Reloading press equipment

[JayJayV]

Hi,

im looking to buy a reloading press for my husband as a gift. I dont want to tell him that I am doing it for him. I dont know anything about guns or reloading equipment. I was wondering what are the best reloading presses out there. \

Thanks,
JayJayV

 

[Twoboxer]

There are three types of presses . . . single stage, turret, progressive . . . and several brands within each. All have a purpose, and strong and weak points while carrying it out. The best singles stage may cost a couple hundred, the best turret a little more, and the best progressive will cost over $1500.

This is not something that can be decided without knowledge of "handloading" and the specific "husband".

PLEASE find another way to surprise him with the press . . . perhaps a card with a $ "gift certificate" . . . and enjoy the purchase process together with him.

 

[old&slow]

Need a little more information. For pistol or rifle or both?
How many rounds does he shoot a month, or year. How much about reloading does he know? Is he very mechanical or not so much?

Companies like RCBS has a single stage reloader kit that has most of the stuff you need to get started. Good for beginners that is only going to load a few hundred to a thousand or two a year..

Dillon has progressives presses that are good if you are going to load in the couple thousand or more range a year. If not very mechanical, some folk suggest not going to the progressive press for a beginner.

Other brands are out there like Hornady & Lee,, but I'm familiar with the RCBS and Dillon and have had good luck with them..

 

[austintexas]

reloaders

I'll cut streight to the chase. If he already reloads I would get a Dillion 550 in the caliber he shoots the most. If you can afford a little more get the Dillion 650 reloader. I've been reloading since 1961, I used a single stage Rockchucker for years, then I bought a Dillion progressive Square deal for .45 ACP. I now own 4 Dillon presses and my orginal Rockchucker. Dillion has a no BS warrentee, if it breaks, wears out, or is misused they will warrentee the press. your best bet would be to call them and tell them what you might need and let them help you. Dillion Precision Products, Inc 1-800-223-4570, they will ship streight to your door.

SWCA 892

 

[rwsmith]

Three types

Jay, there are three main types of presses:

Single Stage: does one operation on one cartridge. It takes several steps to complete each round. With this you change the dies between operations I use an RCBS Rockchucker. There are many very good brands of single stage presses. Others are Hornady and Redding. Lee makes less expensive presses that are great value if your requirements aren't too demanding.

Turret Press: Similar to a single stage except all of the dies are arranged on a plate, so to switch operations, you just turn the plate to line up the next die.

Progressive Press: Every time you pull the handle, a completed round comes out. The same manufacturers make progressive presses but people here rave about Dillon as being THE progressive machine. They have several models with increasing degrees of sophistication all the way to the point that they are powered and highly automatic.

So you will understand, several operations need to be done on a case to reload it. Knock out the old primer, resize the case, reprime and Gcharge powder, press in bullet and crimp. These steps are done with sets of dies (about 2 to 4). I'm sure he can decided what dies he wants later, just so you know this to help make your buying choice.

Given different types, preferences and complexities you MIGHT just give him a card that says, "Redeem for One Loading press" and let him do the deciding and footwork.

PS: You are a gun owners dream mate. <BIG HUG>

 

[gregintenn]

You could just get him a gift certificate to Midwayusa.com, or some other reloading supply store and turn him loose.

He get's what he wants, and you don't have to worry over whether you chose the right one.

That is what I would personally prefer.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[gwpercle]

Gift certificate...he himself may not know what he wants/needs right now.
But if , on the other hand ,he has absolutely nothing , a good single stage press will always be useful, even when you upgrade to a fully automatic loading machine, you will still want a single stage press for doing small batches and odd jobs, so it will always be useful.
A Cabela's sales ad in todays local paper shows a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit that has everything you need to get going except dies and a shell holder, for $274.99 after a $55 rebate from RCBS. Thats a lot of value there.
If I were starting out today I would get this setup, excellent tools and even comes with a Speer loading manual. Good starter setup.
I started reloading in 1968 with a single stage press and now in 2014 I'm still reloading on a single stage press... so a single stage can serve you well.
My wife buys me reloading gear also, bless her heart...been married 41 years now. You girls know how to keep a reloader happy!
Gary

 

[Moonman]

This is NOT an area to be SPECULATING about.

Take him shopping, then pay the bill or purchase a gift certificate.

It can get EXPENSIVE, so you really don't want GUESSTIMATE with this issue.

JMHO.

 

[Engineer1911]

JJ,

You buying a press for your huaband is a wonderful, loving gesture, but, would you want to wear the lipstick he bought for you, or maybe the facial powder?

You could spend upwards of $600 on something you don't have a clue about what you are purchasing. It might be more fun going to gunshops and look at all the options possible. Or have a face to face discussion with a reloader in your area.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

RCBS Rockchucker........Good for beginner or pro.......Will last 100 years. Compatible with all dies & shell holders.

 

[snowman]

Ma'am,

I will add my voice to the half-dozen or so here who have strongly suggested that you give him the funds and let him do his homework and get what he believes will suit him the best. There are just too many variables, too many manufacturers, too much technical stuff to understand, etc., etc. for this to make a good surprise gift. And, as other posters have mentioned, reloading equipment CAN be quite expensive -too expensive really to make the wrong choice.

We salute you for wanting to bless and surprise your husband. Maybe you could go to one of the online websites which sell reloading equipment, bookmark a page picturing a number of presses, then devise some creative way of getting him to the page without him finding out what it is until he gets there?

Welcome to the forum, and tell us how it plays out.

Best wishes,
Andy

 

[SMSgt]

I'm in the "Get whatever you want, honey" camp. If he's into reloading, he'll know what he wants. If he's not, he needs to do a lot of research first before investing a box of bucks.

 

[Mcwsky09]

If you want it to be a surprise then you should go to the store with him (if there is such a store that he visits, versus online purchase) and pay attention to what he looks at and ask questions to get an idea which one he is most interested in.

When I was looking I was considering a progressive - Dillion 650 type - but really wasn't sure since it is all new to me - went to look to start getting an idea to plan for a purchase in a few months when they had a Lee Classic Turret kit on sale so I bought it. Learned quickly that even a prepackaged kit doesn't have quite everything you need. I knew I needed dies for each caliber - but there is a lot of other stuff as well.

If the store does gift car that is a good idea as well.

There isn't necessarily any one product that is right or wrong but only products that suit his needs better or worse.