My press is a RCBS JR3 that dates back to the 70's. A retiring shooter gave it to me.
It still works fine. I experience the occasional hickup for no reason, but you know, I wonder… what would my life be with a younger and sexier one ?
I reload 5-6000 handgun cartridges a year, mostly .38WC, then .45ACP, and then a hundred .38 special and .357 magnum.
I usually work on 250 cartridges series I complete in 4 days, one die a day.
I'm never in a hurry, but I could use saved time.
I hadn't one wrong in 4 years (touching wood) so I'm confident I can use either a turret or a progressive.
So first question, have the presses evolved since the 70's ?
Second one : don't turret and progressive presses use caliber-specific shell holders anymore ? Are the shell plates universal now or will I need a plate for each caliber ?
Then I have requirements : I don't want to have to change dies. I use RCBS and Lee.
And I'd be really happy if I could have my old RCBS powder measure set up once and for all for .38 on tool head #1 and the new one for .45 on tool head #2.
Last thing to be told, I do trust RCBS. I already experienced their customer support service when I had to replace parts the previous owner damaged, like the primer seating tool for example.
Given what I read and wrote, I can't choose between RCBS Pro 2000, RCBS Pro Chucker 5 and Hornady LnL AP.
Thank you for your advices.
It still works fine. I experience the occasional hickup for no reason, but you know, I wonder… what would my life be with a younger and sexier one ?
I reload 5-6000 handgun cartridges a year, mostly .38WC, then .45ACP, and then a hundred .38 special and .357 magnum.
I usually work on 250 cartridges series I complete in 4 days, one die a day.
I'm never in a hurry, but I could use saved time.
I hadn't one wrong in 4 years (touching wood) so I'm confident I can use either a turret or a progressive.
So first question, have the presses evolved since the 70's ?
Second one : don't turret and progressive presses use caliber-specific shell holders anymore ? Are the shell plates universal now or will I need a plate for each caliber ?
Then I have requirements : I don't want to have to change dies. I use RCBS and Lee.
And I'd be really happy if I could have my old RCBS powder measure set up once and for all for .38 on tool head #1 and the new one for .45 on tool head #2.
Last thing to be told, I do trust RCBS. I already experienced their customer support service when I had to replace parts the previous owner damaged, like the primer seating tool for example.
Given what I read and wrote, I can't choose between RCBS Pro 2000, RCBS Pro Chucker 5 and Hornady LnL AP.
Thank you for your advices.