Single Stage Press Suggestions

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9mmepiphany

9mmepiphany

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This is more a "want" than a "need" kind of thing.

I've had a RCBS "kit" for about 35+ years...got it as part of a trade for my first AR...but haven't really had the desire to reload. This changed a couple of years ago as I got more into competitive handgun shooting and my stockpile of 9mm dwindled...stuff I paid $70/k for. Unfortunately the press was a RCBS Jr 3 who's linkage interfered with the way my bench is made. I thought about getting a riser, but for less than half the price I could get a Lee Reloader press (<$30) or a Challenger for about the same price (~$60).

As luck would have it, a Hornady LNL AP fell into my lap...as a rescue from an abusive home. I love the LNL and am having a great time cranking out loads of handgun ammo...the limiting factor now is powder and primers.

I thought it would be nice to have a complimentary Single Stage (SS) for decapping the thousands of cases...9mm, .38/.357, .40, .45, .223... I've accumulated over 35 years. I also thought it would be nice to buy shell holders rather than shell plates for my lessor loaded calibers...7mm-08, .303, 6.5x55mm; maybe .375 H&H...and load them on the SS.

My first thought was a Forster Co-Ax, which I just think is cool...but maybe a little overkill. Being more realistic, I guess I'm looking at a RCBS Rock Chucker, Hornady LNL (love the quick change bushings) or Lee Classic Cast.

Then I stumbled across the Redding T-7 and that has somewhat captured my imagination; like the Co-Ax did...I guess I just don't like screwing in dies and having to adjust them.

What I'm asking for are peoples experiences with the different SS, and T-7, and quirks they might have which would add or subtract from the experience of owning one.

Are there really differences between different SS presses?
 
The Redding Big Boss II ha a good spent primer catch system that should eliminate or at least minimize spent primers being scattered about. It is a good press too.

I have Redding Big Boss, which I like but the spent primer catch system is not so good.

I cannot comment on the Forster
 
My first thought was a Forster Co-Ax, which I just think is cool.
Click to expand...

It does look "cool" and does a great job. I hate the fact that the handle is in the center, on top. Not a natural position for me.

I went with an RCBS Summit. Can be set up for LH or RH loaders, placing the handle in a nice comfortable position.

Doesn't have to be mounted on the edge of a bench if you don't want to.

Primers drop into a small cup but just drill a hole in the bench top and put a coffee can under it. No more primers all over the place, a big catch tray, or a bottle hanging down on a tube.

Once the guide screws are properly adjusted (about 10 mins) the press has zero slop and sized cases have the lowest run-out I've seen on single stage presses.

There are two handle lengths available. Long for sizing and short for seating bullets if you desire more "feel".

I added the Hornady LnL quick change bushing kit to mine so it works just as fast as a turret when loading in batches. Size a block of 50, prime and charge, then seat all 50 with a 5 second change of dies,

Oh yeah, the Summit is at least $100 less than the Forster.
 
With both the Rock Chucker and the Lee Classic Cast, you can unscrew the die bushing on the top of the press and replace with the Hornady Lock-N-Load conversion bushing. Then you put Lock-N-Load die bushings on each of your dies and benefit from the Lock-N-Load system.

You can get the conversion kit (the conversion bushing and 2 die bushings) from Amazon.
 
9mmepiphany said:
Are there really differences between different SS presses?
Click to expand...
Yes. Obviously construction metal/color/finish and type like "O" vs "C" and even "H", but different die thread size/use of adapters, how the dies are installed (threaded vs breechlock), different mechanical leverage (arbor type press doesn't need to be mounted to a bench for operation and can be taken to the range/field), height to accommodate different cartridge lengths (not all SS press can be used for 50 BMG), spent primer collection, etc.

While I like my RCBS RS-5 press for how it neatly collects spent primers into a plastic container, I prefer to use the C-H 205 press for resizing thicker walled military .308 cases even though I do not like how it handles spent primers.
 
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amlevin said:
It does look "cool" and does a great job. I hate the fact that the handle is in the center, on top. Not a natural position for me.

I went with an RCBS Summit. Can be set up for LH or RH loaders, placing the handle in a nice comfortable position.

Doesn't have to be mounted on the edge of a bench if you don't want to.

Primers drop into a small cup but just drill a hole in the bench top and put a coffee can under it. No more primers all over the place, a big catch tray, or a bottle hanging down on a tube.

Once the guide screws are properly adjusted (about 10 mins) the press has zero slop and sized cases have the lowest run-out I've seen on single stage presses.

There are two handle lengths available. Long for sizing and short for seating bullets if you desire more "feel".

I added the Hornady LnL quick change bushing kit to mine so it works just as fast as a turret when loading in batches. Size a block of 50, prime and charge, then seat all 50 with a 5 second change of dies,

Oh yeah, the Summit is at least $100 less than the Forster.
Click to expand...
The RWB Summit is on sale at Cabela's for $149.88 with free shipping (use code "4GIFTS' for free shipping).

There is also a $10 RCBS rebate available. Or you could order 2 and a shellholder to get above $300 and get the $50 RCBS rebate

http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS...b+summit&x=0&y=0&Ntt=rwb+summit&WTz_l=Unknown
 
I like my rcbs summit! I converted it to use the LNL bushings also, and im fairly certain any press with an 1-1/4 die thread can be converted also. Cost about 10$. I also Fabbed a ring to go under the converter, about .10" thick that makes the dies interchangeable between progressive and single without adjustment.
I use the short handle on mine and it sizes everything just fine, no need to convert. I also filled the shell holder-holder so that primers go straight through and below table so it's very clean and never fills up. I usually use my lee 25$ press for decapping though because it's much lighter and quicker and I leave it setup to decap all the time. Anyway summit press= awesome.
 
since you already have the hornady - I'd just get the L-N-L press. it's on sale. If I were starting over, the bushing system is pretty cool - I'd probably go that way too.
 
For single-stage, my first was a Lee Challenger breech-lock. Nice and simple. The one thing I really don't like about it is how it handles spent primers while de-capping. All the crud gets down into the press and requires cleaning after every 500 or so rounds, maybe more often.

I bought the RCBS Summit press and REALLY like it for de-capping. I mount it on the edge of my bench, and made a hanger that holds a large plastic bin to catch the primers. Never have to worry about the crud getting into the workings of the press.

I have not gotten the LNL conversion bushings yet, but plan to.
 
Been using my Co-Ax for over 30 years for loading several different rifle/handgun cartridges from 22 Hornet to 45 Colt. No complaints and does everything I need it to do.
 
Just looking at the RCBS Summit for $150 and the Rockchucker for $120...yes, I know both qualify for the $10 rebate and both have free shipping available.

What I'm seeing is that the Summit can mount on a flat surface without overhand...and there is the cool factor of just being different.

Is there a strength concern with the Open Architecture compared to the "O" frame?

anothernewb said:
since you already have the hornady - I'd just get the L-N-L press. it's on sale.
Click to expand...
I'm seeing the LNL at $125. Is there a better deal out there?
 
9mmepiphany said:
Is there a strength concern with the Open Architecture compared to the "O" frame?


I'm seeing the LNL at $125. Is there a better deal out there?
Click to expand...
besides the midway price, not that I know of.

with regards to strength. I think all the big manufacturers all use some sort of connected frame architecture. I think any form of "loop" is generally equivalent in strength and stability - but all are superior to a "C" configuration.
 
I reality there is little difference between the single stage presses. The difference are in the priming style and how they recover spent primers. That's what I would look at when deciding on a single stage press.

As for the Redding turret press, IMO it's a single stage press with 7 stations. Some reloaders like the fact they can set up 3 sets of rifle dies and an expander for their lead bullet loads all at once.

I have seen and touched the RCBS Summit press but not actually loaded on it. My impression is, it could probably bend a metal rod, it seems to be that strong. The linkage is hefty and the ram is very large. I think they succeeded in making a stronger Forster Co-Ax style press. (nothing against the Co-Ax, I own one)

If I were buying a single stage press right now it would easily be the Lee Classic Cast press.
 
I read the original post, but am unsure of something. Is this new press (a single stage) intended for decapping only? If so, I use a Lee breech lock hand press for just this job. I decap before I wet polish my brass in stainless steel media. It's extremely portable and I can do it mindlessly sitting in front of the TV or anywhere I have time and space. I've knocked out thousands of primers this way. It's also much cheaper than any of the bench mounted presses.

If you plan on using the single stage press for other things or I misunderstood the request for suggestions, completely ignore my suggestion.

Here it is:
http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/410804/lee-hand-press
 
Thanks for asking our advice

Don't overlook the Lee Classic Turret.

The bottom end (linkage) is the same as the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage (I believe). The turret heads are MUCH less expensive than the Redding T-7 heads.

It is a single stage when the indexing is turned off and (semi)progressive (that is, a single stage capable of continuous processing) with the indexing turned on. In continuous processing, you can expect to double or triple your throughput over batch processing.

Lost Sheep
 
I've tried the Lee Turret, Lee Reloader, the Hornady L-N-L AP, Hornady L-N-L Classic and the Dillon 550/650 prior to getting my own AP. The Lee Turret doesn't do anything that my LNL can't do better.

I'm looking for the simplicity of a SS, but a step above the Lee Reloader (a friend would give me his; he just moved up to the Lee Challenger) or my RCBS JR3 (trade throw in)...if I just wanted to decap, I could just slide the JR3 onto the bench with the Universal Decapping die mounted.

I'm drawn to the Hornady LNL Classic mostly because of the spent primer handling. I really like the bushing system also, but I already have the conversion kit (gift) that I can use on a press I choose

I looked at the Lyman T-Mag II and found that when compared to the Redding T-7, you really do get what you pay for.

The Co-Ax and the RCBS Summit just have a certain panache that appeal to me...but then how much is panache worth ($$$)
 
ArchAngelCD said:
The difference are in the priming style and how they recover spent primers. That's what I would look at when deciding on a single stage press.
Click to expand...
That may well be my tipping point also

If I were buying a single stage press right now it would easily be the Lee Classic Cast press.
Click to expand...
Would you lean toward the one with the Breech Lock or the one without?

FS Reloading currently has either one for just over $100
 
As someone else mentioned, if you are looking strictly for depriming, don't look past the Lee handheld press. I keep one in my garage (not my reloading room) and I deprime as soon as I get back from the range. For the price and simplicity, you cannot beat it. I use a Lee universal decapping die with it along with a set of lee shell holders.

Having a single stage bench mounted press for other reasons (if that's what your after) is also nice when you are primarily using a progressive. I have a RockChucker (my first press) that I use for pulling bullets, using the Lee Collet Dies (neck sizing), and a few other tasks. I ended up picking up a Forster last year to use as my primary press for loading rifle rounds in the pursuit of the most concentric ammo. So far I like it.

For handling spent primers, the RC is my least favorite. I also have a Lee Classic Turret press that is probably my most favorite for handling spent primers. The Forster does a nice job with them too. Although most of the time, by the time my brass gets to my reloading room, it has already been deprimed and cleaned with SS media
 
I use a Lee breech lock hand press for just this job. I decap before I wet polish my brass in stainless steel media. It's extremely portable and I can do it mindlessly sitting in front of the TV or anywhere I have time and space. I've knocked out thousands of primers this way. It's also much cheaper than any of the bench mounted presses.
Click to expand...
As someone else mentioned, if you are looking strictly for depriming, don't look past the Lee handheld press.
Click to expand...
This isn't going to happen.

Between advancing age, years of abuse shooting handguns, and just plain lack of desire, hand tools don't hold a lot of appeal for me. I don't even like hand held priming tools, much preferring bench tools mounted on a portable block
 
Sizing and depriming, a Lee breech lock. Push button 1/3 turn on the die to swap (interrupted threads "bushing" that locks in place solid vs the o-ring on the LNL) and lower cost.

I am not a huge fan of breaking up the reloading process if I don't have to or it makes more work for me.

Kind of makes a progressive not very progressive.

Rifle you have to, with pistol I only do it on my automated progressives or turret/single stage loading.

If you really, really don't like hand tools, this the fastest processing I have done, touching a press or not. Size, deprime and swage over 4300/hr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1ieGYpdr9I
 
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