Reloading press

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Zap01!

Zap01!

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I have a lead loadmaster (Which I’m not that impressed with Several different problems more of a tinker toy but if you get it running right it runs good )and I am interested in getting a single stage press to size rifle brass and swage primer pockets and possibly size cast bullets in the future also in the future I would like to reload 30-06 Springfield I would want to make an accurate as possible But not go completely bananas lol just a little more accurate than what comes out of the box at the store kind of new to reloading

didn’t know why there were so many different options for single stage press i’m assuming different qualities tighter tolerances ?

Not in the market at the moment but I always keep my eye open at any stores and on Facebook marketplace More or less just looking for information so if I find one I know what look for
 

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Most all name brand single stage work and work well
Depends on what you and to spend and how picky you are:)

Ask 5 people and get 10 answers!

Many many threads on this, The web is full of them

I get the popcorn:)

RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, Lee
 
Sometimes you get a better answer if you choose something and ask why not. As an example.... I'm thinking of buying a forester co-ax. I believe it's the best product for my needs of x,y, 30-06, etc. And see if someone changes your mind. It also provides a quality and price bracket to work from....
 
I've reloaded for 38 yrs on a 83 year old Pacific"C" press with no problems. If I were to start today with a single stage, it would be one of the name brands type "O" press, red, green or orange, all will get the job done.

Personally, I would get a Rock Chucker.
 
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PWC said:
I've reloaded for 38 yrs on a Pacific"C" press with no problems. If I were to start today with a single stage, it would be one of the name brands type "O" press, red green, or orange, all will get the job done.

Personally, I would get a Rock Chucker.
Click to expand...

I don't own a Rock Chucker, but I can say I have seen it recommended extremely frequently.
 
The older presses, most don’t have compound leverage. Lyman Spartan, RCBS RC original are common examples. They work, but take a lot more effort for the operator to work the handle.

I picked up an old model lee challenger, and liked it so much, I sold off the Lyman Spartan I was using. The Spartan was a better made, last forever kind of press, of cast iron. The lee is made of aluminum but has compound linkage and is much easier to size harder to size brass.

Here’s the thread I made on that lee challenger. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/new-to-me-lee-challenger.892069/
 
I have the Lee Breechlock "C" frame press and also the RCBS Rock Chucker 2. There's a huge difference between them, but the cartridges I loaded with the Lee and later with the RCBS all go bang. I thought I'd get rid of the Lee after I acquired the RCBS, but I've found that I like having the ability to do two stages, one right after the other, on those low quantity rifle rounds I'm processing. That is, I can full length resize and then trim to length, and set up and seat the bullet and crimp on the next set up.

As far as I know, you get what you pay for, and they all work.
 
Zap01! said:
didn’t know why there were so many different options for single stage press i’m assuming different qualities tighter tolerances ?
Click to expand...

Because it’s pretty easy to make one that will get the job done. Boils down to preferences, people that just buy one and load are generally happy with whatever they get.

I have so darn many of them because there are things I have found I like with all the ones I’ve kept.

I don’t really see it as a “best” rather “best for ____”, breaking it down like that makes for a full bench though.
 
Zap01! said:
I have a lead loadmaster (Which I’m not that impressed with Several different problems more of a tinker toy but if you get it running right it runs good )and I am interested in getting a single stage press to size rifle brass and swage primer pockets and possibly size cast bullets in the future also in the future I would like to reload 30-06 Springfield I would want to make an accurate as possible But not go completely bananas lol just a little more accurate than what comes out of the box at the store kind of new to reloading

didn’t know why there were so many different options for single stage press i’m assuming different qualities tighter tolerances ?

Not in the market at the moment but I always keep my eye open at any stores and on Facebook marketplace More or less just looking for information so if I find one I know what look for
Click to expand...
I'm going to stray a little from the beaten path here and say get the Lee Hand Press and an RCBS Rebel to start with. I've had one of the little hand operated presses since about '94 and it has come in really handy so many times I can't even guesstimate how often I use it. I use a RCBS Partner for most of my loading - it's a light little O-type press - and a Lee APP for specialty stuff like decapping and sizing, and a Frankford Arsenal hand prime for nearly all my priming. I can resize .30-30 and 8mm Mauser on that little Partner slicker'n snot, no effort, just by using light machine oil as a case lube. It plain works. :) They're cheap, Get them all.
 
ParallelCode said:
I don't own a Rock Chucker, but I can say I have seen it recommended extremely frequently.
Click to expand...

When I reloaded back in 1984-85, I was told “get a Rockchucker. I know guys who’ve had them 20-30 years and still going strong.

I was given a Lee single stage and I use it to deprime brass. Works great.

But if buying a single stage new, it would prob be either a Rockchucker or Rebel.
 
Ha, the funny thing is your will get as many products as posts. We all like what we like. The good thing is most of the time, except for a few, you could use a quarter to make your choices via heads and tails and not loose. I am a co-ax kind of guy only because my dad had one and I like not using shell holders. A Rockercruncher (not an insult since they are tough enough to make gravel as a side purpose) like so many suggested are excellent. The MEC also looks like a winner.
 
I have the RCBS Rockchucker II,30 years old, their warranty is the best as well as their customer service. I have the kit I bought in 2012 for less than 3 bills. Works great, they even replaced a .223 Rem sizing die which I buggered up, no charge. Lee doesn't have a very good customer service. I would say RCBS, Hornaday, Lyman and then Lee. Lee is the cheapest of the reloading equipment. Good luck, Pick one and learn what you can do with it, you will buy more in the future. Good luck and do a lot of reading on reloading including how too's with Video, Primers, Powders and tools of the trade>>
 
I was flipping the jaws on my co-ax when a spring flew and the rolled under the furnace. I called Forster for parts. They would not take my money. I have many spares now. Or Hornady when my case prep device broke. Asked to buy parts and they refused. Said send it in. I did and they fixed it for free. Can’t imagine sending a Rock Chucker for warranty. What would ever break on that? Most presses are that way.
 
74man said:
Lee doesn't have a very good customer service
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I 100% agree my load master will not indexed correctly talk to lee about it and they said I don’t have the Shell carrier Adjusted correctly I sent them a video of me adjusting it the way the manual says and still not working They have not responded to that video but I looked on the Internet for hours looking for an answer I found an aftermarket part that might work should be here tomorrow if it does I’ll let you guys know about it if it fixes the problem
74man said:
do a lot of reading on reloading including how too's with Video, Primers, Powders and tools of the trade
Click to expand...
That’s what I do in my spare time get on here and read Some of it’s above my head for now so I turn to YouTube for a how to video
 
Zap01! said:
didn’t know why there were so many different options for single stage press i’m assuming different qualities tighter tolerances ?
Click to expand...
Since you already have a Lee, you wouldn't be doing yourself a disservice by going with the Lee Classic Cast...I didn't know they had gone up that much in price, I got mine for not much over $100 a few years ago.

I chose the Classic Cast over the Rockchucker because of how the spent primers fell through the ram and kept the press cleaner. That I could use Hornady LNL bushings with it was just an additional plus
 
Folks with lee tools do a lot of research.... on the cures for lee ails. I’ve done my share.
 
9mmepiphany said:
Since you already have a Lee, you wouldn't be doing yourself a disservice by going with the Lee Classic Cast...I didn't know they had gone up that much in price, I got mine for not much over $100 a few years ago.

I chose the Classic Cast over the Rockchucker because of how the spent primers fell through the ram and kept the press cleaner. That I could use Hornady LNL bushings with it was just an additional plus
Click to expand...
i use gaffing tape on ram hole to keep the spent primers and primer grude from spilling out. Now i do all my decaping on Lee APP with universal decap. Fast and clean
 
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