[RyeDaddy]

I am eager to getting into reloading, and I've saved my pennies! About ready to buy a single stage press for the purpose of reloading high accuracy .308 (and eventually .260 Remington when I get comfortable enough with the process, and have my 700 rebarreled) ammo for long range precision shooting. I've read the sticky thread in this section about reloading, but now it comes down to what makes one brand or model better than the others for my purpose.

I'm interested in loading the Berger VLD, and as far as presses go, I'm noticing that the RCBS Rock Chucker is very popular. I'm interested in knowing how they compare to Hornady and Redding (which I have observed are more expensive than the others, so I would assume there is something great about them, but some things are just hype), and their respective models.

One thing I don't mind is paying for the best I can get right from the start, rather than buying something less expensive and upgrading later. I'm of the opinion that it's cheaper in the long run to buy what you really want to begin with. I have no experience to draw from, and don't know anyone who reloads, so I'm asking for help in choosing the right brand and model.

Above all, I want the best accuracy I can get. I know that most of that variable is dependent upon other factors like brass prep, and component choices, et cetera, but there must be some difference in the results obtained that has to do with the equipment you use.

I'm ok with having to buy everything seperately if I have to. Not beign able to purchase a full "kit" is not a big obstacle. But seriously, what's the most precision, well built press out there for loading for precision, and why? What is the Ferarri of single stage presses?

Thanks for recommendations and explanations, I need the help before I plop down my money.

-Sean

[scrat]

lee single stage cast O frame best value for the money

[scrat]

lee aniversary kit

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1222480660.5203=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html#LeeAnniversaryPack

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/scratm3/breechlockkit.jpg

[Chris Rhines]

There are a lot of really nice single-stage presses, but the finest is probably the Forester Co-Ax. http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/press.htm

The Lee C-frame presses are extremely poorly made. .223 cases sized in mine would show 5 or 6 thou variance in length, which is unacceptable in a progressive, much less a single-stage. I've never used a Lee O-frame, but have no reason to expect any better.

- Chris

[easyrider6042004@yahoo.ca]

lee single stage cast O frame best value for the money

+1 You cannot go wrong with the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage O-frame. I read that it was made from surplus railroad rails, now that's tough and wear resistant steel, definitely stronger than cast iron used by some other manufacturers.

[scrat]

I've never used a Lee O-frame, but have no reason to expect any better.


Ok thats like trying to compare a ford pinto to a ford F350.

The C frame is awesome. Great for decapping, sizing bullets a lot things. good for small handgun ammo. However it is not inteded to be used on rifle rounds. i would never reload a 30-06 with it. However the O frame cast frames are great. i use mine for everything from one round to the next it produces the same quality ammo that any forster can produce at fractions of cost.

[ar10]

My vote goes to the Hornady LnL single stage. It's slow, but then so am I. :D

[lgbloader]

Hey Scrat - You going to the range this weekend?

I am with Scrat. I think the Lee's "O" frames are cool. I have two of them, a Lee Classic cast and a Lee Challenger older model 'sans breech lock'. The Classic cast is just as good as my Rock chucker and the Challenger is great for my mini bench that I built next to my recliner.

I have a Redding T7 that I am partial to but I have made great ammo with even the Challenger. They are just tools. If you bought the same guitar and amp that Eddie Van Halen uses, you will still not be able to play like him. It's called "technique" and although I think I am pretty good at it, I know people who can handload circles around me, you and most anybody we know with ancient rusty sh*t we would probably just pitch in the garbage.

It's them guys that amaze me. They are the real rebels. And they are probably out there, right now, watching us argue about what color press is best, while they chuckle their FN asses off.

Cheers...

[Ridgerunner665]

RCBS Rockchuckers for me...2 of them, 1 old and 1 new for the newer (longer) rounds.

[cliffy]

I started out again in handloading several years ago. I started with a Lee Challenger press which I broke inside two-years by reloading over 4000 .223 Remingtons. I graduated to a Lee Classic Cast press about the same time I began handloading .243 Winchester in addition to .223 Remington. A few thousand reloads thus far in .243 Winnie Pooh proved the CAST IRON sized with minimal effort and seemed bulletproof regarding solidness. Lee makes some fine products, like their dies, regardless of low prices. I shoot over 100 rounds a week; I'm retired. cliffy

[scrat]

Hey Scrat - You going to the range this weekend?

I wish i have to many honey dues i have to do. Starting off with the brakes.

[Chris Rhines]

I'm not sure what technique could compensate for flex in the frame of a press. Oddly, .223 cases sized on my 650 show less than 2 thou variance in OAL. Must be the press...

The one saving grace of the Lee Classic press is that if you buy one, and find it lacking, you're not out any significant sum.

If you are looking for the Ferrari of reloading presses, look elsewhere.

- Chris

[Ol` Joe]

The Forster Co-ax is the best IMO. The RCBS RockChucker is also a great press. Their customer service if ever needed is 2nd to none. Redding makes top of the line tooling and I haven`t heard any bad words about the Lee "cast iron" Classic "O" type, although other Lee presses I`m not to sure of.

[lgbloader]

Scrat,

I hear ya, I don't think I'm gonna be able to make it either. I am trying to make it out to D9 Saturday Night after the madness dies a bit.

[Hunter0924]

My favorite is the Hornady press with the RCBS Rockchucker second.
With the Hornady "Get Loaded" free bullet program you get 500 free bullets (picked from a list) with the Hornady kit.

[highlander 5]

I started on a Rockchucker and have one today for thing like case forming decapping military ammo.

[Eric F]

Here is my thinking, any of the "o" presses will be fine. But why spend up to 3 times the money for the same thing? Lee by far beats every one on price so why not go with them? Oh and for the guys that claim aluminum v/s steel, has any one ever worn out a lee o frame that didnt abuse it in some fassion?

[Shibumi]

I started with a Lee Anniversary kit, but if I did it again I would go with a Rockcrusher Supreme kit. It has the scale I have since bought in it, as well as the powder measure I have since bought.

Could have had the better press for the same money...

That said, I have also bought a Hornady LnL AP progressive press, and it is one impressive piece of machinery. I wouldn't hesitate to get their single-stage, and as mentioned you get 500 free bullets ($125 roughly) as well as 100 more free bullets with each set of dies from Hornady! They make good bullets, too... :)

[The Bushmaster]

If you settle on the Lee "O" press...Make sure it is the Classic Cast...It far out shines the Lee aluminum "O" press...

[mallc]

I've had a good number of used presses and dies move through the shop and I give customers side by side comparison of full length sizing of .223. So far, no one has purchased LEE, one has ordered a new T7 and 4 have purchased used RCBS. My customer will buy almost any brand of used tooling but they all order Redding of Forster tooling when they buy new.

Scrat's comparison of a Pinto to a F350 is right on. If money is an issue then LEE products do what they're supposed to do and they don't cost a lot. Fit and finish is passable but they use plastic and nylon where other's use tool steel and cast iron. I don't like the way LEE toggles transfer forces and the rams are a bit loose.

The RCBS Rock Chucker is a heck of a press. I use a 30 year old RC that went through a fire for forming cases and other nasty work. It keeps the force in the press and has good leverage. RCBS Reloader Specials are also solid but the forces are very much forward of the bench and the lever arc is long.

Redding has by far the best fit and finsh of the equipment I've used. I bought a new T7 and use it for assembling small batches. It has by far the best leverage and is the smoothest operating press I've used. I'd say exactly the same for Redding tooling, loads like a Vette compared to LEE.

Scott

[jcwit]

I always get a kick out of how the more expensive presses are sooooo much better than the lesser expensive, even tho they both do the same job. What difference does it make if some of the parts are made of plastic? We accept it in every other facet of our lives, with no problem. All this while these people jump into their plastic Chevy's or Fords instead of a R/R's even they also use plastic but of course the fit is much better. I guess the cost of an item is the sole governing factor as to its quality. Thats why the goverment buys $600 hammers.

[Galil5.56]

If I were to kit, you could do a hell of a lot worse than this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Eproductpage.Exe/showproduct?saleitemid=646599

http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/staticpages/highres/646599.jpg

Still looks like you will need a trimmer and dial/digital caliper. Only gig is I have read that new Rock Chucker presses are being made in China. Not that this means their construction is junk, just for me I'd rather have it made in the US. Always could be on the lookout for used.

[lgbloader]

I'm not sure what technique could compensate for flex in the frame of a press. You ever try to make a Lee Classic cast flex???

I've never used a Lee O-frame That answers that.

Sorry Chris, but I am only trying to prove my point. This is only a
friendly discussion and by no means trying to belittle. You have my respect. By yourself a beer from me, Mate. I would if I could. Cheers...

Here's what I am saying. I have two XL650's, a 550B, a RCBS Rock Chucker, a Redding T7, a Lee Classic Cast single stage, and a Lee Challenger without the breech locks.
Ain't nothing wrong with spending extra cash for top dollar presses, I have and am glad I did. But they are just tools and you can get the job done with less expensive tools.
It is easy for me to say Dillons Rock, my T7 and Rock chucker are top shelf but if you can't make good ammo with a Lee Classic Cast or even a Lee Challenger for that matter, you may as well hang it up.

Cheers..

[Marlin 45 carbine]

what ever you get leave room on your loading bench for a tandem set-up w/another single stage press. you can find used ones at great prices then buy another set of shell holders.
when loading handgun ammo you can really turn out some rounds particular if you have a shooting buddy running the spare press doing the seating/crimping die process after you have it set-up correctly.
load 100-200 rounds in no time that way after you get the process figured out. this is w/Lee powder-thru-expander dies.

[DEDON45]

I would recommend either the Hornady Classic Kit or one of the RCBS kits... Lee stuff is usable, but some of the parts in their kits would have you looking to buy something better (the scale that Lee includes, for instance, is pretty lame, IMHO -- and the opinion of a friend that has a Lee setup now that came over to look at my setup, and thought my Hornady beam scale was the greatest thing since sliced bread--the RCBS scales, etc. are great too of course) in the future. If you are really on a tight budget, you can get by with Lee.

[EMC45]

Rockchucker, Lee Classic Cast.

[scrat]

every saturday seems like we have the battle of the new guy getting into reloading. Then what to tell the guy as far as equipment. Let the games begin

[The Bushmaster]

Ooohhh...Scrat...Yer so romantic....:evil:

[scrat]

well its true. it really is. You can always count on a good press battle every saturday here

[jcwit]

I think lgbloader said what I was trying to say alot better than I did.

[ranger335v]

scrat - "Lee single stage cast O frame best value for the money
"

Lee's steel Classic Cast is the best "O" press at any price until you get to the Redding UltraMag or the Forster Coax, period. Even they aren't really any "better", just stronger. And, anyone doing common reloading is well served by any common iron or steel "O" press from any maker. The small amount of extra strength in those two premimum presses is contributing nothing to the ammo produced on it.

If anyone thinks an RCBS Rock Chucker doesn't flex under pressure simply hasn't put a dial indicator on the head. I have. Mine flexes about .003-4" at full pressure.

It blows my mind that anyone would want the "LnL"or "breech lock" die holder systems. Why should I pay more to add another potential for misalignment between my dies and press?

[bj426]

this past month. Went with the Hornady classic kit and dies to take adventage of the free bullet promo. :) I've got 1300 bullets coming for the cost of freight! pretty much covers the cost of the equipment. THe build quality seems very high and I've had no issues thus far. BE AWARE! Hornady has just upgraded this kit... so it now includes a powder funnel, powder trickler, deburring/chamfer tool, Hand primer, Powder throw, Reloading block the press, 3 locknload bushings (that by the way are SWEET... I've got to get some more of those) AND they upgraded the scale to a digital unit that seems quite nice and easy to read. NO REGRETS. You do have to buy appropriate shell holders though. Oh yeah... if it tips the scales.... "Made in the USA" is all over their products.

[ranger335v]

"Went with the Hornady classic kit and dies to take adventage of the free bullet promo."

An excellant choice. Hornady LnL press bodies are cast aluminum alloy but they are so over-built that it doesn't matter at all.

[BigJakeJ1s]

Given any adequately strong and well built single stage press, one can assemble fine ammunition.

That said, there are items of convenience and ergonomics that do provide value for the user. Different features appeal to different users.

Take spent primer handling. Presses such as Lee's Classic Cast, Redding's Big BossII & UltraMag, and Forster's Co-Ax all have hollow rams and tubes to reliably direct spent primers and the debris into a bucket, catch bottle, etc. Other presses attempt to put a basket around the ram, and primers/debris actually land in it sometimes. The rest of the time, they end up on the bench, floor, etc.

Another aspect is die retention. There are many presses that are compatible with the Hornady LNL die changing system, such as each of the above mentioned presses except the Forster Co-Ax, which has it's own snap-in/out system. The value of these systems varies from user to user, but many find it very convenient.

Other features, such as shell holders, differ between presses. Most presses use the standard shell holders from any die manufacturer. The Forster Co-Ax has spring loaded, automatically opening/closing, shell holder jaws that work for a variety of cartridges, and additional jaws are available to handle most anything else. And if you prefer, you can also get an adapter that allows the use of standard shell holders just like the other presses. One consequence of the auto shell holder jaws is that they only open at the bottom of the ram stroke, so you can only add/remove brass there, whereas with standard shell holders, you can short stroke the press with shorter cartridges.

Press ergonomics also play a part in the convenience of the press. Some users use one hand to handle all the material while reloading (keeping the other hand on the press handle). O-frame presses are perfectly suited to this reloading style. Other users prefer to handle material with both hands. "C" type presses such as the Redding UltraMag and Forster Co-Ax allow more room for both hands to work. O-frame presses allow access from both sides of the press, but access is somewhat blocked from view due to the frame. C-Frame presses generally work best accessed from the front with both hands, which may be awkward to some users. Whether you use two hands or not to handle materials also determines whether you would short stroke the press, and the universal jaws vs standard shell holders issues.

Handle position and/or adjustability also impacts ergonomics. Some users stand up while reloading, others reload while seated. Some want the handle on the left and some on the right. Many presses offer the ability to switch the handle from the left to the right. The Lee Classic cast also allows the angle and length of the handle to be adjusted. The Forster co-ax handle is located high up on top of the press, and swings right down the middle. They offer the standard long tubular grip handle, and a shorter, ball gripped handle.

I use, and really like, the Forster Co-Ax press. I like the combination of features it provides, and they fit me and the way I like to work. They may not fit everyone. That's why I think it is best to consider the differences in press designs, and how you will use them.

Andy

[alex9328]

Hello everyone. Looking Kits are nice and the value of any starter kits really work out if you need a new setup.

But who many of you have pickup a new press to replace your first Single stage press, i would venture to say a lot, I have. I went from a hand press to a RCBS Rockchucker to a Lee Progressive loader. In either words moved on. But I still use the hand press and single stage press. but the progressive press is stored. I now use a lyman turret press, picked up used at gunshow, $20.00.

My point is, shop the used market, CraigsList, Ebay, Auction Sites and pickup a bargain. In the long run, the money you save is equally to the enjoyment you have know you were smart to by used. Of course into your search knowing what you will need.

Now me RCBS package can from a Pawnshop. $100. had two trimmers, scale, two powder drops, base plates case lube items, Sizing dies 5 sets all carbide, and the misc. items to clean and reload cases, trays, brushes, easlly over $300 in value.

Now is worth shopping for used stuff. Yep. or Hell Yeah. Other places to search, local gunshop, Commuinty ad board at Kroger's or local store.

Respectfully, Alex Longoria.

[scrat]

true i have picked up a lot of good things on ebay.

[BigJakeJ1s]

I especially agree with Alex in that your first press may not be your last. Differences may be difficult to evaluate until you have a press or two, and see what you like and dislike about them.

Andy

[jhansman]

Me, I'd opt for the Lee Breech Lock Challenger. Quick change of dies, takes the Safety Prime system, and is priced affordabley. I'll be ordering my shortly.

[adam_oz]

My vote is the Lee O-frame. Cheap and has worked for me so far.