I am looking for a single stage press of high quality with a lot of leverage. I am considering the redding big boss and the lyman crusher. I am not going with hornady locknload or rcbs . Which of these presses do you think is the best and what other press would you recomend. My current press is the entry level redding which i like the idea of it but I want more leverage. My press is about 9 years old.
press recomendation?
- Thread starter dvdcrr
- Start date
- Status
Of the two you listed I'd pick Redding. Quality presses and dies. The Lyman is also a good press but Redding would be my choice of the two. The Big Boss II is built heavier than the original Big Boss and would be my choice for heavy work.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/271710/redding-big-boss-ii-single-stage-reloading-press
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/271710/redding-big-boss-ii-single-stage-reloading-press
Last edited:
westy16925
Member
I vote for the Redding Big Boss II. While the Big Boss is fine, the Big Boss II has the “Spent Primer Collection System” . This means the spent primers go through the ram into a collection tube. I have this press and love it. Plenty rugged.
rfwobbly
Member
I'd have to vote for the Redding for the same reasons. The Lyman is a great press, but not having to empty a spent primer tray and all the associated char and mung has to be a huge health and general cleanliness advantage.
Mohave-Tec
Member
What rules out RCBS? It's probably the most established single stage in the business and extreme robust and precise.
howlnmad
Member
I don't know why you're ruling out the hornady and rcbs but I'm sure that you have your reasons. Another one you may want to look at it the lee classic cast. It should have all the leverage that you need being that it's designed to handle 50 BMG. You can take the savings and apply them elsewhere. Just my .02 worth.
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
Redding's Ultra Mag. The Coax is good too, IF the ergonomics work for you.
I didn't know Redding made an "entry level" press. In fact I didn't know anyone did or does make entry level presses. Some are lightly built but they give me great service for special tasks and even they are certainly good enough for most reloaders needs for a life time. Anyone buying an RCBS alum alloy "Partner" expecting to do major case reforming or produce 400,000 rounds on it on it as if it was a massive iron 'Chucker would be a fool. ??
Rock Chuckers are the standard of comparision simply because they have been made (in various versions) for the longest time so more people are familiar with them than any other, not because they are any better than the others in their class. If they were ever perfect there wouldn't have been any need to change them! There are no engineering secrets to making a press, any press that looks like another press will effectively function the same.
My 26 year old RC 2 is an okay press and I can't imagine anyone thinking it not having sufficent leverage, even for massive case reforming. But it's no better for that work than any other compound toggle link iron press. However, it tosses spent primers like crazy and I hate that.
If Lee had made their Classic Cast presses in '87 that's what I'd have; it's equal to or better than my RC in every respect and I'm too old to have a robot-like loyalty to any inanimate object.
I didn't know Redding made an "entry level" press. In fact I didn't know anyone did or does make entry level presses. Some are lightly built but they give me great service for special tasks and even they are certainly good enough for most reloaders needs for a life time. Anyone buying an RCBS alum alloy "Partner" expecting to do major case reforming or produce 400,000 rounds on it on it as if it was a massive iron 'Chucker would be a fool. ??
Rock Chuckers are the standard of comparision simply because they have been made (in various versions) for the longest time so more people are familiar with them than any other, not because they are any better than the others in their class. If they were ever perfect there wouldn't have been any need to change them! There are no engineering secrets to making a press, any press that looks like another press will effectively function the same.
My 26 year old RC 2 is an okay press and I can't imagine anyone thinking it not having sufficent leverage, even for massive case reforming. But it's no better for that work than any other compound toggle link iron press. However, it tosses spent primers like crazy and I hate that.
If Lee had made their Classic Cast presses in '87 that's what I'd have; it's equal to or better than my RC in every respect and I'm too old to have a robot-like loyalty to any inanimate object.
Last edited:
scottishkat
Member
+1 on the Redding press don't buy there 2500 case trimmer though. Not up to there standards IMO.
moonman16
Member
Redding Big Boss II.
Cheesemaker
Member
I picked up a Redding Big Boss II a few weeks ago - upgraded from a low end Lee. I am very happy with it. I would've chosen a Forster Co-Ax - if I could have found one, but I was not prepared to wait.
billybob44
Contributing Member
Tweak that RockChucker..
^^^A 2" piece of soft drink cup straw, placed in the ram groove for the primer arm will drop 99% of the primers right down to the base of the press.
Have done this for 40+years with my 'Ole' RockChucker+it works. I have seen some who also drill a hole into the very bottom of the primer catch pan+install a length of hose, to drop the primers into a spent primer can.
For ME--Stay with the RockChucker+STAY AWAY from the RockChucker Supreme==Half the quality of the old model RC...Bill.
"My 26 year old RC 2 is an okay press and I can't imagine anyone thinking it not having sufficent leverage, even for massive case reforming. But it's no better for that work than any other compound toggle link iron press. However, it tosses spent primers like crazy and I hate that."
^^^A 2" piece of soft drink cup straw, placed in the ram groove for the primer arm will drop 99% of the primers right down to the base of the press.
Have done this for 40+years with my 'Ole' RockChucker+it works. I have seen some who also drill a hole into the very bottom of the primer catch pan+install a length of hose, to drop the primers into a spent primer can.
For ME--Stay with the RockChucker+STAY AWAY from the RockChucker Supreme==Half the quality of the old model RC...Bill.
witchhunter
Member
If you ever have a problem with your Lyman you will be very unhappy with their customer service. Not so with RCBS, they will send you a new one pronto. I have heard Redding is good too. No one beats RCBS CS though. I would get another Rock Chucker if mine ever wears out. It's a 74 model. Hmmm, it's dang near 40 years old, not a bit of slop.
I am after one with a lot of leverage, one which I can fit an automatic primer system (basically a loaded tube so I don't have to hand place each one). And also I like a press that cams over at the top and doesn't come to a dead stop. I feel that helps ensure the same ram travel each time. Am I correct on that?
gibekim
Member
Redding all the way
I have been reloading for the past few years with the Redding Big Boss II. I am totally pleased with it. It tends to spit spent primers once in while but that is not much of an issue for me. I changed over to the L N L conversion a while back and was somewhat disappointed with it. I found that the bushings had a tendency to back out of their locked position unless you really torqued down on them with a pair of channel locks. This was a little awkward to do given the thin flange surface on the bushing.
On a personal note, every cloud has a silver lining. Wifey (live-in GF) had been complaining that I spend too much time in the reloading room. I informed her that with an investment of around $325.00 (press and primer feed) I could cut that time by more than half. She is from Missouri (figuratively speaking of course) and said "show me".
My new Redding T-7 turret press arrived yesterday. I just finished making the adapter plate for my bench to mount it and a few small mods to my 10X powder drop and I am ready to go.
Tonight I'll say to her "Gee Honey - I really thought this was going to save reloading time, I'm sorry" HEE HEE HEE, now I will have twice as much ammo to shoot. I'll let her get a new outfit or something, she will be happy and all will be well.
I have been reloading for the past few years with the Redding Big Boss II. I am totally pleased with it. It tends to spit spent primers once in while but that is not much of an issue for me. I changed over to the L N L conversion a while back and was somewhat disappointed with it. I found that the bushings had a tendency to back out of their locked position unless you really torqued down on them with a pair of channel locks. This was a little awkward to do given the thin flange surface on the bushing.
On a personal note, every cloud has a silver lining. Wifey (live-in GF) had been complaining that I spend too much time in the reloading room. I informed her that with an investment of around $325.00 (press and primer feed) I could cut that time by more than half. She is from Missouri (figuratively speaking of course) and said "show me".
My new Redding T-7 turret press arrived yesterday. I just finished making the adapter plate for my bench to mount it and a few small mods to my 10X powder drop and I am ready to go.
Tonight I'll say to her "Gee Honey - I really thought this was going to save reloading time, I'm sorry" HEE HEE HEE, now I will have twice as much ammo to shoot. I'll let her get a new outfit or something, she will be happy and all will be well.
Palmetto State armory had Rockchuckers for 120 bucks the other day. They have mucho leverage, can be fitted with a primer system (mine is), and they cam over when dies are properly adjusted. But you don't want RCBS, which may be a problem.....
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
"A 2" piece of soft drink cup straw, placed in the ram groove for the primer arm will drop 99% of the primers right down to the base of the press."
Yeah, so will a card board deflector but you still have to get that lousy "primer catcher" off the press when it's full enough to have spent caps bind the priming arm. It's impossible to take the tray off without spilling a bunch on the floor.
I do hobby metal work in my little shop. I considered modifying my (old) cast aluminum RC catcher tray for a tube but it would be clumsy and awkward at best. I finally gave up and bought a little Lee "Reloader" press and a Lee Universal Decapper die about 12 yeara ago. Haven't decapped anything on the RC since. Lee's "Classic Cast" press is just as big, just as strong (maybe stronger), has a fully adjustable lever and it's primer catcher actually works without piling abrasive spent primer grit at the base of the ram!
There's no magic in "cam over", all that means is the ram has moved just passed as high as it can go. The toggle block is the cam; when the lever turns the toggle block passed the rams highest point and starts back down it has been "cammed over" top dead center. Thus, the ram "cams over" if there's anything in the press or not.
Yeah, so will a card board deflector but you still have to get that lousy "primer catcher" off the press when it's full enough to have spent caps bind the priming arm. It's impossible to take the tray off without spilling a bunch on the floor.
I do hobby metal work in my little shop. I considered modifying my (old) cast aluminum RC catcher tray for a tube but it would be clumsy and awkward at best. I finally gave up and bought a little Lee "Reloader" press and a Lee Universal Decapper die about 12 yeara ago. Haven't decapped anything on the RC since. Lee's "Classic Cast" press is just as big, just as strong (maybe stronger), has a fully adjustable lever and it's primer catcher actually works without piling abrasive spent primer grit at the base of the ram!
There's no magic in "cam over", all that means is the ram has moved just passed as high as it can go. The toggle block is the cam; when the lever turns the toggle block passed the rams highest point and starts back down it has been "cammed over" top dead center. Thus, the ram "cams over" if there's anything in the press or not.
Another vote for the RCBS Rockchucker , just a newbie here but been using them for 30+ years and if the Rockchucker doesn't have enough grunt for anything up to and including 50 BMG you are doing something way wrong! Never had a problem with the primer cup myself, its sitting right in front of you, just empty it when it gets full
TooManyToys
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 193
How about the LEE Classic Cast? It is one Very strong press.
The actuator arm can be adjusted to any position you desire. I believe the main ram is 1-1/8" dia.! and hollow bored so spent primers are ejected down through the center. It even has a barbed tubing fitting machined on the bottom of it so you can run a tube directly into a waste container.
The actuator arm can be adjusted to any position you desire. I believe the main ram is 1-1/8" dia.! and hollow bored so spent primers are ejected down through the center. It even has a barbed tubing fitting machined on the bottom of it so you can run a tube directly into a waste container.
I have one and commissioned it to depriming only. The way the linkage is designed, it does not allow the ram to lock at very top of the stroke. I could never get it to consistently bump a shoulder back.
I've had many presses in my 23 years of reloading and I have 4 single stage presses. All are good and seem to serve a certain purpose. I have two RCBS's, a Partner and a Special 5. The Partner is set up with a bullet tipping die and is used to tip bullets only. The Special 5 is what I started with in 1990 and I use it to seat and expand necks on certain calibers. A Lee mentioned above that is my depriming machine. The fourth press is the defacto COAX. I use it for all my sizing operations because it flat out works with absolute precision in bumping shoulders. I like the die holding design and the shell holder plate. I only had this press for 6 months and keep wondering how I did without it! Its so smooth and positive that its hard to believe if you never used one before. Its one of those things that you have to try one to know what I'm talking about.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
dvdcrr,
Which press are you replacing?
The Lee Classic Cast single stage press comes with both priming arms for on press priming and the spent primers are dropped through the ram for easy collection. I like the Lee Safety Primer system even though it feels cheap. It works well and keeps on working. I own and use a RCBS Rockchucler but if that Lee press was available when I bought the RCBS I probably would have bought it instead. The only thing I don't like about the RCBS is the manner of spent primer collection.
http://leeprecision.com/classic-cast-press.html
IMO the Lee Challenger and Breech Lock presses are useless.
Which press are you replacing?
The Lee Classic Cast single stage press comes with both priming arms for on press priming and the spent primers are dropped through the ram for easy collection. I like the Lee Safety Primer system even though it feels cheap. It works well and keeps on working. I own and use a RCBS Rockchucler but if that Lee press was available when I bought the RCBS I probably would have bought it instead. The only thing I don't like about the RCBS is the manner of spent primer collection.
http://leeprecision.com/classic-cast-press.html
IMO the Lee Challenger and Breech Lock presses are useless.
- Status
