mjcmichigan
Handloader
- Dec 26, 2016
- 2,447
- 445
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.
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.
