I currently have a progressive press with four stations. I like it for some applications, but I find it less convenient for others. Could you please tell me what single stage press you prefer and also what powder drop you prefer. Thanks

I use mostly Redding equipment.
A friend has a Hornady with the quick change LNL.
The lock n load feature makes changes a snap

I regularly use a Bonanza Co-Ax and an RCBS Rockchucker and in that order of preference. I use an RCBS uniflow for stick powders and a Redding BR3 for the smaller stuff. I use a Harrell benchrest measure for that application. As far as the RCBS and the Redding measures go it's 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other but both of mine are highly modified. What progressive do you use and why are you thinking about a change? Jim

I've always used an RCBS, as did my brother-in-law that started me reloading. But their all pretty much the same from what I've seen. If you already have another style, it'd be nice to use the dies, so you may want to say with your brand

If I'm reloading for targets or competition I don't use a press preferring to use Wilson NS knockout dies. For hunting and general purpose use I prefer my RCBS Rockchucker. It's sturdy and reliable. I imagine similar type presses from Redding and Lyman perform equally well. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Forster co-ax. Die swaps are much faster then a screw in type press, alignment is not an issue, and you don't have to change shell holders either, unless going from 22 hornet to 460 Wetherby.

I use a Redding br powder measure.

RCBS rockchucker supreme for single stage work.

Harrells premium culver powder measure--I haven't even heard of anything better, what a nice piece of equipment!

Redding Ultramag.

Another vote for the co-ax. I bought it used, I've been using it for 20 years. I've got the Hornady deluxe measure and the pact dispensor coupled with a RCBS elctronic scale.

Lee Classic cast,,,as good as all the others and then some,,,

all right let me have it,,,,,,,,,,,,,

co-ax #1 everything else BLAH

i actually have 2 single stage presses on my bench...one is an old cast c type BAIR press made in lincoln neb. it's made so the ram sits at a slight angle back at the top so it's easier to see and use..... my other press right beside it is a lee aluminum press they work quite well for me...the way i have my routine set up...

i use a co-ax for most rifle reloading, but bought a bonaza 68 press on e-bay and its large opening facing out makes it easier for my hand with about 90% use to use; also why i use the co-ax press.

What operations are you going to use a single-stage press for? If nothing heavier than normal sizing and seating, then the lightweight Lee Aluminum O-frame is a good as any and better than many. A cheap alternative is to watch ebay for an old used C&H or similar "C" press.

On the other hand, if you intend to do case forming, bullet swaging, or some other "heavy lifting", then one of the larger cast iron "O"-frames is in order. Lyman's Orange Crusher and Lee's new iron O are among the most economical and are just fine. The Redding Boss and Ultramag and offerings from RCBS are a step up in detail, but won't really do anything more than the cheaper ones. The Bonanza Co-ax requires that you retrofit all of your dies with the proper lock rings, so keep that in mind.

I bought a Lyman "Crusher II" a few years ago. I currently just load for my .223 NEF. It works just great. Its a hobby that I have come to enjoy....again.

Lee Classic Cast for me after more presses than I care to admit to.

quote:

The Bonanza Co-ax requires that you retrofit all of your dies with the proper lock rings, so keep that in mind.

WRONG!! Hornady, RCBS, Lee, Redding and a few unamed lock rings all work in my Coax. The only change made was to re-adjust "screw in depth" to set the die up for the Coax.

quote:

Originally posted by 510wells:

quote:

The Bonanza Co-ax requires that you retrofit all of your dies with the proper lock rings, so keep that in mind.

WRONG!! Hornady, RCBS, Lee, Redding and a few unamed lock rings all work in my Coax. The only change made was to re-adjust "screw in depth" to set the die up for the Coax.

Dittos. I've only had to change a rare few lock rings. Everyone I know who has a co-ax considers it a favorite to other presses by a large margin. I have a rock chucker for my 500 Jeffrey dies, but everything else goes through the co-ax. I also had a Lee O-press, which is a servicable press for the money.

Hands down the co-ax is the most convenient single stage press out there. The time savings from the slide in/out die changes, and the shellholder are a big boon if you load many chamberings, and are contantly swapping dies.

That Bobby knows his stuff,,,,,

First press I bought was an RCBS Rockchucker good press. I started looking for another press over a year ago...did my research and talk with some guys about what they use...I finally decided on the Forester Co-Ax and very glad I did...It produces great results, strong, easy to use. The Forester locking rings are the best set-up I have used. I load everything from 22-250 to the big Weatherby cases and will try out my new 470 NE on it...good luck with you choice..

OK. I admit I don't know squat....I have only been reloading for a month..(after shooting for 35 years)...But I did a ton of research and asked a LOT of guys at my range what press to get (and money was not an issue). And I should point out that my range is a top 1,000 yard set up with some of the best shooters in the country.
Via there recommendations, I got a Lee single stage set-up (actually the anniversary package)
with sets of lee dies, and an rcbs digital scale, and I could not be happier.
(that scale makes a BIG difference)

I`m another Co-Ax user and also have a Lyman Orange Chrusher on the bench. The Co-ax is very fast to set up, just snap in the die and go, the shell holder works with all cases after setup in a large or small range.
The Orange Chrusher works better in some cases for me. It has a very large window and I prefer it especially for bullet seating in long carridges, one doesn`t have to feed the bullet up in the die to seat.

IMHO the Bananza C0-AX press is the best (strongest and fastest) single stage on the market. I've used Hornady, RCBS, Hornady, LEE, and Lyman over the many years and they are all are good units; but the question of "best", feature-for-feature leaves them in second place.

Another Bonanza coaxial press user here for all the same reasons.

Co-Ax, without a doubt

Noise Maker, Why are you replacing your progressive? Jim

Forster Co-Ax of course.

I have no question that the Co-ax press is a good one -- maybe the best. But there's no way I would use one with the flimsy aluminum factory lock rings with their rubber o-ring friction system that come on Lee dies.

I have dies of many makes and vintages with locking rings that vary from large to small and from aluminum to steel, and from round to octogon, and from squeeze lock to set screw lock to friction lock, and from thick to thin. They vary in diameter, shape, constuction, and in just about every other way, and there's just no way that ALL of them are compatable with the Co-ax.

So let me correct what I originally said about "retrofitting all" of your dies' locking rings for use in the Co-ax press, to "retrofitting many" of your dies locking rings.

I really like the Lee Classic I bought a few months ago. Got it from Midwayusa. Think it was $65.00 that included shipping.

well made press!

I have reloaded for 37 yrs. and for more than 100 rifles plus some handguns; I have used a number of presses. I prefer my 20+ yr. old RCBS A-4 "Big Max" to anything else, but, I would like one of the new Redding 7-station turret presses for seating bullets.

Has anyone used a concentricity gauge to measure the run out of the loaded cartridges produced by your recommended press?

If so, what measeurement range are you getting?

thanks...jim

I have an old RC 11 and a zero aussie press as well as a little rcbs partner and a dillon I have not set up yet.

Jim White, I am not replacing my progressive press. It is a Dillon 550 and I like it a lot for general use. One thing I like particularly is that I can leave the dies set up in the tool head and just replace the tool heads when I switch calibers. I was thinking of a single stage or turret press so I could do a couple of operations that my Dillon, with it's space for only four dies does not have room for. Specifically, I recently started loading lead rifle bullets. The bullets were being shaved when I seated them because my Dillon powder drop did not bell the rifle casings like they do my pistol casings. Through the advice of a bunch of great people on this site I learned that I needed a Lyman M Die. I wanted a single stage press set up with this die so I could maintain my Dillon the way I have it set up and still bell the cases.

Noise Maker,

I have been corresponding with John Barsness on presses and dies. He likes the Redding T7 Turret Press, and says it makes excellent loads. You get 7 holes for whatever. It sounds like it would solve your problem.

jim

Thanks for the advice Jim. I was look at the Redding T7 Turret Press. I think it would fill the role licely and I would have six other holes for any other special applications that come up.

I can't say much about favorite press as I've owned only two. Lee (sold it)and my RCBS rockchucker. Niether ever failed me. The RCBS is more solid.

I have a little Lee reloader press (the little cheapie) that i dedicated to decapping.
I use my rockchucker for sizing and case forming, and a RCBS partner for priming and
bullet seating. BTW I just discovered the Vickerman inline seater. Handling those little 30 and 40 gr. Bullets and getting them balanced on top of a Bee or Hornet to get them
started in the regular die with hands the size of mine is a trick. The Vickerman also is supposed to start them straighter. Check out there website. Bob Gemmell is a good guy.

http://www.gmwvickerman.com/

Lyle

My primary press is a Bonanza Co-Ax press that is so smooth after 250,000 + rounds that the damn thing almost loads a round by itself. My press for bullet pulling, case forming, and Large caliber cases is the Redding ultra mag. With this pair you need no other.

Hello Hunter Jim,

I measured runout for my reloads from two presses. My RCBS Rockchucker ran from .005.-.007. My Redding Turret press (old 6 station model 25) had a runout of .007-.010.
Sometimes it was slightly better, sometimes slightly worse.
It's not all the presses fault though. My reloads using Redding NS "S" dies in either press reduced the runout considerably. In my more accurate heavy barreled varmint rifles I switched to Wilson knock out NS dies and no longer use a press, just a little raw hide mallet. Out of roundness is almost non-existent with them. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Rock Chucker, why because its the only Single stage I own....