Let's ask the question another way. What is the WORST press you've ever owned?
- Thread starter walnutred
- Start date
ChuckS1
US Veteran
Wow, this is tough for me. I've only owned two presses since I started reloading back in 1981. I have an RCBS Rock Chucker and a Dillon Square Deal. Both are great presses.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
My experience as well.
Have a pair of Dillon 550B's and have had very few issues with either press. Despite loading probably 50K + rds between the two.
For shotshells the worse press I had was a circa 1980's Ponsness Warren ....talk about jam-O-matic! The best has to be my SPOLAR. Expect to see "Made in Switzerland" engraved on the frame. What a piece of well engineered precision.
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Rockchucker - the worst. But I didn't know any better when I got it. It is terrible.
Lee makes much better reloading equipment.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
All major players produce equipment that works as designed.
You may have to be smarter than the average bear though. If you see a piece of "fixture chain" as part of the design ....... Yeah, smarter than the average bear!
Me, I want a solid design. Rods and such over the chain.
I have never bought a piece of bad equipment mostly because I just left it on the shelf, so to speak!
You may have to be smarter than the average bear though. If you see a piece of "fixture chain" as part of the design ....... Yeah, smarter than the average bear!
Me, I want a solid design. Rods and such over the chain.
I have never bought a piece of bad equipment mostly because I just left it on the shelf, so to speak!
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
Just be sensible. When it comes to reloading equipment, you really do get what you pay for. Those who think Dillon presses and dies are too expensive are not considering longevity and amortizing the initial cost out over the life of the machine. When a piece of a Dillon machine wears out or breaks, replacement parts are free, no questions asked. And, their dies have some features that make them worth the cost, too.
My first Dillon was a Square Deal B, and I initially got it set up for .45 ACP. Before that, I'd been reloading, slowly, on an RCBS Rockchucker. I was shooting lots of IPSC back then, so I transitioned to .38 Super and bought the necessary conversion parts and dies. Then, I got a 9x19 conversion. When the crank handle broke, I called Dillon, and the nice fellow told me that they'd had a bad run of castings, apologized, and I had a new one in two days. I asked him if he wanted me to send them the broken one. He said, "S*** no. It's broke. Throw it away." The replacement handle also broke after about 1000 rounds, and the process was repeated; seems they pulled it out of the wrong box.
After I'd loaded about 15,000 rounds on the SDB, it needed rebuilt with all the "wear parts." When I called Dillon, the fellow there laughed. He asked how many rounds I'd loaded, I told him, and he said they'd never really intended the SDB for someone who loads as much as I do, and that I should buy a 550B. I rebuilt the SDB, set it up for 9x19 and left it that way permanently, and bought a 550B. I load about 11 handgun calibers and 4 rifle calibers on the 550, and have loaded somewhere north of 60,000 rounds on it, maybe 75,000. Parts do occasionally wear out, and replacements are sent free, no questions asked. I expect the press to outlive me so my boys can fight over who gets it when I've gone to the great reloading bench in the sky (or elsewhere.)
My brother has a Lee Pro 1000, and has had some problems with it, but is mostly satisfied, despite several broken parts. However, he is not a volume loader. His machine looks to me like it's going to break, even when it's working, but maybe that's just me.
Sorry, I just read the original question. I've never owned a bad reloading press.
My first Dillon was a Square Deal B, and I initially got it set up for .45 ACP. Before that, I'd been reloading, slowly, on an RCBS Rockchucker. I was shooting lots of IPSC back then, so I transitioned to .38 Super and bought the necessary conversion parts and dies. Then, I got a 9x19 conversion. When the crank handle broke, I called Dillon, and the nice fellow told me that they'd had a bad run of castings, apologized, and I had a new one in two days. I asked him if he wanted me to send them the broken one. He said, "S*** no. It's broke. Throw it away." The replacement handle also broke after about 1000 rounds, and the process was repeated; seems they pulled it out of the wrong box.
After I'd loaded about 15,000 rounds on the SDB, it needed rebuilt with all the "wear parts." When I called Dillon, the fellow there laughed. He asked how many rounds I'd loaded, I told him, and he said they'd never really intended the SDB for someone who loads as much as I do, and that I should buy a 550B. I rebuilt the SDB, set it up for 9x19 and left it that way permanently, and bought a 550B. I load about 11 handgun calibers and 4 rifle calibers on the 550, and have loaded somewhere north of 60,000 rounds on it, maybe 75,000. Parts do occasionally wear out, and replacements are sent free, no questions asked. I expect the press to outlive me so my boys can fight over who gets it when I've gone to the great reloading bench in the sky (or elsewhere.)
My brother has a Lee Pro 1000, and has had some problems with it, but is mostly satisfied, despite several broken parts. However, he is not a volume loader. His machine looks to me like it's going to break, even when it's working, but maybe that's just me.
Sorry, I just read the original question. I've never owned a bad reloading press.
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I bought a Smart Reloader hand primer once. It was improperly designed and manufactured. If their presses are anything like it, I definitely would pass on Smart Reloader.
Years ago somebody gave me an old Herter's single stage C-press - all heavy cast iron, including the lever - musta weighed 60 or 70 lbs! And the shellholder was machined into the end of the ram - if you wanted to change calibers, you had to replace the ram. I loaded one box of .30-06 and knew it wasn't the one for me. Subsequently bought an RCBS JR, used it several years, then upgraded to a Rockchucker, and will likely stick with that until I quit shooting.
Don't want to start a flame, dla, but you're the first I've ever heard say anything bad about the Rockchucker.
Larry
Don't want to start a flame, dla, but you're the first I've ever heard say anything bad about the Rockchucker.
Larry
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Bought my first press in 1962, a massive basic C press from R.F. Wells, as part of a package deal; press, dies, scale, and powder measure for about $42 total. Price of the press alone was $12.65. The designer also designed all of Herter's reloading equipment.
I still have the press and still use it because it will never, ever wear out. So next year I wil have fifty years out of it! Only trouble is that the shell holders are unique to it. Fortunately I pretty well have what I need.
In addition I have a Rock Chucker which is getting on to 35 years old now. It's typical for RCBS; it works fine, no issues. That's the way it should be.
For a while in the late 70s I had a CH Mark IV progressive in .45 ACP which I bought used. I refurbed it myself and spent way too much time trying to get it to work. I was able to unload it for what I paid for it, and good riddance.
As of now I have a Dillon RL 450B in the box, where it has been serving as a doorstop for about three years now. I got it as a gift, and between a profound distrust of "progressive" loaders (like "progressive" politicians) and no real need for speed, it's still NIB. I might set it up for .38 Spl. some day.
Have messed with other stuff like the old Lee Loaders (hey, they work); Lyman 310; Lee's very small C press for priming and light chores; Lee's hand press (which I like).
I'm a creature of habit and favor the KISS approach.
I still have the press and still use it because it will never, ever wear out. So next year I wil have fifty years out of it! Only trouble is that the shell holders are unique to it. Fortunately I pretty well have what I need.
In addition I have a Rock Chucker which is getting on to 35 years old now. It's typical for RCBS; it works fine, no issues. That's the way it should be.
For a while in the late 70s I had a CH Mark IV progressive in .45 ACP which I bought used. I refurbed it myself and spent way too much time trying to get it to work. I was able to unload it for what I paid for it, and good riddance.
As of now I have a Dillon RL 450B in the box, where it has been serving as a doorstop for about three years now. I got it as a gift, and between a profound distrust of "progressive" loaders (like "progressive" politicians) and no real need for speed, it's still NIB. I might set it up for .38 Spl. some day.
Have messed with other stuff like the old Lee Loaders (hey, they work); Lyman 310; Lee's very small C press for priming and light chores; Lee's hand press (which I like).
I'm a creature of habit and favor the KISS approach.
rewster
Member
The worst press I ever owned was a Lee. However, it's also the best press I've ever owned !!!
My worst press is a Lee basic/classic/cheapo. It won't resize 38 spl target loads without effort. MidwayUSA offered press and Lee Reloading Manual as a $19.95 anniversary special. Even at that price the it wasn't worth it for book and press.
One mind can only take so much of Richard's (Lee) ego.
One mind can only take so much of Richard's (Lee) ego.
Jeff423
US Veteran
Another vote for the Lee 1000. I thought I could use it for my less popular calibers, but my CO-AX is faster because I don't have to "tweek" it. I also bought and returned an early LNL AP. I then got a Dillon and never looked back.
Jeff
Jeff
My first P&W 800B was without a doubt the most challenging. The wife bought it for me as a Christmas present to replace a MEC 650. The screaming and language from the loading room caused wifey to hide for hours. I made so many calls to P&W that we were on a first name basis. Finally P&W made it right by sending me a new reloader. The second loader worked fine. So fine in fact I attached a Spolar hydralic drive and loaded happily ever after.
I have a lee turret .I would love to take a hammer to it.Cant afford anything else so I am stuck with it.***
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
If that is really true, and it is a 4 hole CAST press, send me a pm.
Smith,yes it is true. I would love to take a hammer to it.When I can afford to replace it ,its yours,free.I could not pass it on to anybody else in good conscious .You seem to understand them.Dont get me wrong,I have reloaded hundreds of rounds with.It is the only way that I have been able to shoot as much as I have.I have rebuilt cars ,motorcycles,guns, houses,including the mechanical systems.All with success.That press has aggravated me to death.
noylj
Member
RCBS RockChucker.
Replaced it with a Forster Co-Ax.
Replaced it with a Forster Co-Ax.
Hook686
US Veteran
Lee Pro1000 is the worst. It sits in the garage boxed up.
I expect the Lee Classic Turret to last longer than I do. I am quite content with it and not even tempted to spend all that money on a Dillion. I also like the Lee Hand Press, with the the carbide speed die, for the mobility it allows.
I expect the Lee Classic Turret to last longer than I do. I am quite content with it and not even tempted to spend all that money on a Dillion. I also like the Lee Hand Press, with the the carbide speed die, for the mobility it allows.
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Dave T
Member
I can't remember the exact name of it but it was CH's attempt to make a progressive. The one that had a straight channel from one side to the other. The cases traveled down this channel and the dies were positioned above stopping points.
Those stopping points were individually adjustable and needed constant attention. The powder measure would not stay in adjustment. I had so much trouble with the thing my wife actually encouraged me to buy a Star Universal which I did. Sold the CH cheep with full disclosure of it's faults.
Dave
Those stopping points were individually adjustable and needed constant attention. The powder measure would not stay in adjustment. I had so much trouble with the thing my wife actually encouraged me to buy a Star Universal which I did. Sold the CH cheep with full disclosure of it's faults.
Dave
