The Never-Ending "Perfect Press" Hunt

[rfwobbly]

You still have lock rings, only thing I see is an additional layer of tolerances, so how can that be an improvement in consistency?

That may be true for tiny cartridges, like 25ACP and 32H&R. But most of the standard cartridges (38Spcl, 45ACP, 9x19 Luger, 40S&W, 223) have no trouble pushing the toolhead (with all the dies hard mounted) to the limit, thereby eliminating any tolerance issues due to mounting.

On my 550, the 32ACP tool head is shimmed to the raised position for exactly that reason. I'm getting OALs with +/-0.001" tolerance.

 

[pert near]

I'd suggest taking a close look at the MEC Marksman press. I went through a couple of RCBS's, a Lyman Turret & a Dillon 550. The Marksman is one up on all of them IMHO. If you buy one, be sure to get the MEC stand also.

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

I feel like there are two things that I am constantly in an endless journey in search of. One is the "perfect" (for me) deer rifle. The other is the "perfect" reloading press. Am I the only one on this endless journey? I will have to note one caveat is that my Dillon 550 is the perfect "high volume" press for me. There's no way in heck I'm going to let that one go. What I'm searching for is the perfect small batch, handload press. Come to think of it, I've tried a good many different presses over the years and a few have been really good, but just had that one or two things that didn't quite work for me or that I didn't care for. I used them for a while, but I always seemed to find something I didn't like and I moved them on down the road.

Last summer we moved to a new house and I still haven't decided what I want to do about a reloading bench/work area. But what I have decided is that I want to streamline my reloading setup down to fewer and better quality equipment. I'm fairly certain that I want a good quality single stage press to compliment my Dillon 550 for small batch rifle-only loading. I don't want a turret press, but I do think I want a press that has quick change die capabilities. I want the ability to put the dies in some kind of small box when not in use and keep them stored away. This year has convinced me that I need to get more serious about consolidating calibers, components, and equipment. There's nothing wrong with being spread out with various calibers, components, and equipment. But for me, consolidating to a "core" system has really became important.

That being said, I'm interested in the following presses: Hornady LnL single stage, Hornady Iron Press (possibly with the auto-priming if it's not gimicky), RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme (with the Hornady LnL converstion), and the Frankford Arsenal M-Press. Those all seem to be the options I can find that have the quick change die capabilities. I'd be interested in hearing everyone's opinions of these and anything I may be overlooking in my journey for the "perfect" press.

A lot of guys like the Forster Coaxial for a single stage press. Kind of pricey for a single stage though. Sturdy and they claim very small amounts of run-out.

 

[Otto]

You still have lock rings, only thing I see is an additional layer of tolerances, so how can that be an improvement in consistency?

Agreed, quick change bushings are less about precision and more about making profits for the company. Sure, they can provide a negligible amount of convenience assuming that the bushings don’t back-out and become loose (which everyone of mine has). Coincidentally, Hornady will be happy to sell you a shim to reduce their sloppy tolerances for just $1.90 per bushing. BTW, have you seen what LNL bushings are selling for on eBay...it’s completely insane.


Nothing in life is “perfect”....except my dog.

 

[Olympus]

Awesome Avatar BTW. Are those Esmeralda s?

Blasphemy! Those are no mass-produced, CNC-made grips. That are painstakingly hand-crafted, no two the same, one of a kind custom grips made by yours truly. Just one of over 3000 unique sets made within the last 12 years.

 

[Olympus]

I hate to see that the Redding Big Boss II did not make your list. And they are back in stock now. And will take the LNL bushings.

I've just never really paid much attention to anything Redding. Mainly because of the cost compared to other brands and also because I've never been into extreme precision. I'm happy with anything that will produce MOA or slightly better loads.

 

[JFrank]

Blasphemy !!! Quite right I shall seek professional therapy. Lol

Nice grips

 

[Ranger99]

My perfect press is my first one, the
old RCBS Rockchucker with the " bicycle "
grip that was already well used when I
got it.
It's not a quick change anything, but it
doesn't flex and is solidly mounted as
any press should be.
I have a couple of others, one that I
keep a universal decap die in, and
a Lee hand press I use for some things

They do fine for what I do since I
load pretty methodically

 

[JFrank]

I've just never really paid much attention to anything Redding. Mainly because of the cost compared to other brands and also because I've never been into extreme precision. I'm happy with anything that will produce MOA or slightly better loads.

Actually
The perfect press is RCBS- RS or JR model purchased at garage sales for $20-40.00 these are outstanding O presses.

I have a few...

 

[kmw1954]

Actually
The perfect press is RCBS- RS or JR model purchased at garage sales for $20-40.00 these are outstanding O presses....

Mine! Sizing up some 223.

 

[BJung]

For Speed, I'd choose the Dillon and then the Hornady L&L. For a single press of my choice, I'd choose a Forster because I've read that some snipers and long range shooters like them.. As a second choice I'd choose an RCBS Rockchucker. RCBS Rockchuckers are common and you can find one for a good price. RCBS also has good customer service.

 

[Hondo 60]

Interchangeable die bushing systems are available from Hornady and Lee that are adaptable to most presses. I use both, and favor the one offered by Lee.

I have 2 Lee Challenger Breechlock presses.
The dies are placed in a bushing.
Then it's just a quarter turn in or out.

My legs & hips just don't allow me to go down stairs anymore.
So I bought a wall-mounted folding work bench for my bedroom.

I've got 2 Dillon 550s & 1 Lee bolted on my bench downstairs.
Just got the 2nd Lee about a month ago for upstairs.

Now I gotta decide if I "need" extra die sets so I can have 'em.
in toolheads (Dillons) & die bushings (Lees)

 

[Skgreen]

Quick change bushings are kinda like electric windows in your car,,,
You don't have to have 'em, but they are nice to have.

 

[rdinga]

Scaled down to 5 when I downsized. RCBS Rockchucker, Redding T7, 2 550's and a 1050. Every tool has a specific function. Inline Precision Quick change mounts are a beautiful thing when saving space is important.