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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Best Single Stage Reloader Setup (Read 13260 times)
LTC B
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Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Apr 27th, 2015 at 11:58am
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OK. I *know* there is a different forum on reloading, but this is just for general purpose, not the ins-n-outs of reloading.

I have a crappy hand held press. I'm going to purchase a single-stage press to reload 40-65.

I think that the Rock-Chucker has the best reputation, so I'm leaning towards that. An O-shaped cast iron (not aluminum) press.

Anything else I should know to make life wonderful? Make die changes quicker, like that. Thoughts?

Smiley
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #1 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 12:06pm
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Been using a Rockchucker for decades, and see no reason to ever update to something else myself.
  

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KAF
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #2 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 12:50pm
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IF I were starting and buying a new press, I'd go this way:

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Not any particular retailer, any with the best price is fine.

Lyman, RCBS Redding.

Pay once and be happy, once.
  
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #3 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 12:53pm
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I have had many different presses over the years.  My go to press is the Bonanza.  I think they are marketed as 
Forrester Bonanza now.  Once the dies are set they simply snap in, universal shell holders, great strength for case forming and self aligning.  They are a little pricy.  I have two that I picked up at estate sales for $50.00 each. The only draw back is the priming set up which I don't use.  I use the Lee auto prime anyway.

Greg
  
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nuclearcricket
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #4 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 2:16pm
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I will second the Bonanza Co-Ax. I have one and yes they are pricy but a very nice press. Yes the priming does suck no doubt about that, but the up side is that the primer depth is a constant with that press. After that I would go with a rock chucker. Had one, let it get away for a lyman, wish I had the RCBS back.
Sam
  
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Bent_Ramrod
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #5 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 2:20pm
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It's kind of like buying a computer.  You need to know what you want to do now, and be able to envision what you may want to do in the future.

If you are only going to reload, and shoot a modest number of rounds at a time, any good C press would suit you fine.  If you worry about bullet runout or are reloading in your bedroom, the Forster/Bonanza is great, although the overhead lever pull is "different."

If you think you may get heavy into some kind of competition and need more ammunition for practice, a turret, or in the extreme case, a progressive, will be indicated.

If you worry about the availability of cases, and think that you may need to form them from other cases, then an O-frame with compound linkage will handle that job.  This goes double for bullet swaging, if you ever want to get into that.

I'm pretty much in the third category.  My work-horse press, that does 95% of what I need, is the RCBS Rockchucker.
  
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podufa
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #6 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 2:43pm
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I bought a Herters in 1959,it seems to still work.
  
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chawk
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #7 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 4:13pm
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I assume any good single stage press will do so I will throw out the Lee Classic press another heavy duty "o" type press.
  
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boats
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #8 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 4:57pm
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I  used to use a pair of Lyman Spartan’s mounted side by side, Then gave one to my son added a Spar-T turret,  then migrated to a pair of Spar-T’s. Photo is half way through the migration, now I run a lot heavier base, still clamped in that big old homemade leg vice. Bench is bolted to the house frame nothing moves.

Same spot I clamp a pair if Ponsness Warren 375's or a Lyman Tru Line Jr that's been modified for 7/8 dies, switching out between Rifle Shotgun or Pistol as needed

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Old Lyman’s are cheap on EBay heavy cast iron, rams have very little run out.  All a press does is press, heavier they are better they are. Most times Old = Heavy

Only thing I know of better is a big old Herter's.

Boats
  
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #9 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 5:14pm
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I have used a Rock Chucker for over 30 years, been through a couple different versions, started with the aluminum one, had a couple different intermediate ones and settled on the heavy, solid cast iron one.  It's the standard everyone compares the rest to.
 
The RC will do everything the lighter presses will do, but is also able to do heavy duty forming of cases.  for $50 more than a cheap press, it's not even a decision, in my opinion.  Just go with the better choice, the cost difference isn't significant.   If you need the volume of a turret or progressive press, that's an entirely different decision; in my case I have a Dillon 550 that I can use for volume loading.  In reality, the Dillon is somewhat of a waste for me, I set up and run a thousand or two of a caliber very occasionally, could do that on the RCBS, just take a bit more time.

Not to influence your decision, but if you decide to go with the RC, I have one at the moment that a friend brought over and asked me to sell as he was getting out of reloading.  It looks like new, and has the priming tool, including automatic feed tubes in both small and large.  I doubt he loaded 100 shells on it.  I'd sell it for $140 shipped.  If you don't want the priming setup on it, $125 shipped.  If you're like me, I prefer to prime with the lee autoprime to get a better feel for the primer seating pressure.  I'll post an ad in the classifieds with pictures, and give you first shot at it if you reply that you're interested.

dave
  
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KAF
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #10 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 6:10pm
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A REAL Press.

I like mine for forming, or anything I need.

  
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #11 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 6:48pm
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KAF

Always admired that Hollywood from a distance. Is it bored and set up for 7/8 inch dies and common shell holders ?

Boats
  
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #12 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 9:03pm
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I've tried about a dozen presses.  RCBS Jr has the most friendly ergonometrics.  Have a couple Rockchuckers too but only use them for the 577-450 where one NEEDS the 1-1/4" dies.

Consider priming and depriming as two functions that can be done more or less better by other tools.

Depriming leaves a lot of crud around.  How and where the spent primers go is more than just a convenience or PITA.

Priming?  There are a variety of methods - everyone has their own preference.
  

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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #13 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 10:10pm
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For a single-stage (which I use) I recommend this. The bayonet coupling makes swapping dies a breeze.
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For a turret, this one works great:
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Have the Lee and also the Boss 2 Redding and see no reason to spend the extra $$. Whatever you decide, get cast iron. Lasts forever.
  

Glenn - Stevens 044 1/2, Bartlein SS 5R barrel in 22LR
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JS47
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Re: Best Single Stage Reloader Setup
Reply #14 - Apr 27th, 2015 at 11:24pm
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After using an RCBS junior for years, which is a good press, a friend loaned me a Lyman turret press.  If you only have one press it should be a turret.  A single stage is really slow when you want to load just a few rounds to test different powder charges or bullets.  You'll spend more time changing dies than loading cartridges.

JS
  
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