Experience with Hornady Iron Press?
- Thread starter Tech1822
- Start date
I am a fan of Hornady products.
My bench has a Lee Challenger press (first press I bought), a Hornady LnL Classic press, and a Hornady LnL AP Progressive with case and bullet feeders.
I bought my Hornady LnL Classic kit including the excellent LnL powder measure slightly used for $100.
If I were to buy another press today it would certainly need to have some kind of bushing system. I would not buy a press where I would need to adjust dies every time.
This leaves only Hornady and Lee in the game with bushings and the Forster Co-Ax press with lock rings that allow the dies to slip in.
Keep in mind that it will cost you around $25 for every 3 bushings compared to $20 for 3 Lee bushings.
The Lee Classic Cast Breechlock press is only $184.
The Forster Co-Ax is $480
I have told everyone that would listen the shortcomings of the LnL Classic press were that it could only be loaded from the left side and that the linkage was wobbly from side to side.
It seems that they have addressed those issues but is it worth $870 for a single stage press and a powder measure? I don't think so.
If you really want a solid single stage press I would look at the Lee Classic Cast Breechlock.
You can even buy a Dillon RL500B with caliber conversion for $700 canadian.
If I were starting as a beginner and wasn't sure if I would like it I would still buy the Lee Breechlock challenger kit which comes with almost everything you need to start reloading for $175.
My bench has a Lee Challenger press (first press I bought), a Hornady LnL Classic press, and a Hornady LnL AP Progressive with case and bullet feeders.
I bought my Hornady LnL Classic kit including the excellent LnL powder measure slightly used for $100.
If I were to buy another press today it would certainly need to have some kind of bushing system. I would not buy a press where I would need to adjust dies every time.
This leaves only Hornady and Lee in the game with bushings and the Forster Co-Ax press with lock rings that allow the dies to slip in.
Keep in mind that it will cost you around $25 for every 3 bushings compared to $20 for 3 Lee bushings.
The Lee Classic Cast Breechlock press is only $184.
The Forster Co-Ax is $480
I have told everyone that would listen the shortcomings of the LnL Classic press were that it could only be loaded from the left side and that the linkage was wobbly from side to side.
It seems that they have addressed those issues but is it worth $870 for a single stage press and a powder measure? I don't think so.
If you really want a solid single stage press I would look at the Lee Classic Cast Breechlock.
You can even buy a Dillon RL500B with caliber conversion for $700 canadian.
If I were starting as a beginner and wasn't sure if I would like it I would still buy the Lee Breechlock challenger kit which comes with almost everything you need to start reloading for $175.
Thanks thump_rrr for your thorough reply. For the last 4 years I have been running the Lee Breach Lock Challenger Press but have now twice broken the Toggle where the handle connects to the press. I am now frustrated enough that that I want a more robust toggle and ram. I had made up my mind to buy the Rock Chucker when Hornady came out with their new Iron Press. As the price point was about the same for both I wanted to see if anyone has gone to the Iron press before committing to one or the other. I like the quick change die setup that Hornady has.
- Location
- Central AB
Just a thought, but the Lee Classic Cast is quite robust. But I think for most the Classic Turret Press might be a better option. It can easily be used as a single stage, but then allows for fairly fast loading as a Turret if desired. Just allows more flexibility.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I have a rock chucker and after setting my dies they do not need further adjusting.
Same with me. My dies have lock rings so adjust once and you're done
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Only dies I have seen that don't come with a lock ring are lee. I do like the hornady lock ring the best though
Comparing the new Iron Press to the Rockchucker is a little like comparing apples to oranges. The Iron Press appears to be Hornady's entry into the "serious single stage" competition arena. Meanwhile the Rockchucker has more in common size and design wise with the Hornady Lock N'Load Classic press. But at just over half the cost of the Rockchucker. Granted the Classic's main frame is aluminium. But for stiffness I'd rank it up there. And after wrestling with a Lee single stage which turned out to be out of alignment between the ram and die station the first thing I checked when I bought my Ln'L Classic is the alignment and trueness of the ram axis to the die station. And it passed with flying colors.
So all in all I would say that if you are looking at the heavier options that go beyond the more or less traditional loop style frame of the Lee, RCBS, Hornady and others then the Iron Press is not a bad item to consider. But along with the Iron Press I would suggest you also look at the RCBS Summit, the Forster Co-Ax and perhaps a Lyman T-Mag. All are in that range of bigger, heavier, stiffer and generally more burly.
When I was shopping for a SS press which led me to buying the Hornady Classic I was taken by the rapid die changes possible with the Hornady bushing system. It proved out to be a lot faster than screwing the dies into place. I've had zero regrets about going with Hornady's press and bayonet style bushings.
If I were to go with one of the other brands I'd likely make sure that the press has the threads for the 1 1/4 size dies and that takes the Hornady bushing conversion. The other option is the pinch lock style threaded die lock rings.
The Lee rubber Oring style still allows movement much too easily and the styles with the set screws bugger up the threads on the dies. And neither one sits accurately flat like the Hornady or similar pinch lock style rings do. The other styles also do not ensure a square positioning of the lock rings. So for use in something like a Forster where only the ring is holding the die in position I'd suggest that the split pinching style lock rings are essential. But the rings cost as much as the bayonet bushings. And the bayonet bushings speed up die switching on any press other than the Forster so much that I'd have to say that it's a slam dunk sort of deal if the press will accept the bayonet outer bushing.
So all in all I would say that if you are looking at the heavier options that go beyond the more or less traditional loop style frame of the Lee, RCBS, Hornady and others then the Iron Press is not a bad item to consider. But along with the Iron Press I would suggest you also look at the RCBS Summit, the Forster Co-Ax and perhaps a Lyman T-Mag. All are in that range of bigger, heavier, stiffer and generally more burly.
When I was shopping for a SS press which led me to buying the Hornady Classic I was taken by the rapid die changes possible with the Hornady bushing system. It proved out to be a lot faster than screwing the dies into place. I've had zero regrets about going with Hornady's press and bayonet style bushings.
If I were to go with one of the other brands I'd likely make sure that the press has the threads for the 1 1/4 size dies and that takes the Hornady bushing conversion. The other option is the pinch lock style threaded die lock rings.
The Lee rubber Oring style still allows movement much too easily and the styles with the set screws bugger up the threads on the dies. And neither one sits accurately flat like the Hornady or similar pinch lock style rings do. The other styles also do not ensure a square positioning of the lock rings. So for use in something like a Forster where only the ring is holding the die in position I'd suggest that the split pinching style lock rings are essential. But the rings cost as much as the bayonet bushings. And the bayonet bushings speed up die switching on any press other than the Forster so much that I'd have to say that it's a slam dunk sort of deal if the press will accept the bayonet outer bushing.
I just saw this press on sale at wholesale for $339 I believe. It was $120 more than the rockchucker, and honestly, if you are up in that price territory I would feel better getting a forster coax or even a redding T7.
I was disappointed when I found out I had to readjust dies between my Hornady LNL progressive and my Hornady SS LNL Classic.
One day I'll get around to getting correction spacers made, might even get one for the RCBS Rocker chucker too since I have a couple spare adapters.
Anyone with a lathe want to make a bit of extra money?
One day I'll get around to getting correction spacers made, might even get one for the RCBS Rocker chucker too since I have a couple spare adapters.
Anyone with a lathe want to make a bit of extra money?
Are you using Hornady shell holders?
They are thicker than other brands
Mine is off only 0.002" - 0.003" if I use Hornady shell holders.
I can live with that.
Edit: I didn't notice that his was off by 0.174".
If that's also the case for you a spacer is the way to go.
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Worth the money
I have the Iron press- it's amazing! I've tried other single stage presses but nothing compares to how solid (and heavy) the press is. Even the ram is 1.1/8"-- meaning no bending or movement great for precision reloading. I have the auto primer shuttle installed as well so u can fly through resizing and priming at the same time. It also take the lock and load bushings so you can use just about any set of dies from other companies such as RCBS and Lee. Worth the money if you want a solid press that can take a beating....
I have the Iron press- it's amazing! I've tried other single stage presses but nothing compares to how solid (and heavy) the press is. Even the ram is 1.1/8"-- meaning no bending or movement great for precision reloading. I have the auto primer shuttle installed as well so u can fly through resizing and priming at the same time. It also take the lock and load bushings so you can use just about any set of dies from other companies such as RCBS and Lee. Worth the money if you want a solid press that can take a beating....
- Location
- On a sand bar in the Atlantic Ocean.
I just purchased an Iron Press about a month ago. Last week I resized over 1000 .223 and .308 cases and loaded over 500 rounds. Nary a problem and being a lefty, it is a much easier press to use because both sides are open so the operator can easily access the top of the case when seating bullets.
I prime all my brass with a hand priming tool so no need to buy the press mounted priming attachment.
This is one BIG, Tough, Strong and Heavy press that has very little play in its mechanism. That should translate into tighter tolerances and tighter groups.
For the past 20 years, I have been using an RCBS Partner press. It's OK but after about 15000 rounds of rifle ammunition loaded, it's starting to show it's age.
I prime all my brass with a hand priming tool so no need to buy the press mounted priming attachment.
This is one BIG, Tough, Strong and Heavy press that has very little play in its mechanism. That should translate into tighter tolerances and tighter groups.
For the past 20 years, I have been using an RCBS Partner press. It's OK but after about 15000 rounds of rifle ammunition loaded, it's starting to show it's age.
