Does anyone use the RCBS Partner press to reload 44 mag or .30-06. I am considering buying the Partner (cast aluminum) rather than the rock chucker (cast iron) due to a tight budget. Does the partner press work OK for these calibers or am I going to wish that I had saved more money and bought the rock chucker?

Check out the Lee Aniversery Loading set, you get O press, powder measure, scale and all the other stuff needed except dies and case trimmer.

Lee make the nicest case trimmer I ever used for just a few bucks. I bought one those kits 9 years ago along with Lee dies for 44 mag, 40 S&W, 22-250, and 243.

Loaded thousands of rounds with it and am happy as a pig in xxx#. Got rid of all my green stuff. I think the loading kit is like $90 now from Midway or Cabelas.

Add dies, trimmers for each of your calibre's, bullets, powder and cases and your ready to go.

Good luck on your quest and shoot, shoot, shoot

Boyd
As much as I'm able, I try the think two or three steps down the path. I have a Partner press that I bought to load at the range with. I was fortunate that Lee and RCBS were in a spitting contest so I got my press for $10.00.
May I suggest that you keep an eye peeled for used machinery on Ebay, the classifieds, yard sales, etc.
Contrary to popular belief, in the reloading game you get exactly what you pay for. You pay for a new Yugo and 'By George' you get a Yugo. You buy a 10 year old used F-250 and you paid about the same as the new Yugo. And long after the Yugo has become landfill that old F-250 is still plugging along.
The first press I owned was a 1958 Dunbar H-style, similar to the C&H, two station press. This thing weighed 50 pounds, made out of 3/4 inch stock, and was perfect for learning to load on. The press is still turning out ammo for the guy I sold it too.
I doubt that the old Dunbar would still be working had it been made of aluminum.
Jim

I have no experience with the partner, but if money is tight, look around for a used Rock-Chucker. Your GRANDSON might have to get spare parts, but I doubt you will wear it out.

I've had a Partner press since they first came out. Full length resized thousands of rounds using it and it's still going strong. Linkages are a little loose but otherwise its doing fine. My next press will be a Lee Classic as the Partner is too fiddly to use with the 375H&H and 458Lott...but it works!
Cheers...
Con