I'm new to reloading and have slowly been doing a lot of homework before I jump into it with both feet, the choice is between two reloading set-ups, one is a Lyman T-Mag turret press and the other is an RCBS Rockchucker, (and a Forster Co-Ax sadly for which I'll have to sell a kidney!) the cartridges I intend to load up (in low volume)for now are the .375 H&H, both the rimless and the flanged magnum, and hopefully soon enough the .416 Rigby and the .500 Jeffery.

From what I've read the turret presses sometimes seem to run into indexing issues and also develop slop in the ram. The Rockchucker on the other hand is heralded as one of the most solid presses ever built and will last a lifetime. So far I'm 90% sold on the RCBS for now, since I cannot afford the Co-Ax presently but would appreciate your thoughts on any alternatives in this regard.

If you are a beginner get the Rockchucker. You need to go slow and learn the basics. I've been reloading almost 4 years and am only now considering a turret press and progressive.

LWD

I can't offer a comparison as I've only used single stage presses during my 40+ years of reloading. The single stages have served me well.
I agree emphatically that speed isn't something you want to consider for a beginner.

"everyone" starts with a single ...
i wish i had started with a turret.. i could have shot more and more at a younger age

as it stands NOW, today, i use my LnL progressive about 80% of the time, my SDB about 5%, and my rcbs supreme only when i am loading for 1"x14 dies ..

since you can remove the powder thrower and manually measure every load with most progressives, i REALLY wish i had started with the progressive first ... on basis of time

however, the relaxation of single loading and processing each case afforded me time to "escape" and relax.

i generally use my ch4d C only for TOUGH work and my other presses, today, just gather dust

I've been reloading for little more than a year now. I bought a single stage press and am extremely glad I did. By starting with a single stage you get to know and get a feel for each step of the process of reloading without having to think about more than one thing at a time. I am thinking of a turret press now because of the increase in speed but you're still only performing one operation at a time and can monitor it until you're satisfied that it's being done well. A prgressive is something that at this time I have no desire for. I work in the manufacturing enviornment and understand how one small defect can work it's way through your entire manufacturing process and you can lose not only your time but significant amounts of material in an automated process by the time you notice, find and correct an error.

z375: I'd stay way from the turrets unless you can find one that everyone says is rock steady under all shooting conditions, like an old Lyman All-American. You didn't say how much you want to spend, but as the Co-ax sells for around $260, I am guess you want to stay <$200.

RCBS has a line of decent presses in all price ranges, and if you goto Ebay, you can get a used one for much less that will probably be just as good as a new one.

I used to have a Rockchucker but it got lost in my last move, and frankly, I don't miss it at all. I hate "kneeknocker" presses and the Rockchucker was noisy when operated. Almost all my presses are mounted on top of the bench and take-up less room.

And since I mentioned getting a used press on Ebay, don't think that just because a press may be as old as you, it doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with it. I have a 50+ year old Hollywood that operates as smooth as the day it was built, if not better. My Herter's super 3 "C" press is also just as solid as when it was built in the 1960's. Quality presses last forever. Just don't buy anything that looks like it was made of pot metal.

A used "C" press can be had for around $50; an "O" press for about the same. "H" presses tend to go for a bit more. However, the cartridges you named are pretty big, so stay away from the "C's" and go with an "O" or "H", and make it one with a long throw. If you are hunting game using cartridges that big, I'd bite the bullet and get something that will last and easily handle those large cartridges: the Co-Ax, a C-H Champion "O" press, etc.

WWW.ch4d.com

If you don't mind shopping around, look on Ebay, Gunbroker, GunsAmerica, and do a search for presses at auctions in your area on http://www.auctionzip.com/

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
If you are a beginner get the Rockchucker. You need to go slow and learn the basics. I've been reloading almost 4 years and am only now considering a turret press and progressive.

LWD

Here is an excellent alternative to both, a C-H "444". It loads both pistol and rifle, supposedly up to 200-rounds an hour. I got one a few months ago and it is my "goto" press.

The 444 is heavy, sturdy, compact, and mounts on top of the bench so it't out of the way. It also operates like glass as the shell plate rides on bronze bushings. This picture shows their optional auto primer and a Lyman "55" powder measure. You can use it as a "semi-progressive" by moving a cartridge from one station to another, or as a series of single-stage presses.

[url=http://www.ch4d.com[/url]

quote:

the cartridges I intend to load up (in low volume)for now are the .375 H&H, both the rimless and the flanged magnum, and hopefully soon enough the .416 Rigby and the .500 Jeffery.

No need of a turret, much less a progressive press for those calibers.

The important thing is to be sure that the press has plenty of throat (ram stroke) for the very long cartridges. I think the Rockchuker does. The Lyman Orange Crusher is about the same size and is what I use for long cartridges. The Redding Ultramag is a wonderfully designed "open face" press that is strong as hell, but it is also very pricey.

The advice to buy used, possibly from ebay or some similar source (Craig's List, perhaps?) is good advice. Lots of people buy reloading equipment, use it very little, then lose interest. If you find someone with a good used press for sale, they will likely also have other equipment you can buy at a bargain. Put an ad on your local Craigslist, it can't hurt anything and might flush a bargain out of the woodwork.

FWIW, I bought a used RCBS Jr press over 40+ years ago. I can't begin to know how many rounds I've loaded with it.
I recently gave it to a young fellow just starting out. It was still smooth and tight. Which are commendable assets to several things I can bring to mind.

quote:

It was still smooth and tight. Which are commendable assets to several things I can bring to mind.

Commendable, yes, but pliable and willing is even more important.