Strongest built single stage press ?

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Sagittarius

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Thinking about getting a new single stage reloading press.
Which one, in everyone's opinion, is the strongest and best built on the market ?
I like massive strong built equipment and thought I would ask you guys what you think is best.
I've been out of reloading a number of years and decided to get back into it.
Still have some old progressive presses but don't compete anymore and want to get a well made single stage press.
Here is a pic of an Accura single stage press I found by doing a search.
What do you guys think of it ?
Is there a better built press than this out there ?
All replies, appreciated.
Thanks !


Sag.
 
Neat looking press.

I'd get a Rockchucker if I wanted a HD press.

fortunantly my reloader special 5 and bonanza co-ax do everything I ever need and probably ever will need in a single stage, Got a RCBS ammomaster that can be converted to single stage if I ever need a BIG press

Welcome back to 'the hobby'
 
I own a Redding T-7 turret press and I love it dearly. I feel Redding makes some of the best presses out there and if you're looking for a heavy-duty press for forming brass or just loading large cartridges, the Ultramag would be appropriate.

Ed

ultramag.jpg


Redding Website

“The largest and strongest press available for the toughest reloading chores...â€
(HANDLOADER, No. 148)

At first glance you will see what sets the ULTRAMAG apart from all other reloading presses: the unique location of its compound leverage system. Unlike other reloading presses which connect the linkage to the lower half of the press, the ULTRAMAG’S leverage system is connected to the top of the press frame. This allows you to develop literally tons of pressure without the usual concern about press frame deflection or misalignment.

The ULTRAMAG features a huge 4-3/4†frame opening and 4-1/8†of usable ram stroke, making it ideal for loading oversized cartridges such as the old Sharps “Buffalo Cartridges†and British “Nitro-Express†rounds.

Its unique long link compound leverage system has more mechanical advantage over a greater distance than any other reloading press on the market. This makes “childs play†of difficult case forming operations.
 
I have a Rockchucker, used for 30+ years. Good press, especially with the Casekicker attachment(No longer made:( ).

I also have a Redding UltraMag. It makes the Rockchucker look puny.:D

I was debating between the Bonanza Co-Ax and the UltraMag when I found a "once in a lifetime" deal on the UltraMag. I didn't hesitate.

For my taste, these three are the "hell-for-stout" presses available.:D

Tom
 
I've got an RCBS Big Max, it's bigger and stronger than my Rock Chucker. Maybe you could find one on ebay.
 
Sagittarius - About that Accura press. Do you know if it really is tilted as it appears to be or is that an optical conclusion? I think a press must be straight up and down when reloading, especially for rifle rounds. I usually have to balance the bullet on the neck of the case since rifle cases aren't belled. They are chamferred a little, but I don't think even that would keep the bullet from falling off of a tilted case. The press looks extremely strong, but the tilted head (if it is) is a major design flaw.

For a generally available, relatively inexpensive and yet very strong press, it is hard to beat the old green Rockchucker.
 
I'd say the Lee Classic Cast is the strongest reloading press made today. It beats the Rock Chucker in all relevent dimensions. The Heters Super O Maximum was quite massive.

If you need a single stage press, the Classic Cast is where it's at.
 
Mal H,

It looks to be tilted to me too.
Took a look at the Lee Classic cast but it doesn't look as strong built as the Accura.
Actually, the Accura was built for benchrest rounds but I would use it for the short magnums and handgun rounds.
The Accura is made from 7075 T6 aluminum which has a rating of 80,000 psi vs 40,000 psi for cold rolled steel or cast iron.
I remember, Old Western Scrounger used to make an extremely massive single stage press called the Rock Crusher but it's no longer on their website.
The Corbin looks extremely well made, also.
CH still makes their Heavyweight Champion press, I see.
Just was curious if there was anything thing out there that I missed.
Surprised, so many of the old stand by's are still around.
Thanks for all the input, guys.
It's appreciated !


Sag.
 
Cortland, I have two Herters boat anchors, one is a Super O Maximum, the other is a Super No.3, sturdy and heavy is not made like this today.

Love my SOM.

Recently acquired a Lyman All American turret press, excellent for working up loads and sturdy for a turret model.

Trying to find a reducer bushing for one of the turrets large shotgun holes, have no idea what size threads it takes and Lyman don't know...they forgot.

Jim

Herter presses...left, Super O Maximum -- right Super No.3


P5260005SuperOMaximumpressrtp.jpg


I use the Super O Maximum for lead bullet swaging, and the Super No.3 for forming hollow basing or hollow pointing.
 
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If you can locate one, the RCBS A4 Big Max would handle anything you could conceivably want to do with a press. I had one for a while and traded for something lighter. The A4 was designed to be used as a bullet swage, so nothing you can load, including .50 BMG will faze it.


(edited for spelling oops)
 
In any case, I'd definitely go for an "O" instead of a "C" press. The "O" press has better all around support.
Bronson7
 
The RCBS A series presses do not have enough window to accommodate a .50 BMG.
Dangerous Dave at Old Western Scrounger told me last month that he still had Rock Crushers in stock at about $1,050.ºº.
Ram Diameter 40mm
Window 8½x3½"
Stroke 7½"
Diameter of hole in top of frame 2¾"
Weight 67 lbs
He can also supply dies for 12.7 x 107 Russian, 20mm Lahti, Solothurn and Vulcan, 23 x 115 Soviet, as well the usual .55 Boyes and .50 Browning.
The new Lee Classic is a little more economical, and even the new RCBS Rockchucker supreme or Australian Zero.
While the Herter, Wells, Ruhr-American presses are stout, they don't have lhe leverage of the compound presses like the Schmidt and Frankford Arsenal and their successors.
The Redding has the leverage system that I think is the best I've seen. I haven't seen the Corbins' products.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross
 
Hello, Ross.

Check out my Herter picture above, the Super O Maximum on the left has a 1 - 1/4 inch diameter ram, and for normal ammunition in rifle or pistol it can't be beat.

It is so strong that I use it only for the toughest swaging operations and usually only requires the thumb and forefinger to accuate the handle.

The Super No.3 on the right is not an O press but still does a crediable job of hollow pointing or hollow basing a lead bullet, but I had to shorten the double hole toggle link on that one and it works great as described.

Jim
 
I WILL PUT MY RCBS A2 PRESS UP AGAINST ANYTHING MADE TODAY.

These A2 presses were made from cast steel, not cast iron, or worse yet alumunum alloy like all other presses these days. The A series also introduced the compound leverage system now used by most all manufacturers with RCBS gleefully collecting the royalties.
Over the years I have used nearly all the presses on the market and there is nothing like the RCBS A2 loading/swaging press.
 
The Redding "Big Boss" is certainly one of the strongest made, one of the highest qualioty presses made, AND it's competitively priced.

The Lyman Crusher, and the RCBS "Rockchucker" are also superb.
 
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