Newbie question about RCBS partner press?

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dlzigjr

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Hi All,

Just want your thoughts.

My experience so far is reloading 20 rounds .44 mag with my Lee Classic handloader. In short, I'm hooked and havn't even fired my rounds yet. BUT, I am already longing for something a little different than whacking with a hammer. I've researched quite a bit and eventually plan on a Lee Turret or a progressive press for speed and volume, HOWEVER, a local store has an RCBS partner press and dies (I plan to load .38 special and .357 Sig and .40 auto as well) and am getting very tempted because I want something quicker than ordering online, plus stock seems to be disappearing rather quickly. I know its a single stage which some will object to, but I've looked at hundreds of "reloading bench pix" over the last couple days, and most of the benches have MULTIPLE presses and many have at least one single stage. I've already decided that I would prefer to prime "off-press" for the time being (but NOT with the hammerwhack method of the LEE handloader anymore), so the single stage press seems like a good option for me. It seems like a good starting point. Any thoughts?

Dave
 
Dave,

I am a firm believer in the single stage press. I believe in starting hand loading with a single stage as well. I went your route way back when. I started with a Lee Whack-'em thingy and then then jumped to a single stage. My Dad and uncles only used single stage. (They frowned a bit when I got my first blue press although admittingly curious.)

Go get yourself a single stage. I would get a beefer press than the partner but it is your choice. If it was mine, the Redding Big Boss, LEE Classic Cast, or the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme will out live your lifetime of needs.

LGB
 
thanks for ya'lls input

My main attraction to the Partner is that it is on the shelf in stock and so are the dies....you don't know how I've been haunting and calling all the sporting goods stores trying to find supplies right now.....and this is the ONLY press in stock in ANY local store right now (and its the last one they have left), except for a Hornaday single stage press that is more expensive. So I'm looking at it as an upgrade from the LEE handloader I'm using that will load other calibers (pistol only right now) and be a good starter press. I know it is simply the beginning of presses for me!
 
The Partner is a great press for small quantities of ammo or load development. Even if you graduate to a high volume press you'll always find a need for a good single stage.
 
I'd grab it. You won't go wrong with this press. I have had one for at least 10 years. I use it for all of my pistol reloading and loading the .22 Hornet. I wouldn't begin to guess how many rounds have been produced on it.

If you take a look on the Benchrest Central forums you'll see a fair number of these guys use the Partner as their portable, take to a match press.

If in the future you'd want to "trade up" to a heavier press the Partners sell very well on, (should I dare mention it), Ebay.
 
I started with a Partner Press. It works well. It primes fine, but is slow. I do all my priming on an RCBS hand primer. I won't go back to priming with a press.
 
If I could hi-jack this thread...What is a "Partner Press" "NOT" good for? I see one at a local gun shop and say to my self "I have a better Rock Chucker. I don't need that".
 
I have one of those partner presses, works great. I have since upgraded to 3 progressives (2 dillon, one hornady) and a hornady lock and load single stage but I still use my Partner Press for doing my military primer crimping work.

Great little press.
 
I have two Partner presses on a portable stand to reload at the range. Great little press for the money. Not for long magnums though IMO.
I have the Big Boss II at the house for the larger rifle rounds and the Dillon 550 for all my pistol loads.
I find I really enjoy the size and portability of the little Partner and use it a lot even at home. Can't go wrong either as a first press or forth or fifth or...whatever. Get it.
 
While the Partner is an alum. alloy bodied press it is quite good and will load anything you might resonably wish. I would lube all large cases, .270+, VERY well and would NOT try to reform any cases with it, but doubt you will either. A LOT of BR guys take a Partner to the range to FL size their cases.

You should disregard most of the photos of benches, loading rooms and equipment shown on the web. They are rarely typical, most of those belong to the few of us who have a lot more money, time and room than the common reloader with a young family to feed. Many more of us only have a common single stage press on a small bench in a corner of the garage and find that to be quite sufficent for our needs. And even the large volume guys didn't start that way.
 
I didn't get a chance as planned to buy it yet, but going to (hopefully still on shelf).

Walkalong, I'm with you in that I plan on priming off-press with a handheld like the Lee Autoprime, so I'm not looking for a press to speed up that part of the process. I like to batch up the steps where, in my thinking, the slower speed of the single stage press will be offset. It will certainly be faster than my Lee Classic handloader!

Anyone care to comment on the Lee autoprime vs the RCBS hand-held priming tool (the one that holds the primers in strips)?
 
I bought a kit from midway with the partner press back about 1991 or so and have loaded 45 colt, 270, 243, 308, 22-250 and 8mm mauser and I mean a bunch of it in the last 17 years. It broke the other day and I went online to the rcbs site & read that I could return it if I have the sales receipt and was the original buyer. I emailed and also called them. They said don't worry about the receipt just send it to them and they would replace. I ups'd it to them this week. They said turnaround would be about a week. They should have gotten it today. There are better presses out there and maybe one day I'll get one but the single stage satisfies me and if I get another it will probably be another single stage only a little better.
 
Anyone care to comment on the Lee autoprime vs the RCBS hand-held priming tool (the one that holds the primers in strips)?
Click to expand...

You can go two routes here:

RCBS Universal Hand priming tool with tray. I don't care for ABS priming strip but that is only my opinion.

OR

2 x Lee Autoprime's at 14.99 each. Get one for small primers and one for Large primers. You will have to get a set of shell holders specifically for this priming unit. I believe the set costs around $20.

-------------------------

I personally went with the RCBS because I felt the RCBS was a better buy. More solid and easier to operate on the hand. I handled both and have since worked with both and I am very happy with my decision.

Let us know what you decide.

LGB
 
I use a Partner for seating my .308 "match" loads and I like it alot just as solid, if not as heavy, as the Rock Chucker, or Lyman Orange Crusher, both of which I also have.
 
A Rock Chucker will never fail you, and you will never wear it out. It will load anything from a .17 to a .50. Got a new one about 30 or more years ago, keep it clean and oiled, it still works and looks as new.
Mija
 
geez.....so many choices. Bought the Hornady hand held primer after driving to two Sportman's Warehouses and finding one on the shelf. The RCBS was in stock in both stores but havn't seen hide nor hair of the primer strips required. Also, the Lee Autoprime would have to be an online purchase so I impulse bought the H for instant gratification....sigh! Regarding presss and whether or not to buy the RCBS partner, got to talking to somebody I met at the store and he spoke highly of the Lee Turret press. Since I had looked hard at that one before and liked what I read....I started thinking about it again because I can purchase it a kit form with lots of other acces including dies. Decisions....
 
Buy It

Buy the Partner press now. When things settle down other presses will be in stock, then you MAY choose to upgrade your press. You will then have experience reloading and have a better idea of what you want/need.

With a single stage press I suggest having a locking ring for each die. With a locking ring the dies are adjusted once and can be removed and reinstalled to the same adjustment over and over again. I also recommend a scale and loading blocks.

Steve
 
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