Advice on a good quality press?

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It fits the locknuts on the Hornady dies. Very handy to get between certain different dies or powder measures.
 
Frulk said:
As someone who runs two T7's as his primary presses I have to concur with Varminterror.

"Precision" is of course subjective. I don't compete in any benchrest category or distance matches so my needs and concern over run-out/deflection will differ significantly over someone who does compete.

I just went out before I typed this response and looked at the T7's. There is minimal tilt from front to back. Almost imperceivable. However, it is still there. I didn't see Varminterrors response as a dig on the T7 build quality. Just an observation on the design differences of the two presses and what the results of those design are.

Turret press deflection (head tilt) has been the subject of many threads on various sites with lots of input on what the resulting negative (if any) impact is on the final product. My two T7's will be around long after I'm gone. If not on a grand kids bench then on somebody elses,. Good chance that 25 years in the future while my old T7's are cranking out rounds someone will broach the subject of a Lee Turret Press having less deflection ....."You know Larry, them Lee Turrets have less deflection than your T7". And so this discussion shall continue....

I love these presses:

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0k, whats up with the cannon? A little info on that please.:)
 
Before we drift the thread I’m going to make an on topic comment.... WesternRover..from what your requirements were in the original post it ‘sounds’ like accuracy is your #1 priority. As such, and if it is you’re probably best served by a coaxial. Problem now is finding presses in general.

.69 caliber smooth bore Cannon is Spanish and was gifted to me by my mother in law. Brought back from Spain 40+years ago by in-laws as a non-working replica. I drilled the touch hole/fuse hole and it shoots now. Traditions sells the same exact scale cannon for around $800.00
 
Bat Rastard said:
If looking for a single stage press, check out the MEC Marksman. It's big and strong, the machining on the ram fitment is a thing of beauty. It also has free floating shell holders that should aid in concentricity.
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Haven't used one but I'm hearing good thing about the MEC. It's in the same price range as the Summit.

I appreciate leverage right next to accuracy. The Co-Ax is oh-so-sweet but relatively expensive. I (and off we go...:rofl:) PERSONALLY moved away from all things RCBS, however, I recommend that you send yours in and give them a chance to make it right. Call 'em, send them pics. They've been good to me in the past, and I think customer service is second to none. BTW, good luck finding any press right now!
 
CQB45ACP said:
So, OP, is any of this helpful or have you tuned out by now?

A couple of us are going to arm wrestle to decide which is best:)
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Well, all the advice to buy something that's not in stock or isn't even in stock during normal times (like the Bonanza) might not be helpful anytime soon, but there may be nothing to be done about that. So far, I take it that nobody has any personal experience with the Sinclair press that's in stock.

On the other hand, advice to buy something because it's more accurate or better for accurate ammo without any evidence to show that is totally useless.

So if the T7 turret deflects on an indicator dial, is there a result shown in the base to datum or ogive consistency? If the LCT is better, can we see it in the base to datum or ogive consistency? Or in the total indicated runout? By datum, I mean the shoulder dimension in the same comparator. If turret deflection is a problem, is the CH No. 444 the answer?

Where's the evidence that the Co-Ax is superior? The floating design should theoretically produce better concentricity, but float can be built into the shellholder (MEC) or another way. In published tests (UR), one example of the Coax produced poor concentricity. The Frankford Arsenal copy that works on the same principle similarly achieved mediocre concentricity compared to much more ordinary presses. Concentricity is probably more a function of the brass to begin with, and there's no evidence shown that concentricity is beneficial to the results on target. The Co-ax was for a time a trend with competitive shooters, but it's no longer the fad. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying this 50+ year old press was just a fad, but that it's heightened popularity in recent years, the kind of popularity that caused FA to copy it most recently, was just a trend. I'm not compelled to try to find one or pay a high price just because "successful guys" use them, without real evidence that it's worth it. Tell me why it is.

I did call RCBS. 1800 533 5000. After I listened to all the Covid messaging warning me to expect delays and making excuses, the recording declares they're experiencing technical difficulties and will not take my call at this time.
 
westernrover said:
Well, all the advice to buy something that's not in stock or isn't even in stock during normal times (like the Bonanza) might not be helpful anytime soon, but there may be nothing to be done about that. So far, I take it that nobody has any personal experience with the Sinclair press that's in stock.

On the other hand, advice to buy something because it's more accurate or better for accurate ammo without any evidence to show that is totally useless.

So if the T7 turret deflects on an indicator dial, is there a result shown in the base to datum or ogive consistency? If the LCT is better, can we see it in the base to datum or ogive consistency? Or in the total indicated runout? By datum, I mean the shoulder dimension in the same comparator. If turret deflection is a problem, is the CH No. 444 the answer?

Where's the evidence that the Co-Ax is superior? The floating design should theoretically produce better concentricity, but float can be built into the shellholder (MEC) or another way. In published tests (UR), one example of the Coax produced poor concentricity. The Frankford Arsenal copy that works on the same principle similarly achieved mediocre concentricity compared to much more ordinary presses. Concentricity is probably more a function of the brass to begin with, and there's no evidence shown that concentricity is beneficial to the results on target. The Co-ax was for a time a trend with competitive shooters, but it's no longer the fad. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying this 50+ year old press was just a fad, but that it's heightened popularity in recent years, the kind of popularity that caused FA to copy it most recently, was just a trend. I'm not compelled to try to find one or pay a high price just because "successful guys" use them, without real evidence that it's worth it. Tell me why it is.

I did call RCBS. 1800 533 5000. After I listened to all the Covid messaging warning me to expect delays and making excuses, the recording declares they're experiencing technical difficulties and will not take my call at this time.
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Looks like it’s all up to you:)
 
this year when I was deciding what to get, getting into reloading with a completely blank slate, I decided to spend more and buy 100% Redding components so that I wouldn't second guess myself later
 
Skgreen said:
IIRC, the press that did the best in that test was green.
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It was a good comparison of presses, but the "tests" were all but useless. They were only a sample of "one" and most of the criteria measured had little to do with the results of the press. They could have just as easily been the results of variations in the brass or the bullets. The criteria measured also have a scarce correlation to results on the target.
 
westernrover said:
I did call RCBS. 1800 533 5000. After I listened to all the Covid messaging warning me to expect delays and making excuses, the recording declares they're experiencing technical difficulties and will not take my call at this time.
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I can only imagine they've been swamped with a hoard of new people that decided to get into loading these last months.
I use all RCBS for the last 30 or so yrs, anytime I've had an issue, and i think maybe 3 times, their customer service has been totally the best. Replacement parts have always been FOC, at least what I needed from them. Sorry you're having that problem.
Id email and keep giving em a bell when ya can. They'll take care of you
 
South Prairie Jim said:
Here is a few top of the line presses-

Hood
JJ LOH
HARRELS
LENZI

Do they make better ammo?

That's for you to decide.
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Those presses are primarily designed to appeal to the desires of benchrest shooters who substantially prefer a lightweight and compact press for portable operations. The Hood for example is a brilliant, compact package for resizing and seating that replaces both a bulky C frame press and an arbor press and fits flat in the bottom of a range bag.

The Loh was discontinued because its creator passed about 14 months ago.

The Bruno O-frame press that's similar to the Loh is in stock at Bruno. It's not quite as expensive as a Lenzi which is a euro-import job as is the Prazi. The Prazi (non-heavy) Press looks like a better value than the Lenzi at the prices I've seen: ~$730 vs $615 - only a little bit more money for a steel twin-rod press with linear bearings vs an aluminum o-frame. The availability of the Prazi is doubtful, but I'm not really willing to spend that much.

The Harrell's press is much more affordable. I don't think I need to spend more than that, hence why I bought the Summit for a similar price, but maybe I am wrong because the Summit has obviously failed my expectations, though not in design. I think the Sinclair is better than the Harrell's. It has a cleaner design with no exposed clips on the pivots and no sharp edges. The Harrell's is 6061 which is pretty weak. I inquired about the Sinclair but do not know. I'm sure it's desirable for lightweight portable operations for a benchrest shooter, but I am looking for a shop press. Small is desirable, but it must also be heavy-duty.
 
bigpower491 said:
I can only imagine they've been swamped with a hoard of new people that decided to get into loading these last months.
I use all RCBS for the last 30 or so yrs, anytime I've had an issue, and i think maybe 3 times, their customer service has been totally the best. Replacement parts have always been FOC, at least what I needed from them. Sorry you're having that problem.
Id email and keep giving em a bell when ya can. They'll take care of you
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Yes, I've had the same experience. I started with a Rock Chucker kit 25 years ago. I still have some RCBS tools and they've always taken care of me when I needed something. I have to say that alone does not distinguish a company in this business because I have had the same experience with Lee, and I am sure I would also with Lyman, MEC, or Redding. I was content with the RCBS and even bought upgrades for it like the Inline Fabrication stuff and roller handle and linkage pin.
 
Back in the early 90s when I was still working a coworker was wrestling with which large projection TV to buy.

He went back and forth studying consumer reports and other information sources in the pre-internet days. His quandary was the topic of lunch-time conversation off and on for months.

I then went on a detail to another agency and was out of the loop for several months. When I returned, at my first lunch back, after the pleasantries and welcome back blather, the conversation turned to Ed’s TV decision dilemma. He still couldn’t decide.

He retired before he bought a projection TV because unlike Goldilocks he never found one that was just right. But, he’s now living just off the beach in Waikiki. I have no idea what kind of TV he has.
 
westernrover said:
I did call RCBS. 1800 533 5000. After I listened to all the Covid messaging warning me to expect delays and making excuses, the recording declares they're experiencing technical difficulties and will not take my call at this time.
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I called RCBS again just now and they continue to fail to answer their phone. Considering it has been a week now that they won't answer, I'm strongly inclined to simply return the press before the reseller's return deadline due to RCBS's unwillingness to provide customer service.
 
If you don't check concentricity after every step no matter what press or what die you can't be 100% sure which items load the straightest ammo.
 
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