- Location
- West Quebec
^^^^A great choice and high quality of build and output
Single stage press recommendations
- Thread starter C.308
- Start date
MackTruckTough
New member
- Location
- Halifax NS
I just started and bought a LEE Single Stage. Shooting sub MOA using Cheap Speer hunting bullets out of my 3006, 300 WIN and 22.250 using CAMPRO FMJ. Good enough for my 150 load per month. 223 and 243 next. It is addicting!
I have been using a RCBS JR press for years mostly to seat bullets with Redding Micrometer bushing dies. if you forget o clean necks you will notice it right away great feel with this press.
NOTE: my friend bought one of these last year and had to send it back twice for replacement apparently RCBS is getting the cast portion built in China and are having issues, cylinder binds on stoke might be better to try one at a shop selling RCBS or look for a older model used.
For all other jobs like full length resizing pointing bullets etc I use a RCBS rockchuker its bullet proof
manitou
NOTE: my friend bought one of these last year and had to send it back twice for replacement apparently RCBS is getting the cast portion built in China and are having issues, cylinder binds on stoke might be better to try one at a shop selling RCBS or look for a older model used.
For all other jobs like full length resizing pointing bullets etc I use a RCBS rockchuker its bullet proof
manitou
Wow! Thanks for all the advice. Lots to consider. RCBS seems to be getting a lot of love. I'm not sure if I'm going to go the route of a kit or just take my time piecing together my own setup. I don't need to break the bank but I want to choose decent quality components. I don't want to buy a kit and find out this piece of that needs to be upgraded.
I do like the idea of a solid O type single stage. A turret press may be something to consider as well. I think I was confused between a turret and progressive. Having a set of dies for a caliber all ready to go is appealing.
So if You guys are reloading multiple calibers do you run a press for each or is it easy to swap out without disturbing any settings?
Sorry if this is covered a lot. I'm completely green.
I do like the idea of a solid O type single stage. A turret press may be something to consider as well. I think I was confused between a turret and progressive. Having a set of dies for a caliber all ready to go is appealing.
So if You guys are reloading multiple calibers do you run a press for each or is it easy to swap out without disturbing any settings?
Sorry if this is covered a lot. I'm completely green.
For single stage, we swap. Some presses like lee and hornady come with a quick swap system. The rcbs doesn't have that, so it takes a bit longer to swap. I guess peoples with rcbs make larger batch so as not to swap as often.
I have used both the Dillon 550 progressive, and a RCBS Rock Chucker since the early 80’s.
They both work fine, but I found that speed reloading just wasnt my style. I am very particular about repeatable precision.
Both presses produced concentric cases, but the RCBS produces the smallest runout of the two.
So over time, I have adapted to simply use the Rock Chucker full time.
So many reloaders seem overly concerned about speed, and the inconvience of changing the dies out. I enjoy all aspects of the loading process, so changing dies just doesnt remotely create an issue.
Volume shooters tend to go with progressives to save time, precision shooters tend to go with single stage.
As far as competitve shooters go, some use the single stage Rock Chuckers or Redding Boss presses, but a large percentage tend to go with arbour presses for extream case/die alignment control. They can be slow, but experienced reloders can operate them suprisingly fast.
The style of shooting I do has evolved over the last 4-5 decades, and I tend to stick with my Rock Chucker. If I am dilligent, I can set up my dies to produce sized cartridges that run at 0.002” or less runout consistently.
My main shooting interests are long range shooting to distances including 1760 (1 mile). My ammunition has no troubles in shooting sub MOA at all distances in near perfect conditions. What more could I ask for?
The CO-Axe seems like a real nice idea with the easy die change system, but concentricity consistancy would be my biggest concern with the system. Many use it with great results, so it potentially would be fine. I prefer to stay with my O frames typically.
Have fun chosing and enjoy learning your reloading hobby! Reloading is one of the most satisfying obsessions I have ever enjoyed! Do what ever you think will work for you, and chances are over time you will want to try different presses to experience the differences. And that is fun too!
They both work fine, but I found that speed reloading just wasnt my style. I am very particular about repeatable precision.
Both presses produced concentric cases, but the RCBS produces the smallest runout of the two.
So over time, I have adapted to simply use the Rock Chucker full time.
So many reloaders seem overly concerned about speed, and the inconvience of changing the dies out. I enjoy all aspects of the loading process, so changing dies just doesnt remotely create an issue.
Volume shooters tend to go with progressives to save time, precision shooters tend to go with single stage.
As far as competitve shooters go, some use the single stage Rock Chuckers or Redding Boss presses, but a large percentage tend to go with arbour presses for extream case/die alignment control. They can be slow, but experienced reloders can operate them suprisingly fast.
The style of shooting I do has evolved over the last 4-5 decades, and I tend to stick with my Rock Chucker. If I am dilligent, I can set up my dies to produce sized cartridges that run at 0.002” or less runout consistently.
My main shooting interests are long range shooting to distances including 1760 (1 mile). My ammunition has no troubles in shooting sub MOA at all distances in near perfect conditions. What more could I ask for?
The CO-Axe seems like a real nice idea with the easy die change system, but concentricity consistancy would be my biggest concern with the system. Many use it with great results, so it potentially would be fine. I prefer to stay with my O frames typically.
Have fun chosing and enjoy learning your reloading hobby! Reloading is one of the most satisfying obsessions I have ever enjoyed! Do what ever you think will work for you, and chances are over time you will want to try different presses to experience the differences. And that is fun too!
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Watch some Youtube videos on the Forester Co-Axe press - one advantage is no shell holders - and - you just slip in your die no screwing/un-screwing etc.
If you have used the coax you would realize the floating die is what makes this the best press. Far superior to everything mentioned except for Arbor presses and dies from Wilson. Only those will produce straighter ammo, but they are a bit of a chore to use
I havent had the luxury of using a Co-ax, but I am sure they are fine.
If I can produce runout of .002” or better on a conventional O frame press, I am sure most can. Once the runout is less than .003”, I can disern no difference on my targets even in benchrest shooting.
The co-axe is an interesting looking unit, and I may try one in the future. I always enjoy trying new reloding stuff!
If I can produce runout of .002” or better on a conventional O frame press, I am sure most can. Once the runout is less than .003”, I can disern no difference on my targets even in benchrest shooting.
The co-axe is an interesting looking unit, and I may try one in the future. I always enjoy trying new reloding stuff!
handofzeus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Trout Creekish Ontario.
I have 3 single stages, all cast iron (2 Redding, 1 rcbs) and a Lyman turret. I wouldn't trade any one of them for a cast aluminum. The singles are for rifle and the turret for pistol cartridges. Bought each of them used and one day someone else will get another lifetime of use out of them.
As I said previously I can seat a bullet, swap to a crimp die, crimp and then refit the seating die before the next charge is ready on my charge master (so pretty fast)
Die swaps on the Co-Ax are incredibly quick and easy. Set your dies once and then swap them in and out. The only other system I've seen that comes close is the Hornady quick change system but I haven't used that, I`d be surprised if its as slick as the Co Ax setup though
Amen!
I made LOTS of good shooting ammo with Lee Scoops and a Lyman convertible bench/hand press that was a lightweight toy that made the cheapest Lee Presses look pretty sturdy by comparison. The deer and the gophers couldn't tell.
I have it still, and use it pretty regularly. I have since added a single stage Classic Cast, which is a pretty darn solid piece of kit.
As far as a kit list goes, add a decent small flashlight to the normal lists as well.
Makes it really easy to look into the case mouths after throwing the powder charges, and checking that they all look about the same before seating bullets. Pay attention to the first and last rounds, as the difference between them will show if you have been creeping up or down on the charges a lot. Stuff happens. It's another easy check to do to add peace of mind.
I typically do batches of 2 or 3 hundred rounds at a time. One operation on all cases, then move to the next. Most of the operations I can do essentially on autopilot, only really need to be paying close attention when throwing charges, and filling cases. Then, any interruptions are not well received, and I am doubly careful as to where I am at and picking up my rhythm again.
My thoughts fall in line with a lot of other guys here. If you don’t mind the cost, the Forster co-ax can’t be beat. Most accurate low runout rounds I’ve ever made and die swaps are FAST. If your looking for something a little more wallet friendly I’d say go with the rockchucker. Theyre solid units, can be found everywhere and are pretty straight forward to use. That’s my 2 cents anyway.
A 4 hole turret press makes 0.25 rounds per crank. After 104 cranks, you get 26 completed rounds.
A 5 hole progressive makes 0.20 rounds per crank for the first 4 cranks and a complete round on the 5th and each consecutive crank after that.
104 cranks gives you 100 rounds.
My first single stage was a used RCBS Rock Chucker. Still have it. Sometimes used with a Piggyback Progressive conversion.( My first experience with a progressive.)
First press was a Lee turret. Recently acquired a second one from a deceased friend along with an old CH by Roddy C press.
Then came the Hornady LNL Ap soon followed by a Hornady LNL SS.
I also have the adapter to convert the Rocker Chucker to use LNL bushings
Really like the LNL bushing,s but be aware that dies set up on different machines will need to be re-adjusted on a different press. Best to keep certain dies adjusted for one machine.
Primer change over is a big reason people have two of the same machine, one for small primer and other for large primer.
Whenever I get the time, I'll get spacers made so I can use my dies on both of my Hornady AP , Single stage and the RCBS press with out needing any adfjustments.
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while I’m a huge fan of RCBS, both their products and customer service are top shelf, the geometry of the Summit press seems questionable to me in that the force from the ram is offset to the resistance from the cartridge. That said, the reviews on it seem positive, the front access is nice, but my more conventional Redding Ultramag has it as well.
