Which Press to Buy?
- Thread starter Harbinger_of_lead
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Harbinger_of_lead
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Nice press table. I like the heavy slab construction
hdwhit
Member
If you're looking for a single stage press, my recommendation is to get one made of cast iron since it has less "give" than aluminum.
I bought an RCBS Reloader Special when I was 18 and nearly 40 years later, I still have it and I'm still making ammunition with it. I prefer RCBS because I have found their customer service to be better than their competitors (and I have equipment from pretty much every one of the major companies); although with the exception of Lyman, I have found everyone to have very good customer service.
I bought an RCBS Reloader Special when I was 18 and nearly 40 years later, I still have it and I'm still making ammunition with it. I prefer RCBS because I have found their customer service to be better than their competitors (and I have equipment from pretty much every one of the major companies); although with the exception of Lyman, I have found everyone to have very good customer service.
I agree with Skeet 028. Nothing wrong with buying new but if your looking for a deal, used is the way to go. Also, we put a lot of thought into the actual press and tend to settle on just any old scale. A good scale, not one that "just works", is important and a great convenience.
Couldn't be said any better. Glad you brought it up..Heck with a good scale and a Lee Loader or a Lyman tong tool really good ammo can be made. I knew an old fellow who had a Lyman tong tool for his S&W Highway Patrolman. When he passed away I found 40 boxes of 38's and 357s on the shelf in his garage and at least that many more cases in coffee cans. I was totally surprised. His wife told me he would spend an hour or so many evenings loading ammo. I have the old tong tool and dies I gave the Redding scale to a fellow that needed it
RCBS stands for Rock Chucker Bullet Swage, which is tough duty for a press. The Rock Chucker's are the Tanks of presses IMHO. Mine is over 40 years old and is still tight. For Handgun loads I now use a Dillon RL550B. Lyman, Redding, and Hornady also make good presses and would serve well. A Rock Chucker is still my favorite.
Yep it does stand for Rock Chuck Bullet Swage...but the Rockchucker came more than 20 yrs later. It is a good press but was not designed for bullet swaging...that was a much bigger stronger press and cost considerably more than the RC. The Rock Chucker press was downsized for reloading and it is still a great press.
I've been reloading for over 45 years and there are a lot of good single-stage presses out there, but my favorite (like many other people here) is the RCBS Rockchucker. Mine is an older model dated 1979 that I bought used. It's still tight and good as the day it was made.
My first real press was a Lyman Spar-t turret I bought new in 1971. I still have it, and it works fine, although the ram is getting a little loose after untold thousands of rounds. I could get a new ram and it would probably be a lot tighter. My point here is it is hard to wear out a good cast iron reloading press.
I enjoy reloading and find it a relaxing hobby. And I like shooting ammo that I made myself.
My first real press was a Lyman Spar-t turret I bought new in 1971. I still have it, and it works fine, although the ram is getting a little loose after untold thousands of rounds. I could get a new ram and it would probably be a lot tighter. My point here is it is hard to wear out a good cast iron reloading press.
I enjoy reloading and find it a relaxing hobby. And I like shooting ammo that I made myself.
montana500
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Thanks! I made two of these from a neighbor's Red Fir that was leaning towards his cabin. The other is for general purposes and not bolted to any studs. It don't move either, weighing (I guess) about 150lbs.
I had a fellow just give me 2 4x8 sheets of exterior 3/4 plywood. They used it for a concrete form. So...Am going to make a bench top with double 3/4. Going to get rid of 3 tables I use for reloading benches. Should be strong enough for a bench top. Fun and games. He also told me I can get more if I want...
1 sheet of 3/4" should be more than sturdy enough for reloading. IMHO, a 1 1/2" reloading bench top is way overkill, but that said, over-engineering can't hurt. It just makes drilling the holes for mounting tougher.
You may be right but when I get done I can end up with 2 as I will cut it to 28 inches wide Use the two 16 inch pieces for the underside and one 28 inch for the top...the other 28 inch I will use as another bench. I will put the Dillon's on their strong mounts on it. Also have a Redding T-7 on a strong mount...or if I can get another piece from him I will make a bench for my lathe. I need a bit more sturdy place to mount it. I also have a South Bend Light 10 cabinet lathe I am gonna have to let go..Good lathe but with 5 lathes left..something has to go., The little Unimat resides in a large ammo can so it is out of the way...but I haven't used it in a couple years..May sell it too. Then again on the bench...being I have Scotch ancestors the key word here was FREE. And I have 10 8ft treated 4x4s I can use for the legs. They were also...FREE! I knew I would find a use for them...yippee
I load on my Dillon 550 while seated. My 650, I load while standing. The 650 is mounted on a "strong mount" and the 550 is mounted directly to the bench. I load on my single stage while seated, as well. My bench height works well for those techniques.
I do most of my loading standing up except when using the old A2 presses. Having 5 Dillon's I don't have a 550 press. I do have an AT 500 which is somewhat like the newer(but not better) BL550. When loading my shotshells I sit when doing 20-28 ga but stand for some odd reason when I do 410...All on Spolar machines...or some P-Ws . All Progressives so I don't do the dyslexic stuff. Ridiculous... creature of habit is what I am. I happen to load for 47 different rounds at this point. I quit some...like 25 and 32 Autos
