Any Users Of "Smart Reloader" Brand Presses?

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

GCBurner

Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2010
Messages
1,853
I just picked up an inexpensive "Smart Reloader XVI" single stage press on ePrey for around $60 new. I've noticed that these seem to be VERY inexpensive presses, even cheaper than Lee Precision, but I decided to give this one a shot, since it is the least expensive option I've found that will take the large 1 1/4 x 12 size dies for .50 and .577-450 rifle cartridges. The next least expensive options were the Lee Classic and the RCBS Rock Chucker, which are at least twice the price.
I haven't read any reviews of these, so I was wondering if anyone had any experience in using them?
 
GCBurner said:
I just picked up an inexpensive "Smart Reloader XVI" single stage press on ePrey for around $60 new. The next least expensive options were the Lee Classic and the RCBS Rock Chucker, which are at least twice the price.
Click to expand...
Not really. It's more like $73 for the Lee Classic - http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/classic.html

I won't comment on the quality of the SR press as I do not have experience with it, but it is made in China with copied US designs. There's been several threads/posts on SR products having poor product construction/finish.

I would recommend the Lee press due to better finish/quality control and great customer service at not much more money. Besides, Lee press is made in USA with domestic labor.
 
I have no first hand experience with the Smart Reloader, however I do have experience with Lee, RCBS, Lyman, ect, ect brand reloading equipment. I like all of us here in the U.S.A. now purchase chinese goods, more than I wish, but I have no choice many times and many times because of the HUGE price diference. But in this case with only a $20/30 dollar diference I believe it would be prudent to help keep a fellow citizen working rather than someone in a commie country. Just my thoughts.
 
I won't comment on the quality of the SR press as I do not have experience with it, but it is made in China with copied US designs.

I would recommend the Lee press due to better finish/quality control and great customer service at not much more money. Besides, Lee press is made in USA with domestic labor.
Click to expand...
Yep, same here. AC
 
My other press is a Lee Challenger, and I like it a lot, it's worked well for years, with only one broken part, which Lee replaced at no charge.

I now need something capable of taking larger dies than 7/8", though, which means moving to a larger and more heavy duty, and expensive, press capable of taking 1 1/4" diameter dies (Lee Precision .577-450 Martini-Henry), and the choices there are kind of limited. My first choice was the Lee Classic, then the RCBS Rock Chucker, the Redding Big Boss, then the Hornady Lock 'n' Load BMG, in order of increasing cost. I've been looking for a used one, but haven't found one for under about $90, not including shipping. I stumbled across this one for $59 on the auction site, as a "Buy It Now", which came to less than $70 including the shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110749153781

From the looks of the lever and ram design, it appears to be a Chinese clone of the Lee Classic. For $30 off the lowest retail price of the Lee I could find, I decided to give it a shot. If it doesn't work well, I can always go back on eBay and resell it. I was just wondering if anyone else had used one.
 
I haven't found any reviews of the presses anywhere, and I hadn't really ever noticed the brand before.
When it gets here and I set it up, I'll do a review to let everyone know how it works. Mounted side by side with a Lee press, it should be a fair comparison. Some Chinese made stuff is okay (got a couple of Norinco firearms that are just fine), and some is pot metal junk. I'm interested to see where this falls.
 
Usually one gets what they pay for, sometimes they get value. Regarding smart reloading equipment I think one gets unknown value, don't forget the warrenty states to return to Italy for warrenty issues. That right there is real smart.
 
Yes, Italy. Looks like that's where their HQ office is located.

All returns must be returned to Italy within 30 days and you pay the shipping.

If there's any shipping damage, you must obtain a written report from the shipping delivery person, to file a claim with the shipping company. So if the driver leaves the box at the door and there's shipping damage, you may be SOL.

I think if you buy from reputable online vendor who will accept return, it will be OK, but if you buy from ebay with no warranty from the seller, you are stuck dealing with the return to Italy. This is from their web page on Return Policy - http://www.smartreloader.com/page.html?id=1&zenid=3b4dfeb37d4a1121c6f4296dea277933

If you are not satisfied with a product, you may return it to us within 30 days of receipt for an exchange, replacement or refund.

We do not accept return COD orders! Merchandise being returned for replacement or credit should be sent pre-paid to:

SMARTRELOADER.COM
c/o Prima Armi Srl.
Viale Kennedy 8
I-10064 Pinerolo (TO)
Italy

Refunds:

If you decide you want a refund because you ordered the wrong merchandise or any causes not due to error by Smartreloader.com, there will be a 25% stocking fee and shipping & handling fees will not be refundable.

Damaged Freight/Truck line Merchandise:

Do not return items damaged during shipping to Smartreloader.com. We are not responsible for freight/shipping damage, and cannot assist you with your claim.

Inspect your order immediately and completely while your delivery driver is present. If you discover any freight/shipping damage, please do not email Smartreloader.com. Have your delivery driver note the damage in writing and contact the delivering company to file your claim. They will take the necessary steps to reimburse you. If you do not follow this procedure, the carrier may not honor your claim and the loss will become your sole responsibility.
Click to expand...
 
Interesting. Yes, there definitely needs to be an online review done. Looks like this will be an educational experience. :D
 
Some online vendors like Graf & Sons, Natchez and Cabela's used to carry Smart Reloader products but some of them stopped carrying much of SR products. Cheaper Than Dirt, Natchez and Cabela's still carry a limited selection of SR products. BTW, CTD stocks the same press for $65 and offers better return policy than SR - http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=4829

But if you need repairs/service after the online vendor warranty period runs out, you must deal with SR, in Italy.
BTW, return policy for Natchez is 15 days and 90 days for Cabela's and CTD.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentId=productSearch&searchItem=Smart Reloader

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/sear...ader&x=0&y=0&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products
 
Last edited:
But the 2 year only applies to warranty, not for refunds.

Full refunds must be done within 10 days and you must first obtain a RMA number using the website form. If it is past 10 days, they'll only give you credit on your next purchase! - http://store.smartreloader-usa.com/return-policy.aspx
Refunds for items returned within ten (10) days of the receipt date will be credited in the same form as the original payment type.

Refunds for items returned more than ten (10) days after the receipt date will be in the form of a credit redeemable on your next purchase.

The original shipping and handling charges are not refundable.

For Warranty returns please go to our Warranty section.

Please mail your package in a prepaid, insured, traceable method to the address below.

Helvetica Trading USA, LLC
701 Lawton Road
Charlotte, NC 28216

ATTENTION: before you return any item you need to get an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number from us. Please contact us through the below form:
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I only have one piece of equipment labeled by them & I have been happy with it.

Written return policies normally look bad but how a company treats you may be different & just because the brand name is in the URL doesn't mean it is owned by that company. I don't have my printed warranty in front of me but I know it wasn't that bad.
 
The retailer who is selling them on eBay is in Ohio, and sells a wide variety of other reloading equipment by other manufacturers, including Lee and Lyman.
 
GCBurner said:
The retailer who is selling them on eBay is in Ohio, and sells a wide variety of other reloading equipment by other manufacturers, including Lee and Lyman.
Click to expand...
It's FM Reloading in Ohio, I've bought my Lee equipment from them directly, including some Smart Reloading equipment (Tumblers, digi scale kit, hand primer, loading trays, powder trickler, funnel). All work as required/expected (some better than Lee and others) and I have no complaints.
 
I haven't heard good things about their presses. I personally bought one of their tumblers which just died on me after about 6 months.

About the only nice thing I can say is that their plastic ammo boxes are nice (I like them better than MTM as they have actual hinges). Other than those, I'll not be wasting any more money on their products.

Lee equipment barely costs anything extra and actually works pretty well.
 
For some things... well OK, MOST things, I have to try for myself rather than believe anyone else's opinions. But once in awhile, the reviews are so unified that i have to believe the crowd. Such is the case with Smart Reloader stuff. It looks OK and they say the right things. And no doubt, it would be hard to screw up an ammo case or a funnel or a reloading tray. But when it comes to their presses I have heard ghastly things about the workmanship. Likewise, I wouldn't consider one of their combination scale/dispensers for powder.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Looking for a single stage press with a set purpose
Replies
6
Views
424
joecil
J
H
  • Locked
Looking for a new single stage press..where in stock?
Replies
13
Views
666
BHarada
B
K_Dubbya
  • Locked
Progressive Press
Replies
23
Views
1K
jmorris
jmorris
A
  • Locked
Help picking a press.
2 3
Replies
54
Views
2K
oldreloader
oldreloader
lpsharp88
  • Locked
Want to reload
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
GT1
GT1
Back
Top