect on your handloads. I personally like the "Breech-lock" style of mounting dies and would opt to go in that direction but a press is a very personal choice and you should pick the one that fits your needs. I'm not aware of a press from a major manufacturer that will not do the job for you.

I have spent thousands of dollars over the past 15 years that I've been involved in benchrest shooting, trying to keep up with the latest "you gotta have this" trends. They are just about all foolishness. Save as much as you can on the press and spend it on dies if cash is short. Great handloads will come from your keeping track of the details and from having good dies. I've been beaten many times by guys using Lyman tong tools or Lee hand-held tool. "It ain't the press."

In my opinion, the ultimate portable loading press is the Hood or Harrell's because they allow the use of either standard threaded dies or Wilson-style dies and are easily carried in a tool box for great portability.

 

[JRS]

Just about any press you can afford and feel comfortable with will produce match quality handloads. The only way an RCBS Partner or Lee Challenger press can "flex" is if they break because they are both "O" style frames and whatever microscopic movement might be possible will have no negative effect on your handloads. I personally like the "Breech-lock" style of mounting dies and would opt to go in that direction but a press is a very personal choice and you should pick the one that fits your needs. I'm not aware of a press from a major manufacturer that will not do the job for you.

I have spent thousands of dollars over the past 15 years that I've been involved in benchrest shooting, trying to keep up with the latest "you gotta have this" trends. They are just about all foolishness. Save as much as you can on the press and spend it on dies if cash is short. Great handloads will come from your keeping track of the details and from having good dies. I've been beaten many times by guys using Lyman tong tools or Lee hand-held tool. "It ain't the press."

In my opinion, the ultimate portable loading press is the Hood or Harrell's because they allow the use of either standard threaded dies or Wilson-style dies and are easily carried in a tool box for great portability.

+1 The only "flex" one might witness would be the flimsy wood bench the press is attached to ;D

 

[jonbearman]

This sounds more like a status symbol than just getting a portable press like a lee challenger or an rcbs partner.There arent many guys wanting those for benchrest on this site ,thats why everytime they come up for sale they evaporate.If you think you can see it flexing you must have supermans eyes or something because I dont think you can . What you are seeing is the bench flex. Any press can win and any press will work with good quality dies.Use sizing wax and full length sizing will be so easy a caveman can do it period.

 

[Ghansen]

Many thanks for your replies guys,

It is a real help to pick up some extra info that I can understand and put into practice. Floating the shell holder for one I will put into practice, and I will go through the replies to implement any technical improvements.

 

[Valar]

I have used a Lee Challenger press for over ten years. I have had guys tell me you got to go rcbs? Maybe they are right ,but i know for sure i have loaded some excellent consistant amo in the Lee. Im no bench rest shooter but a Varmit hunter that demands accuracy. I will never bad mouth lee presses or dies. Then again I cant bad mouth RCBS or Lyman I own dies from all three. They all produce excellent amo. I love Lee neck sizers in my bolt actions. Good Luck , I dont think you can go wrong no matter what you choose.

 

[jonbearman]

I have a newer challenger and a recent partner and both work perfectly. The challengers I take apart and take a brake hone to loosen up alittle so the oil on the ram has some room to cling. I sold one on here and the guy was really happy with the feel of it. Just go and pick one or two.The new challenger has the new lee bushing that makes changing a die almost instantly.If you need it honed do it with a brake hone and transmission fluid or marvel mystery oil.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Rockchucker isn't expensive and work fine

 

[JRS]

Rockchucker isn't expensive and work fine

He's looking for something portable, not a boat anchor ;D