What Was Your First Reloading Press? Do You Still Have It?
- Thread starter loadedround
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loose noose
Member
RCBS Rock Chucker Still have it
Mec 600 Still have it bought both at the same time around 1972.
Mec 600 Still have it bought both at the same time around 1972.
renomedia
Member
My first press was a Pacific (Hornady) 07 press. I still use it today for primer pocket swaging and loading some rifle rounds.
I use a Dillon RL-450 for pistol and .223
I use a Dillon RL-450 for pistol and .223
2Bad4u
Member
My first press is a Dillion 650 and my second press is the Redding Big Boss II.
It's not too surprizing that I still have both presses because I bought the Dillon last December.
It's not too surprizing that I still have both presses because I bought the Dillon last December.
THe Dove
BOOMER SOONER!!!
Bought a RCBS Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit in 1994. Been using that hoss every since, and all the other parts that came with it. But, I don't load thousands of rounds per month. If I did, I would roll with a Dillon I think.
The Dove
The Dove
Sauer Grapes
Member
Actually I've only been loading pistol for a few years. {Lee turret} My father bought a Mec 600jr back in the late 60's. I've still got it and use it for hunting loads since I don't need that many. Still works great and Mec still sells parts for them.
ColtPythonElite
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- 10,478
Rockchucker and still have it.
My dad had a rock chucker and I bought my own at sixteen to load for my python... The I got into lee 1000's until recently. Yes I have my rock chucker, dads and another I got in trade a while back. They do come in handy even with the progressives
Hesenwine
Member
Lee Classic that I still use for decapping. Then a Dillon 550B used for 9mm, 44 Spcl, 44 Mag, 7.62x39.
Other bottlenecks get developed on a Rockchucker until they're where a rifle likes them, then bulk loading goes to the dillon (but decapping is still on the Lee and I mostly neck size on the RCBS.
Other bottlenecks get developed on a Rockchucker until they're where a rifle likes them, then bulk loading goes to the dillon (but decapping is still on the Lee and I mostly neck size on the RCBS.
tightgroup tiger
Member
Lyman Tru-line torret press made in late 50s-early 60's I inherited from my father with an old Redding C-frame made also in the late 60's.
My first purchased press was a Rock Chucker in the early 90's, it is still going strong.
Then a Lee pro1000 auto progressive in late 90's
Then a Hornady LNL-AP 3 months ago.
My first purchased press was a Rock Chucker in the early 90's, it is still going strong.
Then a Lee pro1000 auto progressive in late 90's
Then a Hornady LNL-AP 3 months ago.
1) Lee turret press. Used 20+ years. Given back to original owner. Still in use.
2) RCBS RS, still in use(bought from original owner)
3/4) Lee Classic Cast and Classic Turret, still in use
5) Dillon RL-300, still in use(given to me by original owner)
6) MEC 600 JR old model, still in use
7) MEC Super 600 late 50's model like new, works great
8) MEC 600 JR new model, loaded one box of shells before my surgery in Feb.
Up until just a few years ago my only press was that old Lee three-hole turret press. I started wanting a backup and one of the wonderful members on here sold me the RS for a very good price(boolit casters and handloaders are the salt of the Earth, I feel like we are part of a fraternity or brotherhood. I liken them to Freemasons.) Shortly after the original owner of my turret press asked about buying his stuff back. I decided to give him his press and an old Lyman(Ohaus) scale for Christmas. I ended up replacing it with the Classic presses. I'm pretty sure my great-grand-children will still be using most of this stuff.
2) RCBS RS, still in use(bought from original owner)
3/4) Lee Classic Cast and Classic Turret, still in use
5) Dillon RL-300, still in use(given to me by original owner)
6) MEC 600 JR old model, still in use
7) MEC Super 600 late 50's model like new, works great
8) MEC 600 JR new model, loaded one box of shells before my surgery in Feb.
Up until just a few years ago my only press was that old Lee three-hole turret press. I started wanting a backup and one of the wonderful members on here sold me the RS for a very good price(boolit casters and handloaders are the salt of the Earth, I feel like we are part of a fraternity or brotherhood. I liken them to Freemasons.) Shortly after the original owner of my turret press asked about buying his stuff back. I decided to give him his press and an old Lyman(Ohaus) scale for Christmas. I ended up replacing it with the Classic presses. I'm pretty sure my great-grand-children will still be using most of this stuff.
Peter M. Eick
Member
I have all of my presses.
My RCBS Rock chucker is a mid 80's version and it is still perking right along. The Pro2000 is about 12 years old now and it is working just fine.
My RCBS Rock chucker is a mid 80's version and it is still perking right along. The Pro2000 is about 12 years old now and it is working just fine.
Mike 27
Member
Lee single stage....still have and use it regularly, for all of my rifle and some pistol that I don't have shell plates for my LNL for. Works great, and will outlast me probably.....
Mike
Mike
Tomcat47
Member
Lee "O" Frame classic...then a rockchucker...then added progressives for shotgun and Loadmaster and progressive 1000
Still have all except shotgun..
Still have all except shotgun..
Hondo 60
Member
Lee Challenger Breech Lock 50th Anniversary Kit.
And yes, I still have it.
Used it tonight to size/deprime some 7.62x25 brass.
(it has a shoulder, so I lube it, resize it & tumble again to remove the lube)
And yes, I still have it.
Used it tonight to size/deprime some 7.62x25 brass.
(it has a shoulder, so I lube it, resize it & tumble again to remove the lube)
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
- Messages
- 3,797
My first press was a Lyman Spar-T, bought it in '65 and it's still going strong. I do have four others now, each purchased for specific reasons to do specific things and each does its assigned tasks very well.
The interesting common point about all of the posts above is that in spite of the different old presses we may have, they all still work fine. That sorta puts the spin so many try to inject when they say "I've used a brand x, model y press for 30 years and it's still going strong; it's the 'best'!" in a realistic perspective. Fact is, there is no best and they ALL last a very long time unless they are abused or neglected; if we buy what we actually need and use it as intended we will be happy no matter what color it is.
The interesting common point about all of the posts above is that in spite of the different old presses we may have, they all still work fine. That sorta puts the spin so many try to inject when they say "I've used a brand x, model y press for 30 years and it's still going strong; it's the 'best'!" in a realistic perspective. Fact is, there is no best and they ALL last a very long time unless they are abused or neglected; if we buy what we actually need and use it as intended we will be happy no matter what color it is.
montanaoffroader
Member
RCBS JR2, still own it, the only press I own in fact. Not sure how many thousands of rounds I have put through it.
Also, Lyman (Ohaus) M5 scale, Saeco Tru-Speed powder measure, Raytech tumbler (actually meant for polishing rocks, but works good for cases), and misc bits of Herters and Lee stuff all about the same age as the press. All of it still going strong.
Guess I'm dating myself a bit.........
Also, Lyman (Ohaus) M5 scale, Saeco Tru-Speed powder measure, Raytech tumbler (actually meant for polishing rocks, but works good for cases), and misc bits of Herters and Lee stuff all about the same age as the press. All of it still going strong.
Guess I'm dating myself a bit.........
Edarnold
Member
C-H Magnum, used for bullet-swaging in the day, still cranking out perfect ammo today. Acquired around 1957.
carbuncle
Member
Lee Anniversary Breech Lock is my first press, and it's sitting in my closet waiting for me to get the rest of my gear together to start reloading.
Bull Nutria
Member
UPDATE TO AN EARLIER POST ON THIS TOPIC
Lyman Spartan-C press purchased July 18,1977 along with a Mec 600 jr in 12 ga, still have both and use them frequently. i bought them both from a discount outfit called Charter Oak Distributors, Middletown CT, along with some accessories and paid about $85.93!!!!!this included the Lyman spartan C press($22), MEC 600 Jr 12 ga($46.95), lee powder measure kit($2.95), G96 brass cleaner($1.95), lens cap for a scope($2.50),and a case card 50rd plastic 30.06 cartridge box($1.75) as well as $7.83 postage I found the carbon copy invoice in my files,
note to youngsters a carbon copy is what you used before xerox copiers!!
man were things inexpensive back then compared to now!!
Bull
Lyman Spartan-C press purchased July 18,1977 along with a Mec 600 jr in 12 ga, still have both and use them frequently. i bought them both from a discount outfit called Charter Oak Distributors, Middletown CT, along with some accessories and paid about $85.93!!!!!this included the Lyman spartan C press($22), MEC 600 Jr 12 ga($46.95), lee powder measure kit($2.95), G96 brass cleaner($1.95), lens cap for a scope($2.50),and a case card 50rd plastic 30.06 cartridge box($1.75) as well as $7.83 postage I found the carbon copy invoice in my files,
note to youngsters a carbon copy is what you used before xerox copiers!!
man were things inexpensive back then compared to now!!
Bull
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