Let's ask the question another way. What is the WORST press you've ever owned?

[Engineer1911]

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.

 

[Jeff423]

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

 

[mchech]

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.

 

[jmcghee]

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]

I have a lee turret .I would love to take a hammer to it.Cant afford anything else so I am stuck with it.***

If that is really true, and it is a 4 hole CAST press, send me a pm.

 

[mtgianni]

Lee turret press before I learned where the lube points were, now it gets a lot of use even with two others on the bench.

 

[jmcghee]

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]

RCBS RockChucker.
Replaced it with a Forster Co-Ax.

 

[Hook686]

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.

 

[Dave T]

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

 

[Skip Sackett]

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.

Sorry to hear your problems, Jim.

I will take that press too when you are ready to move on.

Thank you for the kind offer. I will pass it along to someone that needs to start loading that I know.

I will give full disclosure that you had tons of problems with it too.

Thank you for your kind offer! God Bless.

 

[mstuhr]

Help?

Howdy,
I don't know what my most hated press is.
I see a lot of people having a hard time with the 1000's.
I have three of them set up and have had one or two set up since around 1980. I like them better than the pro.
If any one is interested and would like to ask someone who has overcome the issues of the 1000 I'd be happy to take questions and offer advice.
They are good presses.
I have nothing bad to say about Dillion or others but a good Lee, set up to run, is as fast as any and makes quality ammo.
I guess the press I hate the most is the garlic press.
Thanks
Mike

 

[EricInAZ]

I've been using my Lyman Spar-T press for over 35 years now with no complaints.

A few years ago I got a 'new' press for heavier duty reloading - a Lyman All American that's likely older than I am. Both presses are good ol'fashioned cast iron & when properly set up & maintained, do exactly what I want them to.