how tight

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

Got my reloading kits today very well made but how tight should the ram be

 

[vtail]

Which press are you talking about?

 

[GT1]

Depends, a little stiff and sticky is not uncommon. Look everything over closely, lube the ram and linkage and work it through.

 

[oneounceload]

Things come shipped with anti rust goop on it. Just like a new gun, clean/degrease everything and then relube/grease as per the owner's manual

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

its not overlt tight is just abit tighter than the other 2 preeses ive used. With them you could turn press over and ram would move this one dont

 

[4895]

Sounds good. It is a precision fit and a quality press will be tight until you crank out a few rounds. It will loosen up a bit after you use it. Might try some rubbing alcohol to clean the ram followed by a light oil or something.

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

i put clp on it and it help it moves free but just have to use handle wont move like my others ones did when turn upside down

 

[jim243]

Sounds like you need to clean the ram, oil the linkage for the handle and wipe off any excess oil. You don't want the ram moving by itself, just make sure it is not binding at the ram linkage, you may have tightened it too much.

Jim

 

[4895]

I actually use transmission fluid on my single stage press ram. It is a light 10 wt. oil that I have available. On my progressive I use wheel bearing grease. Oil attracts dirt and dirt will wear the bore/cylinder of the press over time.

 

[243winxb]

Lube with Break Free CLP, load 1000 rounds. I bet that will fix it. Just dont load up side down.

 

[gamestalker]

I use white lithium on mine. And once a year or so I take them apart and do a good cleaning on all the linkage and ram, not that it's really necessary. I like my tools to function smooth, I can't stand any grabbing or stuttering. In all honesty, I feel like a clean working press makes it easier to feel crimps, and primer seats, and all other tasks. I like to feel the ram is home.

GS

 

[ArchAngelCD]

i put clp on it and it help it moves free but just have to use handle wont move like my others ones did when turn upside down

The press was not designed to be turned upside down to make it work. If everything feels smooth and nothing is binding don't worry about the ram not moving when you turn the press upside down. Like I said, that's not what the press was designed to do...

 

[jinxer3006]

but just have to use handle wont move like my others ones did when turn upside down

Mount the press to a bench. Then you won't be able to turn it upside down. Then you won't notice. Problem solved.

 

[Rem700CDLSF3006]

lol im just saying is a little tighter than the 2 I used previous

 

[ATLDave]

And it's not incorrect at all; it's merely a style choice, not an error.

Correct. The prior post was a fine example of Muphry's Law at work. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muphry's_law

 

[flashhole]

My experience has been - with stiff ram movement it's usually the linkage that has been over tightened and you are feeling excessive friction between the moving linkage parts, not the ram in the casting.

 

[dickttx]

I was using a 40+ year old CH CHampion that was smooth as silk when I bought a new Lee Classic Turret. I thought something was wrong with the LCT there was so much difference. However, after cleaning and lubricating the ram and lubricating the linkage, after a few hundred rounds it too became very smooth.
The CH may have been stiff too, but I really can't remember 40 years!

 

[splattergun]

Thouroughly clean the press and and check for burrs or loose material. lube ram with light oil and the other parts that move against each other with grease. I like white lithium grease. A little goes a long way.

Clean the ram and re-lube every 1000 rounds or so.

Dissasemble and clean the dies. Lightly oil or wax for rust protection.
Make sure any other equipment in your kit is clean. Sometimes bits of cleaning or polishing material gets stuck in critical points. Also check for burrs.
More expensive equipment is better cleaned and polished at the factory than less expensive equipment, but even the best stuff will occasionaly have a minor issue.