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.
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.