Presses and Impressions

[mjcmichigan]

Just sharing my experiences with a number of presses over the years.

RCBS Jr. got this as a hand me down. A little rough from moisture but made some fine 30-06 with it. For sure a serviceable press.
I would not be afraid to use one.

Redding BigBoss II, my favorite press so far. Can handle big stuff. Loved the primer seating feature and used it often. Primer seating was consistent with a great feel.
Also loved the primer extraction tube which caught all the spent primers in a tube. Way better than many spent primer catchers that miss primers from time to time. I’d recommend this press.

RCBS Summit. My current press. Fell for the die moving vs the cartridge moving argument.
1) the cylinder that the dies trolly on, is held in place with some small machine screws. Those have come loose repeatedly, which makes me anxious about what it could be doing to my ammo.
2) the cam over bullet pullers, get tangled up in the upper part of the press that makes it trolly up and down.
3) the mechanism on the left and right depends on the center casting for alignment and it seems to get loose. There is a solid bar linkage that can be used to make those arms better.
Bottom line, a regrettable purchase. Should have bought another Redding BB II

Lyman Turret.
I’ve had this a few months and have my initial impression.
1) love leaving dies set. Consistency in seating and sizing.
2) primer seating is meh. Feel is good, but reliability in feed mechanism I haven’t figured out fully.
3) haven’t swapped out a turret yet. But I think I’d like too.

I have not gotten an arbor press for reloading, but considering it for more consistent neck sizing with a mandrel die.
Also the shoulder bump does look interesting to me.

No opinion on arbors yet, but see the long range competition guys moving that way.
I don’t plan on completion shooting and for me, a long shot would be 400-500 yards. I do most my hunting 40-200 yards.

Anyone care to offer thoughts on their presses.

The forester triax looks interesting as well.

 

[JD338]

I started reloading back in 1974 with a RCBS JR press and dies for a 30-06. I still have that press and dies. I upgraded to a RCBS Rockchucker and then a Forester Co-Ax press which I absolutely love. The camming force is second to none.

JD338

 

[George Foster]

I have a RCBS JR I bought in 1976, and I am still using it. I also have a RCBS ROCKCHUCKER, I have it probably close to 20yrs that my late FIL gave me and have never used it.

 

[jjs405]

I too bought a RCBS Rockchucker when I was a teenager in 1976 and still use it to this day - 50 years & counting!

I've had a few other presses but have given them away; RCBS Jr & a Dillon 550 as I don't shoot 1,000 of round anymore..... I do regret getting rid of the Dillon at times & have been looking at a few upper end progressives for a possible future purchase.

 

[RememberBaker]

I have a Rockchucker and it’s always worked great, I bought a Forster Co-Ax press because I thought it would be an upgrade but it didn’t work out and I returned it.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Started reloading with my brother-in-law when we went halves on a used Bear C press, scales and powder measure. I wanted to upgrade so he bought me out and a got a RCBS Reloader Special 2. Used for several years then got a Rockchucker that's still going strong. If I buy another one might be a Redding.

 

[DrMike]

I've had and used RCBS Rock Chucker, RCBS Partner Press, Redding T7 Turret Press, Lee Hand Press, Forster Co-Ax (X2)--all worked. I lean heavily to the Forster Co-Ax.

 

[jimbires]

I've only used three presses , with one being a Hornady LNL , progressive . my starter kit came with the Lyman turret top press . I've seen it called a " spartan " . like this one .

Pardon Our Interruption...

there is little to no mechanical leverage advantage to the press . I broke the handle off trying to size some bigger brass . I rethreaded the handle , but now it's a little shorter . the opening between the base of the die , and the shellholder was short . making it difficult to put a case in with the bullet on top , for seating .

I now have the Redding T-7 . this press works good . it has a big opening , and good mechanical leverage . it does what I need a press to do .

 

[grry10]

I got my start 60 years ago with a Lee Classic Reloader set (30-06) and a Lyman 310 set (222 Rem). From there I acquired a Herter's C press. That press you could drop the handle and completely FL size a 30-06 case. The press was a major up grade from the first two setups. I sold it to my wife's cousin, when I bought a Bonanza Co-Ax (what is now Forster), and he is still using it today. that is 50 years ago and I still use the Bonanza today. Forster has made several upgrade modifications to the Co-Ax since the acquisition the but all have been retrofittable to my original Bonanza. This is still my favorite press and is one of the best for case forming.

Over the years I acquired a couple of turret type press( early Lyman, Dillion RL400 and a RL550B) when I got into production loading of handgun and .223 for my AR and Mini14, but always return to the Co-Ax when I want precision loads.

 

[truck driver]

Gee I've had a few and still have 4 set up and ready to go. 3 Dillons and an RCBS reloader special II. The Dillons are set up for pistol calibers each one a different caliber, one is a 550 with extra tool heads and powder measures. I could get rid of 2 of them and do all the hand gun ammo on the 550 but I like the convince having them set up.

 

[salmonchaser]

An RCBS jr. From about 1970 +/- and then last year upgraded or added the Forester Co ax. Also have a Dillon I use for pistol.

 

[RossRR]

I started reloading as a teen using my father's press. I'm not certain, but I believe it was a Herters Model 3 since Herters sponsored him in archery in the 50's and early 60's and he likely got an employee discount on it. That press worked great for my 30-06 and 6 mm Rem. back then; but when I got my own press in '77 I went with a Bonanza Co-ax (now Forster). That press has functioned flawlessly for the almost 50 years I've had it, though I understand the Forster has a new version of the Co-ax to handle the oversize cases that won't fit in the original version. My largest case is still the 30-06.

 

[NYDAN]

For brass cartridge reloading, I bought a RCBS Rock Chucker around 1980 and am still using it today. I have no idea of how many cartridges I have loaded on it.

For shot shell reloading I bought Mec single stage loaders in the 1970's and then the Mec Grabber progressive reloaders when they became available. I had a Mec presses for 12, 20, and .410 gauge shells for both practice and registered skeet events. I used factory 28 gauge shells in registered skeet events. I loaded over 120,000 shotshells when I shot registered targets.

 

[mjcmichigan]

For brass cartridge reloading, I bought a RCBS Rock Chucker around 1980 and am still using it today. I have no idea of how many cartridges I have loaded on it.

For shot shell reloading I bought Mec single stage loaders in the 1970's and then the Mec Grabber progressive reloaders when they became available. I had a Mec presses for 12, 20, and .410 gauge shells for both practice and registered skeet events. I used factory 28 gauge shells in registered skeet events. I loaded over 120,000 shotshells when I shot registered targets.

I’m on my fourth MEC. I had a hydraulic unit in 12 and 20 gauge(2 presses) that shared the pump. They were on my gun safe when the safe went buoyant, and then the. 900# safe landed on them as it flooded… still makes me sad. lol. I do have a mechanical 12 to replace that hydraulic unit. If I had a 28 gauge or 410, I’d be loading shot shell. For now, it on the shelf begging for attention. Lol. What a rabbit hole!

 

[TackDriver284]

I started with a RCBS RockChucker and then a Redding Boss. My next press would be a Co Ax, I like the free floating system.

 

[Hunter26]

I inherited a RCBS Jr from my dad, who bought it from my godfather. I still load all my rifle loads on it and can only imagine the amount of rounds that have been cranked out on it over the years. It's cool to see so many people who use/used one on the forum. I got a Hornady LNL progressive about 15 years ago and do 98% of my pistol on that now. The Forester Co-Ax is very intriguing but I just don't need another press. The ol' RCBS Jr is still going strong.

 

[SJB358]

I've had and used RCBS Rock Chucker, RCBS Partner Press, Redding T7 Turret Press, Lee Hand Press, Forster Co-Ax (X2)--all worked. I lean heavily to the Forster Co-Ax.

I started on an RCBS Partner Press. Moved to a Coax probably close to 20 years ago. I also have a Redding T7 that I use a lot with handgun and rifle cartridges that don’t fit the larger jaws of the Coax. Still use my Partner press for bullet sizing operations. Love the COAX.

 

[358 WCF]

Started with a Reloader Special... I think it was. Maybe it was a Junior. It was a non-compound lever RCBS that I got used from a guy at work for $25. A few years later upgraded to a brand new Hornady 007 which I wore out. Hornady replaced the skinny old ram with a mongo oversized piece of truck axle & it's still rockin'. While that was being fixed I got a like new used Bonanza Co-Ax that I'm still using for most everything that fits in standard .473 jaws. For belted magnum, 44 pistol, or 222 size cases, I use a Rockchucker that came in a package from a guy at the pistol club a few years back who quit reloading. Downsized the house & bench so all presses are on Inline Fab QC bases. The 007 is on probably permanent loan to an old friend who's just starting the journey down the rabbit hole. Still using a Sinclair (?) arbor press after my less than stellar foray into benchrest during the last century. It's still very useful for straight line bullet seating in cartridges for rifles that can benefit from a little extra care.

 

[RL338]

I currently have 2 centerfire presses a Hornady LnL (primary) and a RCBS RCll.
Shotshell MEC 600jr MarkV in 410 and a Lee load-all 12ga with a 20ga conversion.
Then there is a HF arbor press that is strictly for my 6mm Creed with a LE Wilson inline seater.

 

[Chuck R]

I currently have 5 centerfire presses and 2 shotgun presses.

RCBS RockChucker: solid reliable press, but now regulated to a e-capping station.
Redding Ultra-Mag; bought it when forming a wildcat and loading for BPCRs, it's now my mainstay for rifle reloading.
Dillon 550B: all handgun, 223 and .308 bulk
Dillon 650: 9mm and 223 for IDPA and 3Gun

Ponsness Warren 375C: 20, 16 and 12Ga
Ponsness Warren 900E: 12GA