Today's reloading presses

[*chris*]

Add Hornady to your list of "top-notch" reloading presses. I have had great luck with my Hornady LNL AP and Hornady single stage.

If you are the least bit mechanically inclined and plan on reloading pistol calibers, I would suggest starting with a auto progressive press like the Dillon 650 or the Hornady LNL AP. Having a non-indexing turret like the Dillon 550 is a drag. In my opinion, an auto-indexing press is the safest type of press to avoid double charging and other reloading issues.

Chris

 

[SMSgt]

It all depends on what you want/need your equipment to do. When I started shotshell reloading, I bought a Mec Jr and was very happy with it. Later I bought a Lee loader for my 20 ga, and while it will get the job done, it ain't no Mec.

Like most things, sophisticated reloading machines have features you want, as well as features you might not want. It pays to do your research.

 

[aguablanco]

Many long established manufacturer's in any field lose their once highly prized attention to detail.

So many once family owned companies are now little more than the name being used for marketing outsourced products that the original owner would be ashamed of.

I've owned multiple presses from manufacturers and marketers like Lyman, RCBS, Lee, Pacific, etc. Yes there's some in this field that aren't what they used to be, and some that may be better. Judging the overall quality of a particular model or brand based on one or two presses or any other product is very subjective.

Features and characteristics of some suit my taste much better than others. Some features and characteristics I simply can't stand.

My advice, as near a blind test as possible. Forget what name's on it and just see which brand(s) feel right and suit your wants and needs best. Spending more doesn't mean you'll get a better press. One that I grew to near hate was one that I had a pile of money in.

I sold it and never looked back.

Cdog has put it perfectly. It really matters more how much, what kind and for what purpose the ammo will be used. Everybody has their preference, think Chevy, Ford, Toyota etc., I have always thought the "Good old Days" were good because the bad times are forgotten and the fond memories remain. It's the same with equipment for those days. Our expectations were lower and all we remember is the fun we had. All the major brands will give you many years of good service.
RichH

 

[mmesa005]

I had a Hornady LNL Progressive on order for months and finally gave up and purchased a Lee Classic Single. I am new to reloading so in retrospect that was a good decision for me as I spent less time trying to tweak a progressive press and more time learning the basics.
Now after 2000 rounds I am ready to move on to a progressive press and have ordered a Lee 4 dies turret press so I can continue to build on the knowledge I gained from the Lee single and share my Lee components across presses.

Another benefit of the Lee was the number of YouTube videos showing how to set up the dies and run through all the stages of the Lee press I have.

 

[FishingPilot]

It all depends on what you want/need your equipment to do. When I started shotshell reloading, I bought a Mec Jr and was very happy with it. Later I bought a Lee loader for my 20 ga, and while it will get the job done, it ain't no Mec.

Like most things, sophisticated reloading machines have features you want, as well as features you might not want. It pays to do your research.

Even the Mec Jr has changed over the years. I purchased a Lee Load All II in 12 ga for myself. My dad changed over to 28 ga so I purchased a new Mec Jr for him in 28 ga and he gave me the older Mec Jr (pre 1985) in 12 ga that he was using. I gave the Lee to my brother who is just starting to reload. The Mec Jr (pre 1985) is all metal. The new one I purchased for my dad has a lot of plastic now. It works but I don't expect it to outlast the older Mec.

 

[Nframecollector]

The best single stage IMO is the Forster co-ax. If you want a turret you cant go wrong with Lyman or Redding. I'm not a progressive press man so to me they're all junk!!!

 

[Skeet 028]

Awful hard to beat a Dillon. but progressives aren't for everyone. But they do have the 550 Basic. I even have an older AT 500. Redding presses are made here in the US and while more expensive than RCBS I consider them better..The newer RCBS presses are cast in China..finished up here.. Even the Lee Classic cast presses are well made...and again..made in the USA..I'm not much of a Lee guy but I even have and use a Lee classic cast turret press. Only loaded a few thousand 44 special on it but happy with it so far. Lee pistol dies seem to be ok..but had a 500 S&W carbide sizer that broke the carbide sizing ring on..in less than 20 rounds..Lee would not replace it. But as far as presses I have a bunch of older presses I still use including a couple of the OLD Herter's boat anchor presses. In my opinion check out stuff on flea bay and buy older..but better presses cheaper

 

[71firebird400]

I've owned or own the following presses-

Dillon 550
Dillon 650
Hornady LNL AP

Lee Challenger
Lee Classic Cast
RCBS Rock Chucker
Forster Co-Ax

My personal opinion is that none of the presses made inadequate ammo; you're mostly comparing 'features'. For the money spent I would recommend the Lee Classic Cast if you want a single stage; it is rock solid and doesn't drop the occasional primer on the floor like the Rock Chucker. The Co-Ax is excellent, but it's benefits really only suit long range rifle reloading; I don't think it's well suited for reloading pistol cartridges.

Now, if you intend on loading large quantities of pistol ammo I can not recommend a progressive enough. I've noticed that this forum in particular gravitates towards turret presses but I feel they are an unnecessary step between the single stage and progressive. I loved the Dillon 550 as it was my first progressive, but eventually got tired of asking myself why I (the user) had to index a progressive press. I then stepped up to the 650; which I again loved and was happy with. Since then I tried a friends Hornady LNL AP and realized how simple Hornady's powder measure was. Rather than having a powder measure for each caliber (like I did with the Dillon due to how much of a pain it was to adjust) you can quickly adjust it for various cartridges. Also, I couldn't help but notice that the Hornady did not leak nearly as much powder over the entire press as the Dillon. Lastly, I loved the simplicity and ingenuity of the Hornady priming system; it works great. Since then I have sold my 650 and migrated to the Hornady, and feel that it is the best progressive on the market for what I do.

 

[gwpercle]

If I could have any reloading press made today I would pick CH4D's No. 444 "H" Press or the CH4D Champion "O" Press.
Best quality, made in America by American's.

Go see at ch4d.com , they make a lot of good stuff and just about any reloading die you could want.

Gary...to poor to afford the best.

 

[novalty]

If I could have any reloading press made today I would pick CH4D's No. 444 "H" Press or the CH4D Champion "O" Press.
Best quality, made in America by American's.

Go see at ch4d.com , they make a lot of good stuff and just about any reloading die you could want.

Gary...to poor to afford the best.

Wait til Maximumbob54 sees this! Heehee

 

[Twoboxer]

Started with Lee Classic Turret . . . went to Hornady LNL Classic (single-stage press) for rifle and Hornady LNL AP for pistol.

Since my rifle rounds needed to be cleaned after sizing and wanted to weigh each powder charge, there was no difference for me using a single stage press or a turret/progressive. The LNL bushings allow instant cartrdige changes with no tinkering/adjustment. My powder dispenser/scale gives me the next powder charge before I am finished seating a bullet over the last charge and QCing.

Then I noticed that the single stage press had no slop at the tool head nor at the shellholder (duh!). My Lee Classic Turret sure had slop, and watching lots of Youtuibe videos so does every other progressive press except the Hornady LNL AP.

So when my pistol batch sizes reached 300 . . . and I got tired of pulling that handle 1500 times to do them . . . I went to the AP. 304 pulls now The powder measure is a dream to use (compared to others). I don't need to blow, vacuum, and/or sweep up powder when I'm done.

Final thoughts: folks saying Brand X press is the one to buy and don't look back . . . and do not give any reasons . . . aren't giving useful advice. I don't buy products just for the warranty alone either . . . paying for 2 presses up front while getting only one is not a good deal to me.

 

[blujax01]

... I don't need to blow, vacuum, and/or sweep up powder when I'm done....

Twoboxer, mi amigo, I hope you don't mind your comment being used for an example of a potentially bad practice:

PLEASE DO NOT USE A VACUUM CLEANER TO PICK UP SPILLED POWDER!!

 

[Nframecollector]

You can't go wrong with a Forster, Lyman or Redding in my book. I currently use a 50's vintage Lyman tru-line jr, a 60's vintage Lyman All-American, a Forster co-ax, a Redding T-7, a cheapo Lee single stage and a Lee handheld. I use all makes of dies but mostly RCBS.