A good economic single stage press

[gamestalker]

I'm helping a family member get set up to load for his 9mm and .223 rem. He is going to need the whole set up but wants to keep the $ down as much as possible. He won't be loading match grade, just typical target or self defense loads. So I was looking at the RCBS Partner press and wondering if that press would stand up to 20 yrs. of nominal use, he won't be loading tens of thousands of rounds on this press.
In addition to a Rock Chucker, I own an old RCBS RS2 press that has had probably 25 yrs. of hard use, and it's still going as strong as the day I bought it. So I'm thinking that the partner will probably be some where in this quality durability range?

GS

 

[BullRunBear]

Assuming he can't find good used gear, look at the Lee Challenger press kits offered by Midwayusa. (They might be on backorder.) My Lee presses are over 25 years old and doing fine. Can't imagine wearing one out with hobby-level use.

Suggestions:
I use a Lee hand press, the one that looks sorta like a nutcracker, with a universal decapping die to deprime cases. I can use it in my recliner during the ball game. Knock out the spent primer and do a case inspection at the same time. You can get a LOT of cases done by the seventh inning stretch.

I use a Lee Auto prime to insert the primers. It gives me a better feel than doing it on the press. Again, easy chair compliant. It does the job and is less expensive than the RCBS version.

When it comes to dies, get the carbide version for handgun cartridges. They really work.

I'm curious to see what others suggest.

Jeff

 

[calaverasslim]

Considering you asked about the RCBS rather than the Lee, yes. With the lifetime warranty that RCBS has, that press will last for more than 20 years.

I bought a RCBS starter kit in 1979. I am still using the Rock Chucker 30 years later with no burps.

Yes, Lee has a low end press but for just a little more money, that life time warranty is worth it.

 

[primalmu]

I'm gonna go with a Hornady press (which is what I have). Excellent quality, and the Lock 'N Load system is great (though the bushings can get a bit pricey if you load multiple calibers). The best part is their Get Loaded that will net you 500 free bullets.

 

[joecil]

I'm a fan of the Lee Classic Cast or the Lee Breech Lock Classic Cast due to the primer dump tube and out right strength.

 

[Sam1911]

For price alone, it is hard to beat the Lee basic "Challenger" press that comes with their starter kit. I started with one a few decades back, and still use it for some things. The parts that sometimes wear out or break are very inexpensive to replace.

But, if I was buying a new single stage, I'd almost unquestionably buy the Lee Classic Cast press at this point.

 

[JohnM]

I bought a Lee Classic Cast a couple years ago to try it out.
My use of Lee equipment goes back to the early 60's and figured of that press wasn't up to snuff I wasn't out too much.
I actually like some of it's features better than the old Rock Chucker.
How long will it last? Probably several lifetimes.

 

[GCBurner]

I started out with a Lee Challenger, which still works like new. I broke an aluminum part on it once, straining too hard to resize a poorly lubricated rifle case, and Lee sent me a replacement part for free. I moved up to a Lee Classic Cast when I acquired some big bore rifles that require 1 1/4" diameter dies, and a longer ram travel to load. The Classic cast has a removable bushing that will take both standard 7/8" dies and 1 1/4" dies, so you can load anything from .25ACP to .50BMG on the same press. RCBS, Hornady, Dillon, and others all make top quality presses, but for reloadeers on a budget, it's hard to beat the Lee single-stage presses for value, particularly if you can find one used for less than retail list price - I've never seen one worn out.

 

[choppinlow]

I too have RCBS still going strong from the 70's - hard to beat. They are worth at least what they charge if not more.

 

[egg250]

Lee Challenger or Lee Classic cast press. Lee presses may feel much "smaller" than other presses, but that is because they are not overbuilt like the other presses. No tool will suffer abuse...used properly any single stage press will last a lifetime.

 

[jeepmor]

I'd lean towards a Hornady simply for the bonus bullets. Look up prices, factor in the free bullets and the decision makes itself by means of the data. I did this when I bought my Hornady LNL about 5 years ago.

Plus, the Hornady LNL bushing is just the cat's meow IMO. Makes bench operations run much smoother and once they're adjusted, they just lock n load.

Even if you don't go with a Hornady system, I would suggest you buy an LNL bushing kit for your single stage. This was one of the first things I bought for my single stage after my LNL AP press was put together.

 

[ranger335v]

I have a perfect condition 23 year old Rock Chucker but I'm too old to get emotionally tied to inanimate objects; if I had to replace my RC next week it would be Lee's Classic Turret with sufficent heads for my calibers OR the plane Classic Cast single stage. But I would NOT get the Lee (or Hornady) quick-change die bushing gimmicks.

 

[Eb1]

For the price the Lee Challenger press is a good investment. I recently payed my Challenger that I bought used to a buddy, and moved to a Dillion 550B, but I started with a Lee Loader, went to a Lee Hand press for crimping only, then the Challenger.

I still use the Lee Hand press for working up loads and other tasks. Either the hand press or the Challenger. For 9mm batch the Lee Hand press will work great. I also loaded a many .223 on my hand press, and the ram prime for the hand press works great. I have broken and wore out two of the Lee Auto primes. I will not buy another hand press. They work and feel good, but are crap.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not a fan of the Lee Challenger press but I do like the Lee Classic Cast press a lot. That Lee Cast Iron single stage press is built like a tank and will serve him 20 years and a lot more.

I'm a fan of both Lee and RCBS but if customer service is important although Lee has good CS the CS from RCBS is unquestionable.

The Rockchucker Supreme will run around $154
The RCBS Partner is only around $74 but in no way as good as the Rockchucker.
The Lee Classic Cast press will run right around $105 and is much better than the RCBS Partner IMO.

If you can swing the extra $50 the Rockchucker would be my choice but if that $50 is needed for other equipment you won't hurt yourself with the Lee Classic Cast single stage press. Also, even though I like Lee presses and some of their tools I'm really more on the side of RCBS scales and powder measures. (other than the Pro Auto-Disk for use on my Lee Turret press) The Rockchucker Supreme Kit comes with the 505 scale, Uniflow Powder Measure, the RCBS hand priming tool, a Speer Reloading Manual and a bunch of other tools too. Those are a lot of good tools for just over $300. Don't forget the $50 Rebate directly from RCBS which brings the price down even more.
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC09357

 

[gamestalker]

Hey, I really appreciate the responses and informative suggestions too. I think what I'm going to try and do is continue searching for a used good quality single stage "O" frame press for him. And in the time being, I'll start him with some hands on lessons using one of my extra singles so he can start out with confidence. He has absolutely no interest in going with a progressive or turret press, which knowing him as I do, I think slowing the process down to single stage is better suited to his mentality anyway.

I think that the Partner will probably do the job though, I just don't want him to invest a large sum of money into a press only to discover he isn't as interested in reloading as he thought, which is one of my concerns in all honesty. And considering I have plenty of presses and other reloading accessories, probably several life times worth, so I would not be interested in buying him out if, reloading turns out to be something he doesn't really want to do after all. I think some of you know what I'm talking about, I've seen a number of friends and some customers back in the day who, after having spent their kids college funds on elaborate set ups, realized it just wasn't the hobby for them.

GS

 

[Eb1]

It took me years to move to a manual, progressive reloading press from my various reloading contraptions.
There are just some things that call for a single stage press. They are without a doubt the most useful reloading press. I have used my single stage press for many other things that needed to be popped out, pressed in, or just bent. LOL

A hand press is also a valid option for far less money, and for the calibers he is loading it will work fine for sizing. Especially if you use Imperial Sizing wax for the .223. Easy as pie.

They have the breech lock function for the hand press also, and will allow him to work without a bench. <===BIG plus when just starting out.

Good luck to your buddy. Good job on sharing a good hobby.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for asking our advice

Shooting 9mm, I suspect the quantity will be more than is comfortable on a single stage.

My suggestion is a Lee Classic Turret press. With the automatic indexing turned off it is a single stage press in every sense. Once your friend is proficient using the autoindexing can triple the output. Starting out with one makes sense. It is what I would have done if had known in 1975 what I know now.

One caution, though. When he gets one, you will want one too.

Lost Sheep

p.s. read the thread on my experience here:
www.rugerforum.net/reloading/29385-...you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html

 

[Eb1]

With that logic, a Dillion 550B can be used in the same manner. It can be a single stage press, a turret press, or a manual, progressive press. So, why waste the money on a Lee Turret?
But I digress, and the user wants a single stage press. I have loaded many, many 9mm with a single stage press. Does it stink for speed? Yes. But you can load a few hundred in 3 or 4 days.
The biggest issue with batch loading 9mm is charging the cases. You almost have to use a dipper, or cut a case that had a weighed charge to make a dipper. It will save a ton of time, and without the cost of a powder drop. Although my Lee Perfect Powder Measure is very accurate if, and I mean if you know how to use it to get a continuous drop. It takes three slams up, and three slams down to get accurate drops, but if I was only loading 9mm, I would dip them, which is what I did.
I weighed all my rifle loads, but I gave up with the .223 loads when I got my Dillion about a month ago. Now after shooting the loads, for practical accuracy which is MOA at 300 meters the progressive press has no problem with keeping that accuracy. That is all I need out of .223. If it can hit MOA @ 300 meters consistently then I am grrreat.

Dipper charging recommended for 9mm when batch loading. Specifically a homemade dipper out of a spent 9mm case, and do not load near the max charge weight.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think that the Partner will probably do the job though,
GS

But the Lee Classic Cast press is so much stronger and for only $30 more. It is every bit as strong as the Rockchucker and will serve him better. If the press he buys isn't up to the job he may turn away from reloading. Have you seen the Lee Cast Iron press up close and really checked it out?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Avoid the smaller presses. In the long run, they aren't big enough for most jobs.

When I lived in Texas, I loaded at a friends' house. He had a Lee Classic Cast and a Rockchucker. Since it was his equipment, I had to use the Rockchucker....

 

[KansasSasquatch]

There's a lot of suggestions in this thread, motivated by many years of knowledge, but I'll throw in my 1.5 cents in anyways. I started with a Hornady LNLAP. But I've since bought a Lee hand press, traded a set of dies for a Lee single stage, and bought an RCBS Partner press. I bought the Partner with the strict intentions to use it for 5.7x28. It has done that job well and more consistently than any of my other presses seem to be capable of. I've even sized some .30-06 on it just to see if it was up to the task. If used and NOT abused I don't have any doubt that it would last a few decades. With that said, I don't use the priming feature on it so I cannot speak about the durability of those parts. If I wanted to handle each primer individually I have a Lee Ram Prime that would probably work better, so I use a Lee Auto Prime tool to batch prime instead.

If I were putting together a full single stage kit for 1 rifle caliber and one pistol caliber for a friend on a budget, I think the Partner press would be at the top of the list. Then a Lee PPM (would go with a Hornady or RCBS if budget allows), a Lee hand priming tool, RCBS scale and check weights, a cheap trimmer setup, and either RCBS or Hornady dies. Lee dies are more budget friendly but I think RCBS and Hornady dies have a better price-to-quality ratio. I think this whole setup would be right around $275-300, possibly cheaper if you find some lightly used equipment. For a really low volume shooter I wouldn't even suggest a tumbler. You can find cheap sonic cleaners cheaper than many tumblers and if it came down to it, hot soapy water and your hands doesn't do too bad of a cleaning job.

 

[kingmt]

I have one. It will load the ammo but the problem is the priming system. It takes a unreal amount of muscle to put a primer in with this press. Another short coming it's the small base. Make sure it is on a over built surface. I really don't like loading for pistol or handgun on a SS but in you used a powder measure it would make it more bearable. The Lee x powder die & Pro Auto Disk would help. A ram primer system would also fix the priming problem but at that cost you night as well go to the Lee Classic which would fix the small unsteady base also along with giving you more leverage, less flex, it doesn't spit primers all over like the RCBS, & several other features.

 

[JO JO]

I got the Lee Challenger press kit to start with, low investment still use
the press as a dedicated deprimmer, not a bad set up for the cost.
But the thing is I found out I enjoyed this and slowly up graded to
rcbs and redding stuff looking back I would of been better off just getting
the rcbs single stage reloading kit to start with

 

[4895]

I own the Lee C frame press and it is hard to beat for the $15 I paid for it. Perfect for handgun and fine for rifle in .308 Win class. Easier to operate than the hand press. Don't discount the challenger press either. I load my 7mm STW on it just fine.

 

[Eb1]

That is subjective.