Author Topic: RCBS JR2 press vs. Lyman Spar-T? (Read 3860 times)

Jal5 · « **on:** November 02, 2008, 03:37:41 PM »

I am new to reloading and just starting out getting equipment. I can pick up a JR2 for $40 or the Lyman which is the turret type press for $45. Which is better for a beginner? Give me the pros/cons of each too. I will be interested to start in 243 and 270 Win for rifle but will in the future probably reload for pistol too. Thanks.

Joe

Troyboy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2008, 03:41:20 PM »

Rcbs has really good customer service never dealt with the other one.

Troy

Savage · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2008, 06:38:24 AM »

The turret press offers the convince of having preset dies available in the tool head, making the reloading process a little faster. This really makes a difference when loading for multiple calibers on the same press. The single stage has a little less flex, although for anything other than benchrest I haven't been able to tell the difference. Lyman makes good equipment, as does RCBS, you can't go wrong with either one.
Savage

yooper77 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2008, 09:05:29 AM »

Well I love the "O" press design, so the RCBS JR2 would be my choice.
-This design is perfect for resizing or reshaping cases from one caliber to another.

Turret press are a "C" design and are open, so the ram may not be centered for resizing some cases.

yooper77

Jal5 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2008, 09:22:16 AM »

yooper-
does it make any difference between those two if I decide to reload for pistol ammo at some future point in time? will they both reload pistol ammo with the correct dies?

the lyman isn't still supported by the manufacturer as far as I know, what about the JR2?

what is the main difference between this JR2 model and the rockchucker?

thanks for all the help

Joe

yooper77 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2008, 09:47:22 AM »

Yes both can be used for rifle or pistol cartridges.

Both companies will back their products, no questions.

The Rock Chucker is beefier than the JR2, but basically the same design.

I have the RCBS Rock Chucker II, this press is perfect for my use.
-I radically change brass into wildcats, so I need a heavy strong press.

All companies make strong "O" press designs:
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=513567&t=11082005
Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=197894
Lyman Crusher 2 Single Stage Press
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=585100
Redding Boss Single Stage Press
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=709373
Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=317831&t=11082005

Did you know Hornady offers free bullets with their press or dies.
http://www.hornady.com/get_loaded.php
Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press Kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=749997
http://www.midwayusa.com/static.exe/getstaticpage?page=Rebates/hornady_lock_n_load_classic.htm

yooper77

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2008, 10:05:18 AM »

i kind of got a setimental feeling for a spar T. It was my first reloading press. It served me well for about 5 years till i grew out of it.

wncchester · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2008, 12:09:42 PM »

Lloyd, I know how you feel, I got my first press, a Spar-T, in '65 and loaded thousands of .38 Special and .30-06 with it. Sucumbed to the over rated hoola about the Rock Chucker II in '88 but the Lyman still resides on my bench. Still have the RC II as well, but wish it were a Lee Classic Cast. Or, better yet, a Forster Co-Ax!

I originally though the six hole turret would obviosly be "faster" but it wasn't. Tried a JR2, thought it might have better leverage; it didn't. They are effectively identical in performance.

Jal5, either press will do you fine for common reloading chores, you are unlikely to ever notice a difference between them! Both are really great ... for small cases!

I mean, none of the old single toggle link presses are as easy to work when sizing larger cases as the double toggle, or compound systems, that's why they have totally replaced the older, single toggle models you are looking at.

Those older presses transfer a LOT of lever stress to the bench, you really have to have strong bench support under them and use bolts for the press attachment. Other than the extra stress on the bench, they are no problem. (And it will really help if you lube your cases very well!)

IF you only load for one, or two at most, pistol cartridges you could leave the (3 ea.) dies set up for that in the turret model, otherwise you would have to screw dies in and out as needed. BUT, changing dies only takes a few seconds so the time involved in swaps is a lot less than some folks seem to think.

Personal opinion, I think $30 for either is a top price, $40-45 for them is a bit high. You can get the Lee Classic Cast for about $80 and it's LOT more press than either of those you are looking at.

Troyboy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2008, 02:02:51 PM »

Why is the lee classic so much better?

Troy

Jal5 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 03, 2008, 03:28:58 PM »

How do those compare with the Lyman orange crush? The orange appears to be a more substantial press from the pics at least.

Thanks for all the responses.
Joe

Savage · « **Reply #10 on:** November 03, 2008, 04:17:07 PM »

The advantage of the turret press is having all your dies preset in extra turrets if you load for multiple calibers. It only takes a few seconds to change and adjust dies if you choose the single stage. I find it convenient to have spare turrets preset so that I can change calibers quickly and perform any operation I need without having to change dies. The non indexing turrets like the SparT are still normally used to batch load like a single stage. I choose to use the Lee Classic Turret for all of my low volume loading. The turret is better supported than some other designs and the auto index allows the option of completing one round at a time, or batch loading if I choose.
I use progressives for high volume, but it's surprising how fast you can load with a good turret.
Savage

wncchester · « **Reply #11 on:** November 04, 2008, 02:58:23 AM »

"Why is the lee classic so much better?"

Maybe not a "lot" better, but better in features. The Lee Classic Cast, Hornady LnL, Lyman Orange Crusher, RCBS RockChucker, Redding Boss and Big Boss are all modern, compound toggle link presses that are far stronger than commoly needed and they require much less lever pressure to use than any of the older single toggle presses Jal5 is looking at.

But, all of these modern presses are, IMHO, tied for for second in function, behind for the Lee for three reasons. 1) Only the Lee Classic Cast has a press lever that's adjustable for length and angle. 2) Its primer catcher system works. 3) It costs far less than its competitors.

Cost is no small thing to many of us, especially if we don't have to sacrifice anything at all in quality or function to save the money. Do not confuse the Classic Cast with the older Lee Challanger press, they are not in the same league.

Redding's Ultra-Mag is likely the strongest commonly available press made. A close second is likely the Forster CoAx, which also has an excellant primer catcher system. Both of these are fairly expensive and offer little real advantage for the common handloader over the less expansive models.

The Lyman Spar-T turret's head is not "interchangable", it's firmly held by a large nut that's not easy to remove. Even if it were, there is no source of replacement turrets. It indexes to a series of holes in the turret by a strong spring and a ball bearing to "click" it in place. The turret must be stepped by hand for each change, there's nothing automatic about it.

If a loader properly locks the rings on his dies there is no "set up" needed when swapping dies in any press so a simple turret press has little or nothing to offer. Again, IMHO.

Nobama

Jal5 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2008, 03:28:28 AM »

so according to wnnchester, the Lyman orange crusher is in the same class as the rcbs rockchucker and hornady LnL, etc. I have been corresponding with someone on the orange crusher too so if I can get it reasonably I may go that route. we will see...

yooper77 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 04, 2008, 03:29:23 AM »

If I were to buy new reloading setup today, I would buy Hornady and cash in on all the free bullets.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press Kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=749997
http://www.midwayusa.com/static.exe/getstaticpage?page=Rebates/hornady_lock_n_load_classic.htm
http://www.hornady.com/get_loaded.php

Depending on what 500 free bullets you select the value could be anywhere from $100 to $125, plus Hornady offers 100 free bullets for their reloading dies as well.

I also agree turret presses offer no real advantage over single stage presses, die replacement and adjustment is swift and easy in the single stage.

yooper77

yooper77 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 04, 2008, 03:40:02 AM »

Basically any cast iron single stage "O" press will serve you well, to include the Lyman Order Crusher, RCBS Rock Chucker or Hornady Lock-N-Load.

All dies are interchangeable with each others presses, and some shell holders are interchangeable , but not all.

yooper77

Jal5 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 04, 2008, 04:03:08 AM »

thanks yooper-
what do you think of the lyman orange crusher for $75? too high?

yooper77 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 04, 2008, 04:26:56 AM »

Have you seen the press and does it include all the priming accessories for it and is it in good condition?

Is this price shipping included or is it a local pickup, they are heavy so shipping could be steep.

The Lyman Crusher 2 goes for $105.99, so $75.00 isn't much of a savings.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=585100

yooper77

Jal5 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 04, 2008, 04:38:26 AM »

Its a local pickup for me. I have not seen it yet to evaluate the condition or accessories, I may do that this coming weekend. I will offer him less at any rate, if I can get it for around $60 that is what I had in mind. I have just seen a pic at this point and it looks to be in good shape.

yooper77 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2008, 04:46:30 AM »

$60 sounds fair if it includes all the accessories, and is in great condition.

If you are happy with the setup and are missing a few items, Lyman will most likely send them to you for free, all you need to do is ask.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/Contact.htm

yooper77

Jal5 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2008, 04:55:15 AM »

thanks good idea about contacting Lyman I wouldn't have thought of that! I see the primer catcher on the pic but not the primer tube. I will keep you informed. I am sure I will have plenty of other questions once I get my equipment all together.

Joe

Savage · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2008, 09:12:29 AM »

Wnnchester,
Yeah, forgot about the fixed turret on the Lyman ! I amend my post to say: "Turret presses with readily interchangeable turrets offer some advantages over single stage presses". I used an old RCBS Jr for 30 years before I got a turret, so I am no stranger to changing dies. Even when using the turret without the auto indexing feature, and batch loading like on a single stage, the turret is significantly faster, and a heck of a lot more convenient!
Savage

Jal5 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 09, 2008, 12:19:06 PM »

Well I might have paid more than I wanted for this press, the guy wouldn't deal on the price. But even at $75 I thought it was on OK deal, it included the primer accessories and was in excellent condition. A heavy duty press, probably will last my lifetime and then some. now I am in the hunt for 243dies, anyone have a set not being used?

thanks,

Joe

Savage · « **Reply #22 on:** November 09, 2008, 12:57:22 PM »

Congrats on the procurement of the press! Dies are inexpensive. I have Lee, Lyman, Redding, and RCBS dies. They all do the same job. Unless I need a speciality die like a small base die, I usually buy the Lee dies these days. Just take your pick, they run about $20-$55 depending on the brand.
Savage

Jal5 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 09, 2008, 02:59:02 PM »

I am sure I will have more questions, but luckily a friend at work promised to help me with the process of loading for 243.

Joe

Dand · « **Reply #24 on:** November 09, 2008, 10:15:41 PM »

Joe, you should keep an eye on the Classifieds forum here. I often see good prices on loading stuff. Or you could even post a wanted note there. Guys on here are REALLY helpful.

I have the more recent Lyman Turret (Tmag?) and you can switch turrets on it but doing so isn't real quick. It sounds like you have a good solid press.

Jal5 · « **Reply #25 on:** November 10, 2008, 01:27:33 AM »

I have been watching and just picked up a Dillon scale last week

I was going to bid on ebay on a lyman turret last week, but didn't since considering the postage cost it wouldn't have been too great of a deal. I think I did ok on this press, even though old it looks very well taken care of and I am sure will outlast me! Maybe one of my kids will use it or grandkids.

Joe

Jal5 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 10, 2008, 11:30:01 AM »

I am almost there:
Lyman orange crusher press $75
Dillon eliminator scale $30 shipped
243 RCBS dies $23 shipped

A few other items and I am ready to start.

Joe

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 10, 2008, 12:04:50 PM »

Joe

Some of the little things you can make yourself ,

A old coffie cup & spoon works to put the powder into the scale pan .

A once fired case with the old primer still installed works well as a powder trickler , just fill it about 1/2 full of the powder your using and roll it between your fingers to top off the charge .

A small pocket screwdriver works to clean primer pockets .

The little paper funnels that gas stations hand out for oil will work in a pinck for powder too .

You will need to pick up a Chamfer tool to do the case mouth , the nice thing is that it only needs to be done once, then not again till you trim the cases . Also don't forget the case lube .

stimpy

Jal5 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 10, 2008, 01:12:58 PM »

thanks Rich for the tips!

I have a friend at work who is going to walk me through the entire process once I get all the equipment, bullets, and powder.

I am a pretty precise sort of person so I think I am going to like reloading.

Joe

Dand · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2008, 07:52:34 PM »

Keep an eye out for a caliper too. I don't care for the plastic ones. Have a stainless vernier one but its been so long I don't recall price or where I got it. Now I use a digital one that I got at an automotive discount store for about $25. Its nice to read. If you haven't picked out case lube yet, my favorite is the Hornady Unique in a tub. I've had it forever and it only takes a tiny bit, apply with fingers, wipe off with paper towel - good for leather too. Others here like the spray on and water soluble stuff but I haven't tried that.