Reloading Presses, Demand

[BobW.]

I find it interesting how hard it is to buy a reloading press because of short supply. For example, the CH4 pistol champ has been ignored for years and is now sold out. The CH champ is not the cheapest press on the market (405$) but it's a thing of beauty and functions like no other. I have one mounted on my bench, but I seldom use it, I just like looking at it.
The RCBS Rock Chucker has sold out and is bringing 3 and 4 hundred dollars used on ebay. This is one of the best presses on the market. The Lyman turret press is another excellent choice, nice and heavy cast iron. The Lee presses are a great value and so is their equipment, especially the factory crimp die, if you don't use the Lee factory crimp dies your missing out.
If you buy a used press make sure it has a ram that takes snap in shell holders, some of the older ones don't. Most any of the used C or O type press made in the last 50 years will serve your needs for a life time. I have an excellent Pacific C press that's going on Ebay when I get the time to post it.
Some even collect reloading presses it's almost a Cult. For the first time ever reloading has the gained the respect that it deserves. Two years ago you could buy 9mm ammo for 25 cents per round
now it's selling for almost 2 dollars per round. Who would have "thunk" it.

 

[crestoncowboy]

My walmart had a few rcbs Supreme kits in stock. I only noticed because the press on the box looked odd. Upon examining it, it was not a rock chucker press. Was something I hadn't heard of.

 

[DoubleMag]

What's the dif if the proposed new reloader person can't get primers

 

[Elkins45]

The Lexington Sportsman's Warehouse had an RCBS progressive (I forget the model) that was discontinued 4-5 years ago. It had been sitting on their shelf at normal full retail price since at least 2015. I would glance at it occasionally and wonder if they were ever going to lower the price to try and move it. It wasn't there the last time I looked, and there wasn't a discount sticker over the regular price sticker in the slot where it used to be.

I wish I hadn't given away my little Lee C press. Who knows how much I could get for it on eBay?

What's the dif if the proposed new reloader person can't get primers

The people who didn't have the foresight to get into reloading before now aren't the kind of people who consider the whole system when making purchases.

 

[maxxhavoc]

The people who didn't have the foresight to get into reloading before now aren't the kind of people who consider the whole system when making purchases.

Or you can look at it this way - if everything is hard to get, you can only get one piece at a time. So you get what you can when you can.

I think it is interesting that the stories being told in gun stores aren't about hunting or great deals... They are about how they got their last sleeve of primers.

 

[AR. Hillbilly]

I just lucked in to an RCBS pro 2000 Deluxe kit new in the box for $250.00 for the kit.
I wasn’t looking and just happened on the deal. As of now it’s an overpriced boat anchor. I can’t get shell plates for it.
I reckon if the water clears I’ll be a happy camper. Til then ole red keeps punching out ammo one at a time.

 

[reloaded_in_pa]

I just lucked in to an RCBS pro 2000 Deluxe kit new in the box for $250.00 for the kit.
I wasn’t looking and just happened on the deal. As of now it’s an overpriced boat anchor. I can’t get shell plates for it.
I reckon if the water clears I’ll be a happy camper. Til then ole red keeps punching out ammo one at a time.

I know these letters will make most reloaders quiver but...... Try GB. I've been able to find two less popular shell plates. I paid a little more but I have them.

 

[AR. Hillbilly]

I know these letters will make most reloaders quiver but...... Try GB. I've been able to find two less popular shell plates. I paid a little more but I have them.

Will do and Thank you.

 

[buck460XVR]

The people who didn't have the foresight to get into reloading before now aren't the kind of people who consider the whole system when making purchases.

Being brand new to the experience, it's not hard to understand why they don't consider the whole system. Kinda because they don't know what the whole system is about. Kinda like those that buy a motorcycle and don't think they need good raingear. Ain't till they get caught in an all day soaker, 150 miles from home and need to get back before the rain is done.

Part of it is because on gun forums like this, folks that whine about not being able to find ammo are chastised because they don't reload. So they go out and buy what equipment it takes to reload. Then, when they can't find components, they get chastised because they didn't stock up after then last ammo shortage. Then us long time reloaders come and whine when we can't find components because those we talked into reloading, took our advice and are now beating us to the LGS and buying up any components that come in. I remember those first days when ammo was scarce and you could still go in the LGS and buy powder and primers. We have no one to blame but ourselves. I did an inventory last weekend of what I have left for components. 12,000 various primers, about 16 pounds of primers, and more than enough bullets and brass to use those up. Was a time tho, when I was comfortable with just enough components on hand to load one day's worth of shooting. Doubt very much if I will live long enough to see that day again.

 

[Armorer 101]

When the ammo dried up due to gougers, horders and morons, just buying any ammo off the shelf. Reloading became fashonable. I just laugh now, because I have bought complete setups for folks over the years and those setups are still in the boxes they were delivered in.

This is an opportunity for us that know how, to teach new reloaders. Once they learn how, they will be reloaders for life.

 

[hdbiker]

Every journey starts with the first step, in reloading it's the tools, hdbiker

 

[loadedround]

Go Dillon Blue and don'r look back!

 

[Elkins45]

Go Dillon Blue and don'r look back!

Do they come with free primers?

 

[gifbohane]

The Lee presses are a great value and so is their equipment, especially the factory crimp die, if you don't use the Lee factory crimp dies your missing out.

Looks like you have been on this site for a number of years and probably been reloading a long time. I am not looking to get into an argument or cause one one but why would I want or need a "factory crimp die?"

My seating and crimping dies seem to get me great results...RCBS, Redding.....

 

[Mark_Mark]

Being brand new to the experience, it's not hard to understand why they don't consider the whole system. Kinda because they don't know what the whole system is about. Kinda like those that buy a motorcycle and don't think they need good raingear. Ain't till they get caught in an all day soaker, 150 miles from home and need to get back before the rain is done.

Part of it is because on gun forums like this, folks that whine about not being able to find ammo are chastised because they don't reload. So they go out and buy what equipment it takes to reload. Then, when they can't find components, they get chastised because they didn't stock up after then last ammo shortage. Then us long time reloaders come and whine when we can't find components because those we talked into reloading, took our advice and are now beating us to the LGS and buying up any components that come in. I remember those first days when ammo was scarce and you could still go in the LGS and buy powder and primers. We have no one to blame but ourselves. I did an inventory last weekend of what I have left for components. 12,000 various primers, about 16 pounds of primers, and more than enough bullets and brass to use those up. Was a time tho, when I was comfortable with just enough components on hand to load one day's worth of shooting. Doubt very much if I will live long enough to see that day again.

I think if we change our shooting habits to more slow and precise style of shooting we will be ok. 100 yard 9mm shooting kidda style. I’m running low on primers too, and low is 10k primers for us, and I need to slow my shooting and make it count

 

[Mark_Mark]

I find it interesting how hard it is to buy a reloading press because of short supply. For example, the CH4 pistol champ has been ignored for years and is now sold out. The CH champ is not the cheapest press on the market (405$) but it's a thing of beauty and functions like no other. I have one mounted on my bench, but I seldom use it, I just like looking at it.
The RCBS Rock Chucker has sold out and is bringing 3 and 4 hundred dollars used on ebay. This is one of the best presses on the market. The Lyman turret press is another excellent choice, nice and heavy cast iron. The Lee presses are a great value and so is their equipment, especially the factory crimp die, if you don't use the Lee factory crimp dies your missing out.
If you buy a used press make sure it has a ram that takes snap in shell holders, some of the older ones don't. Most any of the used C or O type press made in the last 50 years will serve your needs for a life time. I have an excellent Pacific C press that's going on Ebay when I get the time to post it.
Some even collect reloading presses it's almost a Cult. For the first time ever reloading has the gained the respect that it deserves. Two years ago you could buy 9mm ammo for 25 cents per round
now it's selling for almost 2 dollars per round. Who would have "thunk" it.

It will all come back folks! don’t over pay for press either, and try not to encourage the panic by listing your RockChuncker on Ebay for $468

 

[Virginia Jim]

I’ve had an old RCBS 1A press on Craigslist for a while and not much interest. I’d make a new novice reloader a real deal on it.

 

[T_Walker]

I found that signing up for alerts from retailers was more productive and less stressful than scouring the Internet every day. That approach, and a little patience helped me get the tools I needed. Also, don't always listen to people when they say "this is a bad time to get into reloading." That seemed to be the mantra for many around here- back in the spring and summer, but that is when supplies were still available (and priced reasonably). Now, some of those people are saying you "shoulda, coulda, woulda..."

 

[kmw1954]

For myself I have been watching for a Lee current model Value Turret press to have on hand to replace an old Lee 3 Hole Turret press because Lee has ended support for them and no longer carries any replacement parts. This new model Value Press has a MSRP on Lee's site of $125.00.. Titan Reloading retail is $94.99 and FSReloading has them listed at $83.99... All three vendors are listed as Out of Stock while only FSReloading is accepting backorders with a delivery of June 2021.

Currently there is a reseller on ebay that has come into a bounty of these listed and the trending closing bids are in the $150.00/$175.00 range. Nice mark-up.

Lee Turret tool heads, 3 and 4 hole retail for roughly $12.00 and once again I see them selling for as much as $50.00 on ebay.

So like primers and powders I refuse to pay rapist prices for these item. I will do with out before bending-over.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’ve had an old RCBS 1A press on Craigslist for a while and not much interest. I’d make a new novice reloader a real deal on it.

put it on ebay if your looking to sell, but I understand your trying to keep it local

 

[kalielkslayer]

First post here, hope it doesn’t sound stupid.

my experience reloading was strictly rifle, Rockchucker, for 30+ years and shotgun for over 40 years. I bought pistol dies over the years, just in case. But never bought any pistol components although I have Win540 and HS6 for shotgun. And I bought a few bricks of primers over the years. I didn’t even know which calibers took SPP and which took LPP.

when pistol ammo prices skyrocketed, or there was nothing on the shelves, I went into a buying frenzy, probably last April.
Then I made the plunge and bought a Dillion RL 550 C after the salesman told me the last 25 750s they got were gone in one shift.

but what I’ve learned along the way is prices may correct, but they’ll never return to the old normal. I still pull out 25-30 year old lbs of RL22 or H414, that I bought during previous shortages, paid premium prices, and look at them now and think “That was a good investment.”

 

[xring3]

We all make mistakes in life. One of my most regrettable mistakes was giving away my old Hollywood press to my good for nothing stepson.

 

[flatsticks]

Well I can attest to needing all the supplies and how hard they have been to find.

Like others have said one here one there types of finds for me .

My are really stinks for finding relaoding stuff locally , wish it were better but online is really my only option.

The real lesson for me has been you snooze you lose , stuff has been in my cart many times only to see the stock out before you

can finish your purchase .

Second lesson was face to face when dealing with people for primers even though I have had hundreds of good dealing with people

I did not know online for golf and fishing stuff .

Have to say the scumbags taking advantage or people are terrible and they got me good as they know some of us a desperate to find primers

because they are so scarce .


I shoot for accuracy and dont go through a lot of rounds thank goodness but still need primers to put together the components that

I scoured for .

Some say we will be ok in 6 months to a year but like we all know once the manufactuers know people will pay top dollar price may remain high.

Have my fingers crossed that the primer fairy makes their stop by my house for real and not in my dream , will be waiting for them lol !

 

[Mark_Mark]

View attachment 976369 We all make mistakes in life. One of my most regrettable mistakes was giving away my old Hollywood press to my good for nothing stepson.

did your stepson have Red Hair?

 

[MauriceSam]

Yes, the current situation is crazy. Saw a couple days ago on eBay a set of 6.5 creedmoor Lee 4 die set with about 200 pieces of brass sold for $417. That's idiotic. Things will either get back to a normal level, or they'll be outlawed. When they get back to normal, try not to go crazy, that will only keep these outrageous prices high. It's got to be frustrating for newbies trying to get into this hobby. I've said before, you've got to get folks into reloading so the demand will be high enough to keep your local store wanting to keep things in stock.