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Offline gazz

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Good heavy press
« on: November 20, 2005, 05:47:18 PM »
Hi,
My Lee turret head is making hard work of necking up, so I'm thinking of something a bit more robust. What do you think of the big cast iron O frame Lee? Would a Rockchucker be worth the extra bucks?
Or how about any others you could reccomend?
Thanks,
gazz.
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Offline Redhawk1

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Good heavy press
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2005, 02:06:50 AM »
I use the RCBS Ammo Master. It is made for the 50 BMG, I use to reload and shoot 2 50 BMG's but sold them and kept the press. I like the room the Ammo Master has. I load a lot of big calibers, like the 300 WM, 338 WM, 375 H&H and the 416 Rigby. I have a lot of room and the press is built like a tank. I sold my Turret press when I got this press.  :D
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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Good heavy press
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2005, 02:23:54 AM »
I have the Lee Classic Cast and I can't imagine the RCBS version having anything that would warrant the extra cost.

Ian
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Offline Jerry Lester

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Good heavy press
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2005, 07:37:17 AM »
The Rockchucker is hard beat.
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Offline Graybeard

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Good heavy press
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2005, 09:52:50 AM »
I see nothing good nor heavy about the Lee press. The Rockchucker is generally considered the standard in heavy presses. But the Hornady, Redding and Lyman "O" presses are pretty much equally as good. I'd get one of those four.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Good heavy press
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2005, 11:11:57 AM »
The Lee Classic Cast press is rated for the 50BMG, I think you can spend a lot more money on other presses, but I doubt you'll get enough more press to make it worth it...


http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews/leepress/index.asp

Lee Classic Cast press for $70 Shipped
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Offline Lawdog

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Re: Good heavy press
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2005, 12:48:41 PM »
Quote from: gazz
Hi,
My Lee turret head is making hard work of necking up, so I'm thinking of something a bit more robust. What do you think of the big cast iron O frame Lee? Would a Rockchucker be worth the extra bucks?
Or how about any others you could reccomend?
Thanks,
gazz.


Contrary to what others may say the Lee Press will work just fine.  If you really want to save a few dollars go to Ebay at http://sporting-goods.listings.ebay.com/Reloading-Equipment_Presses-Accessories_W0QQfclZ1QQfromZ1883QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftZ1QQsacatZ71120QQsocmdZListingItemListQQsotrZ3 and check out the ones they have there.  Lawdog
 :D
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Offline Slamfire

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Good heavy press
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2005, 01:45:30 PM »
The heaviest press I know of is the Star, once the flagship of the Hollywood Gun Shop's line. They've been out of business for a long time, but there are still used ones that make the market. Check out the gun auction sites.
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Offline MickinColo

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Good heavy press
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2005, 03:23:58 AM »
There are a number of good strong presses on the market as already mentioned in previous replies. You’ve already bought a cheap press and now you’re replacing it. Why not think outside the box? Buy a quality press and never have to replace it again in your lifetime, possibly your kid’s lifetime.

I have an old RCBS RS that I’ve had for over 30 years. I bought a new generation Rock Chucker this last spring not because I needed it, there’s nothing wrong with the RS but because I wanted it. This new Rock Chucker is nice. I’ll setup the RS as a portable range press.
 :grin:
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Offline Thirties

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Good heavy press
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2005, 10:43:37 AM »
Since you are already using a turret press, but want a heavy one, I suggest the Redding T-7 turret press. It's heavy indeed,  and has 7 stations.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Good heavy press
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2005, 02:57:21 AM »
My choice for a heavy duty press is also the RCBS AMMOMASTER.

I have and use numerious different presses, one of my favorites is the forester press, but my old LYMAN Spartan and RCBS Rock Chucker as well as a PACIFIC see alot of use. I also use a DILLON 550 for my progressive loading needs.

I'm no fan of LEE. Pot metal and poor quality turned me away years ago. I do have a couple of their cheapie presses, used as priming only stations.



I have seen the LEE CLASSIC CAST Press. It VERY simular to my PACIFIC!! This should be a fine press. (NOT pot metal junk!! ;) )

If you are in the market for one, I too would recomend watching the gun shopps or EBAY for a used model. As others have suggested. Get any of the suggested "O" frame cast presses and you should be set for life!!

Good luck,
 CW
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Offline biglmbass

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Good heavy press
« Reply #11 on: November 25, 2005, 04:51:04 AM »
Though I haven't used mine yet, I can tell you the Lee Classic Cast is a finely built , heavy duty press.  This one is not at all like their other pot metal, or cast alum presses.  For the money, I think it's hard to beat.  I got mine on e-bay for a good price (better than any of the online/mail order shops).
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Offline trotterlg

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Good heavy press
« Reply #12 on: November 25, 2005, 04:10:11 PM »
If you look hard the best bargin going is an old Herters cast iron press on ebay.  You need to make sure they have the bushing in the top for the new dies, and that you can find a shell holder for what you want to load for, but there are thousands around, and they also make adaptors for the newer holders, I made one out of the broken lee press I had.  Larry
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Offline cal sibley

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Good heavy press
« Reply #13 on: November 25, 2005, 04:37:26 PM »
I have an RCBS Rockchucker that's plenty strong, but I think the Redding line of presses like the Boss are even stronger.  In terms of Turret Presses I don't generally think of them as being that strong, but my older T25 6 station press has a couple of elevated flanges on the back.  I suspect that allows it to be used for bullet swaging with an attachmet, but I've never actualy seen the attachment.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
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Offline TNrifleman

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Good heavy press
« Reply #14 on: November 26, 2005, 04:04:20 AM »
I've used a RCBS Rock Chucker for years now with complete satisfaction. There are several other good presses available as noted in the previous posts. However, you won't go wrong with a Rock Chucker.
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Offline Barstooler

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Good heavy press
« Reply #15 on: November 26, 2005, 02:12:22 PM »
CW,

I see you have an empty 30 MM (GAU-8) on your load bench.

Way to go -- my favorite caliber.

Barstooler
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Offline Swamp Yankee

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Good heavy press
« Reply #16 on: November 27, 2005, 04:00:22 PM »
I find most Lee product to be entry level at best [except their dies]. I had a chance to compare the Lee cast iron press against a Rock Chucker and found it to be every bit as good. Hard to belive? well it is nothing like their other presses no stamped metal no aluminum just a smoth opperating heavy duty cast iron press with linkage bars that are over 3/8 of an inch thick. I don't think you could ever wear it out even in two lifetimes. It would be nice to see Lee come out with a quality line of products like their new cast iron press...........but don't hold your breath waiting.....Jim
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Offline Lead pot

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Good heavy press
« Reply #17 on: November 28, 2005, 06:10:30 AM »
If I was to buy a nother press I would go with the RCE swage press.
I use both of Corbins swage presses, the walnut Hill two stage swage press can be used as a loading press and it will just about do anything from swaging to case forming and loading.
I costs about $30 more then the RCBS Rockchucker.
Back when I used to do a lot of wild cat case forming I got the RCBS Big Max press it is a heavy and large O press that would do the job but I don't think it is still available

Kurt
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Offline ricciardelli

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Good heavy press
« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2005, 10:18:02 AM »
The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme is an excellent press and will handle everything up to a .50 BMG...

However, if you really want a "heavy duty press", find yourself an old RCBS "Big Max"!
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