Happy Yuletidings!

Have been using a Rockchucker for the last few years for loading 25-06, and now 223 and 270 stuff, and need another press for more remote locations, to save having to pack up and move all my equipment when going to the farm. Anyone have any experience with the Partner (or Lee Challenger) press?
Thanks in advance
Rugeruser

I have several Partners I've picked up cheaply over the years...I use them for a variety of things that don't require a lot of effort...I don't use them to resize cases but I do if only neck-sizing, also use for bullet seating and I have one set up permanetely for de-priming and one for bullet-pulling. They work well for things like this but I don't theink they would sand up long for heavy-duty activity.

Partner press is made of aluminum. It very light duty only. I use mine for crimping pistol and .223 rounds and also for primer pocket swaging of .223 miliary brass that have crimped primer pockets. It's ok but after using a RCBS Big Max or Rockchucker it seems like a toy. It'd be ok for seating bullets at the range for load development etc. but I wouldn't recommend it as your "main" reloading press. Probably would be adequate for pistol but not for rifle. Doesn't have the "power" and feel of the big presses. I'd recommend trying to find a used standard press or going ahead and buying one new. I think you'd be more satisfied. my 2 cents

First off, the RCBS is a much nicer press than the Lee Challenger, but even that is adequate for full-length rezing. There is a toggle in the Lee that breaks if you overdo things; the RCBS Partner is better designed to take heavy use (and even a bit of abuse).

I'd have to disagree with RG1 to some extent about the RCBS Partner and full-length sizing rifle cases.

I've owned lots of presses (including an RCBS Rockchucker, Lee Challenger, Lyman, a RCBS Partner and at least 2 more I can't recall now).

While the Rockchucker has lots of leverage (and it really is a better press), the RCBS Partner works just fine for full length resizing of any rifle cartridge that is shorter than the .375 H&H. I base this opinion on my own experiences in using this press for more than 3500 rounds of 7mm Rem Mag, 358 Norma Mag , and .375 H&H Mag.

Yes, the RCBS Partner full-length sizes .375 H&H Mag just fine (you are lubing cases right? If you are not lubing cases for full-length resizing, better get a Forster Co-Ax press 'cause it is the only one that I know of that can do this!).

I made a test of the RCBS Partner for reforming cases from 7mm Rem mag to 358 Norma Mag, and while it *could* (barely) do it, the limitations of the press's leverage were apparent. It took a lot of pulling on that lever, and I thought I might break something if I continued.

Currently, I reform cases on an an RCBS Rockchucker (or as soon as I get one, a Forster Co-Ax press).

Quite simply, I bought the RCBS Partner for temporary use, but it works so well that upgrading it has been a low priority.

jpb

It's obvious that JPB has had more experience with the Partner press and has had good success loading and sizing rifle cases. I just think that for a few dollars more you can get a better, stronger press. Midway has Partner for $45, Reloader Special-5 press for $77, and the Rock Chucker press for $85. I like the Partner as an addition to my bench but if I had it to do again I'd buy the Rock Chucker. I didn't say you can't resize rifle cases, I just meant that the bigger presses do it with more ease.

I bought my Partners used and don't think I paid more than $15 for any of them.

To all who have responded so far - thank you! I'd really appreciate it if people could still give their opinions, so far I'm still undecided. To DB Bill and rg1, I agree that the Rockchucker would probably be the better choice in the long run, and if we paid the same sort of prices here in Australia that you do, it wouldn't be an issue. Just to put you in the picture, a Rockchucker press (only) retails here for $325, the kit for 799! Partner press is 170, partner kit goes for $389! Hence, the Rockchucker is not 'just a few dollars more' unforunately! Also, because of our draconian gun laws (don't believe it couldn't happen there!) make fairs few and far between, and most of the second hand advertisers won't accept gun related ads. Hopefully this will explain why I need the opinions of all of you - firearms and related equipment is expensive here, and I need to be reasonably careful how I spend my money. BTW, the press will be used on 223 and 270, for full length sizing, etc.

Thanks again,

Rugeruser

Rugeruser,

Damn, those prices are high! Is there an import tarrif or something that a shipper has to go through to ship a press into Australia? What would prevent you from buying a press off of eBay or the likes with prior okay from the seller and having it shipped over? Shipping can't be that much. I have a RCBS Rockchucker, a RCBS Junior, a LEE Challenger, and HAD a RCBS Partner. I was not impressed with the Partner, and am not overly impressed with the Lee but it does work okay on pistol cartridges. I plan on replacing the Lee soon when I find another old cast iron RCBS Junior. I have used several of the old Juniors over the years and in my opinion the are a large step above the Partner press. Others opinions may differ but there are a lot of them around an are usually priced reasonable when you find them.

Mike

Around 8000 rounds and counting...

.223, .243, .308, .270, 30-06... and now 6.5 x 55 Swede.

I bought my press in the "Partner Kit," which included some other necessary items. I was cautioned against going that route, but the Partner kit was only 100 dollars, and the Rock Chucker kit was around 250 dollars.

The Partner is still going strong. I also use it to prime, so it gets plenty of use. You'll be well served by one for the purpose you mention. When mine wears out, I'll be getting a Rock Chucker, but that day seems farther off than near...

Dan

I'm sure either press will work fine for you. My experience is with the Lee Challenger and it has worked well for 30-40 Krag and 6.5 Swede. It wouldn't be my first choice for case forming, but for resizing and bullet seating it works fine. Just lube your cases adequately and you'll never have a problem.

Martindog

I've never used the Lee, but have been using RCBS tools since around 1965-66. Still have the original press; it works and looks like new and it has some hard use on it. I purchased a Partner as a second press awhile back. I reload for a 300 win mag, a 300 WSM and a 270 win. It will handle any reloading job I have.

I'm curious to the exchange rate between US dollar and Australian dollar.

Thanks folks, keep 'em coming! It looks like the Partner or Challenger might get my vote, so far. DB, exchange rate is around the 56 cents mark at the moment, so that would help explain some of the variance. Not sure about tariffs, but I've been looking with envy at some other gear on the net, a Schrade Sharpfinger retails there for about $30 - cheapest I've been able to find here was $73, but this was 'old' price - paid $100 for a Sharpfinger for my boys Christmas present!! Win70's go for about 1500, Ruger 77's about $1100 -1200, Leupold scopes start at about $450 - 500 at the discount outlets. We do have a lot of game to hunt (especially if you don't mind driving a bit of distance (my station is about 10 hours out of Sydney), but we sure as hell pay for the priviledge! Thanks again, Rugeruser

Never thought price difference would be so large between US and Aussie. Just wondered if it would be possible for a US resident to send you a "gift" of a press without causing an international crisis? Would shipping rates be too high or tariffs apply? I'd be willing to swap goodies, something you want for something like valued from Australia.

Thank you all for your input - once again, the board has yielded a wealth of informed information. RG, your suggestion as to possible ways to do a 'swap' are being looked into, as it might be useful in the future.

Thanks again, Rugeruser

I have a partner for range use. It's major advantage is that it is much much lighter than the rock chucker. I would not want to lug a rock chucker around.

I have an old('78) RCBS Junior, which is steel I believe. I use for all my rifles, and use Dillons for pistol. Size everything up to 300wm fine.
I see the Junior at gunshows cheap

I bought my Partner Press when I was really hurting for money and everything had to be as inexpensive as possible. I use it for everything, .375 H&H and Weatherby, .500 A-Sq, 8x57mm, 7x57mm, .308 ect.

What is wrong with the fine presses made in OZ?

I used my partner press for many years and countless thousands of big cases(375HH, 7mm STW, 300 Mag etc. etc.) Never had any trouble loading any of them. The key is to keep your stuff clean and lubed right. Got a Rockchucker only because I couldn't pass up the deal. I have some lawn chairs that someday will be Lee presses. I use a lee press for pulling bullets and paid only $7.95 for it new. I used my partner since 1978 and I load everthing from 222 to 375HH and I still have my partner sitting on the shelf with the rest of my presses. It is a good travel press.

[ 01-01-2003, 02:44: Message edited by: ol crip ]

I have a Partner press and like it. I load 22-250, .243 and 30-30 on it. I had a Lee press and was not happy with it at all.

I've used the RCBS for the last four or five years. It has worked fine for me on all applications even resizing cases.

I also used the LEE for several years. It' not nearly the press the RCBS is.
HBB

Me again,

the Partner gets the vote! The responses so far have confirmed my preference for RCBS product, even though my experience is limited. Roger, there is nothing wrong at all with the local Simplex product, their 'O' frame is the equal of anything from the USA. However, the price (and weight/size) is the same, and I'm looking for something lighter, cheaper and smaller to take with me to the farm. Simplex do make a small/lightwieght press, but it is only suitable for neck sizing, and uses a different thread, necessitating the purchase of another set of dies. By getting the Partner, I can use the dies I have.

Thanks again for all your input - much appreciated.

Rugeruser