The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Reloading What's the best Reloading press ?????????Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| What's the best Reloading press ????????? | Login/Join |
One of Us |
I still can't belive people exist that would come into a person's house and take their possesions at will. Well guys I need your help...just got all the reloading equipment ripped off. Of course that was not all that got taken, but the bottom line is I need new equipment & I'd like to hear your thoughts on what new equipment I should get to replace a very, very old Rockchucker. I know many of you use many different brands, but all your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help. Taz  "si vos non ago pro quispiam, vos intero nusquam" | ||
|
one of us |
Sorry to hear about the invasion  . Karma says they'll get theirs somewhere down the line  .I like the new super RC from RCBS for single loading. For lots of ahandgun ammo, hard to beat the Dillon stuff. LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT! | |||
|
One of Us |
I've heard a lot of good things about Lee's steel press..... That said... If it was me I'd be ordering a RCBS rock chucker press the next day. The rest of the stuff I'd pick and choose on. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
|
| one of us |
I've got the new RockChucker supreme and a Forster CoAX. I like them both, the RCBS is a little more robust, but the Forster is really slick with the jaws instead of shellholders, and it's primer catching system is just great, all your primers are caught in a little jar at the bottom of the press. It is also a snap (no pun intended) to change dies, once set up you just snap them in and out. It produces ammo with as little runout as my RCBS also. The RCBS is more stable, I believe a little heavier (pretty sure--it's bigger) and with loading op's that take more pressure, like larger case resizing, it functions with less effort. I've got 'em setup where I do all my decapping on the CoAX, and all my operations on my smaller cases (ie 22-250) on it as well. For larger cases in the .06 range or larger all sizing and seating get's done with the RCBS. Hope that's not too confusing, I like both presses, but if I had to do just one, I think it would be the Rockchucker. The rockchuker, the RCBS digital powder scale/measure and the right dies would be what I would start with if I had to start from ground zero. Sorry for your hassle, Good Luck--Don | |||
|
Moderator |
That sucks! I've been very pleased ever since upgrading to a Forster co-ax. It's the fastest press to swap dies on, the dies and case "float" so no issues of misalignment, and no shellholder either. The only downside is if you load for some of the calibers that take larger dia dies, you'll want a press that can handle them. The only round I use my rockchuker for is the 500 Jeffrey. __________________________________________________ The AR series of rounds, ridding the world of 7mm rem mags, one gun at a time. | |||
|
| one of us |
If I was in the market for a new press I know its spendy but I think I would get a C&H Champion. Simply bullet proof: http://www.ch4d.com/ I always want a "O" type press, must have a progressive for pistol stuff, and really want a H style, cuase I think I can reduce my rifle ammo loading time and am not happy with my rifle ammo on a progresive press. So my answer is to buy three ( I know: a lot of help I am ). I didn't care for my turrets, I have had two and sold them both, neither meet my expectations. Posness Warren makes a good "H" type also. And Dillion makes great progressives. | |||
|
| one of us |
I have had a few and currently have a "Big Max" from R.C.B.S., I prefer this to anything else. If, it got away, I would get a Rockchucker Supreme or maybe go to a full-on Corbin setup...lotsa bux! | |||
|
| new member |
I've used Lee presses fairly happily for over 20 years, a Loadmaster for the last 10. For mostly pistol calibers I wouldn't want to be without a progressive (and I'd love to have a real case feeder.) If I were to start over with a clean slate, I'd look real hard at the Hornady progressive. The Dillons are supposed to be wonderful machines, but if you load a lot of calibers it gets REAL expensive to have complete heads set up for each one. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Get some really bad equiptment, and leave it out where the next burglars will find it. Then have a secret stash of good stuff in a box. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Sorry about your loss. There are good presses out there, but the mother of all turret presses is the Redding T7. This press is pretty much a single-stage, except that the turret holds seven dies. It means that once you adjust and lock whichever dies you want to use, you can manually move the turret from one die to the next without having to remove and then reinstall any of the dies. | |||
|
| One of Us |
nobody would go with a arbor press??? sinclair has a nice package deal with wilson dies. Just a thought. | |||
|
| one of us |
I still think the RCBS Rockchucker is about as good as it gets for loading hunting ammunition. Using Redding NS bushing dies with them and you'll turn out some very concentric ammunition. Reddings own presses are very good also. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes. Cal - Montreal Cal Sibley | |||
|
| One of Us |
Another vote for the Co-Ax. I've used one off and on since the 70s, and am very hapy with their products. I'd go with the Redding/RCBS if you load those humongous cartridges. As stated above, the T-17 is "it" for turret type presses. Dillon is the only name you need to know if talking progressives. P.S. The only drawback to the Co-Ax is that the old round lock rings are required to set dies properly. One has to buy those separately today. | |||
|
one of us |
Co-Ax ------------------------------------ The trouble with the Internet is that it's replacing masturbation as a leisure activity. ~Patrick Murray "Why shouldn`t truth be stranger then fiction? Fiction after all has to make sense." (Samual Clemens) "Saepe errans, numquam dubitans --Frequently in error, never in doubt". | |||
|
one of us |
I replaced my old Lyman Turret with a Lee Cast Steel Press. You get a very good press for the money! I reload: 6,5x55 7x64 .333 Jeffery Flanged 9,3x62 9,3x63 9,3x74R and .404 Jeffery and yes 30-06. Husky | |||
|
| One of Us |
Many Thanks to all of you for the great info. Taz "si vos non ago pro quispiam, vos intero nusquam" | |||
|
| One of Us |
Husky: What does: "Kiboko ameharibu Kibanda yetu" translate to in English ??? Taz "si vos non ago pro quispiam, vos intero nusquam" | |||
|
one of us |
The Lee Classic cast is hard to beat especially w/ the price tag around $60. I personally feel it is a muich better press than a RCer. Reloader | |||
|
| One of Us |
the co-ax is in my opinion the best on the market | |||
|
| one of us |
Forster/ Bonanza CoAx, I had one stolen too ten years ago. A shot not taken is always a miss | |||
|
| one of us |
I think it depends on what you expect to do with it. If you load a lot of handgun ammo you will probably want a progressive press. If you load mostly large rifle ammo in small quantities you will probably want a press that is very sturdy and has a lot of opening space. If speed in moving from one die to another is important, you may want a turret press. Or you may want the Co-Ax because you load a lot of different ammo with different size heads and you don't want to switch shell holders. If color matters to you, you may choose on that basis. And so on. It's a bit like asking, "What is the best motor vehicle?" To answer that question, you need to ask more questions, such as "What do you want to do with it?" "What features are important to you and what are unimportant?" "How much are you willing to spend?" Etc. If you can go to a store that sells reloading equipment and that has a number of different presses on display so that you can handle and play with them for awhile, I think that would be very helpful. "How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?" | |||
|
one of us |
I like Hornady's lock and load system. The press is robust and once you get the die set, you don't have to screw it in when ever you change dies. | |||
|
| new member |
The Lee cast press it looks massive, got to get one to replace mine. been using a 15 for a handle for about two years. Been spending all extra money on guns got a 91-30 yesterday | |||
|
one of us |
Can't help but notice several replies that would suggest the Dillon progressives are great for quantity handgun loading but less than desireable for rifle. As all have stated, the Dillons are excellent choice for loading lots of handgun ammo but I have found them to be just as good for large quantity rifle loading. Still load the magnums (300 WM, 338 WM & 375 H&H) on my first bench mounted press, an old Herter's Mod. 3 purchased in 1952, but when loading large quantities of match or varmint ammo, the task falls to one of two Dillon 450's. Both have all the 550 upgrades except the frame kit; one is set up for large primers, the other for small primers. I have no problem producing match grade 45 ACP, 308 win and 30-06 ammo on the press set up for large primers and never need to change the shell plate. Yes, I use stick powder (H4895 mostly) for the rifle calibers and get within +/- .1 gr. accuracy; much better w/ball powders, of course. Granted, it took a bit of practice and perfecting technique, not to mention a couple or four upgrades by Mr. Dillon over the years to achieve satisfactory extruded powder charges, but certainly worth the effort. Load mostly 223, M1 Carbine and some 357 mag. on the other Dillon. Hard to believe someone would cart off something as heavy and bulky as loading presses! What a shame. I'm sure you can do better than the Herter's for a single stage, but, if you load large quantity of rifle ammo, don't shy away from the Dillon. Good luck in finding the press best for your needs! Regards, hm Regards, hm 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. | |||
|
| one of us |
I have to agree with my AR peers and vote for the Forster/Bonanza Co-Ax press for it's ruggedness, easy die change, and ability to produce concentric ammo with it's floating jaw shellholder. I also use a Dillon 550B progressive press for high quantity loading for my pistols and automatic rifles, i.e., .223, .308, .30-06, etc., and think it's a great design that's easy to use. If an O-frame press is needed, I would seriously look at the Lee cast steel press, as it seems to be a bargain. Don Stewart NRA Benefactor Life Member | |||
|
| one of us |
My vote goes for the Forster CO-AX. I've had mine when Bonanza was the name of the company. I think it is the slickest press out there. | |||
|
| one of us |
For a single stage press find an old Herter's. Built like a tank but functions like a Lexus. | |||
|
One of Us |
 I've used my Hollywood senior press now for 48 years Plus and they are making new ones again. If the insurance will help you pay for it that's what I would get.  rogerOld age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone.. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I have been using my Rockchucker for 40 years now.Still tight. It needed a new paint job though. I stripped the paint and gave it 6 coats of black Barbeque paint. Cost $ 3.00. Somewhere along the line I thought I needed a progressive Press. I picked up a HOrnady for 25 cents on the dollar. I wish I had not. I still have to Full length resize and put the primers in on my Rockchucker.Good luck chosing one.Marlin | |||
|
| One of Us |
Thanks once again to all of you for the great input. I should have given more info as to what I'm going to use it for: Only for rifle cartridges in the 7mm.08 - 300 Weatherby Mag range. Only for hunting cartridges, but I'm a stickler for accuracy...I really need <1"@100yds to be happy. I looked at the Sinclair web sight last night & the CoAx & the RockChucker Supreme look very good. The Idea of a progressive seems like a great option, but I'd hand-weigh/hand-pour each load as opposed to using loader. I just think it's more accurate. Thanks Again to all Taz  "si vos non ago pro quispiam, vos intero nusquam" | |||
|
One of Us |
I like both Forster and Redding single-stage presses. Don't really use any progressives. In addition, there's still nothing wrong with RCBS presses-I have two of them myself! "Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen." | |||
|
| One of Us |
E-Bay will provide about any press that tickles your fancy, and for about half-price or less. I paid $50.00 last fall for a practically new Rockchucker...... "Bitte, trinks du nicht das Wasser. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen." | |||
|
| one of us |
Another item that matters to me in selection of presses. I don't care for down push press setup. I like the upstoke option and my presses are set up that way. Many presses are set up to work both ways, for me its a selection issue in a press, it is a manditory feature. I don't know how many others care about this but for me its the only way to go. It just seems faster and causes less fatigue, on extended reloading sessions. | |||
|
| Moderator |
For that application, I really think you'll be happiest with a co-ax. I have no problem getting 1/2" groups, and use a redding BR powder thrower. __________________________________________________ The AR series of rounds, ridding the world of 7mm rem mags, one gun at a time. | |||
|
| one of us |
Fish, that's exactly opposite of my findings. I HAD a rockchucker, when I got my co-ax, I couldn't believe how much easier it was to use. IMHO it has MORE leverage than a RC. Also it is MORE accurate with it's floating dies/shell holder than any ram type of loader could ever be. Take your rockchucker, run the ram all the way to the top WITHOUT a die or shell in it. Now apply side pressure to the ram, any movement? Of course there is! Imagine that movement causes runout in the finished shell! Now as to the original post, how the hell did the crooks have time to unbolt a press and make off with the rest of the stuff? if you run, you just die tired It's not that life is so short, it's that death is sooo long! Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short. Your faithful dog | |||
|
| one of us |
Ditto on the dillon for loading quality AND quanity rifle loads. I've posted this pic before of my D-650 set up for .223. I get away from the dillon charge bar type measure with a Hornady case-activated measure linkage.   Here, with the powder sensor die removed, shows the Horn linkage better.  I also use this set-up for .308 ammo used in a couple bolt guns in the family. Of course it's also used for 5 different handgun calibers. I can load ammo that is more accurate than factory, in my bushy ar-15. Easily under an inch with 60 gr. v-max and 24.0 WC844. Yes it's expensive to buy caliber changes, especially if you also need dies and a new tool head,(where the dies screw into and can be left ste-up). Depending on what dies you buy, it would go over $100.00 easily! if you run, you just die tired It's not that life is so short, it's that death is sooo long! Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short. Your faithful dog | |||
|
| one of us |
Not necessarily so. Every powder/bullet combination has a "sweet spot". The trick in reloading is to find that sweet spot. A chronograph is very beneficial in recognizing this spot, but can also be done using the ladder method for load development. That is to load one round ea. starting at the low end of your desired combination (P/bullet), then step up .3 gr. for each subsequent cartridge, stopping below the max. suggested load. Preferably these loads should be shot @ 200-300 yards from good bench rest. Note that somewhere in the string you will find several shots forming a rather distinct group....if chrono is used, the velocity of this string will vary a very small amount. This is your sweet spot. On some loads, I have found that a full half grain of powder variation will not matter in either velocity or group size. Your load is right in the middle of those shots, therefore, your measure has +/- .25 grain leeway to produce desired results. Picture below is of a 3" spotter which was placed in my first bullet hole @ 600 yards, prone postion (no artificial support), using a pre-64 mod. 70, 30-06 with iron sights. There are 14 holes in the spotter, measuring 2.61" for 15 consecutive shots. The ammo was loaded on a Dillon 450 and the charges were thrown, not weighed. Find the sweet spot & it is not necessary to weigh each charge.   Regards, hm 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. | |||
|
| one of us |
Grizz, interesting feedback on the difference in 'ease' of use between the Coax and the Rockchucker, I actually sized a couple of .270 cases last night, and It was definitely easier with the RCBS--meaning less force on the handle. I wonder if it could be the dies--Redding in the RCBS, RCBS in the Coax?"??? I do agree with the runout/precision statement, I have to tweak my dies more to get them 'dead on' in my Rockchucker, the floating feature of the Coax seems to make die set up easier. Most of all I like the no shellholder thing. Regards--Don | |||
|
| One of Us |
Grizz: My family & I took a 5 day vacation from the hurricane that just past by us. From what the cops said the perps came in over the week end and had enough time to eat all the food in the fridge,order pay-per-view movies & open the safe with a torch. You don't even want to know what they did to the rest of the house or how many guns & ammo they took. Thats what happens when a hurricane comes by & blows all the power lines to the ground. They just got luck my house got power back 2 days after we left...no alarm when we left so they just came in like a ton of the workers clearing storm debris. You live & learn...sometimes the hard way, at least we did not get it as bad as the folks up in the Gulf. Have a good one, Taz "si vos non ago pro quispiam, vos intero nusquam" | |||
|
| One of Us |
Grizz: By the way, do you see any huge advantage between the Dillon 550b & the 650 you have ? Since I'm only going to load rifle rounds & looking more for accuracy than speed is there and benefit between them that you see?? Thanks, Taz "si vos non ago pro quispiam, vos intero nusquam" | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata | Page 1 2 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Reloading What's the best Reloading press ?????????
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia