Is this a decent press?

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I got one tucked away some place. It is made of cast aluminum, I had used mine on 308, 30-06 and others. Its plenty strong for what it is but I don't think it would hold up to case forming. The reason for the price is you get what you pay for. It isn't as big nor as heavy as a rock chucker.
 
Never used the Partner but the Reloader Special press is a fine one. I bought used over 10 years ago and loaded everything from .380 up to 25.06.

If I were going to be loading a lot of rifle rounds, I'd go with a heavier press.

YMMV
 
I owned the RCBS Partner press you're looking at when I first started reloading. I would consider it "adequate" to reload 30.06, but not a pleasure.

I later bought a Rock Chucker and it is a very good press. When the Lee Classic Cast came out, I bought one and compared the Rock Chucker side by side with it for a good while. I then sold the Rock Chucker. I still own the Lee, or at least my son, who "borrowed" it and took it back to college with him, does. I'll likely buy another one next major Midway order.

My advice is get the Lee Classic Cast. It's basically an updated Rock Chucker with better features for less money out your pocket. The best part is the way it handles spent primers, no mess, no fuss. And unlike the Rock Chucker, it's still Made in the USA, if that matters to you.

Hope this helps you,

Dave
 
Another vote for the Classic Cast. It's also cast iron and the updated features that Dave spoke of make it a very nice press to use. It also doesn't allow spent primer grit anywhere around the ram. While I owned a RC and it was nice, the grit is abrasive and over the long haul, is just nicer if you don't have to mess with them. You can adapt the new Safety Prime to it which would make sizing/decapping and priming to occur in on one full stroke without having to handle a primer. It also has a very hgh clearance for 50 BMG and the ram is slightly larger than the RC (not that it really matters). Both are a good choice, but for half the money, I'd definately recommend the Lee.
 
Ditto with ojibweindian and Uncle Don and Dave....

For the price of the RCBS copy of the Lee "Challenger" press, (a lightweight aluminum O press) you can have the Lee copy of the Rockchucker (an unbreakable cast iron press).

Great press.
 
The Lee Classic Cast Press (Product #: 317831) is a good sturdy press. One advantage it has is the ability to not only accept standard 7/8 X 14 dies but also 1 1/4 X 12 dies. Some die calibers, such as the 577/450 Martini-Henry come in 1 1/4 X 12. The other advantage of the Lee Classic Cast Press is its brute strength which you will need if you get into case re-forming, etc.
 
I have a Partner Press also. Works fine for handgun cartridges, or to have a spare or limited operation press. For bottleneck rifle cartridges, it will be a challenge. I am optimistic about the new LEE presses, but I have already seen a few problems with pins and things that don't appear to be steel, but rather some cast alloy and LEE, in the past has even used Zinc. Hopefully not on the Classics.

Like loadedround recommended, I'll second a REDDING. Until recently, it was the only press that had a true Top-Dead-Center feature. That stops the ram at the same precise point, round after round. Very much appreciated for bullet seating. I get very small variations in OACL because of it. The LEE Classics do appear to have a form of Top-Dead-Center. The notches on the arms look like they will stop ramstroke. Don't know if they are as precise as REDDINGS TDC feature, but evidently LEE thought it a wortwile feature as well. Most of my handgun rounds stay within +/- .001". I load rifle and handgun on the Boss, but if I loaded rifle primarily, I would get the Big Boss for a few $ more. All REDDING presses have the TDC feature and they are worth every penny!
 
Buy American

Go with the Lee it's a great press and at least it's made in the USA unlike the RCBS. I have been very unimpressed with RCBS's quality lately after my brand new universal priming tool took a crap after less that a 100 rounds through it.
Plus my Lee is alot smoother press.
 
or spend a couple more bucks and buy a Redding Boss
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Thanx for the advice. I decided on the Boss.

Only Midway was out of Redding dies, so I ordered Lyman. The tech specs said that the Lyman sizing die had an air vent in the shoulder region. Prevents damage to the case during resizing. I assume they're talking about the little dents I used to get with my old Lyman turret setup.

The Redding and RCBS sets didn't mention anything about a vent. How important is that, anyway?
 
I think all bottle neck dies have a vent hole, but i'm probably wrong, but I think all of mine do of various manufactures. In my experience you will get lube dents even with vent holes if you use too much especially if you get it on the neck. But to have an edge, make sure the vent holes are clear, lube will get in them and plug them up.
 
In my experience you will get lube dents even with vent holes if you use too much especially if you get it on the neck.
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So you don't lube the neck or the shoulder? Just the case wall?
 
Buy the Lee Anniversary kit for about $80.

The kit has the single stage press, collets, a basic balance, powder measure, Lee primer, primer pocket cleaner, funnel and a very basic manual. Dies for 30-06 (RCBS) should cost another 25.

I loaded 30-06 on this same press for a few years but now use it for long cowboy rifle rounds: 45-70, 45-90, 38-55 and 32-40.

It will do the job. Use case lube (Dillon) when sizing the brass and you'll have no problems.

streakr
 
Yes, just the case wall, and the case neck and mouth, unless you neck size only. Are you going to reload for a bolt rifle? If so, you might look into neck sizing dies.

Jake in TX
 
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P & R: You will not be sorry that you bought the Redding "Boss" press. As said previously, It's one of the best single station presses on the market today.
 
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