Who Makes the Strongest Single Stage Press?

[artbosco]

Who makes the strongest single stage press? I'm looking to replace my RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme if there's one stronger. Recommendations? Thanks.

 

[ShootDots]

I have not used one, however, I believe the Redding Ultra-Mag would probably have NO PROBLEM forming any case to another case with the proper form dies. It looks like it produces tons of pressure..

 

[akajun]

Look at a ch champion press, they don't look like much but they are designed for light duty swaging as well . They weigh about 35lbs and have a great leverage in the linksge

 

[Preacher]

The RCBS Big Max is a heck of a heavy duty press, and good enough to swage bullets also...

 

[LCazador]

Forester Co-Ax is the strongest.

 

[LHSmith]

Perhaps the RCBS A2 , made of cast STEEL. I'd look at what bullet makers use ....or what presses are usable to load 50 BMG. I've seen RCBS Ammo-Masters used for this, never seen a Coax used....don't think they accept 1-1/2 " dies. Redding products have served me well and my vote would go to the Ultra-Mag, despite it's "C" design, it's massive.

 

[M-61]

The RCBS Big Max is a heck of a heavy duty press, and good enough to swage bullets also...

+1 I have the Big Max A-4....probably bought it in the 80's.....I'd say it's as heavy duty as you can get.

 

[jonbearman]

Outdoorsman,are you needing a stronger press for forming something that is hard to form as the press you have is quite robust and should and will do most anything to do with reloading.

 

[dkhunt14]

The Big Max or A4 is made of cast steel not iron and were designed to swage bullets and are about as tough as they come. The steel is way stronger then cast iron. The A2 is just an older version. They bring good money on Ebay because of there strength and being able to swage bullets. Matt

 

[BoydAllen]

Ultimately it is not about the differences in strength of steel and cast iron, but the cross section areas of the weakest parts. Take a look at this. http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/young-modulus-d_417.html
The Youngs Modulus of a material predicts it stretch characteristics, and cast iron's is shown as about 5% greater than steel, so with the same section areas, iron will compress or stretch slightly less than steel, and since neither are commonly stressed to the point of deformation or breaking in any normal press operation, their differences in ultimate strength are irrelevant. Look for presses that have the stoutest links, largest pins, and largest frame cross sections in the areas that are stressed. Also, since stretch is cumulative over the length of a piece (fraction of an inch per inch), compact design, results in less stretch, all other things being equal. With equal materials, and section areas, shorter will elongate less.

 

[dkhunt14]

I don't remember where I read it but I remember reading that the cast steel in the A4 was stronger then the cast Iron. Maybe its the steel they cast it out of. It had way more compressive psi then the iron. Matt

 

[BoydAllen]

Matt, the answer lies in the definitions of the terms. They do not mean what you may think that they do. Since the materials are not being permanently deformed or broken, their ultimate strengths are not the issue. It is a common mistake. A thing can be stiffer, but take less force to be broken, but if we never apply enough force to break it, that difference does not matter. Look up Youngs Modulus and I think that you will see what I am referring to.

 

[jonbearman]

bOYD , YOU ARE RIGHT ON.i DONT SEE WHAT IS REALLY WRONG WITH THE PRESS THAT HE HAS IN THE FIRST PLACE.Sorry caps on.

 

[artbosco]

The Handle snapped off at the right hand / Toggle Block junction! The handle is slightly bent at the attachment point too.

RCBS is sending parts for FREE, as always.

Just looking around the robust single stage press neighborhood.

 

[BoydAllen]

What the heck did you do to stress it that much?

 

[madderg]

I had an old CH single...built like a tank!! Passed it on to a young friend of mine.

 

[DHD]

You need to anneal the necks on that brass more ;D.

I'm joking of course, but it must have been fun, whatever it was.

 

[hogpatrol]

I have one of the old Herter's like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Herters-Cast-Iron-Single-Stage-Reloading-Press-Super-Model-3-/231229976762?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35d66170ba

It's a BEAST!

 

[LHSmith]

The Handle snapped off at the right hand / Toggle Block junction! The handle is slightly bent at the attachment point too.

RCBS is sending parts for FREE, as always.

Just looking around the robust single stage press neighborhood.

The RC wasn't designed for flat-shifting. , Now the A2/A4........

 

[jlow]

What the heck did you do to stress it that much?

Exactly.... I don't understand the purpose of this thread....