Decker/Buchanon hand press opinions

I just picked up a used (obviously) Decker hand press. Apparently it is what became the current Buchanon Precision hand press. I've read that the Buchanon is easier to use than the Lee hand press, especially for full length resizing.

Does anyone use the Decker/Buchanon press? How does it compare to the Lee version? I assume it would be better to lube the cases even with carbide pistol dies. BTW, all my presses and dies are Lee. They have always served me well.

Thanks for any help.

Jeff

 

Even when not “necessary” lube still significantly reduces the amount of force required to do the job. I lube everything.

 

I had thought the Huntington was where he got the idea.



He’s at Castboolits and a fairly large thread on his press.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sh...ing-the-Buchanan-Precision-Machine-Hand-Press

 

Doug: Thanks for the heads up on this thread. Information on my tool is available at www.buchananprecisionmachine.com .

As of last Friday (2/24/23) I have sold over 375 of these tools and they have been shipped all over the world. Have never gotten one back and have never gotten bad word on them. I maintain that is it the highest quality Portable Hand Reloading Tool ever made. For some reason they are very popular in AUS and Norway and Finland

The Press is a "W" style tool similar to the Decker/Huntington "Compac" tool. I had pics of it (Several Versions) in hand when I designed mine as well as a Lee Hand Press in my hands literally. I fixed all the Problems with these tools, as well as increasing the Mechanical Advantage . As seen in Doug's Pics above it will do something that the others won't do,,, "Stand up by it self!" It is also made to a much higher standard than any of the preceding tools. All of the parts are CNC Machined Aluminum, 303 Stainless Steel and O1 Tool Steel.

There are 2 versions of the tool, one with 7/8-14 threads directly in the top plate for the dies to screw into. And a Version that uses the Hornady Lock n Load Quick Change Die System.

There are several videos on Youtube featuring the tool. One done by Gavin Gear of Ultimate Reloader, where he is sizing .308 'Machine Gun Brass" in One Stroke. It takes me 3 strokes to size that same brass on my Rock Chucker. This shows the increased Mechanical Advantage over other tools.

Here's one showing me reloading 5 .44 Magnum rounds with the LNL version. 8:43 long.

The tool will load virtually any Brass Cartridge below .50 BMG.

I have one guy who went on a 8 week Depredation Hunt in Namibia. He took his .577 NE Double Rifle and a Sharps Rifle in .45-110. They would only let him bring 20 loaded rounds for each gun into the country. He made a Velcro Strap to go around his leg and a piece of Velcro Tape on the bottom of the Press and sat in front of the campfire every night and Reloaded what he had shot during the day. He ran 150 rounds thru the .577 and another 100 thru the Sharps. Bigger man than I !!!

This tool will do anything a Bench Mounted Press will do and it fits in a 13x7 Pistol Case. I don't reload a lot in the garage anymore. It is more pleasant to sit at the kitchen table and watch TV in the house. Virtually all of my Rifle and Large Pistol Rounds (.45-70,.30-06,.308,.303 Brit,.44 Spec/Mag etc. are loaded on My Own Personal Tool Pistol Rounds .like40 S&W, .45 ACP and .223's, High Volume stuff, are loaded on the 550B.

All of my tooling for that tool is contained in a LAPG Jumbo Bailout Bag, and I can be up and running in 10 minutes just about anywhere.

Info to purchase is available at www.buchananprecisionmachine.com or if you have any questions feel free to email me at [email protected].

Thanks Randy

 

Back when, I ran across a good deal on a new Lee hand press and purchased it. It has been serviceable for years with no problems
However the ability of this press to stand up on its own makes it more useful. I may one day own one of these also.

 

Folks, Thanks for the information, especially for getting Mr. Buchanan in on it. I'm going to lube up the Decker and see how it does on full length resizing. The Lee hand press is fine for lighter tasks like depriming and bullet seating. But I can't do the same things on it I could 30 or even 15 years ago for resizing. Getting old is not for sissies.

I want to keep the ability to load in the field or on a tailgate without needing to clamp down a press. (That's one reason I have as many Lee Loaders, whack a mole, as I could find.) If the Decker works better than the Lee, I'll start saving for the improved Buchanan version.

Jeff

 

Certainly looks like a well machined press! What shell holders does it use? Any brand?

 

Jeff: the Decker tool doesn't have near the mechanical advantage that mine does. I spent 2 hours analyzing the geometry of the Huntington Compac, Decker and Lee. IE: I drew them up on my CAD Program so I could see exactly what they were doing. The Lee was the highest and I increased that by About 40%. The relationship between the pivot points of the arms and connector links, as well as the design of the Arms themselves were where most of the gains were achieved. Also the nearly perfect alignment of the guide rods and the smoothness of the operation makes the tool a pleasure to use. The Lee tool has one arm pushing on one side of the ram so it is easy to see that the Ram is being pushed off Center, so there is more drag on the Ram. The two arm presses push evenly on both sides of the shuttle so it rides squarely up and down the guide rods, so as long as the Rods are the same distance apart at the top and bottom of the tool, the alignment between all three parts is perfect.

All the parts on this tool are machined to a +/-.002 tolerance, and are machined on a 5 Axis CNC Machining Center which usually does better than +/-.002 !.. I also assemble every single tool myself so I know exactly what is out there. There is nothing on the market that is remotely similar to this tool. And even if used every day it will outlast you and probably your kids as well.

www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

Randy

 

I only have Lee shell holders, for some reason I thought there was slight differences in other brands? Not the slot that holds the case but how it attaches to the press??
Seems there were posts about folks using only xyz brand, perhaps due to the machining of them or I am just brain dead!

 

Definitely a big upgrade to a Lee press! Looks great!

 

I have a Buchanan as well. It is indeed much more beefy than my Lee or Huntington.

 

That’s a collection worthy of a photo or two.

 

Well, I found two out of the three here in the house and shop.

Unfortunately, I believe the Huntington must be in my sorely neglected shed which I am afraid to enter; for I may never be seen again.


Note, serial number 29 on the box.

 

Just had a chance to compare the Decker and the Lee hand presses full length resizing 30/06 cases that had been fired from a Garand. I used Lee Pacesetter dies and Imperial sizing wax to lube the cases. I was surprised at the difference. The Decker required about half the effort compared to the Lee. I assume the differences in design is the key. It seems Randy's newer version is even better. Anyway, thanks to everyone, especially Randy, for the feedback. The Mrs., who is a gem among wives, informed me that I should just order the Buchanan press, which I'll do this week.

Besides admiring good design and manufacture, getting the Buchanan has another benefit. Between an aging body in my seventies and a couple of tough years for health stuff, I've lost a lot of strength. The new press should let me continue to do reloading when away from the the bench, which is the point.

Jeff

 

Another thank you to the group about the Buchanan press. It arrived three work days after I ordered it and well packaged. (Surprisingly good for across the country.) To say it exceeded my expectations is an understatement. This tool oozes quality. I lubed up some 30/06 and 45-70 cases and full length sized the fired brass. It was not effortless but easy enough. The Buchanan required less than half the effort of the Lee hand press and operates much smoother. I'm not getting rid of my old, but trusty, bench presses but this hand press really can do any reloading chore. Since I do ALL my reloading single stage (I'm in no hurry) the pace of the hand press suits me. It's an extravagance compared to the cost of the Lee hand press but you will only have to buy it once and it's worth it. I talked about it with a niece and her husband, both US Army, and they made a playful remark about my will. At least they are willing to wait.

A few other points. This will give me the minor exercise I hoped for. The instruction sheets are well written and show a sense of humor. The carrying case they offer is worth getting for convenience and protection.

Jeff