Buchanan Hand Press

Status
Not open for further replies.
It looks like this press could be useful as a single stage press for those in an apartment or have very limited space. The size is smaller than I first thought.
 
Farm 23: The original goals were capability, portability, accuracy and quality.

I wanted something that would load just about any cartridge, anywhere, and last a long time.

I think it's there.

Randy
 
The Buchanan press looks to be (Obviously) a copy of the Huntington hand press of several years ago. The Huntington press was well made and worked well for what it was intended for. I see no reason that the Buchanan tool would not work as well or even better. Attached are photos of the Huntington from my collection. DSC07845.JPG DSC07843.JPG
 
Sure looks like a copy, but that was its design goal. To take the Huntington to its next logical step. I think he made it. And thanks for sharing the pictures.
 
I did take a c-clamp and clamped it to my bench. I decaped some 308 that I shot out my GSR. It worked just fine. The primer catcher underneath caught the expended primers with no issues.
 
I was looking at that myself. How to prime. I still have the priming arm from my old Lee. So I guess I could use that. I just see it as slow. I could very well bring my hand priming tool to the range. Out of the box, not that I am aware of.
 
Thanks Offhand, I couldn't remember the name of that press.

Buchanan has done a very nice job on his press. It should be a fine addition to the choices out there.
 
You can use a Lee Ram Prime in the tool to prime your cases. I also have a Lyman Priming die which can be used. I generally use a hand priming tool like an old Lee Tool or an RCBS hand tool.

The primer catcher underneath the shell holder collects all the debris and it is easy to empty and holds a little over 50 spent Primers.

Going to be coming out with another video on You Tube in the next week or so showing using the tool with the quick change die feature and reloading batches of ammo.

Randy
 
I kinda want one, but I don't know why. I will say that the price point makes it harder to resist, because being a custom specialist tool I'd expect it to be a little more $. So, well done friend.
 
Good to hear you're happy with the tool. You now join the 100% Positive Review Crowd,,,

which so far has been 100% of the buyers !

Randy
 
Let us know when you post your video. Would be nice to see. I haven't loaded a single thing on mine. I just put it through it paces to see how it works. Don't have much time to load in the summer. Too many long days. When the days get short, its a different story.
 
dh1633pm said:
The press is smooth as silk. All surfaces are also very smooth. There is very little if any wiggle between the parts. While on the Lee Hand Press you push and then pull apart, this press has a flat bottom that you can use to gain extra leverage ... I was able to size a 30-06 piece of brass in the 7.5 die with minimum effort.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the review.

Looks to be quality made product with well engineered features, like the L-N-L model.
 
Last edited:
Two new videos posted on You Tube yesterday and today. Do check them out !

This one is loading .44 Mags from start to finish with die changes in between operations. Shows just how fast you can swap dies when loading short quantities. After the video I finished loading the rest of the box and completed the entire reloading of 45 more rounds in 37 minutes!

This one is about loading .308's.

More to come.

Randy
 
These are still selling well if anyone is interested in having something nice and very portable to load ammo with.

I have been loading all my Ammo on my LNL Press lately, and there are several videos on Youtube showing the process. It works so well it is scary and I get a lot of tactile gratification from using it. When done everything goes back in the little Cabela's Duffle bag. (similar in size to a medium tool bag from HD or Lowes.)

This tool is no slower to load on than any bench mounted single stage press and I have been clamping mine to our dining room table for my reloading sessions, and will be loading some .30-06's for an upcoming Silhouette Shoot coming in two weeks one night this week. It takes about an hour to completely load 50 rounds from scratch. That's F/L sizing, priming charging, bullet seating and crimping. (4 die changes) Die changes are 15 seconds and are slick as snot.

I can fix you right up by going to my website. www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

Randy
100464226.JPG



100464228.JPG
 
Walkalong and Englishmn: it would be good if you would write about your impressions using the tool so others can get a different viewpoint on what it is like to use it.

This tool will revitalize your desire to load ammo for your shorter runs (50-100) at the dining room table or where ever you can set up, rather than standing in front of a progressive or semi progressive bench mounted press just pulling on handles. You don't have to stand out in the inhospitable garage or the basement, and can be in the living room with your family processing brass or doing various case prep tasks, or sitting at a desk or table loading ammo that is as good or probably better than what you are used to. The reason why it is going to be better is because you are going to be comfortable while working, and thus your products will be better in the end.

You probably already have everything else you need to go portable and all you really need is the press.

My portable kit consists of Dies for whatever caliber I am loading, a small digital scale and powder scoop, a small bar clamp, an old Lee Priming Tool or a Lee Ram Prime Die, a funnel and some basic case prep tools like a chamfering tool and maybe a basic Lee Trimming Cutter and Pilot, and components IE; bullets powder and primers.

I also made a die staging block to hold my dies at the ready for when I am loading 5-10 rounds at a time for load development.

Please note: this is a Cadillac Portable Reloading Kit , mainly due to the press, and it is definitely well above the capabilities of a Basic Lee Loader. This kit is essentially like having your whole reloading bench with you at the range or in your Camper or Motorhome or Cabin or even in a tent!

Being able to pack it all away in the tool bag makes it handy to have around you, and you don't have to go looking for anything as everything you need is right in the bag.

Hoping some more of you will try it.

Randy

100464540.JPG
 
I bought your press from someone at our gun club and it works just like you say. Which small digital scale did you find that is accurate and suitable for carrying in bag?
 
farm23 said:
Which small digital scale did you find that is accurate and suitable for carrying in bag?
Click to expand...
The scale next to the die staging block looks like Frankford Arsenal DS-750 scale.

FA DS-750 is a .1 gr resolution scale that is durable enough I keep it on my bench along with Ohaus 10-10 beam scale. While not as sensitive as .02 gr resolution Gemini-20 scale, FA DS-750 consistently verified check weights down to .5 gr and repeatable enough for me to verify my test loads - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/revisited-myth-busting-digital-scales.821449/
 
I use an AC powered press and plug it into the AC Adapter in my F150. Sweet. Can load from the tail gate to try different loads while at the range. I bring already processed, primed brass. Just add some powder and a bullet on top and shoot.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press VS. Lee Classic Cast Press
Replies
8
Views
7K
jmorris
jmorris
P
  • Locked
Hand press or turret press
2
Replies
48
Views
2K
Lost Sheep
L
B
Decker/Buchanon hand press opinions
Replies
19
Views
737
BullRunBear
B
Doublehelix
  • Locked
Forster Co-Ax Press
Replies
18
Views
3K
Doublehelix
Doublehelix
K
  • Locked
Lee "Cast Iron" Hand Press
Replies
20
Views
2K
Cosmoline
C
Back
Top