Press for loading rifle

[RainDodger]

I've been loading for decades too, and over those decades I've come to some conclusions that work best for me. I use a single stage press for all bottleneck rifle calibers. I have a big press (Redding UltraMag) that I use for sizing and any operation that requires a little strength. The big press makes it REALLY easy with the extra leverage, but it of course has a long stroke.

I do my bullet seating and lighter operations on a 1969 RCBS Jr., which is an "O" - framed press similar to a Rock Chucker but lighter and smaller.

There's nothing wrong with one press for everything and I firmly believe a single stage press is the way new hand loaders should begin. If you're already experienced and have the pistol loading all set up, I do think a single stage would be a great addition. Nothing wrong with it!

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

A 1968 RCBS Jr. for single stage. RCBS Rockchucker some time. Square deal B for pistol occasionally. Most all pistol on the Jr.--slow but for competition no surprises.

 

[TimSr]

I have a Hornady 007 which is Rock Chuker size. Lyman makes the Orange Crusher or somthing like that. After starting out doing 30-06 in a RCBS Partner press, I easily learned to appreciate how much better life can be with a big heavy press when doing large rifle rounds.

 

[Slamfire]

My RCBS Rock Chucker was a great press, but in the end, I went for a turret press. I like having multiple dies on the turret, my Lyman T Mag has an easy turret change, so I can swap turrets easily. The Redding is quick, but not as quick. I have produced tens of thousands of match rifle ammunition on all of the these. Currently am using my Redding T-7. I have no problem small base sizing 30-06 cases on either of these presses.







Still like the Lyman T Mag press

 

[Jlr2267]

how about a 2nd Lee Classic Cast Turret? It could serve as your SS but offers more versatility if needed down the road

 

[tcoz]

Most people use a single stage for loading rifle because of the control over each process that it gives you plus in my case, I perform a number of steps in between the press stages so batching works well.
I actually use my 4-hole turret with the indexing rod removed for this.