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Who has the best press? RCBS, Lyman, etc. I will be loading 308's, 22-250's, and 243's. I am getting started and decided I am going to piece a system rather than buy a kit.
Any recommendations will be appreciated. I am looking at electronic scales and this is the main reason I am going to piece a system together.
Will probably load about 200 to 300 per month, mainly 308's.
LEE has a classic cast press for about $90
It is very very stout. I have had one four several years now and I dont see me ever wearing it out.
Steve
RCBS single stage and Dillon 550B have both use both
Lee Classic cast great press and better price you cant go wrong
I first started reloading in 1959....have used RCBS presses and dies most of my life.
This is the best press I have ever used:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=265719
+1 Lee Classic Cast
+1 for the Forester Co-ax press I wish I had not waited so long to get one and I have used a lot of them over 45 years of loading.Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Jack
The Forster Co-Ax is the best thing going. I have used all of the others listed above and while they work well, the Forster is much better.
The electronic scales are nice but I like to have a beam scale around too, in fact I have a couple of them and use them frequently to check the electronic and each other as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis
As far as presses go the two I have used the most are the RCBS Rock Chucker and the Lyman Orange Crusher, not much difference to me, I also have a Lee hand press that really comes in handy on occasion. I have never used the Forster but I would like to try one some day.
Bob
I'm loading on a Dillon 550 I bought back in 89 when I was heavy into IPSC and tactical matches. My single stage is an RCBS Junior that is probably 40 years old and still going strong. I agree with BobT, I use a Pact digital scale with an RCBS 1010 for backup and cross checking accuracy.
One thing to keep in mind about electronic scales is that they don't like freezing temperatures--that must toast the load cell. At least, that's what the manual for my RCBS chargemaster says. My main loading space is in an unheated garage, so I recently got a beam scale to use out there when I bring the electronic back into the house for the winter.
+2 on the Forster Co-Ax. I've been using one for 15+ years (along with redding, rcbs, dillon) and I just recently bought another for convenience. Other than the Dillon for high volume stuff, the Co-Ax is what I use. One drawback to the Co-Ax is that if you are loading for cartridges with very different base diameters ( .25 acp, .308, 338 Lapua) you would need to change out the jaws. The standard jaws work OK for 223--belted mag, so if you are staying in that range the Co-Ax would be a fine choice. One nice thing about the Co-Ax (and Dillon) is that the spent primers drop down through a hole in the press so everything stays clean.
Oh, and get yourself a separate hand primer. I like the new RCBS's with the universal case holder.
Best of luck,
Kevin
I have a 550B, and a Forster Co-ax. I used to have a Rockchucker but gave it to my dad. I have also used the Lee Classic Cast.
I would personally not attempt to load precision rifle ammo on a 550B, but it is great for higher volume loading.
Of the 3 single stages, the Forster is head and shoulders ahead for me, with the Classic Cast just edging out the Rockchucker because of price and the 100% control of spent primers. From a manufacturing quality standpoint the Lee and RCBS are about equal to me.
Just a note: the comments about the Lee Classic Cast do not transfer to any other Lee press. It is the only Lee press I would recommend for anything more important than a doorstop.
I used to use an electronic scale often but they just are not designed for trickling up powder charges. They seem like a great idea but there are too many things that impact their accuracy. I use a beam scale for everything except weight sorting cases or bullets.
What about the RCBS Chargemaster, or the one from Lyman? Are they pretty accurate and quick?
THE RCBS Chargemaster gets pretty good reviews from most I know who have one. Personally the electronic scales makes it not for me.
You can pretty easily outpace these automatic dispensers though with a balance beam and a powder dump set to dump a tenth or two low. It is a more intensive activity than pushing a button and letting the machine work, but in exchange for your work you get better accuracy and a faster process.
My father has the RCBS Charge Master and I had a Lyman DPS but have since sold it to Sinman. My father doesn't load a whole lot and when he does it is for hunting so he doesn't need a bunch of rounds at once. I helped him load some rounds for a trip to Montana in October and the Charge Master was accurate 99% of the time. It did throw some charges that went over but not too many. We were loading 300 win mag and 338 win mag rounds so there was a lot of powder that needed to come out and it does take a while. If your not in a hurry they work but if I was going to load several hundred rounds I would just use a dump and trickler with a good scale. The DPS that I had worked well also but I tend to load at least 200 rounds at a time and it was just too slow to keep up. It did work good for working up loads for a new rifle though because I didn't have to worry about adjusting a dump, just type in the numbers and hit dispense.
RCBS Rockchucker. Resize 200 to 300 at a time for my .308 M1A. Wore out a Lee press doing crimped in primers. Single stage works best for me because I like the "feel" of every case being resized. Lee Auto Prime for the same rerason. Feel the primer seat and know it's where it's suppose to be and if the primer pocket is the slightest bit loose. Seen too many progressive loaded rounds that "didn't get sized and charged. "One" slam fire in a M1A spells trouble. ;)
And the Customer Service at RCBS is "the best"!! Never paid for replacement or broken parts from RCBS. They won't let you. ;D
I have hear the above from several. The press's with turrets doesn't appeal to many that reload mainly rifle rounds!Quote:
Single stage works best for me
Might get two single stage presses!!!
Interesting comments above on the digital scales.
My shooting buddy has a Forster Co Ax as well as 2 digital scales. Just got a new Pact. Loves all of them but hasn't convinced me to change. I had a RCBS digital, didn't care for the set up time, never gave it a chance so I sold it. Just an "Old Dude" stuck in his ways. I can still shoot bug holes so I guess "that's" what matters. ;)
RCBS Rocker, Lee Classic and a B-Square Magnum Arbor press for my inline die sets.
I have seen everything recommended "EXCEPT" Lyman products/kits!
What you thought on Lyman presses/reloading kits?
Can't really comment on Lyman's new stuff.....never really hear of anyone that uses it. If I recall they used to make a real stout press - the Tmag or something like that.
Any press will serve you well. I've got a Redding Boss and Lee classic cast. Use and like both although the Lee is MUCH more stout than the Redding.
Best advice I can give is to buy a cheap Lee (~$20) and a universal decapping die. Decap (remove primers) in a separate step using the little Lee.....I normally do mine after I clean brass. This will keep all that primer gunk from getting in your press ram that you size and load with.
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Don't know much about presses. Don't have much experience.
But the only press I ever cracked the frame of was a Lyman.
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Forster Co-ax & the RCBS chargemaster for me.
I'm a fan of the elec thrower/scale combos. I have (and still use) both the RCBS & Lyman 1200 (older unit w. II speed upgrade kit). I see no reason to go back to the manual thrower/scale/trickle. I've verified enough rounds using a manual scale to know that the units are reliable. Sure, you still need to pay attention for slight overthrows...but you have to do that with over-trickles too. When I really want to produce in volume, I get them both chugging along fast...and when doing that, I don't even have time to seat bullets...yet I still have very accurate, individually weighed rounds.
I've used an RCBS A2 press, Redding Big Boss...still have, like, and use them sometimes. Found that dies made more of a difference in those presses though, especially as it relates to concentricity. More work to set up for good results IMHO. Found myself favoring the Forster dies, so bought a co-ax. Switchouts easy & 100% repeatable, no re-setup or tuning work, concentric rounds.
With the single stage RCBS press, would it be to my advanage to get two, one for decapping/sizeing and one for seating the bullet? Would this speed up the process? Or just changing the two dies on one press is the way to go?
Again, will be loading 22-250, 243, and 308's.
Also, I understand to get the correct OAL for my gun, I will barely seat a bullet in the case, then put it my rifle and lock the bolt. I remove the bullet, measure it, and subtract .002 to have the exact OAL for my gun? Is this correct? I will have to do this with every gun as I have three 308's.
RCBS have good kits,
Lyman seem to have complete kits, mainly they have a manual power scale and an electronic! Also a case trimmer.
See the below link
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/presses-and-kits/LyC_RPK_Exp_Del_Tmag.php
What you need to do is know ahead of time how long the chamber is on each rifle. Either buy or make a modified case for each claiber, check the actual length of the chambers so you'll know how long to set the bullets to the lands. And different designs will seat deeper in the chamber.
By seating a bullet long, then closing the bolt on the case, you'll get different readings by using different bullets. You need to know where to start. .005 in or out of the case can change accuracy a bunch. You got to know where to start.
Resize with one die. Switch to a seater die and seat the bullets. Same press but different dies. Get a good press, good dies, load a bunch of ammo and go shoot something. ;) Whichever press or dies you get, get good stuff so it will last.
If you're like the rest of us, you'll be adding more "stuff" before long. You can't have enough toys. ;D
So with satating the above, should I go with a press that has interchangable turrents, one turrent for each gun-caliber, or still a single stage press and just change them? Once set, is it a pain to switch the dies and must you reset with each use?Quote:
What you need to do is know ahead of time how long the chamber is on each rifle. Either buy or make a modified case for each claiber, check the actual length of the chambers so you'll know how long to set the bullets to the lands. And different designs will seat deeper in the chamber.
By seating a bullet long, then closing the bolt on the case, you'll get different readings by using different bullets. You need to know where to start. .005 in or out of the case can change accuracy a bunch. You got to know where to start.
Resize with one die. Switch to a seater die and seat the bullets. Same press but different dies. Get a good press, good dies, load a bunch of ammo and go shoot something. Whichever press or dies you get, get good stuff so it will last.
If you're like the rest of us, you'll be adding more "stuff" before long. You can't have enough toys.
+ another for the Forster Co Ax.
NO shell holders. Catches all of the spent primers. Has SUPERB mechanical advantage when full length sizing.
If you use a "single stage press" like a RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, etc, the lock nut on the die is set. You just screw the die down and snug it on the press. Change dies and snug it down also. You set the depth of the die with the lock nut. Loosen the lock nut to adjust the depth and go for it.
And the only reason I didn't mention the Lee press is because I wore one out doing 7.62 brass for my M1A. I don't feel that they are as tough as a RCBS,ect. Other folks think they're great. YMMY. ;) But I do use a Lee Auto Prime hand primer. I like the feel of the seated primer. I've worn out 3 or 4 of them but I keep using them. I replace them about once a year. They get a work out from me.
Sounds like the RCBS is about the most mentioned along with Forester.
I did look at a Hornady-lock-n-load kit today, again, NOTHING has ever been mentioned about Hornady!
Another good option that will work with the RCBS or Lee Classic Cast, is to take the center bushing out and replace it with a Hornady Lock-N-Load bushing. Then put a LNL bushing on each die, they swap out easy, make nice straight rounds if your dies are up to it and the adjustments are very repeatable.
That said, by the time you buy that many bushings...you could have just bought a Co-Ax and been done with it.
there is allot of truth to that. i got 2 550's, neither has loaded a round in about 10 months. i have 2 rcbs's mounted side by side, and a lee not to far away. they have all seen allot of activity in the last 10 months.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis
the 550's will get some use soon, my plinking ammo is gonna get replenished, i/e 9mm, 45acp, 223, etc. my precision ammo will still get done on my single stages....
BUT to answer your original question, allot of the serious players in the reloading game use none of the above. they are using arbor presses w/ dies that work on the principle of the lee hand held dies. i got schooled big time when i visited a veteran bench shooter and he had a small rcbs and an arbor press, his dies were all self contained, i/e no threaded dies or anything. it really opened up my eyes to what it takes to reload at the "next" level. he had more calibration tools and run out guages type stuff that i never even heard about.
Been using an RCBS Rockchucker for about 20 years now. Seem to hold up very well, and will be large and strong enough for anything I ever intend to load. I used to use a beam scale, but recently the electronic ones have become very affordable . Bought a Hornady GS-1500
electronic scale couple months ago ( $50 ). Love it! It is not a high end scale but it seems to be very accurate for my purposes. I never load close to max anyway. But I have gotten some very impressive groups using this scale. Sub MOA at 100 yards, and 1 1/4 groups at 300 yards. I measure every load with scale since I only load maybe 50 or so rounds at a time. I do check calibration every so often and it never has been out. I plan on getting a more expensive scale later but for now I am very happy . But If anyone wants to buy me one of the Lyman or RBCS electronic scales for christmas I can provide you with my mailing address.
http://www.harrellsprec.com/press.html
Take a look at this press for 7/8x14 dies.
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Shouldn't a good press have hydraulic operation ?
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Got my Forster Co-ax (a Christmas present to myself, delayed shipping) in, set it up and and reset all my dies with Forster lock rings over the weekend. Man, what a machine. This thing is a beast. Am already getting measurably improved results in runout...... Why did I wait so long to buy this????
It does take some getting used to - the geometry of the access point is different than using an o-frame press, but the difference is worth changing where you sit and arrange your loading benchtop.
Elkbane
Loosen up the the ball/spring that holds the lock ring in the press. Just enough pressure that you can still feel the die lock ring sliding past it. Allows the die to center a little bit better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elkbane
Elkbane,
I am impressed with the primer seating using the top of the Forster Co-Ax press. I use it to seat all rifle primers and it gives consistent seating depth. I did buy the short handle for the press and when priming, the short handle gives a little more feel to it (for looser primer pockets). I'm definitely a Forster Co-Ax fanboy. ;)
I have been using a CH , three die holder since 1962.
built like a tank
still load accurately.
I think it will last until I die :D
Dcloco, Thanks for the tip, I'll try that. I'm not priming on this press, although I looked over the priming station and can see how it would work well - I usually hand-prime with a RCBS universal tool. That way I can feel when a primer pocket is getting loose and mark the case. It's got the best tactile "feel" of the hand primers I've tried. The Lee's worked well, but I got tired of breaking handles.....
The other thing I like about this is where the lock ring sits on the dies. It's low enough on Forster dies that you can see the hole n the threads - so if you ever have to tune the location of the sizer ball, you have a visual clue on where to set it. On my other press, the lock ring covered the hole.
Elkbane
Now if the ground would thaw out so they can complete the renovations on our range, I'll be back in the shooting business. Had to resort to reloading shotgun shells this weekend. Loaded every empty in the house Sunday.......
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The Bonanza CO-AX is a great press.
Bob Hagel who wrote extensively on handloading used a CO-AX.
Like mine though it gets little use these days.
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Since I haven't used any others for almost fifty(50) years, I've got to throw in a vote for the Herters line of presses. I have two single presses and one 6-hole turret, still in use. I do have a Little c-h that looks like a mini-Herters that is used for bullet seating and I just bought a cheap Lee to dedicate to an auto prime II. Oh--and a couple of mec jrs. for 12 and 20 Ga. Since I haven't worn these out yet, they must be the best. Steve
I taught myslef to reload on a small lyman single stage press...mainly .38/357 and .44mag.
I later progressed to a Lee Pro 1000....so to speak. For a first progressive press
I learned a lot....enough that I could really appreciate my Dillon 650.
I use the Dillon for plinking ammo....9mm,45acp, 38/357, 44mag...possibly soon 223 for my AR.
My serious loading is on the Rockchucker....223,243, 25.06, 308, and 30.06.
The lyman got sold years ago....it was a simple one useful for loading at the range.
The Lee is gathering dust in the garage. I need to see if I can find something useful
for it to do or I'm gonna sell it....to get another rockchucker or two.