Hey guys, I'm looking to get back into reloading. I used an OLD RCBS single-stage press for years.

I've been looking at new presses recently. I see that the ol' Rockchucker has been replaced, but I can still get one for less than $200. I really don't know much about any other presses.

Here are my requirements:

I would probably only load a couple 100 rounds a year - strictly hunting load development, then load enough to hunt for a couple of years.

I need something that could handle long cartridges (416 Rigby, etc).

The whole setup has to be as cheap as possible. Right now I'm spending all I got on hunting, so $500 spent on reloading equipment would send me to debtor's court. I need to get set up with hardware for around $300.

Having said that, would it be worthwhile to wait/save and get a press that could be fitted for progressive loading in the future, or go ahead and get the cheapest I could find right now?

Any advise is appreciated.

TrademarkTexan,

I am thinking about getting another press, I have had a RockChucker Jr. for about 25 yrs. I am thinking about getting the Lee Cast, its got a big opening and only cost about 55 dollars if my memory is correct. I need a larger opening for 416 and 404 myself.

I just went to the Lee website, and I really like their Turret Press. I think it would be worth their price to get one, even if I'm not loading progressively right now.

My question, can you set the Turret Press to single-stage loading? What I mean is, can you set the turret to not rotate on each handle stroke?

For rifle reloading I do not recommend a turret press, they are fine for pistol/or high qty rounds. They can be used sgl stage, but not recommned in my books for rifle reloading.

If you are going to load 416, you might as well get a big frame press of somekind.

Hmmm...I seem to be moving that way myself...

I did a couple of searches on turret presses on this forum, and it looks like the general consensus is that the Lee Turrets are crap.

The Cast Classic looks beefy, and my volume of loading probably doesn't call for a turret press.

Now, which powder measure...

I've been using the same Lyman for 20 yrs, works fine for me, the Redding is probably better. Just depends on what you can justify and how much you want to spend. I probably would not get the Lee.

If you're loading several calibers, look at the Bonanza/Forster coaxial press. No shellholders, adjust the dies once, save a bunch of time fooling with die adjustments.

I absolutely love my RCBS rockchucker SUPREME. I use to have the older RCBS chucker and it did great for a long time and served more people than just me very well. However, the frame of my new supreme is bigger, and you can work with some very long rounds, and it is very sturdy. To boot, I bought mine for $105 at wal-mart. I don't think you will get that VALUE anywhere else. I was tempted in the forster press since I have high regards for forster products, but figured for half the cost I was getting one that could handle about the same amount of force, though you may have to use a little more force with the supreme over the co-ax since it is not a "co-ax" which reduces the force you use. For what you are doing, I would definitely go with a big framed single staged press though. In my opinion, it is either the rockchucker supreme or the forster co-ax. I don't know muuch about the big reddings though. I think you would be displeased with anything less (and smaller) considering you are loading the 416.

Also just saw your statement about you needing to spend less than $300. Now my very strong advice is the RCBS supreme kit. You will be able to get it for $270 or so, leaving you about enough money for dies. Do yourself a big favor and don't get anything less than this. You get anything less and you will be wanting to replace or having to replace what you get. The kit has pretty much everything you need in it.

I love my RC Supreme, and it's on Cabela's Bargain Cave right now for $104. Pretty good deal...

Bill

I just broke my Lee Challenger press resizing .223 Rem cases, so I certainly wouldn't recommend that. I wouldn't expect even the Lee cast press to be as strong as, say, an RCBS. I don't think you want a turret since that just adds "play" & can reduce your consistency & I don't think it's needed for the volume you're talking about. You do get what you pay for.
--JJK

I appreciate the replies so far...thanks

I've got a Redding T7 and have been very pelased with it.
I spin virtually every rifle round I turn out and cannot see where the T7 adds any runout.
I don't reload wildcats or Magnums. 30-06 is the largest round I reload and for me,the turret press is a tremendous time saver as setting up dies is not my idea of a good time..
If you have severe resizing requirements, the Rockchucker would probably be a better choice as it is plenty tough.

I used a RCBS Reloader Special for many years and recently bought a Rockchucker Supreame...Having said that, I wished i had seen the new Lee Classic Press in cast iron. From what i have seen its every bit as agood as the Richchucker, if not better and at about a third of the price. Size wise it seems to be inbetween a standard Rockchucker and the new Supreame, so it should be pleanty big enough for anything other than .50BMG.



Beside the price, I like the third mounting hole on the Lee as it means the forces are spread over a larger area of the bench... This third hole is directly behind the frame of the press furthest away from the edge of the bench.



The Lee also has a really good stystem for catching spent primers...they dissapear down in the ram and out the bottom..a flexible bit of pipe can be fixed on at that point and the primers can be directed into a waste bin or what ever.



To say the least, I was impressed when I saw the press..if Lee has not cut any corners in materials or quality control, I think they will have a winner and it will probably displace the Rockchucker as the generic "O" framed press to get...



regards,



Pete

You might consider buying a RC Supreme kit and selling the press or do like I did and buy a new press (I chose the co-ax) and start shopping for the accessories on e-bay or here on the classifieds. That way you could get a good deal on the accessories and buy a better press, like the co-ax.

A used Rockchucker press and equipment will suit your needs and be within your budget.

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Hey guys, I'm looking to get back into reloading. I used an OLD RCBS single-stage press for years.

I've been looking at new presses recently. I see that the ol' Rockchucker has been replaced, but I can still get one for less than $200. I really don't know much about any other presses.

Here are my requirements:

I would probably only load a couple 100 rounds a year - strictly hunting load development, then load enough to hunt for a couple of years.

I need something that could handle long cartridges (416 Rigby, etc).

The whole setup has to be as cheap as possible. Right now I'm spending all I got on hunting, so $500 spent on reloading equipment would send me to debtor's court. I need to get set up with hardware for around $300.

Having said that, would it be worthwhile to wait/save and get a press that could be fitted for progressive loading in the future, or go ahead and get the cheapest I could find right now?

Any advise is appreciated.

---

Yeah, absolutely get the new Rock Chucker if you have to buy a press. I have a 416 Rigby and I also have the older and shorter Rock Chucker. You can load the Rigby on the older one, it just takes a few extra seconds for each bullet. I suggest you just keep what you got and use it.

Unless it is completely worn out, in which case I would call RCBS. They shouldn't wear out!

RobertD

I think the Forster co-ax is the best single stage press on the market, it's only shortcomings is it is limited to 7/8" dia dies, but since you list 416 Rigby as the largest round to load, that isn't an issue.

Back to your budget, I started with a Lee O-press, perfect powder measure and scale, and loaded 1000's of rounds, from 218 mashburn bee to 458 Lott, and had no problems. It took me trying to size a hard cast bullet that was .010" oversize through a sizer die to break the linkage. The powder measure does get clogged up if you use H-110, a very small dia ball powder, but it throughs fairly accurate charges of all other powders with no problems. I still use my Lee scale. I have an RCBS hand primer, but have heard good things about the Lee primer. One thing I like about the RCBS primer is it uses standard shell holders.

You can get the Lee anniversary set, and one pair of dies for under $100. If money is tight, go that route. I'd venture to say the extra $200 you spend on reloading componets and hence range time will serve you better than spending it on equipment. You can upgrade later down the road. I don't think any one manufacturer makes the best of all equipment. Upgrade as needed down the road. The lee stuff is inexspensive enough to have on hand as spares.

What a shame...I just GAVE a Rockchucker to a friend of my brother. It was only a few yrs old.

I like the RCBS and the Forester Bonanza style press.

Dillon is good but expensive.

My favorite is probably Redding. Try calling some of your local stores and see if any have some on consignment.

Wish I knew you wanted one 2 weeks ago. Would have cost you shipping only. I just have too many presses.

I'm certainly willing to accept any gift presses. I never look a gift press in the linkage.

I think the forrester coax is probably the best press you can buy but by far the best for the $s spent is the Lee classic cast. My friends dad has a RC supreme and he helped me get into reloading and he says that the Lee I bought is every bit as good as his RC.

I have an old Rockchucker kit and I laod from .22 hronet through to .585 Nyati on it, it is woderful to say the least. I would like to add a couple of more presses to my inventory and am interested in the lee cast classic, I have had a negative attitude to lee stuff in the past. I have never seen the Forster press before although I have read good things about it.

I just started reloading in 2002, got the cheapest Lee press they were giving away free when you bought the Lee reloading manual. I figured I needed the book and if the press didn't work out what they heck, it was free. Anyway, I've loaded a bunch of 308, 7.65 Argentine, 7x57, 300 Win, a few 338 Wins and just getting ready to load some 458 Win. I only shoot a couple of boxes every few weeks and it takes me all of 30-45 minutes to set up and load 40 rounds for one caliber. When it breaks I'll probably get another one.

TrademarkTexan,If it was me I'd take a look at the new redding Big boss or their ultramag. These two won't give under heavy stress. Stouter than a Rochucker in my opinion.

TT,
If you are looking for a single stage press the look at the Lee Classic. Large enough for 475#2 Jeffery case. A strong, large ram press. I think I paid 69.00 with round up NRA contribution at Midwayusa. Here is a link to their one of their reloading press pages- MIDWAYUSA PRESSES

As progressive go I only have experience with a Hornaday Pro-jector. Hornady I have only loaded pistol ammo on it, but with will do rifle ammo. Once again a heavy well made press and with the new Loc-N-Load heads you change calibers in a couple of minutes. Just my opine!

I'll second Covey 16's recommendation of the Redding T-7. I purchased one myself a few months back, and it's the only turret press to consider. This thing is built like a tank! Don't concern yourself with any runout because you won't find any. Redding really covered all the bases when they designed this thing. It has every other turret press on the market beaten hands down. It costs a few bucks more, but it's well worth it. Bill T.

If you are going to load the large calibers then the only press that has enough room to "work in" is the RCBS Single Stage A-2 model...It's not expensive either in single stage and can be easily converted to progressive..

After using it with my .470 etc. I would not even consider any other press and I went through a passal of them over the years...and if I ever buy a 50 BMG, then I can load for it too on this press......

for std. 06 length calibers I still have my old Hollywood press and I have an affection for it...

I played with several presses before deciding on my LEE Cast,,,great press, I like it better than the RC Supreme and have now used both a little,

I got a Classic Cast... this is how I have it set up. I bought one of Dillon's "Strong Mounts" for their presses and adapted it to Lee's. I put a 50BMG case in the opening and have about 3/8" left over. You could theoretically load it but it would involve putting the bullet up into the seater and then inserting the charged case. It's 4.5" from top of Ram to bottom of the frame. Seeing as the largest thing I'm loading at the moment is 45-70 and 30-06, it isn't a concern.
Ian