I'm a newbie but have handloaded with an extensive bench-mounted outfit for years. I'm in new circumstances and I no longer have access to a bench/table of any kind. Would appreciate you thoughts/recommendations on current best hand operated press. I have dies for my three calibers (6mm Rem, 280AI, and 375H&H. Got hand primer tools, hand depriming punch and base, electronic dribbler, etc. Just need whatever the current best version is of what used to be the Tong Tool (or something similarly capable). TIA
Don Boyd

I don't know Don, you may need some serious leverage for those calibers, unless you necksize only.
Peter.

The LEE hand press works well.

www.factorysales.com

If I'm not mistaken, RCBS makes a hand operated unit as well. I've never loaded for any of the cartridges you list but I too, wonder at being able to FL resize with a hand tool.
When I was younger & space was at a premium, I built a small box out of 1/2" & 3/4" plywood to store all of my reloading tools/supplies in. Half of the top was solid plywwod and drilled to accept my RCBS press. The other half of the top was the lid attached with a piano hinge allowing access to the inside. Can't you build something similar? Put metal or even rope handles on the sides to move it. Just my thoughts.
Bear in Fairbanks

this is what i have
it is the last photo # 19 at the bottem of page

HDS COMPACT you can mount it and it will load in the field use a hitch or drill out the bumper or just use by hand

http://www.huntingtons.com/reloadingpresses.html

Thanks to all for your input. Peter and Bear I'm thinking of converting to all Lee Collet Necksizing die for all my calibers. I've got so much brass probably won't run out. Wonder if the 7mm Express size will also handle the 280AI? Thanks a lot Bear. I can envision your small plywood box. May come up with something myself. Again, Much Thanks.

Don, I have several Lee Collet neck sizing dies. Be aware that eventually you WILL need to full length resize as the rounds become difficult to chamber, even in the same rifle.
Peter.

No room for a compact/portable bench that can be stored? A converted WorkMate is easy.

The instructions for the Lee collet dies tell you to apply about 25 pounds of force on the press lever. I'm not sure of the difference in mechanical advantage between the hand presses and bench presses, but I think it's still going to take a fair bit of force.

The workmate is a good way to go for something you can fold up and put away.

quote:

Originally posted by Don Boyd:
...Just need whatever the current best version is of what used to be the Tong Tool (or something similarly capable). ...

Hey Don, Quite a few years ago Lyman also made just what you are looking for. It had a Reversable Handle which allowed it to be used as a non-bolted down Had Press, or you could Reverse the Handle and use it as a conventional Press.

I looked for one for about 25 years and finally spotted two of them - new in the box - at an out of the way place. Can't remember the exact asking Price(maybe $40-$45), but it was a bit more than the Lee Hand Press, when I spotted them.

The Reversable Handle was about 20" long and would have provided all kinds of leverage. It was not as light-weight as the Lee and was larger overall.

I thought about seeing if anyone wanted one back then and maybe the price would drop if I got both. That has been 4-5 years ago. No idea if they are still in business or the name of the store, or I could call them. All kinds of stuff in the store that caused the aisles to be tight and skewed. I spent about 2 hours in there just looking at everything before I spotted the Presses. The store is/was on Dixie Hwy on the Southwest end of Louisville.

I don't think they are currently in production by Lyman though.

Best of luck to you.

quote:

Originally posted by Don Boyd:
I'm thinking of converting to all Lee Collet Necksizing die for all my calibers. Wonder if the 7mm Express size will also handle the 280AI?

I wrote Lee about making me a custom collet die for my .223 Rem AI. They said a regular, run-of-the-mill .223 Rem collet die will work just fine. And it has for many, many years.

Hi Don.
Welcome to AR.

I have a reloading tool and many accesories originally designed and marketed by Bill English. Bill was a fine gunsmith here in Seattle. He passed away 20 or more years ago. His tool was called "Pak Tool." It has a lot of mechanical leverage. It's well made and works very well.

A fellow named Bruce Roberts bought the rights and was selling them a few years ago. I may be able to contact him.

I will never use the tool again, used it on the kitchen table when I was a starving student, 40+ years ago. If you have any interest, let me know. I'm more interested in it going to a good home than getting a lot of $$ for it.
Brice

Don, I've had good luck with the Lee hand press, although the RCBS unit that Stradling pointed to looks good, too.

A friend of mine bolted a Rockchucker to a chair/desk unit like you see in schools. Sitting in the chair stabilizes the contraption so that you can resize those magnum cases.

Here's Bruce Roberts' contact info for the Pak-tool.

(208) 875-1643
Bruce Roberts
1220 Hatter Creek Rd
Princeton, ID 83857

http://www.leverguns.com/artic...derson_handtools.htm

Thanks everybody for all the good info. I think you are all right that I need to retain a FL sizing capability. Believe I'm going with the HDS Compact. Looks like it will use my existing dies. And I'm going to come up with someway of mounting on an old surplus GI desk I can get and put in the garage. Gotta work on a powder handling setup but don't expect a problem. Again thanks. Now if I can just find a sponsor for membership in the local shooting club/range in my new home town (Hampton, VA) I'll be rolling.

What about this...

portable reloading stand

+1 on jtinidaho's portable reloading stand. I have one and load 45-70's and .300 Rums on it (plus everything else). You need to put your foot on the base, but, it works pretty well. I leave my redding big boss 2 mounted on it. I got the 4 tubs and a second top (I bolted my lee aluminum press to the other top for when I am stuffing pistol ammo or 223.) This is pretty well made (not perfect) stand. It lets me put it away in the closet (with the presses still bolted to the tops. Travel with my reloading equipment in a semi ready position (set up is put the post in the base and the top on the post. Screw in the dies, put my foot on the base, and load away). Not expensive and works pretty good. I have loaded more than 500 rums and 45-70s and it's still good as new). NOT EXPENSIVE.. It is a little "flexy" if you lean on it too hard, but, you can tell (mainly with my Lee Collet neck sizer). I have considered bolting a 1/2 plywood plate to the top, but, I just use it as is. Again, this is my opinion only. thanks rc

If you're going to acquire a desk for in your garage, then for goodness sakes buy a regular reloading press to mount on it! A portable press is if you live out of a suitcase.