Reloading Presses, what's everybody using?

Pacific C press for the RCBS collet puller, Lee challenger permanently set up with a Redding depriming die, Rockchucker for sizing and most operations, arbor press for my Wilson dies, Lee hand press for depriming in front of the TV, and soon a PraziPress!!!

Current line up in use anyway....

Redding body dies or FL dies, some Forster FL dies, Forster seating dies, Lee collet neck size. Produces very concentric ammo!! Own die sets from almost every maker including Hollywood.
 
I'm just using a lee challenger press, bought the 50th anni kit back in september. It has been treating me good, I suppose i'll upgrade once I start measuring run-out and have a "match" chamber in my rifle. But I've already upgraded the scale/thrower to a RCBS chargemaster 1500 and I also have redding competition die set coming soon (ordered last month, coming this month?).
I think the press will be the last thing to get swapped out, seems to be working pretty well?


edit: i should read more than skim before posting... seems your going highend..
 
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Lee classic turret.

Runout has nothing to do with a press unless it way off. Like really bad.

Does your brass have play in the Shell holder? It should. Your brass should "float" into the die and have the freedom to move a little sideways if it needs to.

My press ram is super solid but the die plates on my press float around to due to the design. My runout is damn near zero but that comes from learning how to turn necks correctly.

Runout can come from so many things including how you seat your bullets. For matches I seat in thirds. Seat about a 1/3 turn a third. Seat a little more. Turn. Then finish seating.

I also neck size like this.

Your press is fine. Really.
 
I have Ponsness Warren 900, 800b, 375, in 12 guage
Dillon Square Deal in 9mm, and 550b in 45acp
RcbS Rockchucker for .222
and RCBS Rock chucker fo r30-06
But can't even find the time to set them up.

If anyone wants to borrow, let me know
 
How many thou of runout are you getting now?
The base of the brass should be able to float freely in the shell holder and align itself with the die with no side force. All the press/ram does is move it up, move it down, ain't supposed to align anything or affect it.

Have you checked runout between the body and neck after firing, and again after sizing?
How much neck tension/interference are you using?
 
frigpig said:
Lee classic turret.

Runout has nothing to do with a press unless it way off. Like really bad.

Does your brass have play in the Shell holder? It should. Your brass should "float" into the die and have the freedom to move a little sideways if it needs to.

My press ram is super solid but the die plates on my press float around to due to the design. My runout is damn near zero but that comes from learning how to turn necks correctly.

Runout can come from so many things including how you seat your bullets. For matches I seat in thirds. Seat about a 1/3 turn a third. Seat a little more. Turn. Then finish seating.

I also neck size like this.

Your press is fine. Really.
Click to expand...

I seem to have plenty of play in the Shell holder .a few thou side to side and up and down.
I haven't tried to load by thirds yet but will try after the range this weekend.
I have been turning my necks with a K&M set up. Just a little cleanup to get them all within .0005" all the way around. Neck sizing with the comp bushing dies to .001" neck tension with .001 - .002" neck runout.
 
Lee Classic, and a turret press (303, 30-30) and three Lee 1000 set up for (9mm, .38/.357) Why? Because they work and I'm cheep.
 
Man you seem to be doing everything right. I can't wait to hear what the culprit is.


168bergersapper said:
I seem to have plenty of play in the Shell holder .a few thou side to side and up and down.
I haven't tried to load by thirds yet but will try after the range this weekend.
I have been turning my necks with a K&M set up. Just a little cleanup to get them all within .0005" all the way around. Neck sizing with the comp bushing dies to .001" neck tension with .001 - .002" neck runout.
Click to expand...
 
FL dies will make more concentric ammo than the bushing neck dies especially those with a high mounted button, and the Lee collet die will reduce or remove runout as well. My experience with bushing neck dies has produced more runout than any other step.

Check your runout after each stage and you will find where it is being introduced.
 
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