Looking for a press.

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theothermike

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Hey all, I'm considering buying a press specifically for forming brass. As my hobby grows I've been acquiring more odd and obsolete calibers that I need to form brass for. My turret press works but I would like a sturdy single stage press that can handle forming large brass without worrying about it. I'm defaulting towards an old rockchucker or somthing of the sort but wanted to know if there was any specific design that makes one press better suited for my application.
Thanks, Mike
 
Any of the heavy single stage presses will work fine. RCBS, Hornady, Lee.

Personally, I have a Lee Cast single stage. A serious piece of kit. It will even change out to use 50BMG dies, the big ones. I can't imagine any forming job it couldn't do.
I had the impression that the Lee stuff wasn't nearly as strong since its aluminum right?
 
They have aluminum presses but the Lee Cast is just that….cast iron.
Ahh I didn't realize that, guess ive never seen one up close. I have a loadmaster and it is a cast aluminum frame so i just kinda made an assumption.
 
If you get a rcbs rockchucker look for the rs series press (rs ='s reloader special). It a heck of a lot stronger press then the juniors presses that have the slit in them for the priming arm. The rs series press is a lot stronger then the supreme series also. The next step up is the rebel series presses.

I do have an extra rs series press laying around (rs-2) for swaging bullets. I've sold all my 7/8-14 swaging dies off except for the .224" dies. Don't need a 2nd press anymore.

PM me if your interested in it. I'll be selling it for what I have in it. (cheap + shipping)
 
Hey all, I'm considering buying a press specifically for forming brass. As my hobby grows I've been acquiring more odd and obsolete calibers that I need to form brass for. My turret press works but I would like a sturdy single stage press that can handle forming large brass without worrying about it. I'm defaulting towards an old rockchucker or somthing of the sort but wanted to know if there was any specific design that makes one press better suited for my application.
Thanks, Mike

I use an old Rockchucker, and it can definitely handle it...that's what I form my brass with. I can't speak highly enough of the inline fabrication mount for it either, definitely the way to go for what you want to do. I've got the table anchored to the floor and the wall so it doesn't move at all. rockchucker.jpg
 
I have 2 Lee Challenger Breech Lock presses.
I use them to reform 223 into 7.62x25.
No problems, no undue pressure, all identical after reforming
 
I just finished hydroforming 400 pieces of new 6BR brass into 6 Dasher. 4 strokes with a 4lb hammer per piece means I walloped this press at least 1600 times over the last week, which is the 5th or 6th time I’ve done 300-500 pieces of brass. I’ve used this press for forming 7-30 waters, 357/44 B&D, 300blk, 308 Palma into 243win, 7 Valk, 7-300, 6.5-284, and decapping everything I reload for the last ~15yrs, plus thousands and thousands of reloaded rounds for a decade before that (it was my first and only press for ~5yrs, 1996 through 2000).

F8AB5BF2-94F3-4360-AB02-E0A971818878.jpeg
 
Whatever floats your boat mate, RCBS and Hornady on my bench. I use LEE products too, some would consider them the "Walmart" of loading equipment, and with some their products I agree. But know many who loaded tens of thousands of rounds with them..Good luck with your endeavors mate..

thewelshm
 

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The only case forming I've done is making .223 into .222, .308 into .250 Sav, & .357 Mag into .256 WM. My MEC Marksman does these effortlessly. Seems like the same force as resizing a case. The press is heavy & has massive leverage.
 
I have the new RCBS Rebel, essentially a Rockchucker that has been working out, what I most like is that that I can seat a 545 grain postell on a 45 3 1/4 case. Another feature is the ram is drilled through allowing spent primers to fall into a bucket underneath the bench as opposed to the lovely little green plastic tray. I could not say how much but it is bigger all over. I like it, the Rockchucker is in semi retirement. I am sure it is up to the task of case forming.
Thank you
 
I use a Lyman Orange Crusher a lot. I’ve done neck sizing on an old Pacific Super C, and I have a Bonanza O press that is tougher than a mouth full of shingle nails. I do some pretty radical case forming with these presses.
 
I form some brass , mostly necking up and some Ackley rounds . The Rockchucker does fine , but I now favor my new Mec Marksman . They are about even , the Mec is new to me so that's probably where the bias comes in . I also use an old Herters Super # 3 , that will handle most operations with ease .
 
I have the new RCBS Rebel, essentially a Rockchucker that has been working out, what I most like is that that I can seat a 545 grain postell on a 45 3 1/4 case. Another feature is the ram is drilled through allowing spent primers to fall into a bucket underneath the bench as opposed to the lovely little green plastic tray. I could not say how much but it is bigger all over. I like it, the Rockchucker is in semi retirement. I am sure it is up to the task of case forming.
Thank you

I really want a Rebel.......I just don't need one.....the Rock Chucker 2 I bought many years ago will never die......somebody help me with a good excuse to add one more press to add to my green line and Lee APP complimenting them.;)

Pro 2000, Pro Chucker 7, Rock Chucker II, Lee APP already, so it's a little crowded.....I need to remodel my space.....

OP.......any cast iron O press will do your bidding.....but I do like the looks of that heavy duty Rebel.....clean, simple, heavy and a large wide open mouth.
 
Hey all, I'm considering buying a press specifically for forming brass. As my hobby grows I've been acquiring more odd and obsolete calibers that I need to form brass for. My turret press works but I would like a sturdy single stage press that can handle forming large brass without worrying about it. I'm defaulting towards an old rockchucker or somthing of the sort but wanted to know if there was any specific design that makes one press better suited for my application.
Thanks, Mike
Hard to beat a RockChucer.
 
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