I wanted to decide which one of the following 3 presses to use for heavy power use, and sell the other 2. (A2, A3, A4(Big Max). They are all still in their original boxes and never have been used.

If that sounds weird, it is because I have been using an original issue Rockchucker and a Lee 3-hole turret press for many years with complete satisfaction. I recently bought a Redding T7 turret press, which may replace the Rockchucker and Lee Turret. The Redding seems to be way better than the Lyman and RCBS turret models, in looks, strength, and quality.

However, I'm starting to get interested in bullet swaging, case forming, and other heavy activities. I took all three A-series presses out of their boxes and laid them on the floor. Here's what I found:

The A3 looks almost exactly the same as the A2, except for some trivial minor details. The A2 I have is an early model, with the hollow handle that slips over a stub. The ram is a dual diameter 1.25 inch, with the top few inches having a smaller diameter. The A3 has a single 1.25 inch diameter ram, and a solid handle. The A2 finish is dark wrinkly green. The A3 finish is dull light green, but may be delicate, subject to small pieces of green finish peeling off.

Basically, the A3 looks like it is almost a perfect clone of the A2, and many parts may be interchangeable. However, the ram travel is much smoother on the A2. Maybe the quality went down over time, or the A3 was made in China?? Both models weigh 21 pounds.

The Big Max (A4) is massive-looking and shiny dark green, and has a totally new design and appearance. Mine has the top bushing set for standard dies. The ram is the same diameter as the A2 and A3. The weird thing is that priming is done at the top of the frame (?).

The Big Max is supposed to be super strength, but the surprise is that the weight of this press is EXACTLY the same as the A2 and A3!!! (21 pounds). How can that be? All 3 presses were weighed without their long handles. All 3 were checked with a magnet to assure NO aluminum. (None found).

My conclusion: I will keep the A2, sell the A3 and A4. Also, I will eventually keep the Redding T7, and sell my original RCBS Junior and Rockchucker, and the Lee Turret. By the way,
the Junior was a pretty good press, except for doing heavy resizing.

Al Dash SWCA Life #625

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Al&Ash

I have read swaging wears out the RCBS RC even with the solid replacement.

I have the Big Max and I must say there is plenty of power and strength built into that bad boy!

For the life of me I don't understand why they didn't make the outside bushing threads at 1 1/2" in stead of the 1 3/8". They make the 50BMG dies with both threads, but the 1 3/8" are a little more expensive.

Al:

When you decide to sell the A3 & A4 please drop me an email.

Best Regards,

Jerry

[email protected]

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Howdy! I'm very interested in a Big Max press also. If you decide to sell one drop me a line and let me know.

Thanks,

Earl Stockdale

sksound2000 [at] yahoo [dot] com

I'd be interested in the A3...main diff tween A2 and A 3 is the frame is cast iron on the 3 and cast steel on the 2. I use the A 2A and A2 for swaging bullets I even have a Pre A swaging press and 3 sets of RCBS swaging dies