bdpeterson
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I'm looking for a single stage press for a single caliber. Which brand/model provides the best accuracy and reliability?
Which single stage press is the best?
- Thread starter bdpeterson
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snuffy
Member
The lee classic cast is the best conventional "O" frame press today. Some will say the RCBS rockchucker is the best, but that press is just not as well made. The cast steel of the lee is tougher than the cast iron of the RCBS.
The Cadillac of all SS presses is the Forster co-ax. It's leverage tops all the rest, along with the floating die system and universal shell plate that also self aligns with the dies.
As far as value goes, the lee also beats the rest.
The Cadillac of all SS presses is the Forster co-ax. It's leverage tops all the rest, along with the floating die system and universal shell plate that also self aligns with the dies.
As far as value goes, the lee also beats the rest.
glockgod
Member
If you're looking to save money watch the buy-sell-trade papers.Used reloading equipment can often be found at very reasonable prices. I paid $25 for a Lyman Spartan press and a box of assorted goodies 30 years ago. I'd love to know how many times that press has paid for itself!
loadedround
Member
The best single stage press on the market today is the Redding Boss. You will pay a little more for it, but the quality and precision is worth it. Next would be the RCBS press...also a quality press.
ranger335v
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The Lee Classic Cast press is all steel, not cheaper/weaker cast iron, and it's precisely bored on modern CNC machinery. What can possibly be lacking in its "quality and precision"? Advantages between it and the RC/Boss?
The Lee CC is a better/stronger press and has much better features. Its lever is fully adjustable for side, length and angle. The press is big enough and strong enough to load .50 BMG. The ram has a larger diameter that will resist wear better. Spent primers go down the ram into a container, not get tossed all over the floor as my RC does them.
There's no contest, if I had to replace my old RC next week it would be with a CC specifically FOR quality and precision!
The Coax is a great press, in most ways but its ergonomics leave me cold. The "straight out" lever gets in my way and the "straight in" case access space does too. The fast die change feature would mean nothing to me, I only change dies once or twice in a loading session anyway and screwing them in and out requires no more than maybe 30-40 seconds, total. And it costs a LOT with no real benefit to the way I load!
The Lee CC is a better/stronger press and has much better features. Its lever is fully adjustable for side, length and angle. The press is big enough and strong enough to load .50 BMG. The ram has a larger diameter that will resist wear better. Spent primers go down the ram into a container, not get tossed all over the floor as my RC does them.
There's no contest, if I had to replace my old RC next week it would be with a CC specifically FOR quality and precision!
The Coax is a great press, in most ways but its ergonomics leave me cold. The "straight out" lever gets in my way and the "straight in" case access space does too. The fast die change feature would mean nothing to me, I only change dies once or twice in a loading session anyway and screwing them in and out requires no more than maybe 30-40 seconds, total. And it costs a LOT with no real benefit to the way I load!
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Rokman
Member
I love my Forster Co-Ax. I thought the thing looked rediculous until I tried it at Cabela's. It is a great press.
The Bushmaster
Member
Have money? Forster Co-Ax...Short on change? Lee Classic Cast "O" press...
I have the Lee Classic Cast (I'm always "short on change"). Works perfectly. It serves as a resizing/decapping press and I prime all my cases (rifle and handgun) with it using a Lee Auto Prime II...
I have the Lee Classic Cast (I'm always "short on change"). Works perfectly. It serves as a resizing/decapping press and I prime all my cases (rifle and handgun) with it using a Lee Auto Prime II...
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howlnmad
Member
I gotta go along with the majority. The forster if money's not an issue. It can be a bit awkward to use if you sit while reloading due to the handle location. The Lee CC is a well built fine piece of equipment. I have one and love it. I think it even comes with a breech lock system but I'm not positive. I'd go with the Lee CC anyway.
howlnmad
howlnmad
Action_Can_Do
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- May 28, 2005
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Redding and Forster are the best. Lee is good (usually). They have had alignment issues in the past.
mcdonl
Member
Well... there you have it. The Lee, Forster, Redding, RCBS, Lyman is the best.
JimKirk
Member
The order is wrong: Forster, Redding, RCBS, Lyman then Lee.
The OP ask for the best single stage!! Forster CoAx!!
Jimmy K
The OP ask for the best single stage!! Forster CoAx!!
Jimmy K
howlnmad
Member
Somewhere at the end of this rainbow, there is a press for you.
howlnmad
howlnmad
Arkansas Paul
Member
All of the quality brands are good.
If you're not into handloading yet and are just getting started, you might want to get a lower priced one until you're sure you want to stick with it. Get a Lee. They're reasonably priced and I've never heard anyone that has one complain about them.
If you're not into handloading yet and are just getting started, you might want to get a lower priced one until you're sure you want to stick with it. Get a Lee. They're reasonably priced and I've never heard anyone that has one complain about them.
snuffy
Member
Opinions vary,,, don't they? Until you actually work with a press, you can't say more than just what you've heard.
I recently bought a lee classic cast press. The main reason was so I could remove the 7/8 die bushing so I could use the 1-¼ cowboy brass shotshell die. After buying it, I had the chance to try loading 500 S&W shells, training a new reloader so he could start loading for his hand cannon! It worked better than my co-ax!
This press is built like a tank! For the price it's better than any other press. For the quality it's also better.
For $85.99, how could you go wrong? And no I don't work for lee!
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=317831
I recently bought a lee classic cast press. The main reason was so I could remove the 7/8 die bushing so I could use the 1-¼ cowboy brass shotshell die. After buying it, I had the chance to try loading 500 S&W shells, training a new reloader so he could start loading for his hand cannon! It worked better than my co-ax!
This press is built like a tank! For the price it's better than any other press. For the quality it's also better.
For $85.99, how could you go wrong? And no I don't work for lee!
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=317831
Ridgerunner665
Member
For single stage presses....just pick your favorite color and run with it.
UltimateReloader
Member
A couple considerations:
1. The hornady lock-n-load bushing system is great! you can get it by ordering the Hornady Lock-N-Load classic single stage, or add an upgrade kit to other presses (lee classic cast for instance). Why unscrew dies when you can pop them in/out in a second?
2. I like the slidebar priming system on my Redding T-7 - the T-7 is great, and the slide bar priming system is also available on the Redding Big Boss single stage. If you're priming off the press, this is not a big consideration.
There's my thoughts!
1. The hornady lock-n-load bushing system is great! you can get it by ordering the Hornady Lock-N-Load classic single stage, or add an upgrade kit to other presses (lee classic cast for instance). Why unscrew dies when you can pop them in/out in a second?
2. I like the slidebar priming system on my Redding T-7 - the T-7 is great, and the slide bar priming system is also available on the Redding Big Boss single stage. If you're priming off the press, this is not a big consideration.
There's my thoughts!
ranger335v
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Snuffy: "I recently bought a lee classic cast press...It worked better than my co-ax!"
And that's from a guy who has both; no "bad news" rumors or guessing about it!
Seems some folks just can't get away from the idea that Lee's presses are said to be cheap "pot metal" - actually very high strength alum alloy. You know, it's the same "cheap" stuff they make auto engine pistons and blocks and wheels, rifle scope tubes, handgun and shotgun actions, outboard motors/props, airplanes, missiles, etc., out of. But, fact is, the Classic Cast IS cast steel from railroad rails.
How anyone could expect Lee's presses to have "alignment" problems when both the ram holes and die holes are drilled/reamed at the same time with the same CNC machine tool set-up escapes me. But, I'm sure those who stoke the Lee "bad new" rumor mill don't feel any need for facts to back up their stories, they will always find some willing listeners.
And that's from a guy who has both; no "bad news" rumors or guessing about it!
Seems some folks just can't get away from the idea that Lee's presses are said to be cheap "pot metal" - actually very high strength alum alloy. You know, it's the same "cheap" stuff they make auto engine pistons and blocks and wheels, rifle scope tubes, handgun and shotgun actions, outboard motors/props, airplanes, missiles, etc., out of. But, fact is, the Classic Cast IS cast steel from railroad rails.
How anyone could expect Lee's presses to have "alignment" problems when both the ram holes and die holes are drilled/reamed at the same time with the same CNC machine tool set-up escapes me. But, I'm sure those who stoke the Lee "bad new" rumor mill don't feel any need for facts to back up their stories, they will always find some willing listeners.
Jumping Frog
Member
Lee also offers the Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press, which uses quick change bushings. It is available at Wideners for $41.50 (press alone) , or get the kit for $82.00.
howlnmad
Member
If you read the 2nd edition Lee manual, he states that it was his son that came up with the idea of making presses outta real steel. Their presses (the CC and classic turret) are made from cast steel (railroad rail) , not cast iron.
howlnmad
howlnmad
A post earlier compared some presses to the amount of money you've got to spend. I've got money out the wazoo and I went with the Lee Classic Cast Turret. I could have had any press I wanted but after a realistic assessment of how much I would shoot in a year the Lee CC was the best option for me. It was the optimal choice for my situation.
I've loaded .45 ACP, .41 mag, and 7mm remington mag on it. I like it alot. I might have the desire to add another press to the bench someday but it won't be because the Lee lacks in quality or precision. Speed of output will be the only reason I'd need to upgrade. I shoot less than 4,000 rounds per year so I don't need a progressive just yet.
The turret system makes it soooooo easy to change out to another caliber. I've got one for each that I load and my dies stay screwed in and adjusted. If I change from .45 to 7mag I have no adjustments to make when I come back to .45...the dies are still dialed in.
As someone else mentioned ealier the ergonomics of the Lee CC are nice too. It's easy to insert/remove shells from the station, the press is not awkwardly placed on the machine. It's well built.
Youtube has a bunch of videos of all of the presses...I found that to be a nice reference while doing my research.
Good luck in your search.
I've loaded .45 ACP, .41 mag, and 7mm remington mag on it. I like it alot. I might have the desire to add another press to the bench someday but it won't be because the Lee lacks in quality or precision. Speed of output will be the only reason I'd need to upgrade. I shoot less than 4,000 rounds per year so I don't need a progressive just yet.
The turret system makes it soooooo easy to change out to another caliber. I've got one for each that I load and my dies stay screwed in and adjusted. If I change from .45 to 7mag I have no adjustments to make when I come back to .45...the dies are still dialed in.
As someone else mentioned ealier the ergonomics of the Lee CC are nice too. It's easy to insert/remove shells from the station, the press is not awkwardly placed on the machine. It's well built.
Youtube has a bunch of videos of all of the presses...I found that to be a nice reference while doing my research.
Good luck in your search.
BigJakeJ1s
Member
++1 for the Forster Co-Ax: the best designed, best built, single stage press available.
I also tried it out at Cabella's. I had heard great things about it, and researched it, but getting to actually handle one sold me on it.
But, like others have said, the ergonomics are quite different from most other single stage presses. It works best for most if they stand up while reloading.
Andy
I also tried it out at Cabella's. I had heard great things about it, and researched it, but getting to actually handle one sold me on it.
But, like others have said, the ergonomics are quite different from most other single stage presses. It works best for most if they stand up while reloading.
Andy
Hondo 60
Member
I started on a Lee Breech Lock Challenger Press. I highly recommend it because of the bushings.
The die goes into the bushing and you tighten it down with the locking lug.
To change dies you take out the bushing by giving it a 1/4 turn & put the new die in.
You never have to readjust the die! No guessing, no oops the bullet is in too deep, etc.
I don't work for Lee & I ain't related. But this is one of the best investments since I started reloading.
The die goes into the bushing and you tighten it down with the locking lug.
To change dies you take out the bushing by giving it a 1/4 turn & put the new die in.
You never have to readjust the die! No guessing, no oops the bullet is in too deep, etc.
I don't work for Lee & I ain't related. But this is one of the best investments since I started reloading.
Kentucky_Rifleman
Member
I've got to put in a word for my all-time favorite presses: The old Pacific presses are awesome. I have 3 and an RCBS R2. The Pacifics get the most use by far.
KR
KR
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