RCBS Partner Initial Impressions

[ZGunner]

I ran across a new RCBS Partner Press at the gun store yesterday. It was in a "half-off" room along with the rest of their reloading inventory, so for $49 I figured I'd give it a shot. I figured I would use it for lighter stuff, because it is fairly small. My main single stage press is a Lee Challenger with on press priming, and I like it a lot but wanted another press to take care of decapping, priming and possibly save a little time and setup without needing to switch dies.

I can already tell that probably won't be the case. I sort of ran it through it's paces on a batch of 30-30 range brass I had laying around, doing all the brass prep operations on the Partner. I'm not so impressed so far. I know I'm not really being fair, but I'm giving up a lot more leverage than I thought coming from the Lee.

Decapping with a universal decapper die went fine. Full length sizing the 30-30 was more of a chore than it usually is. I believe it's in part due to the short handle and overall small stature. It seemed to move the bench more and wasn't near as smooth.

On-bench priming is more what I had in mind for this little guy, but I really don't like the way it feels. I actually really like the way the Lee Challenger primes because I never have to touch the primers and I get a good positive, consistent primer seat. The Partner seems to lack these things. Seating the primer isn't all the way to the bottom of the ram stroke so it depends on consistent input from the user. While it works, it's just not as user friendly.

I've been eyeing a MEC Marksman for some time now. I may look into something like that in the future and use the Challenger as my prep press.

I could see the Partner as part of a mobile loading station where weight and size are at more of a premium. I definitely would not suggest it to be someone's only press, there are better options out there. This got kind of long, but maybe it will help someone down the line make a decision. Right now MidwayUSA lists the Partner and Challenger within $3, my money would absolutely go to a Lee right now. Step up to something like a RockChucker and never worry about it again.

 

[rg1]

I agree with your assessment. Bought one just for some loading steps and sold it shortly after. Too lightweight, no feel, and barely enough leverage. A poor choice for a main reloading press.

 

[troy fairweather]

Thanks for the review, I've looked at the partner and something was off about it.

I to have been looking at the mec, I'm not sure on the floating shell holder tho. For normal reloading the float is great and the press from what I've seen keeps everything straight, but I like to form brass and size bullets I don't know if the floating shell holder would hinder that.

 

[MikeInOr]

I had a partner press 30 years ago. About the 5th time or so I used it the handle striped out of the carriage it is threaded into. I tried to fix it a couple of times then threw it away.

 

[Walkalong]

I started off with a little Partner press, still have it, worked great, I sized 6 PPC cases with it at Benchrest matches until I bought a fancy little aluminum one, which of course didn't work any better.

 

[Howland]

I picked up a used Partner with a bunch of other reloading stuff from a local Armslist post.

While I wish I had never let my Rockchucker go, I use it for .338LM without problems or complaints, maybe because I've adjusted my dies to not size any more than what it takes to chamber 100%.

 

[sparkyv]

Amen to that, brother.

Step up to something like a RockChucker and never worry about it again.

 

[JFrank]

One thing I look at is how much sizing is happening, I take measurements with calipers before and after sizing to determine if the die is a good fit or grossly undersizing the brass somewhat undetected with a extra leverage press . A couple thousand reduction at the case shoulder junction and the .200 line is more than enough to chamber freely whereas.004 or more sizing will be a struggle to the point of sticking cases and rock chucker presses, once you get the right die fit sizing is a pleasure not a burden even with a small partner press.......

 

[Charlie98]

I started off many years ago with a RCBS RS3 (Reloader Special) press, it's slightly bigger than the Partner. Although I used it almost exclusively for many years for rifle loading, it is barely adequate for big cartridges like the .30-06 and .348WCF... the leverage just isn't there. I went out and bought, first, a Hornady LNL single-stage (NOT impressed with the quality...) and, finally, a used RockChucker... which works admirably. My little RS3 is still in use, however... for mundane things like assembling rifle cartridges it is excellent, or if I need to run up a quick batch of 20 handgun cartridges or something.

If you are really sizing bigger cartridges, or you don't like to struggle to do so... spend the money and get a bigger press. Seriously.

 

[Slappy White]

I have one. I use it for decapping, seating some 223, and sometimes sizing 9mm. It serves a purpose. I got mine new for $55. I wouldn't pay much more than that for one.

 

[ZGunner]

I finally got to seating the 30-30! Set it up for a very mild crimp and it did well for seating. I’m sure anything would, seating doesn’t take much force. Maybe I will just use it for decapping and seating. It would be nice to leave a seating doe set up for when I’m doing more than one batch of cartridges.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I still have my first partner press from the 90s. I prefer it to my four other presses for seating bullets because of all the extra room for my hands. I've loaded many thousands of rounds on it before I bought my next press (rockchucker). Rifle Sizing on the partner was certainly not easy on the press but I did many a rifle round back then. The only problem I had with any of my single stage presses was the primer arm screw broke off inside my rockchucker. I still use the partner if I need 2-3 cases primed and dont want to set up my bench or hand primers.

They work great for straight walled cases.

 

[Bat Rastard]

If you go with the MEC Marksman, you will like it . Get the riser. It is good stuff.

 

[mdatlanta]

I can’t comment on the Partner press, but I have had an MEC Marksman for a while now and recommend it highly.