Just got back from shooting with my young neighbor and his 18 year old son. They shot the plastic guns and I shot my 70's era revolvers. I shot so well for an old guy they are now looking for earlier pieces. Came home to reload and got to wondering how many folks still use the old single stage press. I bought this RCBS Jr. package in 1970 for $29.95 with a set of dies. Have used it ever since. Very slow, but very relaxing and almost therapeutic. Have used my buddies Dillon and love it, but the single stage seems so safe and makes me happy. Note my $7 2400 which is still good. Kept it dry and in temperature controlled room. Notice my primer flipper made for me in 74. Have a lot of the old stuff which I bought in my younger days.
Anyone out there still reload with older equipment?
- Thread starter gustmez1
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Yes Sir ! I use a Rockchucker for most of my reloading. I have a Lyman All American with some seater dies in it for seating cast bullets in my old 06.
I shoot a lot too. Like you say very simple and safe. I don't lack for anything either. I just like what I have.
I shoot a lot too. Like you say very simple and safe. I don't lack for anything either. I just like what I have.
It looks just like my stuff [emoji106]Old and slow,like me
Still using my 1970s Herters single-stage press and powder dropper for all my reloading. I gave up on the Herters scale as it wasn't dampened, so I upgraded to a 505 in the '90s. Stll use the Herters 30-06 dies though.
Trinidad Bill
US Veteran
Nothing wrong with any of that stuff! Single stage gives you time to think about what you are doing.
I spend more time on my Lee single stage than any of my other presses, developing loads. I am seldom doing volume, I am getting too old and enjoy the slow pace.
I spend more time on my Lee single stage than any of my other presses, developing loads. I am seldom doing volume, I am getting too old and enjoy the slow pace.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
On the few times I develop loads on my old Lee, I think "What am I doing!
Then I go back to the 650 and all the bad thoughts go away.
Seriously, I find no problem using the old equipment except that in the competition season I shoot 800 - 1200 rounds per week. I crank them out as quick as I can then. I may have to cut the round count down though, arthritis is creeping into the equation.
fredj338
Member
Load on a 550 & 650, but I still load most my rifle stuff on my RCBS ammo master. My first press was also a jr, still have it too!
4barrel
Member
All of my stuff is modern up to date.
JohnK
US Veteran
I still load on the same Jr. press that you have. Purchased it in 1967.
I have a Dillon SDB, but still prefer my single stage for most things.
I have a Dillon SDB, but still prefer my single stage for most things.
THEWELSHM
Member
I use a 2013 LNL Hornady plus a 1978 RCBS JR3
Called them up for a part about 2 months ago. Free postage and no charge...thewelshm
riversalmon
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Isn't it amazing that the older equipment is still cranking out a quality product after 40 or 50 years of use. Since I shoot them one at a time I have returned to loading them one at a time. Someone said therapeutic, I would tend to agree. As I age, I try to savor each round from sizing to hammer drop. Running quantities of rounds equals quantities of components. I am learning the satisfaction that comes from fewer round counts while struggling to direct things to the proper target.
For the little rifle loading I do, my 1970s vintage RCBS Rockchucker serves just fine. My Lyman Ohaus scale has been with me since the early 60s as have my two powder throws, one of which I should sell since getting my Dillon 550B.
Likewise, my loading trays are more than 50 years old as are some of my dies.
Likewise, my loading trays are more than 50 years old as are some of my dies.
gwpercle
Member
Now that I think about it.....started with a Lyman Spartan ( late 60's), a few years later I "upgraded" to an older Pacific Super Deluxe that was given to me. Three weeks ago I "upgraded" again when I bought a used Lyman All-American Turret ( red color with wood handle)....My presses keeps getting older, not newer! What's going on?
Just about all of my reloading gear pre-dates 1980 , and until of late was all single stage. I have 4 single stage presses and now the Lyman Turret- Almost a single stage.
I view casting and reloading as a hobby not just a means to produce mass quantities of ammo.
Gary
Just about all of my reloading gear pre-dates 1980 , and until of late was all single stage. I have 4 single stage presses and now the Lyman Turret- Almost a single stage.
I view casting and reloading as a hobby not just a means to produce mass quantities of ammo.
Gary
I still use an RCBS Jr. single stage press for all of my reloading. I have had this type of press since the 1970s. I mostly load 38 special, but also load 30-06, 5.56, and 303 British. In my mind, the single stage press is fast enough and plenty safe for all reloading. Why "upgrade" to something that is just faster? I still cast bullets which is also slow but part of the hobby.
Hope this helps.
Steve
Hope this helps.
Steve
I've had this Bonanza COAX for 42 years.My dad paid $99 for it and 3 sets of dies from the NRA catalog. I think I got my money's worth from it.
I'm sure I'll wear out long before it does.rburg
Member
In either 1971 or 1972 I bought a Lyman Spar-T. Its still the thing I use. I've bought other presses, but mostly gave them away to others to get them started. Thats really only 42 or so years. I doubt that I'll be good for more than another 10, and the press isn't showing any signs of giving up that fast. The problem with having this hobby that long is you tend to accumulate other stuff, like powder measures and odd dies. I need to reload more and accumulate less!
Tin
Member
older reloading equipment
Started reloading in approx 1972..Bought RCBS single stage stuff piecemeal and it's strill going strong to this day...Bought a used Rockchucker set up as a "just in case" around year 2000 but still haven't had to use it, so far..
Started reloading in approx 1972..Bought RCBS single stage stuff piecemeal and it's strill going strong to this day...Bought a used Rockchucker set up as a "just in case" around year 2000 but still haven't had to use it, so far..
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