my first press..

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mattman29

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I'm looking at purchasing my first press and was told the rock chucker never fails, after considering the budget after buying a lot of stuff already I was wondering your guys opinion on the rcbs partner press? Since it less expensive
 
Rifle, and for the next year or so it won't be many maybe 100-150 a month, until I track down the dies for my handgun and then the it would be close to 300 rounds a month
 
mattman29 said:
I'm looking at purchasing my first press and was told the rock chucker never fails, after considering the budget after buying a lot of stuff already I was wondering your guys opinion on the rcbs partner press? Since it less expensive
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I would highly recommend the Lee Classic Cast press. It is heavier duty than the RCBS Rock Chucker. The Lee Cast is made in the USA, while I believe the newer Rock Chuckers are made in China. The classic cast costs about $120 at Wholesale Sports. I would spend the extra $20 over the RCBS Partner cost to get a press that will last you a lifetime.

Lee Classic Cast

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Lee Classic Cast for $73.40 or the Lee Breech Lock Challenger for $82 in a kit with everything but dies.
 
Life is too short to use cheap reloading equipment, buy quality and you'll reload quality ammo. Forster or Redding presses and dies.
 
ben hunchak said:
Life is too short to use cheap reloading equipment, buy quality and you'll reload quality ammo. Forster or Redding presses and dies.
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Sorry, I don't buy that, and didn't. The reloading press gets all the glory in the reloading game, but doesn't deserve much at all. It is one of the least critical components.

Some reloading equipment is sold on reputation. RCBS is an example. Their equipment is very average, but is priced above average. I call it the price of green paint.

Yes, Forster make some good products, but I consider their Co-Ax press major overkill with no real benefits other than a bit of convenience with the shell holder.

I did however spring for Forster Bushing/Bump sizing and Ultra Micrometer seating dies. They simply offer features that you cannot find in a Lee, and do contribute to accuracy. Redding make knock off dies based on the Forster (Bonanza) design, but are over priced. No advantage to them, just higher price to appeal to that market.

The targets below were shot with a factory gun using ammo produced with Forster dies on a Lee Classic Cast press, Lee shell holders, Lee priming tool, Lee Powder Measure, Lee chamfer tool, and Lee primer pocket cleaner. You do not have to break the bank to load quality, accurate ammo.

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I may be swimming against the tide here but when I got into reloading I went out and bought the RCBS rockchucker kit and I have been very happy with it. The support from RCBS has been great on the occasion I used it ( I broke something on the case trimmer - my fault and I admitted it but they still sent a replacement at no charge ! ) and that earned my repeat business when it came to buying more stuff like dies for different calibres etc ( though of late I have bought some Redding's ).
 
I'll leave the Lee stuff to you then, I choose to use good quality equipment, to each his own and I continue to recommend quality equipment and not just cheap equip., to new reloaders. Close to 50 years of reloading teaches you things, one of those things is, flimsy will remain flimsy until it breaks.
 
ben hunchak said:
I'll leave the Lee stuff to you then, I choose to use good quality equipment, to each his own and I continue to recommend quality equipment and not just cheap equip., to new reloaders. Close to 50 years of reloading teaches you things, one of those things is, flimsy will remain flimsy until it breaks.
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I think you should look at a Lee Classic Cast before you criticize it. There is nothing flimsy about it. Unlike the Forster Co-AX it is designed to load the 50 BMG.
 
To the OP:

I just got into reloading a couple months ago also, I got new RCBS gear (rockchucker supreme and a partner press) I am happy with both. As said before you will not want to resize your rifle shells with the partner. I went with RCBS because everyone I know around here who reloads swear by them and honestly the only negative thing anyone can come up with on here to say about them is they are "too much money." I have always been a firm believer in getting what you paid for. Sorry if I hurt anyones feelings, it is a matter of personal opinion. Good luck finding one that suits you.
 
this can easily turn into a Ford/Chev/Dodge debate...however,
if you are working on a budget,buy whatever you can afford to get started.
you gotta have skates to play hockey but they don't have to be new...or the best.
I have RCBS and Lyman presses right now.I started with Lee...briefly.
Lee makes some great tools at good prices and have their place.
I use a RC Supreme primarily because it was affordable,available and has lots of room for my big mitts to operate in.
Get whatever you can afford as long as you get in the game.
Experience gained on cheap equipment will still count on the hi dollar stuff ;)
JMHO :D
 
Go with what you can afford for now. I don't do any reloading for rifle, just handgun.
I started with a Lee Turret years ago, got a Dillon when I bought my .45 for IPSC and it is much faster. My turret seized from non-use so I replaced it with a Lee Pro 1000. Yes, it's a bit finicky however once you get on rythym it works well for the amount I load in other calibers than .45.
 
I must agree with Brother Rockeye that the important thing is to get started. If all you can afford is a Lee Classic Loader, then buy one for your rifle and start having fun. You will find that 100 rounds a month is nowhere near enough:) It's fun to get into these blue/red/green debates between the brand faithful, but in the end the important thing is to get a start. Absolutely any press you buy will reload ammo, or in the case of the Lee Loader, any soft hammer (or chunk of hardwood for that matter). Good tools are a treat to use, and vastly superior tools are a dream to use, but any tool that makes ammunition is better than paying for factory shells. Buy what you can afford, be safe, and have fun! Also, if you are patient and watch the EE, pretty much everything comes up at one time or another.
 
I used ( and still use) an economy RCBS Reloader Special that my Father purchased when I was ten or twelve years old. Its still working after thirty five years. Its loaded thousands of hunting rounds. With recent loading volume increases and hard to find ammo, Ive added the Rockchucker press to my bench to ease the work of full length case sizing on big and magnum rifles. The Rockchucker would seem a little over kill for pistol rounds, but if you were looking for a one size fits all press, that would do it.

Other tools and items also play a big part in quality and volume loading. My suggestion for anyone to getting into loading is to buddy up with an experienced reloader for a few hours and participate with some hands on learning.


People tend to buy brands of stuff that are available locally, and its good advice. You will always need more items, replacement parts, upgrades, or just general service and advice. I much prefer picking up my items locally than waiting for stuff to arrive in the mail.
 
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