Press Help

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USMCGRUNT_0341

USMCGRUNT_0341

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Hello all, I have been reloading for a few years on my own and had a question about a new press. I currently have the Hornady LNL AP Press, and want to go back to a classic single stage loader or turret. It is not that I don't like it, but I am very critical with every round and it is just too much for me. I end up weighing/checking each one anyway, so it is really just a waste. Just too many moving parts for me.

Now my questions...I am going to sell this Hornady LnL AP, and wanted to see which classic style press is most recommended? Most of my dies are Hornady and RCBS, but also numerous Hornady shell plates, bushings, etc. I did not know if I should sell them as well and start over, or if they will fit just fine in the new press?

I don't load all the time, and when I do it could be anything from 223, .308, to 9mm.
 
You won't go wrong with an RCBS Rockchucker press. They're rock solid and RCBS has a lifetime warranty like no other, since they were the first in the business to offer it.

All your current dies will fit any of the single stage presses on the market, so keep what you have, minus the LNL bushings. You will need shellholders for the single stage press, though.

In my opinion, every loading bench should contain a single stage press, no matter what other presses are mounted on them. They're useful for myriad reloading tasks, with very little setup.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
Thank you for the replies. My grandfater/father used the RCBS ever since I can remember. I tried to be the 2000's generation and use something more than I needed.
 
Personally, I do not see any operational advantage of a turret press. They cost more than a good single stage and the extra cash saved could go to other reloading stuff.

But, that is just one opinion and along with $5, you can get a designer coffee. Some folks do like turret presses.

You cannot go wrong with a Rock Chucker or a Redding Big Boss II.

As already said, having a single stage press around is alway handy. Besides general reloading, there are some specialized tasks that a single stage can do easier and quicker than other style presses.
 
I'm with frogfurr on the Redding T-7. What you are after (control over every operation) is why I bought the T-7 and I've been very satisfied. My advice is to check out the T-7 on YouTube to see how it runs. It isn't a cheap press but the money that you'll get out of your LnL should easily cover it.
 
Lots of people like the Lee Classic turret. You can take out the auto advance rod and use it as a single stage and just rotate the dies by hand.
I have both the LNL progressive and an older "Deluxe" (not as nice as the Classic) turret. Loading on the LNL is faster but to me it is more like work. Lots of things going on. Loading on the turret I find more relaxing even though it is not as fast. With primed cases (I like to hand prime) I can do 200 rounds an hour on the turret so it is much faster than a single stage.
It is hard to explain the difference but the LNL just feels more like work where the turret is more like fun.
With the turret you can change calibers in about 3 min with no tools if you have the head with the dies mounted.
You could use all your current dies with the turret but you would probably want to get the Lee powder thru die for charging cases.
IMO the Lee presses are a excellent value.
 
Milt, control is exactly what I am looking for. I couldn't agree more that the LnL is too much like work and not fun. There is just too much going on at once for me. I have seen a lot of people rave about the Lee Turret, so I'll be going to YouTube. I just don't want a complex operation again. I am in no rush and like to take my time. So now I am between the Rock Chucker, Lee Turret, and the T-7. Thanks again for all the great responses.
 
My original single stage press was an RCBS Jr; bought it in 1970. My brother-in-law has a Lyman "Orange Crusher" he bought well over 30 years ago. Both presses look the worse for wear but both still produce superior quality ammunition. But that success is highly dependent on the operator.

Regardless of what press you use, and unless you weigh out every single charge, you're still going to be using some company's powder measure. And they all require a certain attention and trust to make them useful.

Single stage presses are, for the most part, very simple mechanically and uncomplicated in their operation.
 
You can always run the LNL-AP as a SS. Just install 1 die at a time and go. This is whats recommended if your just starting out. Then as you get more comfortable you can add stations.
 
i think everyone should have a Single stage press.There are so many things you can do with one.I also think it depends what you are reloading for.I would not want to load the quanity of 9mm I load using a single stage.
 
I would recomend a lee classic turret, especially since your coming from a progressive. I recently went from a rock chucker 2 that I've been using for about 7 years to this and I would never consider going back. Think of it as kind of a semi progressive because of the auto indexing. It is much much faster than a single stage, yet you still have control over every station. They also have a great ram priming system and the best primer catcher of any press. They are a big beefy press but do not quite have the same quality feel and action as a rockchucker, but its a huge time advantage. Get a spare turret for every caliber you load and never screw dies in and out again.

If you are anal about your loads, get a lyman electronic powder dispenser to go with it. They sell universal rifle charging dies so you can drop the powder right through just like a pistol flaring die. The powder dispenser is just as fast as I can reload, so I never half to wait for it.
 
Now that everyone has made such excellent recommendations, the RCBS, the Lee, and even the Lyman. I would like to throw the Co-AX, dies slide right in. No need for shell holders. And the empty primers fall nicely into the a collection jar. The press takes up little space.

forster1.jpg

The problem here is that with the good recommendations, if you used a quarter to choose, you would probably make a good choice. I like the CO-AX due to its small space and ability to swap out dies quickly.
 
Grunt, one other remark about the T-7, it's the only turret that Brownell's recommends. Go to their web site and see for yourself. Also check the customer endorsements regarding the T-7 on MidwayUSA's site.
 
I agree with the Co-Ax. I have the RCBS RC Supreme and an early 70's vintage RC. But my favorite is the Forster. Don't have a T-7 but Redding is top notch. Bottom line, all the above will do the job very well. You will eventually gravitate to one even if you have many.
 
Any of the "O" frame presses with compound linkage will work well. Lyman, Lee, Hornady, C-H, Redding and RCBS all make one. The CO-AX is a favorite and probably would be my choice if starting over. The ergonomics are different and it has a few unique features that some like and some hate. I would go broke buy lock rings for all of the dies that I use if I swapped now!

Good Luck with your choice!
 
I wanted to thank everyone again for their input and recommendations. After YouTube'ing myself into a coma, I am now really leaning towards the Co-Ax. I am sold on the die holder and no shell holder. I haven't seen a bad review about it. And having multiple dies from several companies, this seems perfect for me.
 
One other advantage to a turret is that you don't have to take the cases in and out of the shell holder all the time. Shell goes in, pull the hand a few times, loaded road comes out. I get really tired of pulling round in and out and standing them up in loading blocks so I don't spill powder. Now I just have an unloaded bucket, and a loaded bucket. This is part of why a lee auto turret is twice as fast as any single, along with not having to ever take a die in our out ever again. Just pull the whole turret out and drop a new one in. I checked concentricty and the lee make just as straight of ammo as my RC.
 
USMCGRUNT_0341 what are you loading on the LNL that you don't like? I only load straight wall cases on my LNL and all rifle on my Rock Chucker. I can't see any difference between any of the handgun ammo I load on the LNL and single stage Rock Chucker except it is so much easier and quicker on the LNL.
 
On my Co-Ax I modified one of the side linkages.

IMG_20140309_162141.jpg

Gives you a little bit more finger room. I used a flat piece of square steel and then cut the middle part out using a cut off wheel.

I also made a short handle using a stainless steel shaft steel (4 inches) with a pool ball on top. The stock handle is pretty long. The short one works really well. If you load really big or really small the extra jaws come in handy. My dad bought his in 1985. I got mine 10 years ago. Reliable as the day is long.
 
I used a Hornady LNL AP for several years and sold it after purchasing a Redding T-7. I also have a Hornady Classic single stage on my bench that mostly gets used for decapping although it is a very capable press. After using about every color press over the last 30 years my only regret is that I didn't buy a T-7 sooner.
 

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