Author Topic: lets talk presses (Read 1155 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** December 28, 2003, 04:06:01 PM »

I guess i'm bout convienced i'm not gonna blow tha neighbors up.
I'd like to throw out a topic and get openions from you folks-your likes, dislikes and advice. I would appreciate a lot of conversation.

Wanted a Dillon-did not want the progressive. I'm just not that sure of myownself. So I shot that one down.

I liked graybeards comments bout tha lock N load. I like the idea of setting up a die for one caliber and locking it in. just changing the head out. But i'm not sure you can do that in the lnl.

Ya can do that in the RHCB. I'm not real sold on the press however and the dies do not-well I'm feel kinda, more secure bout the lnl.

I like the dillion dies for the .357sig. This is the caliber i'm most insecure about. I'm thinkin cause i'm afraid of the shoulder. The .45 does not seem to concern me as much--seems pretty straight forward.

(I'm getting the idea that most die sets are interchangable from machine to machine.

blessings from
less an less confused but more shure about what it is i'm confused about.

Tc300mag1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2003, 04:15:42 PM »

I use a lyman t mag II there sturdy and have changeable heads that hold 6 dies ... i use mostly lee dies even though its not a progressive it is fairly fast to reload upon

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2003, 04:43:08 PM »

Will if ya don't want a progressive, discount dillon UNLESS you think you might want one later, the Dillon 500 can be upgraded to a 550. I have no idea of the cost for upgrading. Probably near the cost of another press, but I really don't know. Progressive presses that are manually indexed can be used just like a single stage or a turret press.
I have a RCBS Rock Chucker, it's old, used and abused, it has been through a fire and a flood and still going strong. I think everyone who reloads should have one.
I like the idea of turret presses Lyman's T-Mag keeps catchng my eye. You can put three sets of rifle dies in that sucker and just leave'em. Then if you have more die sets than that, just get another top knot for the thing and start all over again.
Most die sets use a universal 7/8 x 14 thread, some do use a propriety(sp) die thread but they are the exception rather than the rule.
Sholdered cases are no more difficult than straight walled, you just have to lube the case. Hornady "One-Shot" is an areosol spray that will make short work of lubing the cases. You can get carbide sizing dies for straight walled cases that don't require lube on the cases.
Lee, I had a Pro 1000, for less than a month, it took me that long to find some sucker to take it off my hands. It would not do the things it was supposed to do, and the things it was supposed to NOT do, it did. (I have a Lee Load All that I wouldn't take stock in Microsoft for) Lee seems to be "iffy". I do have some Lee dies, no problems at all.
Most manufacturers will produce a dud, and will have a service rep that's having a bad at one time or the other, but for the most part all the major manufactures will give you a quality product and gud service to make sure it stays that way, otherwise they wouldn't be around long.
This has helped a lot, huh!?

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2003, 12:32:57 PM »

Lee Turret (and throw away the auto-advance cam). Three or four hole makes little difference. Each set of dies gets their own turret, just lift out and drop in to change dies, never have to readjust, one turret per caliber. Without the auto advance you can go from any die station to another as needed. Will handle all chores but bullet swaging. Most used press of the eight I own.

fnbrowning · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2003, 04:29:24 PM »

Just like Blackhawk44, I really like my Lee Turret Press.

It's a sweet, simple design. Now, I do use the auto-advance when loading my 9mm. Goes real fast.

And The auto-disk powder measure works great for my non-match loads too.

contendernut · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2003, 06:10:20 PM »

My thoughts on presses that I've used:

RCBS RS5. One of my favorite presses for seating bullets. Handles FL sizing fine also. Angle of the frame makes it easy to work with.

RCBS Rockchucker. Press that every other is compared to. Much heavier than the RS5 but I don't care for it as well. I prefer the angle of the RS5.

Redding Ultramag. Best reloading press for case forming/FL resizing. Somewhat ackward for seating bullets with its connecting bars.

Redding Big Boss. Same design as the RS5 but much heavier. Very nice and my overall favorite.

Dillon 550. I wouldn't choose it as my only press or as a starting point, but it is an exellent press. It can be used as a single stage turrent press if you wish. It will load accuate rifle ammo for most uses. Only problem I've had is with minimum taper cases and the shell plates. The shell plates don't support the rim as well as on a RCBS type shell holder and I've pulled some rims off certain straight wall cartridges.

Most all die sets work on any machine.

Ladobe · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2003, 03:48:29 AM »

Like Butler Ford, my old model Rockchucker has never let me down in over 3 decades of slammin' them out. Stout is such a small word. I also use a Sinclair Arbor press with custom hand dies for most of my wildcats. FFT.

reelhook · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2003, 04:58:32 AM »

THE best single stage press on the market-you don't have to buy seperate shell holders and it is double rodded so you get very little flex. The army and the seals use this press in their marksmanship units

Dave in WV · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2003, 07:18:58 AM »

I like my Lyman Crusher II. I bought it when my Lee Challanger press died last summer.

Dragon31 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2003, 07:55:51 AM »

Thoughts on the presses that I have used.

1. First press was a Lyman turret. After 30 years I still have it set up for .38 specials. does a super job for pistol cartridges. I had some concern about about having to much play in the turret to make highly accurate rifle ammo. So I bought a Green RCBS single stage.

2. RCBS, bought used 20+ years ago. Use it for all rifle cartridges .223, 7-30 waters, 30-30, 270, 7-08, 7 mag, 30-06, 300 mag, 338 mag. It is my favorite press for rifle cartridges. Turns out accurate rounds.

3. Dillion 1050, I shoot 5 different sub guns and thought that the Dillion would be just the thing for the amount of ammo you can burn with a sub gun. Was I Wrong! It took me for ever to sit the thing up and the only thing faster than a sub gun is the number of rounds that I could screw up with the Dillion 1050 per minute. I sold it for about a $500 lost, saved that much in components the first year after the sale.

4. I got a Dillion 650 or 750 for Christmas present a coupla years ago. I started sitting it up and got so frustrated that it is still sitting in the basement half in the box and half mounted on the bench. I can't get rid of it because my special lady thought she was doing "something for me" and I still can't tell her I don't use it. I put a Wal Mart bag over it to keep from looking at it.

For many years now I have loaded over 7,000 rounds a year all on single stage presses. Before I retired it was the number one stress reliever right behind hunting and fishing.

Just my thoughts

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2003, 03:59:35 PM »

I have an old Rock Chucker (doesn't every one) So I could be interested in a turret press. I want one where you can change the turret heads that accomodate multi-dies. No need for primer feed, or a powder drop. Whats this board recomend.
Jim

fnbrowning · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2004, 05:52:59 PM »

Quote from: Jim n Iowa

I have an old Rock Chucker (doesn't every one) So I could be interested in a turret press. I want one where you can change the turret heads that accomodate multi-dies. No need for primer feed, or a powder drop. Whats this board recomend.
Jim

Jim;

Like I said above, I really like my Lee Turret Press.

It's a sweet, simple design. Now, I do use the auto-advance when loading my 9mm. Goes real fast.

If it helps, I'll say that I have perfected the load for my 7.62mm AR10A4 rifle on this press, using Lee Dies. I've got a target sitting right next to me with the center ate out at 100yds. Good enough proof for me! :-)

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2004, 01:41:05 AM »

This looks like a pretty good deal on a beginner set up:

Go to: http://www.cabelas.com/ then goto Bargain Cave > Hunting > Reloading Accessories

RCBS RC Supreme Master Reloading Kit On sale! Item: OE-214924
Price:
$219.99

1911crazy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:46:26 AM »

I have a RCBS Rockchucker for many years I bought the kit when it was $59 yes for many years. The only thing I did was to moly the shaft!!!!
BigBill

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2004, 12:46:57 PM »

Bill,
don't take this the wrong way, but I hate people like you. You are like my gunsmith, I'm over there with my latest 03A3 in perfect condition that I scored for what I thought was a good price and he tells me about the two he has. The two that he bought for $25 each, way back when, one of which is unfired.

1911crazy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2004, 12:59:56 PM »

Quote from: Jack Crevalle

Bill,
don't take this the wrong way, but I hate people like you. You are like my gunsmith, I'm over there with my latest 03A3 in perfect condition that I scored for what I thought was a good price and he tells me about the two he has. The two that he bought for $25 each, way back when, one of which is unfired.

I think I purchased it in the mid to early 70's I was trying to refer to age and when this stuff was dirt cheap and not really the price sorry if I hurt your feelings I didn't mean to. BigBill

I won't mention my brand new Mossberg 30-06 with scope for $172, nor my marlin 444 for $145 and my ruger security six stainless "1976" "made in the 200th of american liberty" inscribed and a special model GF32 it was never in the catalog for $135. It sure breaks my heart to buy something new now. I bought most of my stuff back then so my kids would have stuff to hunt with I knew the prices would go up but never thought how much they would go up? I would go on but It makes me cry i didn't buy more back then? Stuff was cheap!!!!!

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2004, 12:59:02 AM »

Quote from: BigBill

I think I purchased it in the mid to early 70's I was trying to refer to age and when this stuff was dirt cheap and not really the price sorry if I hurt your feelings I didn't mean to. BigBill

Just a joke Bill, I was talking to a buddy this weekend about how I could kick myself for not having bought a Martini-Henry a bunch of years ago when he said we should buy them. I think they were going for $75 or something like that.

The Shrink · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2004, 01:39:38 AM »

I've been looking at turrent presses for about a year now, and still don't have the bucks and priority to get one. When I do i've about decided to go with the Redding, cause it's the strongest of the lot and I shoot a lot of rifle stuff and do a little case re-sizing - 30-06 to 8mm-06 and 45-70 to 40-70. I'll keep the RCBS JR3 that currently does this, and everything else I load, but want the ability to do the same on the turrent if the JR3 ever gives up the ghost - maybe when a grandchild is using it??

Wayne

hans g./UpS · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2004, 03:06:18 AM »

Redding turret press.I have the 6 station,I wouldn't mind their 7 station when I have the $$.They stand behind their products,plus they're only 2 hours away from here.Their dies are excellent too.

1911crazy · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2004, 03:30:11 AM »

Quote from: Jack Crevalle

Quote from: BigBill

I think I purchased it in the mid to early 70's I was trying to refer to age and when this stuff was dirt cheap and not really the price sorry if I hurt your feelings I didn't mean to. BigBill

Just a joke Bill, I was talking to a buddy this weekend about how I could kick myself for not having bought a Martini-Henry a bunch of years ago when he said we should buy them. I think they were going for $75 or something like that.

Jack for the last few gun shows I have seen a 303 britt sporterized and not a bad job for $75 and i passed on it, if its there again at the next show its mine. Its funny the same thing happened to me with a Hakim it was there for I think three shows marked $295 so at the next show I told myself if its there again I'm buying it and I did. The guy had it in the back of the rack I seen the muzzle sticking out every show. I don't see any Hakims for $300 anymore their all $375 to $500 now. BigBill

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #20 on:** January 07, 2004, 05:29:09 AM »

Jim
Am using the lyman turret, works good but I dont care for the play in it.
Some sources say this is desirable as it helps everything line up right.
I will continue to use it, but pay close attention.

Bore44 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2004, 08:29:03 AM »

I use a Lee Turret press for all my handgun reloading, with auto index and powder dispenser. Works Great. Been in use for 20 years. If it broke I would not hesitate to get another.

Bore44

Duke45 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2004, 10:22:04 AM »

I have a rockchucker and a redding turret press and i like and use them both. They are very rugged presses you cant go wrong with them Al