I am a committed single stage press user. I am using a Lee Classic Cast press I bought about 15 years ago. I have nothing really against it but it seems sorta sloppy in the linkage. I have upgraded to a lot of Redding dies. I am considering a new Boss 2. I have never seen one in person. I use the LNL bushing so the press has to take the large insert. I currently prime using a ram prime die. I have some hand primers but do not like them anymore. Question 1. Is the Redding fitted and finished enough better than the Lee to partly justify a change? Question 2. Will I like the priming system on the Boss 2 (with the added auto feed) or will I just end up using the Ram prime on the new press too? I do not want to go to the Redding turret press. All comments welcome.
Considering new press...
- Thread starter Bill M.
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ParallelCode
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- Aug 19, 2019
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Redding makes nice presses. I realize you stated you don't want another turret, but the T7 is great in the event you decide to reconsider.
I prime on press with the T7, without the primer feed system. I'm guessing their other presses use a similar approach. It works well for me.
I prime on press with the T7, without the primer feed system. I'm guessing their other presses use a similar approach. It works well for me.
Blue68f100
Member
I've been using the Boss 2 for over 5 yrs now with the primmer feed system added. It's one rugged press with a lots of leverage. It has the large threaded bushing so it can be removed and the LNL bushing installed. I press prime 100% of the time. The Redding system works very good and will feed primers 100% without flipping them provided you set the proper height on the seating anvil Redding tells you what the height needs to be. I bough a second holder so I did not have to keep re adjusting the anvil every time I changed primer size. The only negative is the feed tubes only hold 99 primers, so the loose one needs to be put in the seating anvil to make 100.
Dont over look the Forster Coax. Lots of features that are unique. Lightning fast die swaps, captured spent primers, no need for shell holders and capable of bench rest accuracy.
I understand you are not interested in the T7 turret press. I have one and it is the only turret press I have ever owned/observed that will produce consistent low run out that rivals the forester coax.
Good loading and shooting.
I understand you are not interested in the T7 turret press. I have one and it is the only turret press I have ever owned/observed that will produce consistent low run out that rivals the forester coax.
Good loading and shooting.
Telum Pisces
Member
I'm using a Rock Chucker from 1970's. It's going strong and will be my main press for another long time.
I also have a Lee Classic Cast single stage (with the LNL bushings) and it serves as a backup/special use press for my Hornady LNL AP. I do all my priming on a new Lee ACP.
If I wanted to upgrade my single stage press or was interested in my precision in my reloading, I'd go with the Forster Co-Ax. When I was shopping around for a single stage, I really wanted a Co-Ax but couldn't quite swing the cost difference. I chose the Classic Cast as a better value, and just as capable, than the RCBS Rock Chucker. If I could have afforded a Redding Boss, I would have gotten the Co-Ax instead
If I wanted to upgrade my single stage press or was interested in my precision in my reloading, I'd go with the Forster Co-Ax. When I was shopping around for a single stage, I really wanted a Co-Ax but couldn't quite swing the cost difference. I chose the Classic Cast as a better value, and just as capable, than the RCBS Rock Chucker. If I could have afforded a Redding Boss, I would have gotten the Co-Ax instead
MonkTx
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I'll be that guy. I'd recommend against a redding, my last one was full of casting voids in the bearing surfaces for the big linkage pins. They collect crap in there and have a lapping action to them. Absolute crap work that QC should have caught.
Get a MEC marksman or RCBS rebel would be my advise.
Get a MEC marksman or RCBS rebel would be my advise.
edwardware
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- Feb 23, 2010
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- 4,426
I don't think the slop X and Y is harming your reloads, although if you partial full length resize, slop in Z will be measurable, and maybe significant.
Buy an RCBS hand primer tool, and you'll never look back to on-press priming.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Another Co-Ax recommendation. You’ll get as many different recommendations as their are brands and members. My Co-Ax has served me many years with dependable service. I don’t know anything about warranty and service. Never needed to contact them.
You'll need to consider which attributes appeal to you. Often there is no clear winner,,,
How/where the spent primer's are discharged is an attribute I haven't seen mentioned yet. My preference is through the bottom of the ram (or by other design) that does not involve the spent primer (and associated scud) anywhere close to the ram/frame interface. (I appreciate many of my RCBS 'Chucker Supreme' attributes, but spent primer handling ain't one of 'em!)
The new RCBS Rebel has a 'through the bottom of the ram' design.
Priming on press: The Chucker's 'prime on press' system certainly won't win you any races and handling each individual primer one at a time gets a bit old after a while. I added a 'Auto Prime' system to it,,, Mixed emotions,,, Seems to be faster once you get your rhythm down, and that only happens after you get it set up 'just right'.
The RCBS Rebel does not have / does not offer a prime on press system.
(FWIW, I split priming between an RCBS hand primer and my LNL AP. I de-cap on the LNL AP)
How/where the spent primer's are discharged is an attribute I haven't seen mentioned yet. My preference is through the bottom of the ram (or by other design) that does not involve the spent primer (and associated scud) anywhere close to the ram/frame interface. (I appreciate many of my RCBS 'Chucker Supreme' attributes, but spent primer handling ain't one of 'em!)
The new RCBS Rebel has a 'through the bottom of the ram' design.
Priming on press: The Chucker's 'prime on press' system certainly won't win you any races and handling each individual primer one at a time gets a bit old after a while. I added a 'Auto Prime' system to it,,, Mixed emotions,,, Seems to be faster once you get your rhythm down, and that only happens after you get it set up 'just right'.
The RCBS Rebel does not have / does not offer a prime on press system.
(FWIW, I split priming between an RCBS hand primer and my LNL AP. I de-cap on the LNL AP)
The Redding Big Boss 2 (BB2) has a removable insert. Can't imagine they would use some 'odd or proprietary' threading in the press frame/on the insert.
The BB2 also has a 'thru the ram' spent primer system.
The priming system seems similar to my 'Chucker, both in OEM form and/or with the optional 'Automatic Primer Feeder' kit: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012975518
Based solely on these attributes, I'd say the BB2 has the advantage over both the RCBS Chucker Supreme or Rebel.
As always, YMMV.
tightgroup tiger
Member
This is a good video on single stage press runout.
Highland Lofts
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With RCBS no BS free replacement policy for me it would be a no Brainer.
A friend bought a old rusted up and semi froze up RCBS press from a yard sale.
He sent it back to RCBS to have them refurbish it and they mailed him a brand new press.
It doesn't get no better then that.
My son bought a three piece pistol dies set that was missing one of the dies.
He called RCBS and told them he bought a used die set and would like to buy the missing die, they mailed him the die he needed free of charge.
I acquired a set of Lee 30/30 dies and had a bad resizing die body.
I called Lee and the women said mail the die body in and they will just replace it.
I mailed it in and a week later I get a email for a $11.50 charge so I called them and told them to forget about it. I gave the rest of the dies set away and bought a completely set of used RCBS 30/30 dies for $15 that does have a true 100% replacement guarantee.
I like RCBS so much 95% of the stuff I buy is RCBS.
You can't beat a RockChucker press.
A friend always says - "if you buy a Lee product, buy another for parts"
A friend bought a old rusted up and semi froze up RCBS press from a yard sale.
He sent it back to RCBS to have them refurbish it and they mailed him a brand new press.
It doesn't get no better then that.
My son bought a three piece pistol dies set that was missing one of the dies.
He called RCBS and told them he bought a used die set and would like to buy the missing die, they mailed him the die he needed free of charge.
I acquired a set of Lee 30/30 dies and had a bad resizing die body.
I called Lee and the women said mail the die body in and they will just replace it.
I mailed it in and a week later I get a email for a $11.50 charge so I called them and told them to forget about it. I gave the rest of the dies set away and bought a completely set of used RCBS 30/30 dies for $15 that does have a true 100% replacement guarantee.
I like RCBS so much 95% of the stuff I buy is RCBS.
You can't beat a RockChucker press.
A friend always says - "if you buy a Lee product, buy another for parts"
I have a Redding T7 and love it. I also have a RCBS Rock Chucker and have had it since 1978 and it's still tight. But the best is when I bought the Forster Co-ax. They all have their place and I use all three but if I had to choose one it would be the Co-ax by far. Only problem is good luck finding one. I bought mine about 5 years ago when Midway had them on sale. Now you're going to get on a waiting list at full price.
I own a MEC and a Hornady. Would I buy others? Yup. Pick the feature you want and go buy it. A good company will stand behind their product if it has an issue.
I bought the MEC because I like the open front and the ability to run lefty. Co-Ax was a close second but I worried about interference between tall seating dies and the handle, and the front is a bit cramped for someone like me with gorilla hands.
I bought the MEC because I like the open front and the ability to run lefty. Co-Ax was a close second but I worried about interference between tall seating dies and the handle, and the front is a bit cramped for someone like me with gorilla hands.
I have (3) different 3D printed primer catchers for mine. All are an improvement over OEM, but none are 100% 'scud-free'.
Granted, some folks couldn't care less about 'scud'. I prefer to be 'scud-free'.
YMMV!
I have a Redding t7 with auto prime built tough and works great , as a bonus Redding is still made in the USA and an American Company
RCBS does make good stuff and stands by their product BUT RCBS is now a stock owned company with much of their stuff imported from
China , If that matters to you ,
RCBS does make good stuff and stands by their product BUT RCBS is now a stock owned company with much of their stuff imported from
China , If that matters to you ,
loadedround
Member
I also would recommend the Redding Press. If Dillon made a single stage press, I'd recommend that make also.
Soonerpesek
Member
SOLO Single Stage Press Conversion Kit (uniquetek.com)
Not made BY Dillon, but made FOR the Dillon............
With the manual indexing, one can use the 550 as a "single stage" press if needed/wanted in its original configuration.....
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