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Which Reloading press?

I am going to start reloading for accuracy and savings
Which single stage press would work the best for 308 winchester. Also what dies and other equipment do I need
 
I have a Redding "Big Boss" and it seems to work great, as does all my Redding gear.

Buy quality and you spend once, buy rubbish and you spend twice and spend more.

Get it right first time !!!
 
I have a RCBS Rockchucker supreme press. I picked it up new for $118. I like it. I had the original Rockchucker, it was going strong but I sold it when I moved only because I wanted a new press. I use Redding Dies, I like them much better than RCBS dies, or any others for that matter. Get good scales! I currently use RCBS 10-10 scales, also have used the scales just under them in price (I think 5-10??) and they worked fine. redding powder throwers (3br) are really nice as well. I think a huge step up from the RCBS thrower. I load a bunch of .308 with this set up and have no issues at all.
 
greenron15 said:
I am going to start reloading for accuracy and savings. Which single stage press would work the best for 308 Winchester. Also what dies and other equipment do I need.

Here's what I use for crafting a .308 Win load.

1. Lapua .308 Winchester Brass.

Just TWO dies:

2. A Redding Type "S" Full Length Bushing Die with a .335 bushing ... try different sizes for varying neck tension.

3. A Wilson Bullet Seater / Straight Line Die, with Micrometer top.

4. The RCBS Charge Master 1500 Combo for throwing powder.

5. A Forster CO-AX single stage press (accepts any standard 7/8" X 14 reloading die) and Forster Cross Bolt Die Lock Rings.

6. A K&M Arbor Press for use with the Wilson Seater Die.

These will get you started with some of the basics, headed in the right direction, and make reloading fun instead of a hassle.
 
I use similar dies that Outdoorsman uses, except that I use a Wilson Neck Sizing Die, a Wilson Bullet Seating Die and a Haydon Anvil Press. I revert to the Redding FL Die if Full Length Sizing is required (on a Redding Big Boss Press), but that is very few and far in between with Lapua Brass. And if shoulders require bumping, I use a Redding Body Die and Redding Competition Shell Holders to make that adjustment which is also rare thanks to a tight chamber. And BTW, If you are unaware, Wilson Neck Sizing Dies only resize half of the neck hence less tension on the bullet. I have been able to get excellent accuracy using 168 gr & 175 gr Sierras in five shots groupings @100 yds that measure in the high .200 & low to mid .300 spreads.
 
Hi Greenron,
I don't known what you are loading the .308 for. Is it target or hunting? I think the best advice I could give is try to get good quality gear from the get go. I started with a RCBS Partner press which was fine for my .243 and it performed many years service.
I now have a Redding 'Big Boss' and I just love it and my partner press has been relegated to decapping and priming duties. As for dies I've used excellent brands such as RCBS and Hornady but my favourite dies are Redding due to their quality and ease of use.
Again, all I can advise is go for quality. Any Redding, Hornady or RCBS product will be fine.

Regards
Moo.
 
I can only add to the above that Randy Robinett of Bib Bullets is using the Lee press mentioned in the 1st reply to make bullets these days. That is a pretty strong endorsement. Also, if you can find a press that drops the spent primers out the bottom of the ram, like some of the custom grade presses do, that is a big plus IMO.
 
My older RCBS Rockchucker has been serving me well for 20 years now. I do prefer redding die sets, especially the FL Type S neck bushing. Forster Ultra micrometer Seater is a favorite, although I also have and use the Wilson seaters with a Sinclair arbor press. RCBS Uniflow powder measure is the choice for large amounts of ammo (223 for the AR's) with ball powders. RCBS 505 beam scale for benchrest ctgs. We are blessed with a lot of high quality products out there, most of them able to last a lifetime. Spread the cost out over their years of use, and it is a very small amount, and most still retain good resale value.
 
SmokinJoe said:
I can only add to the above that Randy Robinett of Bib Bullets is using the Lee press mentioned in the 1st reply to make bullets these days. That is a pretty strong endorsement. Also, if you can find a press that drops the spent primers out the bottom of the ram, like some of the custom grade presses do, that is a big plus IMO.

The Lee drops the spent primers out the bottom of the ram into a plastic tube, that you take to the garbage can after you are done.

The Lee Classic Cast is designed to size the 50 BMG, so it does not want for strength or weight. So not hard to see it would be chosen for the tough jobs. The ram is a very close but smooth fit compared to my older Lyman that was replaced by the Lee.
 
The Lee Classic Cast is a great choice for a first press that will last a lifetime. It's just as rugged as a RockChucker, and costs much less. It also has a few features that are not offered on the RockChucker.

Link to Classic Cast Press
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/classic.html

But if you plan to ever reload for pistol or any high volume rifle, than you may want to look at the Lee Classic Turret. I has a big cast iron base and the same big ram as the Classic Cast, but it has a four position auto-indexing turret that allows you to load ammo much quicker than with a single station press. It can also have the auto-index disabled and be used just like a single stage press as well. It is exceedingly strong and is very durable.
The only weak area on the press is the little bushing that operates the auto-index, as they do wear out and can be damaged if you short-stroke the press while auto-indexing. But they only cost about $1 for 3 of them and are simple to replace, so no big deal. If you will only have one press to do all your loading, this is the press to have. Very versatile, very strong, and much faster than a single stage when loading large quantities of ammo.

Link to Classic Turret:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/turretpress.html#ClassicTurretPress

I also like the priming system on the Lee much better, and it's a huge plus if you plan to prime on the press. I have several hand priming tools, as well as a Forster bench mounted piming tool as well. But I still like to use the Lee system on occasion, as I just like the way it feels when it seats the primers.

I have several Lee presses, Breech Lock Challenger, Classic Cast, Classic Turret, Lee Hand Press, and a Lee Load Master Progressive. I have been happy with all of them.

But Lee also offers a new Breech Lock Classic Cast press as well, which has quick change bushings like the Challenger, but has the cast iron frame of the Classic Cast. It's another option to consider, though it's not all that big of a deal to screw your dies in and out anyway.

Link to Classic Cast Breech Lock
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/breechlockclassic.html

I think the Classic Turret would be a great way to start if you will be loading any volume or using it for pistol in the future. I use mine to load all my hunting, plinking and varminting ammo with auto-index and can load about 60-80 rounds of .243, .308, or 30-06 in an hour, or 100-120 .222 or pistol rounds in an hour. It's plenty capable of high precision ammo if you disable the auto-index, and if you take your time it will load very good ammo in auto-index, nearly as good as single loading.

If you only plan to load for the .308 and other rifle rounds and will only be loading for absolute precision, the Classic Cast is a great choice.

If you want to get everything you need to get started, a set of dies and the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit or Breech Lock Challenger Kit and a case gauge and shell holder for the included trimmer will get you going. Both kits come with the Breech Lock Challenger press, which is a good press and will do everything you need. But it would be worth it to purchase the Classic Cast as well, as a second press is priceless when you are reloading. The difference in the two kits is the priming system. The 50th Anniversary lets you prime on the press, and the Challenger kit comes with a hand-held primer.

Link to the Lee Press Kits:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html

I will make one other suggestion as well, and you should really make this $25 purchase regardless of what press or kit you buy. Purchase a Classic Lee Loader in .308 and use it to load ammo when you first start. It's the most hands on way to load ammo there is and is an awesome learning tool. I have several that I still use today, they load excellent ammo and can be used anywhere. I bring mine with me when I go to hunting camp with a few bullets in different weights and a bit of powder in case I run out of ammo or I need specialty ammo I don't have with me, when I go to the range and don't want to bring a press and dies and all the other crap to load there, and if I am going to go to help a new reloader learn how to load. A Lee Loader and a set of their dippers makes for the simplest loading kit you can buy, and is super easy to pack along wherever you need it. They are also some of the best learning tools made. Really an excellent buy and something every reloader should have in his kit.

The Lee Loader is $25 at most places and the Dippers are under $15. They are some of the best money you can spend to learn reloading in a very hands on way and will give you the ability to reload anywhere you so choose. Highly recommended.

Link to Lee Loader:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/cleeloader.html

Link to Powder Dippers: scroll down until Lee Powder Measure Kit and the picture of the yellow dippers.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1290103628.3013=/html/catalog/powhan1.html
 
My first press is a Lee Classic Cast Iron.
Nothing but good things to say.
Ever need a good press/ boat anchor combo the Lee Classic will do it all ;D
By the same token I've never used a different press to judge.
I have a rockchucker sitting in a box but never felt the need to bolt it down. i'm sure it would do fine also.

All that said my most accurate firearms are loaded on a Lee (nutcracker) hand press. Real long story...... But I started the PPC then the 6BR short ranger and now the 30 BR on that $15.00 doo hickey and never saw a reason to reset the dies to a normal crank handle.
Never tried the 308 FL on the nutcracker and I'm sure I would'nt like it.
I squish the 308 on the Classic and I'll keep her there. ;)
 
I have several presses, from the inexpensive Lee hand press to my newest redding T7 turret press.
I have loaded hundreds of thousands of rounds on a rcbs Junior and I think they are all good presses each in there own way. The inexpensive little lee is much easier to prime with than the expensive T7 redding but the T7 has obvious advantages over some of the smaller single stage presses. I will say this my little partner press makes just as concentric of rounds as my rockchucker or my Redding's. That said I think any press suggested on this thread will work just fine. I have seen guy's shooting record targets @ competitions with a $25 lee press sitting beside them.
Wayne.
 
shot410 said:
Spend the money up front and buy a Forester Co-Axel.

What would say are the advantages of the Forester Co-Axel over another solid press like say the Lee Classic Cast? I use Forester dies and am very impressed with them. They have some obvious advantages. However, I can't seem to identify anything special about the Co-Ax press.
 
RonAKA,
I think the big seller on them is;
#1- no shell holders to deal with.
#2- Everything self aligns, so runout is reduced.
#3- once you set your die up there is no messing around, slide in and out.
#4- they look kinda weird so it give's your buddies something to ask you silly questions about while there in your loading room.
Wayne.
 
I have 5 presses and my favorite is the 25 year old RCBS Rockchucker, next is the RCBS Partner. My cheap Lee is junk. I have two arbor presses, and they are needed if you want to use Wilson dies. The arbor press is slower, but produces good ammo. Hard to beat Redding Compeition dies in the Rockchucker press.
 

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