Which Press?

[Lost Sheep]

How many times have we seen that question here??

Now to the actual question.......

I have a RCBS Rockchucker that I have used lightly for the past 20 years. I am interested in adding another press. I don't do a lot of shooting, so right now I am not looking at a progressive setup. Been thinking about another Rockchucker or a Redding T-7.

Is there any advantage to the Redding other than set it up and forget it?

How many of you run multiple single stage presses and that's all?

I mainly only load 9mm and 45 in quantity and do that by each step.

I started loading in 1975 with a single stage (RockChucker-great press). I found it a little slow and acquired a couple of progressives (one for large primers and one for small to make caliber swaps simpler).

In 2010 I repopulated my loading bench with the best tools money could buy (to suit me-your preferences may vary, but from your post, I think we have similar tastes).

I did my research for several months and came up with an auto-indexing turret press.

Read my story here: The full title is "Budget Beginning Bench You Will Never Outgrow for the Novice Handloader", but it is good even for experts who want to revamp their techniques or hardware.

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/293...you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html

Good luck

Lost Sheep

 

[VaGunNut]

Really? I wasn't aware Dillon made single stage or turret presses.

When THR members ask us specific questions regarding their press needs and desires, "Get a Dillon/Cry once and you'll thank me later" may not always be the appropriate response, especially for the OP who specifically asked about single stage/turret press.


I agree.

You can always use a progressive as a single stage press. Don't be so condescending about the replies received. Take feedback when you can get it and don't make a post a debate. It makes you sound arrogant. I've used a Dillon progressive as a single stage loader for several calibers over the years. You should know this. Progressive dictates that more than one die is used simutaneously. Remove all but one and guess what......?

 

[LiveLife]

Take feedback when you can get it and don't make a post a debate. It makes you sound arrogant. I've used a Dillon progressive as a single stage loader for several calibers over the years. You should know this.

I take my feedback from THR mods. And yes I do know and have suggested using turret/progressive presses in "single stage" mode by disabling auto index. Over the years on THR, I have also learned to read the original post (OP) and tried to keep my replies specific to OP's questions/needs/wants/desires to stay "on topic" which serves the members best and expected by THR staff/admins/mods.

What we "think" is best may not be what other THR members want or can afford. If a member wants to increase reloading production from single stage/turret press, suggesting Camdex or AmmoLoad inline commercial reloading machines, while they absolutely increase production, may not be appropriate to OP as much as 3-4-5 station rotary progressive reloading machines.

OP specified "I am not looking at a progressive setup":

I have a RCBS Rockchucker that I have used lightly for the past 20 years. I am interested in adding another press. I don't do a lot of shooting, so right now I am not looking at a progressive setup. Been thinking about another Rockchucker or a Redding T-7.

Is there any advantage to the Redding other than set it up and forget it?

How many of you run multiple single stage presses and that's all?

 

[DM~]

IF I was buying a new press for "normal" handloading, it would without a doubt be a CO-AX. "If" I was buying a press that will do just about EVERYTHING, then it would have to be a RCBS Rockchucker...

Best of all would be to have BOTH of them bolted to your bench! AND I practice what I preach!



DM

 

[GBExpat]

I have a RCBS Rockchucker that I have used lightly for the past 20 years. I am interested in adding another press. I don't do a lot of shooting, so right now I am not looking at a progressive setup. Been thinking about another Rockchucker or a Redding T-7.

Sorry, but I do not understand why you want to get another, not-a-progressive if the excellent single-stage that you already have only gets lightly used.

 

[viking499]

Sorry, but I do not understand why you want to get another, not-a-progressive if the excellent single-stage that you already have only gets lightly used.

I am planning on expanding my reloading since I am getting more into pistols and my son is starting to shoot more.

Just wanting to add something to simplify some steps or maybe some setup.

 

[GBExpat]

Ahhh ... the rest of the story. Got it, thanks.

I still use the RCBS JR3 single-stage that I bought in the mid-'70s.

I have never liked the idea of seating & crimping in the same motion and, therefore, never have ... which adds additional setup effort.

Last year I bought a POS aluminum Lee "C" Press (for my sister to give me for Christmas) that I use exclusively for seating lead bullets ("boolits") when I am in "production mode". I have a pre-drilled mounting spot a couple of inches from my JR3 ... after seating the bullet with the Lee I move the cartridge to the RCBS for crimping.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I am planning on expanding my reloading since I am getting more into pistols and my son is starting to shoot more.

Just wanting to add something to simplify some steps or maybe some setup.

Well then, since you added the pistol ammo information I highly suggest the Lee Classic Turret press. I feel it's the best press for the money especially for pistol ammo.

Kempf has a great deal on a Lee Classic Turret press kit for a great price. You get the press, the Lee Auto-Disk powder measure, a set of dies, the riser to clear the prime, the Safety Primer and a few ammo boxes.
https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41
I highly suggest you do the upgrade at the bottom of the page to the PRO Auto-Disk. It's a much better powder measure for not a lot more money.

I feel this will help you a lot if you are going to load more handgun ammo than the past. I can safely load 180 to 200 handgun rounds per hour using that press setup.

 

[9mmepiphany]

IF I was buying a new press for "normal" handloading, it would without a doubt be a CO-AX. "If" I was buying a press that will do just about EVERYTHING, then it would have to be a RCBS Rockchucker...
DM

Can you expand on the strengths of one versus the other?

 

[Paddy]

I've been thinking about the Summit also, but I don't know if I could get used to the reverse concept.

GS

It doesn't take long at all. I love that the die moves not the case, because it's the case I'm focusing on, so having it not move is a good thing.

Also, the low profile of the base means I can rest my forearm on the bench while manouvering shells in and out which eases my shoulders while gaining a bit of dexterity. At least, for me.

I can easily resize 300winmag on it with the short handle (optional) and I never use the long handle anymore.

I wanted a coax but this was 1/2 the price and twice the warranty.

 

[greyling22]

If you want to increase volume, and especially with 9mm, I think you would be well served with a lee turret press classic. it simplifies steps (I find 1 complete round at a time far simpler than batching), speeds up production, and takes up less space since you don't have loading blocks, separate powder dispenser, etc. And you can buy a whole turret press, auto disk powder dispenser, etc, for not much more than a rockchucker.

The next step beyond that that I would actually recommend would be either be a dillion square deal or a hornady lnl, but those are a lot more money and progressives.

 

[DM~]

Can you expand on the strengths of one versus the other?

There's no doubt that the RC develops more leverage than the CO-AX BUT unless you are into heavy case forming you don't need that added advantage.

This is part of the reason I stated "originally" that the RC will "do it all". Then there's RCBS's form and trim dies. They are all but impossible to use on a CO-AX and in another life, I use to do a LOT of wildcatting and designing of new cartridges, so for those, I needed a press that would allow those extreme leverage and functions...

For some things like "jacket forming" I needed even more leverage than a RC has, so for that purpose, I bought an RCBS "Big Max"!

Now, an Big Max it a REAL a hoss of a reloading press!! It's also an excellent press for loading 50 cal. BMG...

I've loaded more than 100,000 rounds with my old CO-AX and it's still tight and working perfectly... Just, from time to time, wipe it off and lube it...

DM

 

[9mmepiphany]

Thanks you for expanding. It really helped my understanding.

One of my many faults is that I lean toward the "do it all", when I only need just enough. A better understanding of strengths and abilities helps me focus. I think it is one of the things that drove me to the Hornady L-N-L AP, when I might have more than gotten by with the Lee Loadmaster. But, I can't complain, the LNL AP was almost a gift.

I'd likely never fully use the RC's capabilities. While "wildcatting" does have a certain appeal, I know better than to add another expensive hobby...that's why I don't dare get into shotgunning.

I'm really drawn to the Co-AX, but would likely never exceed the abilities of the Lee Classic Cast...but, then I drawn to the RCBS Summit too

 

[Potatohead]

Anyone suggest the Lee Classic Turret yet? Not a progressive, not a Single Stage, does the job well especially where pistol is concerned...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm really drawn to the Co-AX, but would likely never exceed the abilities of the Lee Classic Cast...but, then I drawn to the RCBS Summit too

You have no idea how much I understand this! :banghead:
(maybe not the presses themselves but in general)

 

[DM~]

The CO-AX is just so dang nice of a press to use... I like the way you can mount it inside the edge of your bench too and also turn it a bit toward you. (see my bench above) It's a bit faster press to use too...

I REALLY like mine...

DM