What Press To Start With

Kazul

Kazul

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I'm wanting to start reloading.Rifle rounds in: .270,.270WSM,.303 savage

My major question(at this time) is what press to buy???
I'm thinking a single stage,to keep it simple and less expensive.
Are there any to totally avoid??
What are your experiences with certain presses?? good or bad??
What accessiories to buy and what to avoid??
What's necessary and what's just going to not be used??
Any info will help. Thanks in advance
 
Everyone seems to graduate to a progressive press. Would it be better just to start out with one of those?
 
Lee Classic Turret seems like a good start to me.

It's available as a kit now too....

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0044122216337a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=lee+classic+turret&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=lee+classic+turret&noImage=0
 
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Lee Classic cast or RCBS Rockchucker.

Both are reasonably priced, and will outlast you - and whomever you end up giving them to.
 
I started out, and still use, with a RCBS R.S.5 reoading kit this past fall. The thing works great for what I need it for, .270 wsm and now recently just started 9mm, and now I'm wondering if I should up grade to a Lyman T-mag turret press.
I recomend going for a starter kit, Lee, RCBS, Lyman all seem to be good ways to go.




Russ
 
Thanks for the help.
I'll look at the RCBS.The kit's are a bit more $$ but also come with more stuff.
I'm hoping to only buy one press(unless I start doing H/G ammo too) so it seems price isn't too much of an option.
But saving a few $$ is usually smart.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but all dies fit in all presses.
I don't want to buy something and not be able to get parts in 2 years.
 
A press

To save money and frustration, start out with the best. Get an RCBS Rockchuker and RCBS dies. The point is you need a strong press that won't bend or give, under the very heavy pressure of sizing some of the magnums, or even heavy brass 308 type. Don't even think of a turret press for heavy work.
I started out with a very strong press and still use it. It is a "C-H" make, but I got it so long ago that I can't remember what the C-H stands for!
I was glad I listened to the advice of a loader of magnum rifle ammo, who
recommended the heavy duty C-H.
 
H4831:
CH Tool & Die was founded in 1947 by Charles Heckman i believe that the letters are just his initials

go for the rcbc reloading kit, but also get the accessory kit with those two purchases you will have everything you need with the exception of your dies.

Then be prepared to buy all sorts of little add ons over the years until you are at the point where what once started in the spare room now consumes the entire basement. If you don't believe me, just ask anyone here:D
 
Yes - dies are universal and fit in all standard presses.

I have an RCBS Rockchucker and have used it with complete satisfaction for several years. I reload rifle only and I'm not a high volume shooter, so I have remained very satisfied with my single stage press.

I also highly recommend the Lee Auto Prime tool. It's inexpensive and much faster/better than using the primer arm that comes with the Rockchucker.
 
agilent_one said:
Lee Classic cast or RCBS Rockchucker.

Both are reasonably priced, and will outlast you - and whomever you end up giving them to.
Click to expand...
X2 on that one.

I had a Rockchucker, but sold it an bought an RCBS Ammomaster. It is a very nice press, but is WAY too big for the loading I do, being big enough for a 50BMG. I would gladly sell it and buy either the Lee Classic or another RCBS RC. Any traders out there?



.
 
The Baron said:
I also highly recommend the Lee Auto Prime tool. It's inexpensive and much faster/better than using the primer arm that comes with the Rockchucker.
Click to expand...
I have two of those Lee primer tools. One for large rifle primers and another for sm rifle primers. Saves switching back and forth.

They work great!


.
 
Press

I bought a Lee Classic cast and sold my Rockchucker. The Lee has a better system for catching spent primers. They go down the centre of the ram into a collecting tube. You would be suprised at the amount of grit that comes from spent primers, that has collected on the inside of that tube. I don't want that grit getting onto the press ram and eroding it. I keep the ram well oiled also.
 
I use a Rockchucker for my precision rifle loading, a Lee Turret for handgun, or rifle cartridges when volume is a factor. Not that the Lee cannot produce accurate ammunition, it is faster to use if I am measuring charges instead of individually weighing them. I really like the little Lee disk/double disk measure. The Lee priming tools are excellent, and are cheap enough to get two, so you can leave them set up for large and small primers.
 
Single stage press for loading rifle rounds:

1st pick: RCBS or Redding or Forster Co-Ax

2nd choice: Lyman or Hornady

3rd place: Lee



Over the years I have seen a lot of dedicated shooters upgrade from a LEE but few if any go from RCBS or Redding to a LEE.

LEE is built to a low price point and what they call an "Acceptable failure rate" Waiting around to receive replacement parts in the mail while you have reloading to do is not enjoyable.
 
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