Well, age has finally caught up to me. I was reloading yesterday on my trusty RCBS #2 press. At the end of the day, I started some 9.3x62, and after 30 cases, I was whupped! I just gone and got old. My hand hurt; my shoulder hurt; my back hurt. I was WHUPPED!

I am looking for suggestions for a new, heavy duty press with lots of mechanical advantage. Of the major presses out there, which significantly increase the mechanical advantage? I do like uniform, accurate ammo. Cost is not a primary objective. I can't take it with me.

Thanks a heap. Ku-dude

PS: Anyone interested in a well used, reliable RCBS press? E-mail me. K-d

What's an RCBS #2 press like? The RCBS A2 seems to be easy to use.



In any case I ordered a Rockchucker Supreme and it should be here this week. I will use it right away and tell you how it is.



Midway has a sale on them for about $98.



http://www.huntingtons.com/Supreme1%209356.jpg



My loading bench is high and so is the seat. It's quite comfortable.

I like my RCBS AmmoMaster single stage press. It can handle the .50 BMG. (I don't load for the .50 BMG.) I bought it to handle my .470 NE reloading. My old press didn't have enough clearance for the .470 (and the .416 Rigby was a tight squeeze). I've found that sizing cartridges like the .30-06, .35 Whelen, .375 H&H, etc is a breeze. Very little effort is required. The press is massive. For a size perspective reference, I think that's a .50 BMG cartridge in the press in the pic below.



-Bob F.







AmmoMaster Single Stage Press

In single-stage mode, you have all the clearance and leverage to handle any rifle or pistol round from 25 Auto to .50 BMG.

The AmmoMaster as shipped from the factory is designed for use with the standard 7/8" x 14 thread reloading dies and accessories. It easily converts for use of .50 BMG dies with the optional BMG kit.



http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=2&s3=10

I'll 2nd BFaucets vote. I bought an Ammomaster when I started shooting the longer magnum rounds. Lots of room in the "window" & more tan enough leverage. You can do 06 based rounds w/ very little effort.

The press I have is a RS 2 which is a predecessor to the RS 5. The linkage is essentially the same. Ku-dude

I don't load anything longer than .375HH, so clearance is not an issue. I looks like the linkage for the Rockchucker and the AmmoMaster is similar if not the same allowing for the size difference. Midway for $98! Sounds like a wiener to me. Ku-dude

I have not tried one to compare, but the Redding Ultramag looks like it has some fierce mechanical leverage.
I can only judge this by comparison of the size of the levers and their location ( they are connected up by the die, and are really long )
Ain't no enguneer tho...

Travis F.

http://www.gunstop.com/supplies.asp?cat_id=32&mfr_id=4
This is the address for the Redding T-7 turret press that I have. That sucker takes very little effrot AND you can combine steps to save time. Don't have to worry about the settings changing either. 169.95 They also have the new RCBS rockchucker supreme for 99.95 and their shipping is actual unlike the crooks at midway with their new shipping schedule. The shipping on my T-7 was only $11.

I like the Forster Coax. I've heard it's the easist to resize with. I can resize and decap 458 Lott cases with little effort, ie: using two fingers on the lever. And it's known for producing good ammo.

I just bought an Ammomaster to load 500NE with as the Coax was a little shy on finger room with the 570gr. bullets. The one I got has something wrong with it as the ram does not go up smooth and wants to bind and jerks. It's going back to RCBS right after I call them Monday.

Needless to say MY vote is for the Coax unless your doing stuff longer that 375H&H or 416Rigby.

Roi

I have one of the new Rockchucker Supremes. I purchased it to load .416 Rigbys and .470 NE rounds which it does with ease having both enough clearance, and good mechanical advantage.
Geronimo

Hey Ku-dude, Looks like a fine Press you are considering getting.

Something you may not have considered is getting an adjustable chair to set in front of your Press. I used to work with a few "Ergonomic Yahoos" and they had all kinds of tricks for Repetitive Motion problems. One of the best was the old adjustable chair. As you tire, change the seat height or just move the chair a bit skewed.

Next up is one of "my" personal favorites. Begin teaching someone how to Reload. I've got a new Rookie undergoing the process and of course he has to get good at it by Reloading lots and lots of ammo "while I closely sit back and watch"! Yes, some of it just happens to be "my" cases.

I've got enough ammo Loaded right now to last me for a good while. In fact, I need to go unload some of it just so the Rookie will have some "extra" cases available.

...

Good luck with the new Press!

As far as mechanical advantage, none beat the Coax, and with less motion. Another vote for it.

Although I was happy with my Rockchucker, it isn't in the same class with the Forster Co-Ax press, so you can count another vote for that one.

Forster used to demonstrate the mechanical advantage by making something like .22-250 cases from 30-06 -- without any sizing lube! None! And the press sized and extracted every case! Perhaps they still have this info on their website (do a search for Forster Precision, I think).

The Co-Ax press can be had with both a long and short lever -- the long one has more leverage of course, but even the short one is likely overkill for any normal loading.

jpb

Ku-dude,

I set the new RCBS Rockchucker Supreme up and have been using it. My other primary press is an RCBS A2 that I have had for maybe 40 years. The new press is well made and has a much larger opening than the old one by 3/4" which is quite a bit.

It's easy of operation or force required to do heavy FL sizing is good but not quite as easy as the A2. Over all the press is a keeper for me as I wanted just what it is.

What I don't know is what your used to and how much of an improvment that you need in leverage? Perhaps the Coax might be better for you? I am not familar at all with that press so I don't know how it compares to the RCBS press.

The old A2 has a 1.25" ram set in a 6" press body compared to 1" and 4" for the new Supreme.

Ku Dude,
I am already at;where you are headed.
I use an old Herter;s press,and,for the last year,I've added a cheater bar to the lever.
It's an aluminum tube,which fits over the handle,and extends it another foot.
I just finished a batch of 300 Savage cases this Evening.
Try it before doing something desperate.
Frank