Which Press to Buy?

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Harbinger_of_lead

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I suppose I will get a wide range of responses.... Not looking to start a fight....

I am going to start acquiring reloading equipment and would like a recommendation on which brand of press I should buy.

I want single stage, quality construction. I am not interested in speed, I want quality and accuracy. Compatibility with available dies and other components is also a concern.

Hornady seems like the way to go, but I just don't have any experience and don't have anyone around to guide my purchase.

Your thoughts and time are appreciated.
 
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Harbinger_of_lead said:
I suppose I will get a wide range of responses.... Not looking to start a fight....

I am going to start acquiring reloading equipment and would like a recommendation on which brand of press I should buy.

I want single stage, quality construction. I am not interested in speed, I want quality and accuracy. Compatibility with available dies and other components is also a concern.

Hornady seems like the way to go, but I just don't have any experience and don't have anyone around to guide my purchase.

Your thoughts and time are appreciated.
Click to expand...

I have been very happy with my Redding Big Boss II for a number of years now. Happy shopping!

Cheers,

Rick
 
Go with something you can see and feel is solid and compare. I have an old pacific that is great, RCBS is great and I like the looks of the new Hornady Iron single stage. You wont wear out a good solid press and you will get more precise ammo with the more solid preses and of course, mounted solidly. You will be glad you spent the extra dollars.
 
I might be reading your post incorrectly, but you are mistaken if you think you are sacrificing quality and accuracy by using a progressive.

If you are dead set on a single stage the above suggestions are all good.
 
I have a Lyman Orange Chrusher that I bought new in 1990 that I still use for all my reloading. It has held up extremely well,I don't use the primer arm that came with press anymore I use a RCBS Ram Priming Unit to prime cases because it is more consistant.Lyman calls the press the Crusher now and is powder coated black.If it matters it is made in the USA,it matters to me.
If I was buying new today I would buy either the Lyman press or the Redding Big Boss press , the Boss is priced higher but this is probably the only time you'll have to buy a press . I have Redding reloading dies and the quality is number one .
 
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Like I've read in these kinds of threads before, pick a color and get it. I have a Hornady Classic single stage and it meets all my needs
 
It's pretty tough to beat a Lyman All American. They are strong as all get out and pretty much impossible to wear out. I find them used at shows and on eBay. Usually $75 - $125 depending on what's included. I currently have 10 of them set up, each on a 12x18 board with an RCBS powder measure. I can change calibers in ~ 20 seconds.
 
While your looking be sure to check out the Forster COAX. No shellholders required. Easy and faster die insertions and removal. On the other hand I don't think there is a current production single stage press that is not excellent. Well maybe the Lee Reloaded as it is a light duty press and Lyman's CS isn't what it used to be.
 
For pistol, the Lee classic turret. Can be used as a single stage, or as an indexing turret. The dies stay in the turret so don't need to be screwed in and out. Cost effective. Lee dies and accessories are widely available.

If you will be reloading for rifle, the suggestion of Hornady iron press or Forster should be considered.
 
Well, you've opened a can of worms.

The first piece of advice I offer was given to me by a riflesmith: "Buy anything you want, as long as it is green."

The second piece is to read the late John Wootters's book on handloading. Among the best single texts around on the subject.

You haven't told us what you intend to handload. I've been reloading for 30 years. When I was in your shoes I loaded only large rifle. The RCBS Rock Chucker was way out of my budget and I settled on a used RCBS Junior. Still have it, it is great. But it will not provide the leverage its big brother brings to bear. That is a consideration if you're loading fifty rounds at a time of long action rifle loads. The auction sites have good deals on Rock Chuckers.

The vast majority of my dies are Redding. The Redding powder measure is the bomb.

My case trimmer is a Forster. Large capacity priming tool is a Bonanza. Scales are RCBS.

You might ask the gang to post pics of their benches. I followed Wooters's advice (and had his same space constraints) and built mine in a closet in each of my three homes over the years. Great way to stay organized and better way to keep stuff safe.

twb
 
Any RCBS single stage press will serve you for the rest of your life and your heirs after you.

It no more complicated than that.
 
I've owned an RCBS Rockchucker since they first came out. It's great press but I can't say it's better than this or that because I've never owned other single stage presses except for my Herter's press in the early 60s. I also bought a priming conversion that loads primers at the top of the press, on the down stroke, for better feel and efficiency.

However, I've had the main link pin work itself loose a few times. I just remember to check it once in a while. It's a matter of pushing the pin back in. No tools necessary.
 
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Harbinger_of_lead said:
I suppose I will get a wide range of responses.... Not looking to start a fight....
Click to expand...

And "that's when the fight started"!!:D

The BIG question is how much is your budget??

How many calibers??

Check out this THREAD

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/406473-so-youre-thinking-about-getting-into-reloading.html

scroll to the bottom of your thread and click the similar threads.

There are all kinds of GOOD single stage presses

There is also ALL the OTHER STUFF you need.

Why limit to a single stage?? No I am not a progress Blue Kool Aid drinker but a turret press gives you the advantage of a turret and a single stage.

If you want a SS with a a great warranty look at the RCBS KIT, All good stuff and great service.

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Single Stage Press Kit
 
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