Which Press to Buy?

[Jessie]

I have and like the RCBS Rockchucker. I think most decent makers are equivalent, but this is all I've ever used and I like it.
Look for a good package deal on sale that has the loader, primer, as many die sets as you can include and anything else like calipers, reamers, etc.
A good powder measure is a must also.

 

[Mags]

Dillon is obviously the best, but also the most expensive. I use Hornady AP Progressive for loading 223/5.56 and pistol ammo. For my Weatherby magnum rounds I use the Hornady classic single press. Just buy the best quality that you can afford and learn as much as you can about what you want to accomplish. Good luck

Mag

 

[bbqncigars]

Dillon is obviously the best, but also the most expensive. I use Hornady AP Progressive for loading 223/5.56 and pistol ammo. For my Weatherby magnum rounds I use the Hornady classic single press. Just buy the best quality that you can afford and learn as much as you can about what you want to accomplish. Good luck

Mag

Dillon is not OBVIOUSLY the best/most expensive. Look at a Star or Hollywood press if you can find one and afford it. Sheesh, newbies!

 

[novalty]

Buy the same as I have--clearly the best. Don't buy any of the ones I don't have or haven't tried--they aren't as good. Reloading is a "one-size fits all hobby."

 

[Steely85]

I've had/have a Rockchucker, Lee Classic and Redding T7.

The Redding T7 is the best single stage press out of those 3.

 

[robert1804]

I got back into reloading about 1 1/2 years ago. Some small rifle and lots of handgun calibers. I used an RCBS Partner until a few months ago. Then I got a Redding T-7 like several posts are mentioning in this thread. It works fine as a single stage and if you want to do batches of die operations it really makes it easier since there's lots less handling brass in and out of the shell holder.

 

[Harbinger_of_lead]

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. ...

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

Quality advice.

I will start by loading 460 S&W, .44 Mag, .308 Win. Then progress into longer mag rifle cases.

Perhaps another post for bench set ups is forthcoming.

Thanks

 

[BE Mike]

It depends upon the calibers you intend to load. If you are going to load some magnum rifle calibers, then you definitely want to get the beefiest and easiest press to operate, as has been mentioned the Forster Co-Ax, etc. In my experience, the Lyman and RCBS presses will serve most folks well for a lifetime. The Reddings have a great rep as well. I don't have any experience with the Hornady, but they should be fine. Just don't get any cheap junk like SmartReloader. Sinclair is a great website to check out reloading equipment: Firearm Reloading Equipment, Supplies, and Tools - Sinclair Intl

 

[samnev]

Rockchucker. Mine was purchased in 1974 and has been used to load somewhere around 100k cartridges. I had bought a spare, but gave it to my daughter when she wanted to begin handloading. The current one shows no sign of ever needing to be replaced.

Another vote for the Rockchucker. Mine was also purchased in the 70's and never had a single problem even after heavy duty use.

 

[BobG78]

I use a Rockchucker and a Dillon 450B. I think a good starter press would be a Dillon BL 550, it's a basic press and easy caliber changes.

 

[Harbinger_of_lead]

The questions I would ask are:

--How much/how often do you intend to shoot? How much do you want to shoot?
--How many different cartridges do you want to load?
--What cartridges do you want to work with? More inexpensive cartridges like 9mm aren't really worth reloading on a single-stage, but make sense on a progressive.
--How big a batch do you want to work with? If you want to pick one load and stick with it, a progressive is great. If you want to experiment a lot, turrets are a better option.

1. Not all that often, maybe once or twice a month. 100 or so rounds of pistol. 50 or so rounds of rifle.

2. I currently have the following calibers in order of desire to start reloading:

1. .460 S&W Mag
2. .308 win
3. .17 hornet
4. .44 mag
5. .357 mag
6. 7MM rem mag
7. .300 savage
8. 30/40 Krag
9. .40 S&W
10. .380 acp

3. See above
4. Batches of 25 for the big boys, 50 or 100 for smaller.

 

[Steely85]

1. Not all that often, maybe once or twice a month. 100 or so rounds of pistol. 50 or so rounds of rifle.

2. I currently have the following calibers in order of desire to start reloading:

1. .460 S&W Mag
2. .308 win
3. .17 hornet
4. .44 mag
5. .357 mag
6. 7MM rem mag
7. .300 savage
8. 30/40 Krag
9. .40 S&W
10. .380 acp

3. See above
4. Batches of 25 for the big boys, 50 or 100 for smaller.

Answer remains the same, T7

 

[Leonard]

After 50 years of reloading and owning many presses I have gone back to the old RCBS rock chucker, and close second would be the Bonanza, and if I went progressive it would be a Dillon. I have a new Rock Chucker I keep set up for priming off the top of the press, or for use on rifle calibers. The old rock chucker has their no longer available case ejector mounted and is very fast for straight case hand gun cartridges I also set it up with quick change Hornady lock and load die adapter.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have two RCBS presses, a Rockchucker and an old #2. Two Dillon 550's, Forster trimmer, RCBS charge master, Redding match powder measure, RCBS and Lyman sizer lubers. You won't go wrong with a Rockchucker and Redding dies.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I suggest that you need to first find out if you even like reloading . I know folks that went out , spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars , sometimes close to a thousand only to find out that they didn't like it after all . Then sold it off for a fraction of what they paid for it . Some of those above suggestions will cost you a lot of money and you haven't even pulled the handle yet for the first time . I strongly suggest you start out slow , even work at a friends house for awhile reloading , get the feel for it , see if it's what you really want to do . My reloading started out with a Lee Classic Loader Kit , you can hold the complete kit in the palm of your hand . I set a goal , reload 1000 38spl 's before I move up to a press . I learned a lot , I mean a lot about the process of making good reloads . A lot of people will be quick to help you spend your money . Spending a lot of money right at the first doesn't make you a good , competent , safe reloader . In the end , it's up to you . Good Luck
PS . I know of a fella that has a Dillon 550B and the Dillon 650B , sitting in his garage , just collecting dust . He listened to a lot of folks , spend a ton of money and then decided he doesn't care for it . He and his wife ride dirt bikes together out in the country .

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Another vote for the Rockchucker. Mine was also purchased in the 70's and never had a single problem even after heavy duty use.

And another one here!
Qc

 

[Skeet 028]

I did wear out a RC once doing jacketed bullet swaging. Just pointing up bullets.. Then I found out later they had a different solid ram for doing swaging. Still the older A 2A and A2s were much better for swaging... a bit more mechanical advantage. But that isn't reloading and the rockchucker is a perfect press for 99% of reloading. I buy 'em and sell 'em all the time..always under 90 dollars..most 70-75 bucks is what I sell 'em for at local gun shows.

 

[oger]

Go to a gun show and buy the cheapest well made used press you can find. Iron frame single stage presses are almost unbreakable and will do anything you want.

 

[LAA]

Redding Big Boss single press & Dillon 650 with auto case feeder.

IMO, with all of the internet videos & written instructions so easily available, it's wasn't that tough to master the 650, instead of starting with something less, than I'd have been happy with. Was only a month or two, before I decided I had to get the case feeder. No regrets.

 

[daniel lawecki]

I have some advice Google Ultimate Reloader reloading Blog watch the videos he is a straight shooter and no BS>