The Accurate Reloading Forums
Hand Presses

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03 November 2003, 08:21
bellhender
Hand Presses
I'm considering purchasing a hand press. As in "Not bolted to a table", type press. I'm sure that they don't quite have the absolute consistancy of a regular press but will they do a reasonable job of making a bullet.

I intend on using it for 32 acp, 300 win mag and 444 marlin.

If there is someone out there with experience please answer this post.

Thanks
03 November 2003, 09:24
RMiller
I use a lee hand press and really like it. I had one for a couple of years and gave it to a friend then got another that I have used for about five years now.

I have loaded .41 mag ,.308 win, 300 win mag,270 win ,458 win , 375 ultra and 223 rem in it . The thing works great and is very strong .

[ 11-03-2003, 09:16: Message edited by: RMiller ]
03 November 2003, 10:28
NotRicochet
It certainly would be handy to be able to load at the range when working up loads! I'll have to look into one myself.

[ 11-03-2003, 01:29: Message edited by: NotRicochet ]
03 November 2003, 15:53
saline
i bought a lyman accupress that can be hand held or mounted on bench; problem is it is heavy, 4 lbs. ended up bolting it to a piece of 1x4 and
"C" clamped it to a bookshelf. the lee hand press weighs 1 lb. 8 oz. and makes more sense but do not have one. do not have a huntington compac tool but every thing i read indicates that it is the best choice, weighs 3 lbs. i found a small press "C" clamped to a book shelf best and added a lee reloader press to go with the accupress.
03 November 2003, 17:43
45LCshooter
The hand press should be fine. The 32 and 444 should not require very much force.

I started out with a Lee Classic and that was slow, but all I wanted were high performance rounds for my 45 Colt. I later got Lee's "C" frame press and mounted it in to a piece of 3/4" plywood. I stored all my reloading equiptment (primers separately) in a rubbermaid tote and clamped the rig to a bench or counter when I was ready to reload. The method worked pretty well.

[ 11-03-2003, 08:47: Message edited by: 45LCshooter ]
04 November 2003, 09:15
<Deafdog>
Hi Bellhender

I have a Lee hand press and it works great.

I load .223, 6.5x55, and 270AI with it.

Regards
Deafdog
04 November 2003, 00:45
crowrifle
I use mine to prep brass for all my pistols and smaller rifle calibers. It affords me the luxury of resizing the brass from my recliner.
04 November 2003, 05:28
waitaminit
An arbor press is a jandpress as well - together with a Wilson die set it's extremely precise. For FL operations I use a Lee hand press on the range or a Rock Chucker at home.