How's The RCBS Partner Press?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Scout21

Scout21

Member
Joined
May 8, 2019
Messages
638
Location
99 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
I've slowly been accumulating reloading gear and components over the past year or so. I jumped right into the deep end by starting out on a buddy's Dillon XL750, bought the same model for myself because of my familiarity with it, and promptly sold it to a family member at cost after realizing I didn't need something so industrial.

I just ordered a used RCBS Partner press with various extras at what I consider an absolutely phenomenal price. I'm curious how everyone feels about the Partner. Is it a decent press? I hear that RCBS has an amazing reputation, so I'm not too concerned about its build quality. I purchased it online so I don't have it in hand to judge for myself.

Surprisingly, info is limited on this model. I assume people go straight to the cast iron Rock Chucker and forgo this aluminum press and it therefore doesn't get much attention. I've only found a half dozen threads on it as well as a couple YouTube videos.

I'd like to load .308, .30 carbine, and .223 on it, which I'm sure it will handle just fine. I'll be sharing it with a family member who would like to load 7mm Remington Magnum and also reform .223 brass to .300 Blackout. This concerns me a bit as some people seem to recommend against resizing magnum cartridges and reforming brass on a Partner. I assume this is due to its aluminum construction. Should I anticipate issues?

Apparently the primer catching tray absolutely sucks on this model. Are there any other quirks I should know about this press?

Thanks for the help, guys!
 
I use one bolted to a 2x6 for taking to the range for load testing. I set one up the same way for my granddaughter to load at home with. She still prefers to come over and use my 650.
 
Scout21 said:
I've slowly been accumulating reloading gear and components over the past year or so. I jumped right into the deep end by starting out on a buddy's Dillon XL750, bought the same model for myself because of my familiarity with it, and promptly sold it to a family member at cost after realizing I didn't need something so industrial.

I just ordered a used RCBS Partner press with various extras at what I consider an absolutely phenomenal price. I'm curious how everyone feels about the Partner. Is it a decent press? I hear that RCBS has an amazing reputation, so I'm not too concerned about its build quality. I purchased it online so I don't have it in hand to judge for myself.

Surprisingly, info is limited on this model. I assume people go straight to the cast iron Rock Chucker and forgo this aluminum press and it therefore doesn't get much attention. I've only found a half dozen threads on it as well as a couple YouTube videos.

I'd like to load .308, .30 carbine, and .223 on it, which I'm sure it will handle just fine. I'll be sharing it with a family member who would like to load 7mm Remington Magnum and also reform .223 brass to .300 Blackout. This concerns me a bit as some people seem to recommend against resizing magnum cartridges and reforming brass on a Partner. I assume this is due to its aluminum construction. Should I anticipate issues?

Apparently the primer catching tray absolutely sucks on this model. Are there any other quirks I should know about this press?

Thanks for the help, guys!
Click to expand...

It'll do just fine for what you intend to load for. You should without a doubt get years of use out of it and I see know reason to anticipate any issues from it unless you abuse it by trying to load for something beyond the presses capability. I mean to say the length of the stroke of the ram and shell holder to the bottom of the die. That is what will be your limiting factor.

The RCBS Partner press will handle those belted magnum cartridges just fine as long as you mount it solidly to a strong bench.

Not to get you side tracked here or have the Jone's chime in to tell what is the best press to buy and don't get too rapped up in the internet reviews or youtube videos. They are often more trouble than they are worth.

These are my examples to you. I have a Lee Challenger O press and I have used it to load for 300 Win Mag. It is made of aluminum also and I have had no trouble with it at all. I have owned it for a decade now.

I also own and use another aluminum press. It is the RCBS Special 5 and have no problems loading for loading 300 Win Mag as well.

The only cast iron press I own is an RCBS RC3 and the results are the same as my other 2 presses.
 
Last edited:
Scout21 said:
I've slowly been accumulating reloading gear and components over the past year or so. I jumped right into the deep end by starting out on a buddy's Dillon XL750, bought the same model for myself because of my familiarity with it, and promptly sold it to a family member at cost after realizing I didn't need something so industrial.

I just ordered a used RCBS Partner press with various extras at what I consider an absolutely phenomenal price. I'm curious how everyone feels about the Partner. Is it a decent press? I hear that RCBS has an amazing reputation, so I'm not too concerned about its build quality. I purchased it online so I don't have it in hand to judge for myself.

Surprisingly, info is limited on this model. I assume people go straight to the cast iron Rock Chucker and forgo this aluminum press and it therefore doesn't get much attention. I've only found a half dozen threads on it as well as a couple YouTube videos.

I'd like to load .308, .30 carbine, and .223 on it, which I'm sure it will handle just fine. I'll be sharing it with a family member who would like to load 7mm Remington Magnum and also reform .223 brass to .300 Blackout. This concerns me a bit as some people seem to recommend against resizing magnum cartridges and reforming brass on a Partner. I assume this is due to its aluminum construction. Should I anticipate issues?

Apparently the primer catching tray absolutely sucks on this model. Are there any other quirks I should know about this press?

Thanks for the help, guys!
Click to expand...
I have one mounted to a bar stool for mobile loading. I use it for everything from .32S&W to .35Whelen. Nice thing about the stool is, if I have to resize a tough case I sit on the stool and use my own weight to hold the thing down. Best leverage mechanism made.
 
Thanks for all the responses, guys. Looks like I don't have much to worry about.

I've seen that Lee offers their Breech Lock Bushings so that you can set and forget your dies. Is there anything similar to that that can be used on the Partner press?
 
Light duty, lots of ram slop, very poor feel, excessive flex of the aluminum housing. It will work but not a good choice. Sold mine at a loss and felt guilty for selling it to someone. You will find out but there are plenty of good solid presses you can upgrade to.
 
Scout21 said:
Thanks for all the responses, guys. Looks like I don't have much to worry about.

I've seen that Lee offers their Breech Lock Bushings so that you can set and forget your dies. Is there anything similar to that that can be used on the Partner press?
Click to expand...

I have the RCBS Reloader Special 3, which is slightly bigger. I've found the leverage isn't the best for resizing things like .30-06 or my big .348WCF brass... so I bought a used RockChucker.... but that is not to say you can't do it, but you are going to have to put some effort into sizing bigger brass.

I'm not a big fan of the bushing presses, or similar items. I had a Hornady LNL Single-stage press, with their bushing system... I hated it, and sold it off. FWIW, once you set your dies to your press... you lock the ring in place, anyway, if you have locking rings... so I don't see the need for a bushing system. It might save you a whole 10 seconds per die spinning them in and snugging with a wrench, vs the bushings.
 
Scout21 said:
Surprisingly, info is limited on this model. I assume people go straight to the cast iron Rock Chucker and forgo this aluminum press and it therefore doesn't get much attention.
Click to expand...
I don’t have the Partner so I can’t comment on it’s capabilities, but I do have a Rock Chucker and it’s smaller brother the Jr. Personally I like iron over aluminum. I’ve reformed 06 into 8mm and it takes a bit of force. It’s not difficult to swap dies, but if you’re in to the quick route, the RC has a 1 1/4” / 7/8” thread, so you can use the Hornady LNL bushing adapter if you want. I don’t think the Partner will do this.
Get good lock rings that lock to the die, not to the tool head. RCBS rings are ok, but they use a set screw on the threads. Get a small lead ball, like a #6 BB and that will insure the threads aren’t damaged. Hornady rings are great too as they lock a split ring.
The good thing is if you don’t like the partner, you can always upgrade just the press.
 
rg1 said:
Light duty, lots of ram slop, very poor feel, excessive flex of the aluminum housing. It will work but not a good choice. Sold mine at a loss and felt guilty for selling it to someone. You will find out but there are plenty of good solid presses you can upgrade to.
Click to expand...
If I’m not mistaken, Tony Boyer, the greatest short range shooter of all time used an old partner press.
 
Scout21 said:
Thanks for all the responses, guys. Looks like I don't have much to worry about.

I've seen that Lee offers their Breech Lock Bushings so that you can set and forget your dies. Is there anything similar to that that can be used on the Partner press?
Click to expand...

I don't think the Juniors have the bigger hole with the bushing. Therefore, you won't have the breechlock option. As others have said, lock rings do the same thing. That is a non-issue.
Someone out there probably 3D prints a primer catcher for it. That would be a good investment.
 
I have a Partner as well as a Dillon 650, Ammomaster, Redding turret, and a couple of smaller Lees.
I use the Partner for smaller batches of rifle and pistol and really like it for its smaller size. Thinking about adding a couple more so I can set up all 3 dies at once. I load all of my old WCF rounds on single stage because I vary projectiles, a lot.
My Dillon generally stays configured for 45 ACP but a couple of times a year I pull it down and resize, decap, reprime , and flare case mouths (where applicable) on a bunch of 38, 357, 44 mag and special, 45 Colt, and 38 Super. I store these cases prepped and ready. Then as needed I use the Partner to seat projectiles of whatever flavor I choose. Makes short batches way faster letting the Dillon handle the tedious work.
My Turret has my big rifle calibers in it with micrometer seaters.
My Ammomaster runs 50BMG and any reforming duties.
 
The Lyman brass smith ideal press is about the same price.I have a Rock Chucker but a c press is nice for decamping,pulling bullets etc.I know Lyman sometimes has issues but my press has been trouble free I would think a open cast press would hold up as well or better than a aluminum frame.I had a Lee c press before the Lyman till it got so loose to be unusable with a universal decamping die.
 
The only RCBS press I have is the rock chucker, I feel my grandson will be able to pass it down to his grandson, if not RCBS will rebuild it so he can. You will see when you receive it that you will be able to say the same thing, RCBS presses are quality presses as long as you maintain them
 
Scout21 said:
I've slowly been accumulating reloading gear and components over the past year or so. I jumped right into the deep end by starting out on a buddy's Dillon XL750, bought the same model for myself because of my familiarity with it, and promptly sold it to a family member at cost after realizing I didn't need something so industrial.

I just ordered a used RCBS Partner press with various extras at what I consider an absolutely phenomenal price. I'm curious how everyone feels about the Partner. Is it a decent press? I hear that RCBS has an amazing reputation, so I'm not too concerned about its build quality. I purchased it online so I don't have it in hand to judge for myself.

Surprisingly, info is limited on this model. I assume people go straight to the cast iron Rock Chucker and forgo this aluminum press and it therefore doesn't get much attention. I've only found a half dozen threads on it as well as a couple YouTube videos.

I'd like to load .308, .30 carbine, and .223 on it, which I'm sure it will handle just fine. I'll be sharing it with a family member who would like to load 7mm Remington Magnum and also reform .223 brass to .300 Blackout. This concerns me a bit as some people seem to recommend against resizing magnum cartridges and reforming brass on a Partner. I assume this is due to its aluminum construction. Should I anticipate issues?

Apparently the primer catching tray absolutely sucks on this model. Are there any other quirks I should know about this press?

Thanks for the help, guys!
Click to expand...
They are a great little press.
 
rg1 said:
Light duty, lots of ram slop, very poor feel, excessive flex of the aluminum housing. It will work but not a good choice. Sold mine at a loss and felt guilty for selling it to someone. You will find out but there are plenty of good solid presses you can upgrade to.
Click to expand...

So ... this is kinda the way I feel about mine. I too used-to run 650s when I was shooting competively but sold them and now run a T7 and several Rock Chuckers and a Rebel in stages, like a production line depending upon what it is I'm working-up that day.

With that said, when I do put the Partner in the production line, it's usually only for 9mm or .380 when my Granddaughter is helping me ... she decaps and resizes with it. It's her press as far as she is concerned.

The thing is that, once you get used-to the Rock Chuckers or the T7 or Rebel ... the Partner does have a loose, sorta flimsy, feel to-it. I mount mine on its own Inline Fabrication quick change plate as I do all of my presses, so it's solidly mounted but still ...

I'll say this about it, it's RCBS and it's an affordable starter single stage press and I got it before I added the Rebel to my production line .... I do use it out on the range sometimes because it is so lightweight. I don't regret owning-it. It's not something I would be very comfortable really torquing or trying-to do any finessè work with imho.
 
Well it looks like the seller canceled the order. Pretty disappointed as it included everything I'd need except for a scale. I'll try working it out with the seller, but I'm gonna be keeping an eye on the Trading Post. Maybe I can find a decent deal there.
 
Scout21 said:
Well it looks like the seller canceled the order. Pretty disappointed as it included everything I'd need except for a scale. I'll try working it out with the seller, but I'm gonna be keeping an eye on the Trading Post. Maybe I can find a decent deal there.
Click to expand...

Karma, kismet ... whatever. A sign from the reloading gods.

Forget the Partner and find a Rock Chucker or a Rebel and never look back. RCBS is good stuff so you can't really go wrong.

There are some other really good entry level single stage presses to be found out there and, here's a tidbit maybe worth considering.

Reloading equipment has been whackadoodle overpriced for the past couple two or three years. Stimulus money, worries about the direction the country has been headed, worry about ammo shortages, covid production related shut downs ... perfect storm.

Things are about to change. People are going-to-be dumping a lot of equipment, out of desperation, in coming months where this economy is headed in 2023. I plan on mopping-up for dimes on the dollar. I figure somewhere around next May or June.

Might save you some money and you'll get more bang for your buck. Something to consider ... anyways, give it some thought, unless you're in a really big hurry.

Easy for those of us old guys sitting-on massive reloading outfits but ... most of us were prudent and timely when it came to our reloading investments over the years.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Centella
RCBS Partner Press shell holders?
Replies
19
Views
321
Skgreen
S
G
  • Locked
A good economic single stage press
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
oneounceload
O
ZGunner
  • Locked
RCBS Partner Initial Impressions
Replies
13
Views
993
mdatlanta
mdatlanta
D
  • Locked
Newbie question about RCBS partner press?
Replies
21
Views
2K
lead-inspector
lead-inspector
H
  • Locked
Looking for a 2nd press...
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
Blackrock
Blackrock
Back
Top